Page 12 of An Archer's Redemption

“No.” I tilted my head. “YoubelieveIrina was the One. She would be standing at the center of the continent, triumphant, had she been the One foretold. Clearly, she was not.”

“High Lord?”

“She was a false fork in the prophecy, however compelling we both may have thought her to be.”

The Elder blinked, pain and grief pouring through his masked face. But there was something else in his eyes, as well. Curiosity?

“What if the One returned, buthewasn’t Irina?”

The Elder staggered back, propping himself against the shattered altar. “High Lord, what you say . . . I . . . we would follow the One into the abyss, should she,or he, return.”

“Good. I will need your support, especially in the months to come, if we are to unify this land and fulfill the prophecy.”

The Elder’s eyes bugged out of his mask. “You cannot mean—”

“I meanexactlywhat you are thinking. I declare this to you, Elder of the Ancient Order of the Children, Keeper of the Flame: I am Danai Thorn,the One Returned, the One prophesied to unite these lands and people. Kneel before me and pledge your fealty.”

I called my Light, and the diamonds on the crown flared to brilliance. I hadn’t known that would work but figured the dramatic flair was worth a try.

The masked man threw himself to the floor and pressed his forehead to the stone.

“High Lord,” the man whispered.

“Enough of that. Address me properly,” I commanded, having no idea what title I should use but understanding the need to conform to the people’s beloved prophecy.

“Emperor Thorn,” the Elder muttered into the stone. “Your Most Serene Excellency.”

Hmm. Not what I would’ve chosen, but it does have a ring to it.

“Rise and remove your mask. The time for skulking is over. The Children will continue to wear the holy robes, but your masks must be cast aside if the people are to accept you as their Priests.”

The Elder rose and removed his mask. His hands moved so deliberately that I thought the act might have been painful for him; but what surprised me more was the smooth, unmarred face that stared up once the mask fell away. The Elder appeared to have seen only thirty winters. His skin was pale and smooth from years hidden beneath the bear’s snarl.

I nodded once in approval. “Elder, I name you leader of the Temples across my lands and charge you with preparing the way for my return. Spread word of the prophecy’s fulfillment, and ensure the people know the One will restore order and might.”

The new High Priest bowed low. “It shall be done, Excellency.”

I made to leave but looked back and scanned the room again, intending it to be my final farewell to Irina’s resting place. A glint of silver from the monolith’s rubble caught my eye. I climbed across the broken stone to discover an unbroken silver staff embedded in the heart of the black stone.

Irina’s staff?

I reached out and touched the ancient weapon my protégée had crafted a thousand years ago.

How many times had I seen her wield that staff?

How many times had I wondered at its power?

She never told me its purpose, or what Gift might have been Enchanted into its length, but I planned to find out. A grim smile curled my lips as I grasped the metal and it slid from its hiding place.

Without thinking, I turned and pointed the staff at the High Priest.

Calling my Light, magic flowed from my spirit into the cold metal. A thrill of life coursed through the silver staff. Unable to contain the raw energy, the staff bellowed white flame that engulfed the man. Living fire crawled up and down his body, yet he did not burn. His lips parted as if to scream, but the magicrushed in and swelled his chest. When his mouth closed, no trace of the magical flames remained.

The man blinked up at me and quirked a brow, as if something perplexing was taking place.

I took a step forward. “What are you feeling? Speak to me!”

The man opened his mouth to speak, but no sound emerged.

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