Шеннон Мессенджер - Keeper of the Lost Cities

“Do you think he’s capable?”

Several seconds passed before he answered. “He doesn’t seem like the type. Plus, someone’s been setting suspicious fires all year—the white fires I’ve been investigating—and while they showed some signs that they might be someone trying to spark Everblaze, I never found any conclusive evidence. The Council is convinced this is yet another example.”

“Still, shouldn’t they at least investigate the fires, to be sure? Especially since these ones are yellow, like Everblaze?”

“They still see no need. When the first suspicious fires started in San Diego, I asked them to put all the Pyrokinetics under secret surveillance—including Fintan. There’s been no suspicious behavior, so they’re confident an elf can’t be behind them.”

“Why is the Black Swan so convinced that it’s Everblaze then?”

“I’m not sure they are. Think about it, Sophie. The Black Swan are obviously the ones behind whatever’s going on, so why would they go to so much effort to tell us what they’re doing? They’d be ruining their own plans.”

The words crashed into her brain like a stone. “But . . . what are they trying to do, then?”

Alden stared into the depths of the aquarium. “I’m afraid they might be trying to get you exiled—and trust me when I say you don’t want to go there. It’s a very dark place.”

“Why would they want that to happen?” she whispered, hugging her chest, like the pressure might calm her racing heart.

“I can’t even begin to guess, but everything they’ve done has put you at risk. They gave you an illegal leaping crystal as a necklace. They made you collect Quintessence. Now they’re trying to get you to make a very serious charge against a former Councillor—without evidence.”

It wasn’t until Alden squeezed her shoulder that she realized she was shaking.

“There’s no need to be afraid, Sophie. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you, but do you understand why I don’t want you to act on this? These fires may very well be a hoax to trap you—and you can’t let that happen.”

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I won’t.”

“Good girl. I’m so sorry you have to be wrapped up in this, especially considering everything else you’re dealing with.” He took her hands. “I’m sorry about Grady and Edaline. I thought it might help them to have a daughter to raise again. Obviously, I was wrong.”

Her voice failed her, but she managed to nod.

“Della and I would love to have you live with us. I’m still getting everything approved by the Council, but Kenric is confident he can overrule Bronte’s objection.”

“Why does Bronte object?”

Half a smile crept from the corner of his mouth. “He doesn’t trust me. And he’s never trusted you, given your past. So the idea of us living together . . .”

“Why doesn’t he trust you?”

“Probably because my father’s always off chasing phantom rebels,” Alvar said from the doorway. Sophie and Alden both jumped. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget how easy it is to sneak up on people.” He blinked in and out of vision as he crossed the room and leaned against the wall. “What are you guys talking about?”

Alden cleared his throat. “Sophie might be coming to live with us.”

“Really? Cool, I guess.” His eyes landed on the teal book on Alden’s desk. “Is that a memory log?”

Alden snatched it and held the moonlark side against his chest. “I’m sorry, Alvar, you’re interrupting an official meeting between an Emissary and a citizen. Anything you’ve seen or heard is confidential.”

Alvar grinned. “Duly noted.” He gave an elaborate bow and strode toward the door. “Forgive me for interrupting.”

When he was gone, Alden turned to Sophie. “You should probably get home.”

She cringed, but stood up, digging out her home crystal as he handed her the memory log.

“Keep searching your memories, Sophie. Maybe your next revelation will finally lead us to the truth.”

S OPHIE WASN’T SURE IF SHE WAS RELIEVEDor disappointed when she didn’t find a note in her locker on Monday. She’d spent the entire weekend attempting to trigger hidden memories but hadn’t found anything, and she was trying not to feel frustrated.

She studied in the caves, partly to avoid Grady and Edaline, but mostly because the walls at Havenfield pressed in—like there wasn’t enough room for her anymore. Grady and Edaline left her alone as long as she came back by dark.

Nights were the hardest. She imprisoned herself in her room, sorting out the things she would take whenever it came time to move. Other than Iggy, she was determined to leave everything Grady and Edaline had given her. She didn’t want any reminders of the people who’d kicked her out of their family.

But she’d decided to tell her friends about it. The thought of everyone’s pity made her feel as if an angry imp were tearing around inside her body—but it was time.

Dex barely looked at her as he opened his locker, and his whole body radiated tension.

She cleared her throat. “Hey, Dex.”

He didn’t turn, keeping one very cold shoulder pointed in her direction.

“I’m sorry. I don’t blame you for being mad. I know I’ve been a little distant lately.”

He reeled around, his face twisted with so much anger she barely recognized him. “You weren’t distant with Fitz and Biana on Friday! I saw you hugging them in the hall.”

“Dex, . . . .” She hadn’t realized anyone was around.

“Why would you tell them before me? I thought we were best friends.”

“We are.”

“Then why did you go home with them after you turned me down?”

“I was going there anyway. And I didn’t tell them—they already knew.” She took a deep breath, preparing for the next words. “Grady and Edaline canceled my adoption.”

“Oh.” He stared at his feet. “Are you okay?”

She choked back a small sob. The words hurt even more to say out loud. “Not really,” she admitted. “But that’s why Fitz and Biana knew before you. Alden told them when he asked how they would feel about me living with them.”

“What?” His voice was so loud half the prodigies in the atrium turned to stare. “You’re going to live with them?”

She leaned closer so he would keep his voice down. “The Council still has to approve it, but I hope so.”

“You hope so?” He slammed his locker closed. “Well, that’s just great. You’ll be a Vacker.” He said their last name like it was a bad word.

“So?”

“So, Vackers aren’t friends with Dizznees.”

“I would be—and Fitz and Biana would be too if you made some effort with them.”

“Right.” He kicked the ground. “I don’t get why you’d want to live there anyway.”

“For one thing, there aren’t exactly people lined up to adopt me.” She cleared the bitterness from her voice before saying anything else. “Besides, they’re my friends, Dex. I keep waiting for you to get over this—prejudice—against them, but it’s like you want to hate them.”

“I don’t trust them.”

“Well, I do.”

“Yeah, because you have a megacrush on Fitz.”

“I do not!” Blood rushed to her face. He’d said it so loud everyone giggled.

Dex snorted. “Whatever.”

“It’s the truth . And why are you being such a jerk? I tell you my guardians are kicking me out, and you pick a fight with me and humiliate me in front of everyone?”

“Maybe if you’d talked to me first—instead of running to Wonderboy—I could’ve helped. But I guess I should get used to that. Once you’re living there, you’ll ditch me anyway.”