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“Hush,” Gammy silenced him. “Or there’ll be no pie for you.”

It was like she’d said the magic words, since he immediately closed his mouth and sat down.

Gammy led Alex by the hand into the kitchen and pulled out a stool for her to sit on.

“Can I help with anything?” Alex asked, watching the older woman flit around while stirring this, adding that, and pouring here and there.

“Thank you, dear, but I’m almost done.” As she spoke, Gammy turned off the stove, rinsed her hands and put on some padded mittens. She opened the oven and pulled out the most delicious-looking dessert Alex had ever seen in her life. It was the legendary apple pie, and even though she had yet to taste it, Alex suddenly understood what Jordan had been raving about. It truly was a work of art. Beautifully golden and perfectly shaped, it looked like something from the cover of a cooking magazine. Alex’s mouth watered as the aroma engulfed her senses.

“Now, we’ll just let this cool for a moment before I add my special sauce,” Gammy said, setting the pie down on a cooling rack.

She pulled out the stool beside Alex and reached out to clasp their hands together. The familiarity was strangely comforting.

“Tell me about yourself, dear,” Gammy said.

Alex wasn’t sure where to start. “What would you like to know?”

“Whatever you want to tell me.”

Strangely enough, Alex had the strongest urge to tell the older woman everything about her crazy new life, to get it all off her chest and ask for advice from someone much older and wiser. But instead of answering, Alex surprised even herself by asking a question. “Are you gifted?”

Gammy laughed. It was a deep belly laugh that scrunched up her wrinkles and brightened her eyes. “Oh, youarea treat, aren’t you?”

Alex didn’t understand Gammy’s reaction, nor did she know how to respond.

“And you’re remarkably observant,” Gammy added, patting her hand comfortingly. “That’s good. You should always follow your instincts. Intuition can be the most advantageous gift one can possess.”

Alex still had no idea what she was talking about.

“You’re correct in your assumption,” Gammy said. “I was once a student at the academy, a long time ago now. Barnold and I are the only Ronnigans who can claim to have a gift worthy of Akarnae’s recruitment. As the years have progressed, many have forgotten my true gift, instead believing it to be my cooking. Food is my passion, and time and practice have led to some delicious results. But my true gifting is something you might be able to figure out on your own.”

Alex responded to the unspoken question by saying, “I’m not exactly sure what it is, but all I know is that you make me feel really comfortable and relaxed. It’s almost like nothing can go wrong so long as you’re here.”

“That’s the effect of my gift, dear,” Gammy said. “The gift of peace.”

“I like it,” Alex said wistfully. “It’s very relaxing.”

Gammy chuckled again. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Does it work like an empath?” Alex asked, thinking about how she’d read in her Core Skills textbooks that some people have the ability to manipulate the emotions of others. “Is it something I could block if I tried? If I wanted to?”

“Peace in itself is a gift,” Gammy said. “It’s not something that can be manipulated or distorted. An empath can force calmness and serenity upon a person, but peace by its own nature must beacceptedby the receiver. I’m not influencing you so much as projecting what I have and offering it to you. My gift exudes from within me, and you can choose to accept it or reject it.”

“Do you project all the time?” Alex asked.

“Only when I think someone is in need of a little comforting.” Gammy winked at her. “As you should know, most giftings are like light switches—they can be turned on and off at will. You seemed pretty unsure of yourself just before and I wanted to help you feel at ease.”

Alex squeezed the older woman’s hands. “Thanks, Gammy. I can see why everyone loves you so much.”

“Pish posh. They just love my cooking.”

“That too,” Alex agreed.

“Now that you’ve heard a little about me, will you tell me about yourself?” Gammy asked again.

Alex shifted on her seat. “There’s really not that much to say.” Or that she was allowed to say. “I started at the academy almost two months ago and it’s been pretty crazy getting used to everything. The classes are hard—some of them more so than others. But Bear and Jordan have really helped me settle in. I can’t imagine having better friends.”

Thankfully Dorothy chose that moment to walk into the kitchen, saving Alex from having to say more.