Before they reached Tamburah’s judgment room, they slowed. Apprehension filled her. Since one thing had gone in their favor, she expected the next ten to be a disaster. Except Elek and Lian reported being “utterly bored” while the others were having a “grand adventure.” They quickly forgot their petulance when shown a few of the treasures.
“Does that mean we don’t have to clear that tunnel at the crypt anymore?” Elek asked.
“For now. I’d like to go back to it,” Shyla said. “But it also means we’ll have double shifts working on the tunnel to Zirdai.”
Everyone groaned.
When they returned to headquarters, it was angle seventy—closer to the danger zone than they’d have liked. The good news about the find energized everyone, lifting the constant worry from all their shoulders. Happy sounds and laughter filled the common room. Smiles and slaps on backs echoed. And Shyla figured this would be a perfect time to have them all pledge an oath to the new Invisible Sword, but she needed to consult with Jayden and Ximen first.
The three of them went to Shyla’s room. Except for a few items that Aphra planned to sell, Shyla had collected all the treasures and put them into the trunk in her room. It locked.
“We can’t flood the market, and we need to be careful with our purchases as well,” Jayden said. “We don’t want to draw any attention by buying large quantities.”
“All right. Would you like to oversee that, Jayden?”
If he was surprised, he didn’t react. “Yes. What about the professor?”
“I’ll work with her since she knows me, but you can handle the rest. However, that’s not why I asked you to accompany me.” She turned to Ximen. “How did the magic lessons go?”
He frowned. “Not well. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they showed an utter lack of magical ability.”
“That bad? What about Mojag’s sensing ability?” she asked.
“When he tried to use it, he couldn’t sense anyone. It was only when he wasn’t paying attention that it worked.”
“Plan B?” Jayden asked.
“Yes, I’ll ask for a volunteer.”
“Not Mojag.”
“Did you know he already volunteered?” she asked.
“Figures. You didn’t take him up on it, right?”
“Of course not. Did you really think I would?”
“I think you would do what is needed for this organization to survive,” Jayden said.
Interesting. “There’s another matter. I want to have everyone take the oath at the sun’s apex. The pledge will be almost identical to the one you used, and I plan to give everyone that symbol on their shoulders, but I’m going to alter it to reflect the new archive.”
Jayden and Ximen exchanged a look. Finally Ximen said, “That symbol only works for those who have magic.”
“They only need magic to see it. Right?”
“No. They need magic for it to heal so quickly and for the symbol to remain on the skin. When a wielder takes the oath, it creates a magical reaction.” Ximen rubbed his shoulder. “We’re really not sure how it works.”
That was disappointing, but Shyla thought if she could figure out how Tamburah marked those walls, perhaps she could mark the members.
Ximen left to find her a volunteer for plan B.
Jayden remained behind. “You don’t have to mark everyone. Swearing an oath is a powerful thing, and for most people it is enough.”
She remembered Chago at the monastery, spying for the Water Prince. Perhaps he’d told Captain Yates about Shyla’s visits and it had led to the search and her parents’ arrest. “But not for everyone.”
“You still think there’s a traitor in our midst.” His anger heated the air between them. “Why don’t you just read everyone’s souls and stop with all this taking-an-oath nonsense?”
“Do you want me to read your soul without your permission?”
“You know I don’t.”
“So that must mean you have something to hide?”
“It just means I value my privacy. I get it. Okay? But how is taking an oath going to reveal a potential spy?”
“As you said, taking an oath is a powerful thing, and, in that case, I don’t need to read a person’s soul to know if they’re telling the truth. It’ll all be right there on their surface thoughts. In their body language.”
“And that’s not reading a soul?” he asked.
“Yes. Reading a soul is going deep, learning secrets, learning the full measure of a person, what they’ve done, what they think and believe. Who they are.”
“I still think you’re walking a thin line.”
“And I think it’s something I need to do for this organization to survive.” She used his words against him.
“Fair enough.” He turned to leave.
“Jayden.”
He paused on the threshold.
“I haven’t read anyone’s soul. Not to that depth. But I will if I have to. I’ll cross that line and not apologize.”
Jayden glanced over his shoulder and met her gaze. “Good to know.” Then he left.
She plopped onto her sitting cushion. He had a point. It would be easier for her to read everyone and be done with it, but they’d never trust her again. And that reminded her too much of Tamburah. The last thing she ever wanted was to be like him.
While waiting for her volunteer, Shyla spent the time reading over the scroll of maddeningly vague instructions about using The Eyes. She’d learned she could push her power through her hands, but nothing in the text suggested that was possible. Unless the linking and creating a connection passage referred to that skill. What if she pushed her power while making a mark? It couldn’t hurt to try.
Shyla retrieved her chalk from her pack. Feeling a little silly, she rubbed the chalk over the rough stone, writing her name on the wall of her room while adding magic through her fingertips.
“Are you afraid someone is going to take your room?” Gurice asked with amusement. She stood in the doorway with Mojag pressed against her.
The two of them together didn’t bode well. “I’m experimenting.” Shyla used a corner of her sleeve to erase the letters, but a faint dusting of white remained. Hating to use water but unable to think of something else, she picked up her water skin and washed off the rest of the marks. Now she’d have to wait until it dried.
“Okay,” Gurice drawled as if humoring a crazy lady. “Does this have anything to do with opening a person’s magic?”
Shyla muttered a curse. “No one volunteered?”
“I did!” Mojag said, affronted. “Don’t know why you asked the others. Am I not good enough for you?”
Sigh. “Mojag, you’re too good for me. I don’t want to hurt you. You’re too important.”
“Too bad. I’m here.” He grabbed a handful of sand from the bucket. “And I want to make this sand fly.”
She met Gurice’s gaze.
“Our family line has magic so he would have been tested in the chamber,” Gurice said. “Some people change after being chained that long in the dark.”