I had been taught to remain neutral, but it was hard to see to see the poor young lady react so violently to the news. But what had she honestly expected?
I tried to calm her, to comfort her, even though it wasn’t my place nor my business. I held her firmly by the shoulders, speaking in a low, soothing voice as if she were an easily spooked animal.
The wild look in her eyes began to settle. The tears began to slow.
I breathed easier. It would be all right now.
Then, without warning, her hand shot out toward me. I instinctively recoiled, expecting to feel the sting of a slap. Instead, she grabbed the hilt of the dagger sheathed at my belt. In one swift motion, she drew the knife out and plunged it into her heart. Her eyes never left mine as the light faded from them.
I must have screamed, although I never heard any sounds in my recurring nightmare. I just saw myself, my mouth gaping open in shock, her blood everywhere. On my hands, my arms, splashed all over the front of my shirt. Pooling on the floor beneath her crumpled body. Her now sightless eyes, still fixed on me.
And then, the aftermath. The waking nightmare.
Ten days of what had seemed like an endless trial. Because my commission had ended so brutally, I had had to endure ten long days before the Council of Seekers, repeatedly reliving the events that led to the young lady’s death. The Council had ultimately decided that the woman had been mentally unstable, that the rigors of travel and the commission had set her over the edge. I was not responsible for her unfortunate death. They would not strip me of my ability.
I would remain a seeker.
Although I was exonerated in the eyes of the public, deep down I disagreed with the ruling.
I had burned the shirt and sold the dagger for a pittance, not wanting to keep either of those items as a reminder of that day. Days passed, dulling the edge of the memories.
But when night came, I was afraid to sleep. I knew that once I did, I would see her eyes. Wild, hopeless, and accusing.
They hadn’t taken away my seeker ability, thinking they were granting me some small mercy.
But the real mercy would have been to take away my gift permanently, and with it the chance that I could ever hurt someone again.
COMING SUMMER 2021
Acknowledgements
THIS BOOK WOULDN’T have happened without the love, support, and encouragement of many, many people.
Thank you to Tom, Jaime, Michael, and Katie for reading the early drafts, giving amazing notes, and being cool with re-reading the same story multiple times.
Thank you to my Monday night writers group, for reading countless other projects and scripts that helped me build up the confidence to write this novel.
Thank you to my husband, for putting up with my late nights, early mornings, and my incessant talking about the characters like they were real people.
And finally, thank you to Mrs. Menard, my 6th grade English teacher, who pulled me aside during class to talk to me about my creative writing skills. “You can do this, you have a real talent for this.” I’ve carried those words with me across multiple states and over the years. Thank you for believing in and encouraging a shy young dreamer. Those simple words of encouragement helped me find my voice.
About the Author
RACHANEE LUMAYNO IS an actress, voiceover artist, screenwriter, avid gamer and amateur dodgeball player. She grew up in Michigan, where she spent way too much of her free time reading fantasy novels. So when she decided to try her hand at writing a book, it made sense that it would be in her favorite genre. Heir of Amber and Fire is her first novel. You can find her online at www.rachanee.net or on Twitter and Instagram (@rachaneelumayno).
