Eye of Truth by Lindsay Buroker

Author:Lindsay Buroker [Buroker, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-24T05:00:00+00:00

13

Zenia yawned as she and Jev walked into the square in front of the Water Order Temple, the dragon fountain spitting water into its pool. Though the sky lightened above the city, few people walked the streets yet. That didn’t keep Zenia from glancing back often, worrying about spies or outright pursuers. By now, Iridium had to have realized that they were gone and that her dwarf ally was done doing her favors.

Arkura had shown them to an exit from the subterranean lair, then parted ways with them, saying she would check the pumping stations and also that she expected Jev and his dwarf friend to check in with her later. Zenia figured it was a long shot, but she would be delighted if Arkura found her tools in one of the buildings. And, if they were submerged, Zenia hoped they were waterproof.

As they drew near the broad temple steps, Zenia quickened her pace, eager to escape into the sheltered halls. One of the large doors already stood open, inviting in supplicants.

Jev did not quicken his pace, and his expression did not suggest eagerness, but he also did not turn away. He could have. He also could have left Zenia in that cell. She hadn’t been the one to barter with Arkura. The dwarf never would have risked anything to help her.

Jev followed Zenia up the steps, not straying from what was, for him, a potential prison. Though she did not truly think it would come to that. He would tell her and Sazshen what he knew about the artifact, and they would use his clues to figure out where they could find it. Then, if he truly hadn’t stolen it at some point, he ought to be released.

Though her thoughts were reasonable to her, Zenia couldn’t help but feel twinges of guilt as he followed her across the landing, weariness—or defeat?—slumping his shoulders. He’d helped her with the thugs in the mangrove swamp, he’d gone along with her crazy plan to float down the river, and he’d helped her again in the Fifth Dragon lair. These were the actions of an ally, not an enemy.

“Zenia?” a familiar voice called as soon as she stepped into the grand entry hall.

“It’s me, Archmage,” she said.

Inside, a few candles burned around the base of the Altar of the Blue Dragon, but it was too early for more than a shred of light to enter through the large eastern windows.

Sazshen appeared out of the shadows, hurrying toward Zenia. “I worried when you didn’t come back last night.” She frowned at Jev. “He didn’t have the artifact?”

“No. I had to bring him in for questioning.”

“Does he know where it is?”

“He knows…” Zenia looked at Jev, not wanting to speak anything that wasn’t true, and also finding herself reluctant to say anything that might incriminate him. “I’m not sure what exactly, but he knows more than he’s told me.”

Sazshen frowned. “Didn’t you question him with your power?”

“Not yet. It’s been an eventful night. And yesterday was eventful too.

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