Shannon Messenger - Neverseen (Book 4)

For my readers.

I love you more than Silveny loves Keefe.

*mallowmelt and custard bursts for everyone!*

S OPHIE STUMBLED BACKWARD , scrambling closer to her friends as a cage of neon yellow flames erupted all around them.

Heat licked across her skin and smoke choked her lungs while the Neverseen moved forward, their black cloaks gone, disguises abandoned.

There would be no more hiding.

The Neverseen shouted insults and warnings that Sophie tried to focus on, but her mind was too fixated on other words.

Trick.

Trap.

Traitor.

The last word made it impossible to look one of the figures in the eye.

Another betrayal.

Another lie.

Sophie was done with all of it.

She reached for her pendantthe sign of the swan carved into cold black metal curled around a piece of smooth glass. She still didnt fully understand the reason the Black Swan had given it to her. But she knew enough of its power to realize it was their best chance.

She held the glass into the fading rays of sunset, letting the searing beam of white light refract toward the flames of Everblaze.

It was time to fight fire with fire.

W E HAVE TO go, Fitz said, bursting through the doors of Everglens upstairs guest room.

He found Sophie sitting alone on the edge of the giant canopy bed, already dressed in some of her old human clothes.

I thought we were waiting another hour? she asked, glancing out the window at the endless black sky.

We cant. The Council is already convening to vote on our punishments.

Sophie took a slow breath, letting the words pulse through her veins, steeling her nerves as she reached for her purple backpack. It was the same bag shed used when shed left her human life nearly a year earlier. And now she would use it again to leave the Lost Cities.

Is everyone ready? she asked, proud of her voice for not shaking. She also resisted the urge to tug out an itchy eyelash.

This was not a time for nervous habits.

It was time to be brave.

The Council had vowed to punish anyone associated with the Black Swanthe mysterious organization responsible for Sophies existence. But Sophie and her friends knew the real villains were a group called the Neverseen. Fitz, Keefe, and Biana had even tried to help the Black Swan catch the rebels on Mount Everest. But the Neverseen guessed their plan and turned the mission into an ambush. Sophie had discovered the trap in time to warn her friends, and theyd escaped with their livesand managed to capture one prisoner. But theyd each broken numerous laws in the process.

Their safest option now was to flee to the Black Swan and go into hiding. But Sophie had mixed feelings about getting up close and personal with her creators. The Black Swan had tweaked her genes to enhance her abilities as part of their Project Moonlarkbut theyd never given her any clue as to why. Theyd also never told her who her genetic parents were, and Sophie had no idea if shed finally have to meet them.

Bout time you got here, Keefe said as Sophie followed Fitz down the twisting silver staircase. He stood next to Dex in Everglens glittering round foyer, both of them looking very human in hoodies and dark jeans.

Keefe flashed his famous smirk and patted his carefully mussed blond hair, but Sophie could see the sadness clouding his sky blue eyes. During their confrontation with the Neverseen, Keefe had discovered that his mother was one of their leaders. Shed even attacked her own son, before fleeing to the ogre capital and abandoning her family.

Hey, no worrying about me, Foster, Keefe said, fanning the space between them. He was one of the few Empaths who could feel Sophies emotions rippling through the air.

Im worried about all of you, she told him. Youre all risking your lives because of me.

Eh, what else is new? Dex asked, flashing his dimpled grin. And will you relax? Weve got this! Though Im not sure about my shoes. He pointed to his soft brown boots, which were a typical elvin style. All the human ones Fitz had were too big for my feet.

I doubt anyone will notice, Sophie told him. But I guess it depends on how long well be around humans. How far away is the hideout after we get to Florence?

Fitz smiled his movie-ready smile. Youll see.

The Black Swan had taught Fitz how to sneak past Sophies mental blocking and view the secret information hidden in her brain. But for some reason he wouldnt share what hed learned. All Sophie knew was that they were headed to a round window somewhere in the famous Italian city.

Hey, Fitz said, leaning closer. You trust me, dont you?

Sophies traitorous heart still fluttered, despite her current annoyance. She did trust Fitz. Probably more than anyone. But having him keep secrets from her was seriously annoying. She was tempted to use her telepathy to steal the information straight from his head. But shed broken that rule enough times to know the consequences definitely werent worth it.

What is with these clothes? Biana interrupted, appearing out of thin air next to Keefe.

Biana was a Vanisher, like her mother, though she was still getting used to the ability. Only one of her legs reappeared, and she had to hop up and down to get the other to show up. She wore a sweatshirt three sizes too big and faded, baggy jeans.

At least I get to wear my shoes, she said, hitching up her pants to reveal purple flats with diamond-studded toes. But why do we only have boy stuff?

Because Im a boy, Fitz reminded her. Besides, this isnt a fashion contest.

And if it was, Id totally win. Right, Foster? Keefe asked.

Sophie actually wouldve given the prize to Fitzhis blue scarf worked perfectly with his dark hair and teal eyes. And his fitted gray coat made him look taller, with broader shoulders and

Oh please. Keefe shoved his way between them. Fitzs human clothes are a huge snoozefest. Check out what Dex and I found in Alvars closet!

They both unzipped their hoodies, revealing T-shirts with logos underneath.

I have no idea what this means, but its crazy awesome, right? Keefe asked, pointing to the black and yellow oval on his shirt.

Its from Batman, Sophie saidthen regretted the words. Of course Keefe demanded she explain the awesomeness of the Dark Knight.

Im wearing this shirt forever, guys, he decided. Also, I want a Batmobile! Dex, can you make that happen?

Sophie wouldnt have been surprised if Dex actually could build one. As a Technopath, he worked miracles with technology. Hed made all kinds of cool gadgets for Sophie, including the lopsided ring she worea special panic switch that had saved her life during her fight with one of her kidnappers.

Whats my shirt from? Dex asked, pointing to the logo with interlocking yellow W s.

Sophie didnt have the heart to tell him it was the symbol for Wonder Woman.

Why does Alvar have human stuff? she asked. I thought he worked with the ogres.

He does, Fitz replied. Or he did before you almost started a war with them.

Fitz said the words in a light, teasing way, but the truth behind them weighed heavily on Sophies shoulders. Theyd be in a lot less trouble if she hadnt ignored the rules of telepathy and tried to read the ogre kings mind. Shed known it was a dangerous risk, but shed been desperate to know why the ogres had snuck into the Sanctuary and hidden one of their homing devices in Silvenys tail. The rare female alicorn wasnt just essential for the survival of her species, she was one of Sophies closest friends. If only Sophie had known that ogres minds could detect Telepathseven genetically enhanced Telepaths like her. She hadnt learned anything useful, and shed nearly voided the elvin-ogre treaty and started a war.