Page 105 of An Archer's Redemption

I passed another small group who were clustered around a small child who wore the Gifted gold. The girl was crying hysterically. I stopped and dismounted, then carefully made my way to the group. When they spotted my own golden collar, they parted to allow me to kneel before the girl.

“Are you all right? Don’t be afraid. I want to help if I can,” I said in as gentle a tone as I could muster.

She eyed me through wary, reddened eyes and wiped her tears with balled fists.

“I can’t hear Gretta anymore,” she managed before her sobs returned.

I waited, then gave a questioning look to the woman who held the girl.

“Gretta’s her cat. Her Gift lets her hear animal thoughts, or see their images, however it works. She’s the only one with a Gift in our family, so we don’t really understand it all.” Then she noticed my collar. “How are you being so strong without yours? All the others wearing gold are a wreck.”

I fingered my collar. I hadn’t even thought to test my own Gift.

“I am a Constable from far away, and my Gift is telling whether or not someone is being honest with me. Unlike your girl, I can’t make my Gift work; someone has to lie to me for it to trigger.” Then an idea struck. “Can you tell me something about yourself that is true, but throw in some false things? Just so I know if it’s working or not.”

The woman scrunched her nose as if smelling something rotten, then nodded. “My name is Macey Brie. I work as a weaver around the corner.” She paused, thinking. “Um . . . my girl here, Bess, takes that darn cat with her everywhere. At least she did before all this.”

I waited, but the woman remained silent.

“Well, anything?”

I cocked my head. “Are you done? I was waiting for you to tell me something false.”

She patted my arm with her weathered hand. “Son, this is my granddaughter. Her name is Jemma, and she hates that raggedy cat, even if its thoughts keep her company sometimes. Just about everything I told you was a lie, except for my name and where I work. Looks like your gold is just as tarnished as the rest of the Gifted.”

I stared at Macey.

My pulse quickened, and my breathing become shallow. I couldn’t believe what she was saying. My Gift had been my constant companion since its first manifestation. It wasn’t just some talent or learned skill—it was part of me. How could something woven into the fabric of my being simply vanish?

My legs grew numb from squatting so long, and I nearly toppled backward into Dittler.

Macey gripped my arm and helped me up.

“You might want to join those folks heading to the Temple. Maybe the Priests can help you, too.”

I shook my dazed head. “No, I need to get to the Palace.”

Without another word, I stood, mounted Dittler, and continued threading my way through the crowd.

Chapter 46

Jess

Iwatched the Mage vanish through the doors and slumped back into my chair.

First mysterious killings—by animals, no less—now magic failed.

What is next?I thought.Is this really what my reign will be? Chasing one disaster after another?

A moment later, I rose and turned to head to my chambers. I needed a long soak in a hot bath like a dying man needed redemption.

“Your Majesty,” a page’s voice called from the entrance before I could escape.

I tilted my head back and sucked in a breath.

“Yes? What is it?” I asked, turning toward the page.

The liveried boy scooted out of the way, and a tall, broad-shouldered man in a dusty blue uniform entered. Our eyes met, and my exhaustion evaporated.

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