Page 110 of An Archer's Redemption

“Yes, my magic works . . . just differently. It’s hard to believe, and even harder to explain. Where are you? We need to talk.”

“I have returned to the guild. I just thought about home, and the next moment, I was here. It is incredible!”Excitement flooded our mental channel.

Emotions. I couldfeelhis emotions through our communication.

Sweet Spirits, what next?

“All right, I’m almost there. I need a bath and a meal, but we should talk first. This is really important.”

Atikus sobered.“Son, are you all right? What’s wrong? I can feel it through this bond, whatever this is.”

“I’m fine. Meet me in the dining hall in fifteen minutes. I should be there by then.”

“Okay. I’ll head down and ask cook to whip up something to eat. See you then.”

I sat across the table from my adopted father.

We’d eaten our fill of cold cuts and dried fruits, and Atikus had recounted the events in the mountain as he’d experienced them, letting me finish my meal before delivering my news.

“I didn’t just get my Gifts back; I gotallof magic!” Atikus vibrated like a boy who’d just tasted his first ale.

I looked up from my plate, said, “Me, too,” then took another bite as if I hadn’t spoken anything of import.

Atikus cocked his head.

He opened his mouth, then closed it.

He blinked beneath bushy brows.

For once, the man was speechless.

“Maybe I should tell you what happened,” I said as I washed the last bite of my dinner down.

“Yes,” Atikus said, his enthusiasm quelled. “Perhaps you should.”

I struggled to begin. Where does one begin with a tale that ends in his mother’s death? My heart ached to be done, to never begin, to have just one more day . . .

The Spirits ignored my prayers.

So, I wove my way through the events in the Well’s cavern, the battle with Irina, and my harrowing journey with Kelså in the currents. When I got to the last part, I lost the last measure of composure and wept.

Atikus stood, stepped around the table, and pulled me into a tight embrace.

He held me until the tears ebbed, never uttering a word.

“I couldn’t save her, Atikus. I tried, but the currents were raging, and the poison was killing magic all around us. I could barely see, much less hold on.” I peered up with reddened eyes. “She vanished while . . .while I watched. I saw her break apart in the currents.”

When Atikus remained quiet, I pulled back, anger blazing in my eyes. “Irina did this. We need to banish her once and for all, Atikus. I don’t care if I die fighting; that witch is going to the void where she belongs.”

Atikus pinched his eyes shut, then nodded. “Yes, yes. Of course, you are right. We cannot let her spirit continue wreaking havoc, but . . . I don’t even know where to begin looking for her, much less how to banish her.” He sat back and gripped my arm with his bony fingers. “You look like you could use a bath and a good night’s sleep. I know I need the rest. We’ll both think better in the morning. I can get some of the Mages I trust to help us plan.”

I nodded weakly, then locked eyes with Atikus. “I never saidthank you.”

The Mage cocked his head. “For what, son?”

“For being the only family Keelan and I ever had. For taking us in and always believing in us, even when we—I—didn’t believe in myself.”

Atikus’s face softened, and his eyes moistened. “Declan, son, you two filled my life with laughter and my heart with joy in ways I never knew was even possible. I should be thanking you.”

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