Page 140 of An Archer's Redemption

Both my brows raised. “I have never studied her staff, but in theory, I suppose it could work.”

“If there’s even a chance we can restore the Gifts, we have to try.”

I sighed. “It is never this easy, Declan, but I suppose you are right. We do owe it to everyone back home to exhaust every avenue. It is why we came here, after all.”

A few moments later, adopted son and father stood on the glassy dais of the Well of Magic, staring down at the blackened ooze that was once magic’s untainted lifeblood.

“When you brought me here and I saw the current for the first time . . .” I swallowed hard. “Declan, when you think about the past, do you have one or two moments in time that seem frozen in your mind? If you close your eyes, you can see every detail, hear and feel and tasteeverything.”

Declan’s eyes grew distant as a smile curled his lips. “When I met Ayden.”

“Yes, I suppose that would be one of yours.” I returned his smile and patted his arm. “In all my life, I remember three or fourperfect moments. Standing here with you, seeing the Well and its majestic flow that first time, was one.”

“This place is beyond amazing.”

“I am explaining this poorly. It felt like I was an excited, innocent child again, thrilled at magic’s first touch, though I had no idea what it even meant. It filled me with wonder and a sense of possibility, with dreams so distant a moment earlier but suddenly within reach.”

I let my hand fall from Declan’s arm, then turned, sat on the stair, and stared down into the murk. It absorbed much of the light normally present in the cavern, and Declan had to cast several globes above us just to see a few paces around the Well.

“Now, all I see is darkness. This real poison here is the absence of hope. Son, we have to succeed, because my heart tells me the whole world will dim if we fail.”

Declan sat and put an arm around me.

“You are the smartest, strongest,kindestman I’ve ever known. And I’m Keelan’s brother, which means I have to protect everyone and be grumpy doing it.”

I spit a laugh despite my mood.

“We’ll make this work. One way or another, we’ll find a way.”

I looked up at Declan, and my lip quivered as I spoke in a strained whisper, “I am so proud of you, Declan. You have grown into quite the man.”

Declan’s face reddened, then a grin quirked the corner of his mouth as he ran a hand through his curly mess of hair.

“I know. It is such a burden being amazing sometimes.”

I barked another laugh as the mood lightened.

“Enough of you! Let us cast a spell.”

I stood and gripped the staff in both hands. Power thrummed through me—my own magic—reverberating through the cold metal. My heartbeat quickened.

Declan rose, and we approached the opening of the Well shoulder to shoulder, father and son. Declan uncoiled the scroll and held it so we could both see its contents.

We called our Light and poured it into the scroll.

Triggered by the touch of our magic, the scroll’s lettering glittered to life, transforming from faded black to brilliant gold.

We read aloud.

With each spoken word, the symbols and letters brightened, and their strokesflowedon the page.

Declan’s tunic flared to life, outshining the globes hovering overhead.

The incantation began.

Biotáille solais, glaoimid ort. Éist linn.

Pinpricks of iridescent light flickered amid the charred current.

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