Soul Eyes

CHAPTER SIX

Elran called in to the port's control center and word was sent to the temple that he was requesting Jaysa immediately.

"He says he's your employer," Klea informed her in the suite.

Jaysa sat at the couch, a map of the known galaxy splayed on the coffee table. She looked up at the old cleric.

"Oh no," Jaysa muttered. She had completely forgotten to check in with Elran. And he had probably figured out Tharun's deceit by now. Or the Beshal prison guards had anyway.

"Shall we take the call?" Klea raised an eyebrow as Jaysa had been silent for a few moments.

"Yes," Jaysa folded the map neatly. She had been looking for any idea on where to start finding more Astrals. The map proved useless and she was still blank with ideas. The first Astral had been a complete accident. Jaysa stood from her seat, "And I need the Unspoken Tome if possible."

Klea turned on the screen bolted to the wall. Elran's face popped onto it and he did not look happy.

"I'll have the room Grand Cleric," Jaysa said, leaving no room for argument. Klea had been overly protective since Rhies had shown up yesterday, not allowing her alone with her mentor for more than a few hours at a time.

Klea pursed his lips and left the room.

"Maybe I should find a hotel or something?" Rhies whispered but Jaysa waved him off, her expression saying he would do no such thing.

"Hey Elran," Jaysa said, plastering a small smile on her face.

Elran was fuming. Jaysa had never seen him so mad.

"Did you know?" he asked quietly then got louder as he went on. "Did you know he's Tharun Shell, a Mystic? What in the hell? Why would you not turn around? I know you knew! Do you know the headache this has caused me? I'm swamped now with fines, fines you will help cover! Plus, they want him back! Where is he? Tell me and the fines are lowered!"

"Stop yelling Elran," Jaysa replied, her lips thinned, almost white. She would not lie to Elran, consequences be damned.

Elran quieted, waiting for her response.

Jaysa took a deep breath before answering, "Yes I knew. But you-"

"I fucking knew it!" Elran's nostril's flared. "What is wrong with you? Why would you do this?"

Jaysa slammed her hands on the trestle table next to the couch, leaning slightly by the waist and seethed, "He is not what you think! We're all wrong on the outlook of Mystics. We've been lied to by the media. People are scared of Mystics, for good reason, but Tharun did nothing wrong! He was literally arrested for something he did not ask for. All those charges are bull."

"And you believe that," Elran shook his head. "Jaysa, he's a wanted man and now you're an accomplice. You realize that? Where is he?"

Jaysa shook her head, "I don't know. The temple was attacked. We were separated, he got taken prisoner."

"All the better for it. The Xorphyx will handle him. But we still have to pay these fines." Elran's tone calmed as this news was brought forth. "I'll inform Beshal authorities. Beshal has issued a warrant for you though, so you know, you're fired of course. You're still helping pay these fines or I'm taking you to trial, on top of the trial from Beshal."

Jaysa stepped back, aghast that Elran had fired her. She knew he would be mad. But mad enough to fire her? She stared at the floor, beginning to hate Elran. It made sense to fire her, Jaysa understood that, but there had been no hesitation from Elran.