Шеннон Мессенджер - Keeper of the Lost Cities

“You’ve tried to read my mind without my permission.”

“That’s different. I’m on assignment.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Fitz ran his hands through his hair, which he seemed to do when he was frustrated. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is you could get in big trouble for invading someone’s mind like that. It’s a serious offense.”

The way he said “serious” made everything inside her scrunch and twist together.

“Really?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah. So don’t do it again.”

She started to nod, but a small movement at a nearby oak caught her attention and she froze, her heart hammering so hard it drowned out everything else. It was only for a second—but she could’ve sworn she saw the jogger’s face.

“He’s here,” she whispered. “The guy who tried to grab me.”

“Where?” Fitz scanned the campus.

She gestured toward the tree, but there was no one around. No thoughts nearby either.

Did she imagine it?

Fitz pulled the silver pathfinder from his pocket and adjusted the crystal. “I don’t see anyone—but let’s get out of here. We shouldn’t keep everyone waiting, anyway.”

“Who’s everyone?”

“My parents, and a committee of our Councillors. It’s part of the test you heard me thinking about when you broke into my head.” He shot her a sidelong glance, and she felt her cheeks heat up.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

She’d never thought of telepathy as “breaking in” before, but she could see his point. His thoughts hadn’t automatically filled her mind the way they did with humans. She’d shoved her way in and took them. She’d be furious if someone did that to her.

She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

It wasn’t like she’d ever enjoyed being a Telepath anyway. Reading minds always caused way more problems than it solved.

Fitz took her hand and led her into the sunlight. “Ready?” he asked as he held up the pathfinder.

She nodded, hoping he couldn’t feel the way her arm was shaking. “Can you tell me what the test determines?”

He grinned as his eyes locked with hers. “Your future.”

S OPHIE HAD TO SHIELD HER FACE AS SHEsurveyed her new surroundings. The enormous metal gate in front of them glowed as bright as sunlight, nearly blinding her.

“Welcome to Everglen,” Fitz said, leading her toward the doors. “What do you think?”

“It’s very bright.”

He laughed. “Yeah. The gate absorbs all the light, so no one can leap directly inside. My dad works for the Council, so he likes his privacy at home.”

“I guess.” After her stressful morning it was nice to know she would be safe, but she couldn’t help wondering what they were trying to keep out. She doubted King Kong could get past the massive doors.

A faint click sounded, and the gate swung inward. A striking figure stood in a small, grassy clearing surrounded by the same enormous trees she’d seen growing along the river in the capital. A floor-length, midnight blue cape was fastened across his shoulders with a clasp that looked like a pair of yellow, diamond-encrusted wings. He was tall and lean, with the same vibrant teal eyes and dark wavy hair—it was impossible to miss the family resemblance.

“Sophie, this is my father, Alden,” Fitz introduced.

She wasn’t sure if she should bow or curtsy or shake hands. How should she greet an elf? She managed a shy wave.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophie,” Alden said with an accent more prominent than Fitz’s. “I see Fitz wasn’t kidding about the brown eyes. Most unusual.”

She could feel her cheeks flush. “Oh. Uh. Yeah.”

Alden smiled. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I think the color is quite pretty. Don’t you, Fitz?”

She couldn’t look at Fitz as he agreed. Her face felt like it might actually be on fire.

“Did you tell anyone else where Sophie was?” Fitz asked.

“Only the Council. Why?”

“Sophie said someone tried to take her this morning.”

Alden’s eyes widened. “Are you okay?” he asked, scanning Sophie like he was checking for injury.

“Yeah. He never got close enough to grab me. He just looked like he wanted to.”

“Humans,” Alden muttered.

“Actually, Sophie thought he might be an elf,” Fitz told him.

Father and son shared a look. Then Alden shook his head. “Kidnapping is a human crime. I’ve never heard of an elf even considering such a thing—much less trying it. What made you think it was one of us?”

“I might’ve been wrong,” she said, feeling silly and paranoid. “I just can’t remember hearing his thoughts—which has only happened around Fitz. And now you.”

“Yes, Fitz told me about your telepathy.” He reached out to touch her forehead. “Do you mind?”

“Um.” She didn’t want to be rude, but she couldn’t help taking a step back.

“I mean you no harm, I assure you. I’d love to see your memories of the kidnapper, if that’s okay?”

She was surprised he’d asked her permission. Fitz really was right about the rules for Telepaths. Didn’t mean she liked the idea of having her memories searched though.

She glanced at Fitz and he nodded, trying to reassure her, but it was the kindness in Alden’s eyes that made her agree.

Alden placed two fingers gently against her temples and closed his eyes. She tried to hold still—and avoid thinking about how good Fitz looked in his dark jacket—but as the seconds ticked by, she could feel her knees start to shake.

“Well,” Alden said as he pulled his hands away. “You are indeed a fascinating girl.”

“Couldn’t hear her either, could you?” Fitz asked him, sounding triumphant.

“No.” Alden took both of her hands. “Well, I’ll look into what happened this morning, but I’m sure there’s no reason to worry. You’re here now, and it’s perfectly safe in our world—”

He frowned and his head jerked toward Fitz. “I specifically told you not to let her leap again without a nexus.”

“Sorry, I forgot. Sophie thought she saw the guy who tried to grab her, so we had to get out of there quick. But we’re fine. I had us covered.”

“That’s not the point.” Alden held out his hand, and Fitz dug a small black cuff out of his coat pocket and handed it to him. Alden clamped the bracelet around Sophie’s right wrist, twisting until it fit snug. “Is that comfortable?”

She nodded, staring at her new accessory. The wide band had a single teal jewel set into the front, a smooth gray rectangle on the back, and intricate symbols etched all around. She blinked when she realized they were letters. Letters that spelled out gibberish. Which seemed like an odd way to decorate a bracelet. But what wasn’t odd about this world?

Alden twisted the band again and it clicked with finality. “There. All set.”

“Um. What is it?”

“A safety precaution. Your body has to break into tiny particles to be carried by the light, and the nexus holds those particles together until your concentration is strong enough to do it for you. Fitz never should have let you leap without one—even with the stressful circumstances.”

“But Fitz doesn’t have one.” Sophie pointed to his bare wrist.

“I got mine off early. My concentration is strong enough for three people—which is why we’re fine. Sophie’s not even a little bit faded, and you know it.”

“Only fools overestimate their skills, Son. You’ve never had to watch someone fade away. Perhaps if you had, you would be more cautious.”

Fitz’s eyes dropped to the ground.

“What does it mean to fade away?” Sophie asked quietly.