Neverseen (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #4)(121)

“Ew,” Biana said, tilting her mirror another angle. “I still don’t see anyth—EEP!”

She stumbled back as her dark hair turned red and coiled into tight curls. Her teal eyes paled to ice blue, and her skin turned even paler, giving her a translucent glow.

“Wow,” Sophie whispered, barely able to recognize her friend.

Fitz looked even weirder. His eyes had turned sky blue and his hair had turned dirty blond. He tossed the strands off his forehead and asked, “How do I look?”

“Like a wannabe me,” Keefe said.

The edge to his voice made it hard to smile at the joke.

Keefe started to say something else, but a sneezing fit cut him off. When he finished, he had thick black hair covering his upper lip.

“You gave me a stache?” he asked, cracking an actual smile. He twisted the ends into points as his hair and eyebrows turned the same dark shade, and his skin took on a deep tan.

“You have to see yourself,” Biana told Sophie. “You look a little like me.”

“Ew, she’s right,” Fitz said with a shudder.

Sophie tried not to take the “Ew” personally as she checked her reflection. Her hair hung in dark, soft waves, and her eyes had turned aquamarine. Freckles dotted her nose and cheeks, and she had a deep tan to match Keefe’s.

“How long will this last?” Sophie asked.

“Two hours at most. And the final twenty minutes can be hit and miss, depending on your metabolism. So I’d be away from any crowds before that happens,” Kesler warned.

“They’re not going there alone, right?” Grady asked.

The door belched. “No, they’re going with me.”

All eyes turned to find Sir Astin standing in the doorway.

“Whoa, so it really is him,” Dex said. “I mean, I know you told us, but still.”

“Him who?” Grady asked.

“This is Mr. Forkle,” Sophie said. “One of his other identities.”

Everyone squinted at the figure in front of them, trying to find any trace of Mr. Forkle in the pale blond elf.

“We need to split into two groups,” Mr. Forkle-as-Sir-Astin said. Even his voice had shifted to the high whisper Sophie remembered. “There will be less chance of anyone seeing through our disguises if the size of our group does not match expectations.”

“I’ll take Fitz and Biana with me,” Della said.

“That should work. Have your son transmit to either myself or Miss Foster if you have any problems.”

If you see Alvar, ask him about Ruy, she transmitted to Fitz, hoping the Vackers would try for a covert family reunion.

Fitz nodded as Sir Astin asked, “Are we ready?”

“Almost,” Dex said, then burped a huge belly-shaking burp that would’ve put Iggy to shame. He was still saying, “Excuse me,” when his skin and hair turned five shades darker. His periwinkle eyes turned so deep blue they almost looked black, and muscles bulged in his arms and shoulders, stretching the fabric of his shirt.

“Okay, ready,” Dex said, his voice at least an octave deeper.

Sir Astin rolled his eyes. “The Council’s address will be starting soon. Della, let’s have your group go first.”

She took Fitz’s and Biana’s hands and glittered away, using the path Sir Astin created for them.

“Where are you taking Sophie?” Grady asked.

“I believe the Council set up their stage in the diamond plaza,” Sir Astin said. “So I was thinking the ruby arches would be a safe place to tuck ourselves away.”

Grady nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on the guards.”

“Thank you. And thank you for your assistance, Mr. Dizznee. Your generosity will not be forgotten.”

“Just keep my boy safe and we’re even.” Kesler pulled Dex in for a final hug.

Sophie strangle-hugged Grady, wishing she’d gotten to see him for more than ten minutes.

Keefe stood there watching.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other soon,” Grady promised when Sophie pulled away.

She tried to believe him, giving one last smile as she took Sir Astin’s hand and leaped to Eternalia.





SIXTY


SOPHIE HADN’T BEEN to Eternalia since the day Kenric died, when she’d stood with Alden and Fitz, watching the jeweled city melt in the Everblaze. She’d heard it had been rebuilt, but she’d assumed it would look patched together. Instead the new city shined brighter than the original.

Each new building was made from multiple jewels, and the colors were artfully arranged. It felt like walking through a world made entirely of stained glass. And yet, the breathtaking beauty felt wrong. A place blanketed with so much tragedy shouldn’t be allowed to shimmer.

Sophie hid behind her dark hair as they entered a crowded square. Elves had gathered around a fountain with a statue in the center, resting under arching streams of colored water. Sophie’s breath caught when she recognized the statue’s face.

The sculptor had captured Kenric’s toothy grin and the twinkle in his eyes. And yet, stone could never capture the warmth Kenric had radiated.

She studied the statue’s features, trying to spot a similarity between his and hers—something to prove, or disprove, her theory. The slope of his nose looked familiar, as did the corners of his eyes, but it was too ambiguous to mean anything.