Page 99 of An Archer's Redemption

“How—”

The rational scholar seized control and began testing every insane theory that flooded my mind.

First, I held out my palm and thought of ice. An instant later, the air around mewarmed, and a ball of pure, frozen water formed in my palm. I’d just pulled the heat from the surrounding air, combined it with moisture, and frozen it, all with barely a thought.

That is not possible. I have no Gift for . . . any of this.

I tossed the ice aside and held out my palm again, this time thinking of fire. The surrounding air cooled, and sapphire flame erupted and hovered above my hand.

My stomach growled, so I pictured the platter of bacon still sitting on the kitchen table. Barely an eye blink later, the blazewas replaced by a platter of fried pork. I gasped and stumbled backward, dropping the platter to scatter across the floor.

“I wish Pel could see this,” I breathed, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose with gnarled fingertips.

“Atikus?”

My eyes flew open, and I found myself standing above Mage Pel’s bed, the bleary-eyed, startled man staring up.

I drew a sharp breath and bowed my head.

“The Gift has been shattered.”

Chapter 42

Declan

Kelså opened her mouth, as if to scream, but the mist, now thick with a dark residue, raced into her lungs.

Her head spun about, finding my eyes wide with fear.

I wasn’t afraid for myself.

I knew the currents. I was of the currents. They were part of me.

But magic was a fickle mistress. What would she make of Kelså? It might not matter that my mother had guarded the Well, protected the currents, given her life to keep them secret and safe for generations.

Magic was a force of nature, and nature would never be denied her due.

Our hands remained clasped.

The currents churned, tossing us feet over head again and again, threatening to break us loose.

I felt my mother squeeze tighter.

Waves of heat and power buffeted my body. I could only image how they battered my mother’s mind. Her Light, normally a peaceful core, looked like a dagger’s tip digging deeper and deeper.

“Don’t let go of my hand, no matter what!”I screamed in her mind.“We just have to hang on until we reach the opening at the guild. Hold on!”

Angry waves tossed us like children’s playthings.

The Light in the flow dimmed as darkness gained strength.

My tunic still beamed, a beacon in the swelling darkness. I willed it brighter, an anchor in Kelså’s mind that seemed to strengthen her grip.

“We’re almost there. I can feel the Silver Mountains.”

The currents twisted and turned, bouncing us off unseen walls of the river’s course.

Kelså was battered. Blood leaked from gashes across her arm and forehead.

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