Neverseen (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #4)(101)

“Maybe,” Keefe agreed. “But Shades will always be shady. It’s in the name! And they control shadowvaper, and call it ‘the darkness within us all.’?”

“Does that mean they can control us, like Mesmers?” Sophie asked.

“It’s more about being able to read people,” Fitz said. “It’s kind of like what Councillor Terik does when he descrys someone—only Shades are looking at your potential for darkness.”

“Tell me that’s not creepy!” Keefe said.

“Uh, I can inflict pain on people,” Sophie reminded him. “Besides, how is judging him for his ability any better than judging people for being Talentless?”

“So you’re saying you want to trust him?” Fitz asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe we should see what the Collective thinks. They may not want any of us going to Exillium anymore, so we can focus on what’s happening with the plague.”

She was honestly hoping for the latter, so they could go back to Bosk Gorge and figure out why the plague seemed to be spreading faster there, and make sure no other gnomes were stranded in the area.

But when they returned to Alluveterre, Mr. Forkle was waiting for them in the bridge’s gazebo—and he’d brought Sophie and Fitz new Exillium uniforms.

“I take it this means we’ll be going to school tomorrow,” Fitz said.

“You did the right thing, helping that gnome,” Mr. Forkle told them. “The Coaches should see that.”

“And if they don’t?” Dex asked.

“Then it’s your job to convince them. We need to get them on our side—they know more about what’s happening in the Neutral Territories than anyone.”

“But they don’t seem to care,” Sophie mumbled.

“Then make them care. That’s one of your greatest gifts, Miss Foster—one we had nothing to do with. You’re a natural force for change. And here’s a chance to make a true difference.”

Her friends looked as nervous as Sophie felt, but they didn’t argue as they headed for their rooms.

Actually, Mr. Forkle transmitted to Sophie. If you could stay behind, there’s something I need to discuss with you . . . privately.

Sophie figured it had to do with the sick gnome or her visit to Foxfire. So she definitely wasn’t prepared when he told her, “I have news for Mr. Sencen.”

“Is it about his mom?” she asked, sinking into one of the chairs. She had a feeling this was the kind of conversation she wanted to be sitting down for.

“It is—but not in the manner you’re thinking. The news is about her past, not her present, and that’s why I’m sharing it with you. You seem to have a better sense of how Mr. Sencen is handling things, so I trust you to decide how we proceed from here. As you know, Councillor Oralie has been working with Lord Cassius, searching for clues to his wife’s Neverseen activities. And word has reached me that a few days ago they discovered a trunk hidden in Candleshade. I’m sure you can imagine how easy it would’ve been for the family to overlook it all these years.”

Sophie nodded. Keefe’s house had at least two hundred stories—but Sophie didn’t care about that. “What was in the trunk?”

“Lots of maps. The Council’s still working to determine their purpose. And a kit for making temporary leaping crystals, like the ones you use at Exillium. We’re assuming that’s one of the ways she slipped away to the Neverseen’s hideouts without anyone noticing.”

“And?” Sophie pressed, since none of that merited a private conversation.

“And . . . there was also a note. Lord Cassius wanted it returned to his son, so it found its way to me.”

He reached into his cape pocket and handed her a plain piece of paper that seemed too large for the tiny message scrawled at the top in loopy writing.

Dear Keefe,

I’m doing this for you.

Love, Mom

“So what are we going to do?” Mr. Forkle asked. “Tell Mr. Sencen? Or spare him?”

Sophie stared at the page, trying to decide what bothered her more: the word “love,” or all the blank space.

And she kept picturing the Keefe she’d seen in the physician’s tent, the angry scared Keefe lurking just under the surface.

But she’d promised Keefe she wouldn’t hide things from him, and this was a Very. Big. Thing.

“It’s not easy, is it?” Mr. Forkle asked. “Deciding how to protect someone you care about? I’m sorry to add this burden to you—especially after the day you’ve had. But I know you’re the one who will choose what’s best for him.”

Sophie sighed. “Can I think about it?”

“Take all the time you need. All I ask is that you warn me before you share it with him—if you decide to share it with him. Otherwise I’ll assume you’ve kept this to yourself.”

Sophie nodded and stumbled back to her room. She was up most of the night going back and forth, making up her mind and changing it the next instant.

Eventually, she tucked the note into her purple backpack in the cache’s old hiding place.





FORTY-NINE


ARRIVING AT EXILLIUM the next morning felt like a scene in a movie where the soundtrack scratched to silence and everyone turned to stare.