Page 116 of An Archer's Reckoning

I pulled them both off Declan and helped them sprawl out on the floor.

“You have spent yourself beyond your limit and eaten into your life force. As badly as we need that barrier, we cannot lose you from such foolishness. Catch your breath, then go get something to eat and sleep until tomorrow. I will find someone else to help here.”

Scolding complete, I turned to examine Declan. He had been fending off artillery blows for three days now. His face was gaunt and pale. Heavy bags sagged beneath weary eyes, their youthful luster long since dulled by exhaustion.

It was a miracle the boy was still on his feet.

Órla appeared in the window, carefully avoiding the magical flow as she landed.

“He cannot last much longer today,” I said.

Órla flapped a few feet to land on her Bond-Mate’s shoulder. His body trembled briefly, then settled as strength flowed in a blue wave from her beak into his mouth. A few moments later, she flapped back to the window.

“That should get him through this round and allow the people to continue the evacuation. The enemy has realized their efforts to destroy our tower are actually building a stone wall they will have to cross later. They will pause their attacks and reassess. Declan should be able to rest soon.” Her normally upbeat voice sounded as weak as I felt.

She was tired, too.

Chapter 46

Keelan

“What have I done?”

Whose hands are these?I wondered, as I stared down at my palms.

For the second time in as many days, tears trickled down my face. I couldn’t remember a time when I wept so often. I was everyone else’s strength. There was no place for weakness in me.

Guilt warred with horror and disbelief.

Motion lifted my gaze.

Dittler glared from a dozen paces away. Atikus stood nearby, stroking the stallion’s neck, muttering soothing words I couldn’t hear.

“Atikus, I just tried to kill the Queen of Spires.”

“Keelan—”

“I just tried to killJess.”

Atikus stepped forward, letting his hand drop from the horse as he took tentative steps toward me.

“I’m me again,” I muttered as my head drooped.

A weathered hand fell onto my shoulder.

“Son, I know this was not you.”

“But, Jess—”

“Jess knows, too.” He squeezed. “Whatever powers Isabel has accumulated, she now has the ability to meddle in minds. At least, she can meddle in yours. It would take a team of Mages to understand how that is possible, but—”

“It doesn’t matter. She can. That’s our reality now.” Atikus slumped down to sit beside me. “What else do you think she can do now?”

The old Mage shook his head. “There is no way to know, but I fear she may now possess some measure of the original Mages’ powers.”

“Spirits, that sounds bad.”

Atikus nodded.

---