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Chapters (58)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright
  3. Dedication
  4. Part One
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Part Two: Three Months Later
  11. Chapter Six
  12. Chapter Seven
  13. Chapter Eight
  14. Chapter Nine
  15. Chapter Ten
  16. Chapter Eleven
  17. Chapter Twelve
  18. Chapter Thirteen
  19. Chapter Fourteen
  20. Chapter Fifteen
  21. Chapter Sixteen
  22. Chapter Seventeen
  23. Chapter Eighteen
  24. Chapter Nineteen
  25. Chapter Twenty
  26. Chapter Twenty-one
  27. Part Three
  28. Chapter Twenty-two
  29. Chapter Twenty-three
  30. Chapter Twenty-four
  31. Chapter Twenty-five
  32. Chapter Twenty-six
  33. Chapter Twenty-seven
  34. Chapter Twenty-eight
  35. Chapter Twenty-nine
  36. Chapter Thirty
  37. Chapter Thirty-one
  38. Chapter Thirty-two
  39. Chapter Thirty-three
  40. Chapter Thirty-four
  41. Chapter Thirty-five
  42. Chapter Thirty-six
  43. Chapter Thirty-seven
  44. Chapter Thirty-eight
  45. Chapter Thirty-nine
  46. Chapter Forty
  47. Chapter Forty-one
  48. Chapter Forty-two
  49. Chapter Forty-three
  50. Chapter Forty-four
  51. Chapter Forty-five
  52. Chapter Forty-six
  53. Chapter Forty-seven
  54. Chapter Forty-eight
  55. Epilogue
  56. Acknowledgments
  57. About the Author
  58. Keep Reading for a Sneak Peek at Umbertouched

She’s right, of course. I have no reason to be upset. So why do I feel like I’ve betrayed everything I stand for? I want to lash out at something, and it’s only with a great deal of effort that I don’t. “So I leave soon for the capital?”

She relaxes a bit. “Yes, and with any luck you’ll do well there. Now, listen carefully. I didn’t give you much potion just now, so you’ll likely fade away soon. Is there anything else we need to discuss?”

No. Not really. We just need to continue with this crazy scheme. “Just send word to Gatha that I’m in.”

My head feels fuzzy already, and I know instinctively that I don’t have long. I have a strange urge to wave my hands and dispel the fog, but that would only make me look like a madman. Though, I wonder, with all Zivah’s done to me thus far, can I really say I’m that far from madness? I’m mulling that over when the mists drift back in to stay.

Part Three

Chapter Twenty-two

After a week, I step out of the compound for the second time. Zivah gives me a waterskin and a pack of dried fruit. I have an old tunic and sandals, and a token of introduction to present when I arrive at the palace. Not exactly starting off my new life with untold riches, but it’s more than any of my fellow patients will ever get.

“Do us proud, Dineas,” Zivah says, clasping my hands. There’s something about her smile. I’m guessing lots of pretty girls have smiles that light up their face, but Zivah’s smile feels like it comes from within.

“I’ll come back with all kinds of news,” I promise her. The guard at the compound gates salutes me, and then I set off along the single trail leading toward the city. It’s not yet noon, but the sun’s rising fast. Lizards scurry across the path ahead of me, and I kick stones at them as I go. Beyond that, I don’t have much company, but I’m enjoying the fresh views. The hospital walls had started to feel confining lately, and it’s nice having something new to explore. It’s strange to think I must have walked this trail before.

Finally tall stone walls appear ahead of me. And though I have no memory of this place, there’s something in me that understands this is a true city. The grand stone walls, the stream of citizens coming in and out of the gates—this place is the center of something big. There’s all kinds of people here: tall men and short men, women in jewels and women in rags. What’s most noticeable though, is the smoothness of their skin. Not a single rosemark in sight.