Шеннон Мессенджер - Keeper of the Lost Cities

Fitz explained the rules. One team guarded its base while the other team launched a raid. If the questers made it to the base without getting tagged, they won.

“Light leaping isn’t allowed, but special abilities can be used,” Fitz added, looking right at Sophie, like he was saying it for her benefit.

“That’s not fair. Sophie and I don’t have . . .” Biana’s voice trailed off when Fitz shot her a warning look. “Fine. But you guys have to quest first.”

Sophie chose to be sentry at the vivid red tree they’d picked as their base. She didn’t like being the last defense—especially considering how fast Fitz and Keefe could run—but she didn’t know the grounds, so it made more sense to let Biana try to hunt them down. Plus, if abilities were allowed, she knew how to keep tabs on the boys.

Tiergan had taught her how to track where thoughts came from. Most Telepaths could only isolate a general area, but Sophie could nail down the exact spot. She’d never tried it on moving targets, but it was worth a shot. So as soon as Biana ran off, she opened her mind and listened .

Fitz’s thoughts were softer than ever—he must be trying to block her—but Keefe’s were loud and clear. He was thinking about the lake, so she listened in that direction and instantly felt their presence. She couldn’t think of a better way to explain it—even Tiergan didn’t understand. Her mind somehow touched them through the air, telling her exactly where they were.

She needed a tremendous amount of concentration to stay connected as they snuck through the meadow, but she didn’t lose them, even when they dashed into the forest to slip by Biana. Her head ached, but she held on, following them through the trees. When their thoughts focused on the base, her heart thundered. They were closing in.

She took off, not sure if she was seeing with her eyes or theirs as she plowed through the trees. She didn’t know where she was, or how long she ran, or if she felt anything—until her hands connected with skin and her vision cleared.

Fitz and Keefe stared at her with wide eyes. She gripped their arms.

“How did you do that?” Keefe demanded. “You ran straight to us, like you knew where we were.”

“I”—she racked her brain for a credible excuse—“heard you.”

“Heard us how?” Keefe cocked his head, glancing at her hand on his arm, then back at her. “Hiding something, Foster?”

“She probably heard you crashing through the bushes like a sasquatch,” Fitz said, coming to her rescue. “I think the whole world did.”

“No, I don’t think that’s what it is.”

“You’re just mad because you lost,” Biana teased, catching up with them. “I can’t believe Sophie tagged you both on her own—she can be my base quest partner anytime.” She grinned, and Sophie couldn’t help smiling back.

She was actually having fun—with Biana, of all people. Who would’ve guessed?

“Do my eyes deceive me, or is that Sophie Foster?” Alden asked behind them.

“We’ve missed you around here,” Della added, rushing over and wrapping Sophie up in her arms.

Sophie sank into the hug, swallowing the emotions rising in her chest. She hadn’t seen Alden or Della since she moved to Havenfield, and she hadn’t realized how much she missed them. She took a deep breath to clear her head and her nose tingled. “Whoa, you smell like smoke. Is there a fire?”

Della glanced at Alden as she pulled out of the hug, backing a few steps away.

Alden cleared his throat. “Just something we’re looking into. No reason to worry.”

Sophie repressed a sigh. “No reason to worry” seemed to be Alden’s favorite words.

Then again, he’d never found anything suspicious about the San Diego fires—or if he had, it hadn’t been important enough to hit the gossip circles. Sophie was sure Marella would’ve heard otherwise.

“So, what are you guys up to?” Della asked.

“Getting stomped in base quest,” Keefe grumbled. “You should’ve seen it—Sophie tagged us out like she knew where we were.”

Alden glanced at Fitz—who gave the slightest nod—before he grinned at Keefe. “Sounds like someone’s not happy about losing.”

“I’d just like to know how she did it, but she insists on being all mysterious.” Keefe narrowed his eyes at Sophie. “She still hasn’t explained how she slammed Fitz into the wall yesterday.”

Sophie flushed, and when she met Alden’s eyes she could see clear concern. “Fitz said he was going to talk to you about that,” she said quietly. “Any theories?”

“None that makes any sense,” Alden admitted.

A second of silence passed. Then Della came to the rescue. “Besides, we girls never reveal our secrets. How else can we keep you boys on your toes? So, who’s staying for dinner?” She glanced at Sophie.

“Sorry. I told Edaline I’d be home. Maybe next time.” She flushed when she realized she’d invited herself over.

But Biana smiled. “Sounds good.”

“Do you need to use the Leapmaster?” Alden asked.

“No, Grady and Edaline gave me a home crystal.” She held up a long silver chain that hung to her waist. The crystal pendant only had a single facet, the path to Havenfield. They’d given it to her that morning, apologizing for not giving her one sooner.

She really felt like family.

“Don’t stay away too long this time,” Alden told her. “We’ve missed you around here.”

“I’ve missed you guys too. I’ll see you soon.”

ON MONDAY BIANA, KEEFE, ANDFitz sat with Sophie at lunch.

Jensi and Marella kept giggling and staring at their visitors—Marella especially. Dex spent the entire lunch sulking at his tray.

“Hey, Dex,” Sophie said, trying to draw him out of his funk. “Can you come over after school today?”

He glared at Fitz before his eyes met hers. “You don’t have other plans?”

She ignored his snipe. “I was hoping you’d tutor me in alchemy. I’m going to need help before midterms, and you’re the best alchemist I know.”

Dex straightened up at the compliment. “Sure, if you really need me.”

Keefe wagged a finger at her. “Aw, don’t go getting good at alchemy, Foster. Who else can we count on to destroy Lady Galvin’s capes?”

“Don’t worry, I don’t think Sophie can ever get good at alchemy,” Marella told him. “Do you have any idea how many things she’s exploded?”

“There’ve been other explosions?” He flashed Sophie a wicked grin. “This I have to hear.”

Sophie sighed as Marella filled everyone in on her almost weekly explosions. Now she had a reason besides Bronte to get better at alchemy. If sitting with Keefe was going to be a regular thing, she would never hear the end of the jokes.

Keefe got detention a week later, so she was off the hook for the teasing. But it was a lucky break, because even with Dex’s expert instructions, she couldn’t get the hang of alchemy. She almost caught her room on fire twice before Dex moved their practice experiments to the caves that lined the beach at the base of Havenfield’s cliffs. Rock couldn’t burn and the ocean was nearby if they needed it. And they needed it. A lot. She even caught Dex’s tunic on fire.

Maybe it was because the rules of alchemy defied every rule of chemistry she’d ever learned, or maybe it was because the ingredients were so foreign, but two weeks away from exams she was panicking. Her only chance of passing would be if she knew what would be on the test so she could practice until she got it right. Too bad Lady Galvin refused to give a study guide. Sophie was fairly certain she was hoping she’d fail so she’d be rid of her.

Of course, Sophie could always read her mind.