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“But,” Emery added, and the whole room seemed to suck in abreath, “your current imprisonment also creates quite theconundrum.”Fitz’s hand shook and Sophie tightened her hold, twining hergloved fingers with his as Councillor Emery closed his eyes andrubbed his temples.Ro leaned down and whispered to Keefe, “Settle in for a longdebate, Betting Boy. And get ready to prance around school in ourtiniest armor.”Keefe shrugged.But Emery stood, pacing twice along the platform before pausing toface Alvar. “I’ll admit, none of us are entirely comfortable with whatI’m about to say—but we’re also not willing to issue a sentence whilethere are so many uncertain variables.”“WHAT?” Fitz blurted, jumping to his feet.“We understand that this is an emotionally challenging situationfor you,” Emery told Fitz. “That’s why I’m tolerating yourinterruptions. But surely you can agree that the primary goal of anypunishment must be to prevent further crimes from being committed.And we cannot determine what’s necessary for your brother in thatregard until we discover who he is now. We need to witness how heinteracts with others and study how he behaves in ordinary situations—which cannot happen in his isolated cell. But since we can’t trusthim either, we must move him to an environment where we can keephim constantly monitored and separated from our larger world whilestill providing ample opportunities for us to take his measure.”Sophie noticed the total lack of surprise on Alden’s and Della’sfaces the same moment she realized that this was why she’d been
invited for moral support.A quick glance at Keefe told her he’d come to the same conclusion.So neither of them gasped with the rest of the crowd when Emeryannounced the Council’s decision. But she still felt a sour wave ofdread wash through her when he said, “For the next six months, Alvarwill be returning to Everglen.”
Page 5 and 6: For Mara Anastas, for believing fro
Page 7 and 8: ONESO IS IT STRANGE COMING here and
Page 9 and 10: “Relax, Foster,” Keefe said, sh
Page 11 and 12: The younger Vacker siblings had bee
Page 13 and 14: wasn’t giving them access either.
Page 15 and 16: “Yeah. I guess.”“Hmm.” He t
Page 17 and 18: “Ugh, you elves overthink everyth
Page 19 and 20: “The Vacker parade,” Keefe corr
Page 21 and 22: “Your dad didn’t tell you he go
Page 23 and 24: around the Councillors’ thrones.
Page 25: Alvar bowed again. “I understand
Page 29 and 30: fury better than anyone. But . . .
Page 31 and 32: Alden cleared his throat. “I know
Page 33 and 34: Eventually Emery said, “Well, you
Page 35 and 36: “Occasionally,” Luzia admitted,
Page 37 and 38: Fallon ignored him. “It’s also
Page 39 and 40: He hummed a few more beats, rocking
Page 41 and 42: Ro snickered.“This will be quick,
Page 43 and 44: He was following our orders—and w
Page 45 and 46: “Don’t pretend like you actuall
Page 47 and 48: He jerked away. “No, we’re—
Page 49 and 50: “Practice is about building muscl
Page 51 and 52: “Yes, but I would’ve sliced off
Page 53 and 54: Councillor Bronte, her inflicting M
Page 55 and 56: “It helps me to picture the Never
Page 57 and 58: FOURYOU OKAY?” FITZ ASKED, WAVING
Page 59 and 60: “That’s because you also made t
Page 61 and 62: “I don’t think that.” She ste
Page 63 and 64: interrogated. Her wrists still stun
Page 65 and 66: “No. But my dad said it was small
Page 67 and 68: away. And that you left everything
Page 69 and 70: Fitz dragged out a sigh as he scrap
Page 71 and 72: Fitz’s answering smile was full m
Page 73 and 74: FIVESOPHIE WASN’T UNCONSCIOUS.The
Page 75 and 76: “I guess I’m not the only predi
Page 77 and 78:
There was no way to know if the sig
Page 79 and 80:
“You’d better hope that’s tru
Page 81 and 82:
“The Black Swan is . . . adjustin
Page 83 and 84:
She circled her hands, bending all
Page 85 and 86:
again, this time cracking bone. And
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SIXYOU WANTED TO FIND ME so badly?
Page 89 and 90:
Ruy laughed. “You’ll have to do
Page 91 and 92:
shimmer and shine. But if we want t
Page 93 and 94:
“Those shadows you’re fighting
Page 95 and 96:
yourself this: Have you ever notice
Page 97 and 98:
Thunder clapped and lightning flash
Page 99 and 100:
She didn’t know how—not with th
Page 101 and 102:
Biting her lip and bracing for the
Page 103 and 104:
“Uh, I don’t think this is maki
Page 105 and 106:
down would undo some of the recover
Page 107 and 108:
her to order them back to Gildingha
Page 109 and 110:
“You know her?” Tam asked.“I
Page 111 and 112:
“But not always the same way,”
Page 113 and 114:
At least he looked peaceful.His eye
Page 115 and 116:
“Yes, I did. But”—he took a l
Page 117 and 118:
“If guarding me is too dangerous,
Page 119 and 120:
someone with different strengths an
Page 121 and 122:
His eyes glazed, and there was such
Page 123 and 124:
she’s an Empath.”“How many Em
Page 125 and 126:
Magnate Leto frowned. “There isn
Page 127 and 128:
wrong—and it made it so we couldn
Page 129 and 130:
“And please tell me there’s a w
Page 131 and 132:
instead of standing up to the Counc
Page 133 and 134:
“Hey,” she said, offering him h
Page 135 and 136:
“Look at me, Keefe.”She had to
Page 137 and 138:
“The Neverseen don’t get to con
Page 139 and 140:
there was still no sign of you or D
Page 141 and 142:
searched the facility. But the Blac
Page 143 and 144:
TENGRIZEL’S BEEN TELLING ME FOR w
Page 145 and 146:
hold our own against an ogre. They
Page 147 and 148:
so they can keep doing that to see
Page 149 and 150:
work on skills like telekinesis and
Page 151 and 152:
Nightmares were far less scary than
Page 153 and 154:
Sophie shivered, wondering how long
Page 155 and 156:
seeing anything. Well . . . I’m s
Page 157 and 158:
named Mrs. Stinkbottom—and now bo
Page 159 and 160:
fingers and conjured a short, braid
Page 161 and 162:
slumber party a secret. That’s wh
Page 163 and 164:
backup bodyguard’s going to be?
Page 165 and 166:
The tiny female gnome was one of So
Page 167 and 168:
Which of course meant the bad news
Page 169 and 170:
“Yeah, bring on the weapons,” T
Page 171 and 172:
ELEVENSOPHIE WAS ONE HUNDRED PERCEN
Page 173 and 174:
“I didn’t command it,” Tam ar
Page 175 and 176:
But darkness is vital—and not bec
Page 177 and 178:
encounter with the kind of force th
Page 179 and 180:
“Light is not the answer,” Lady
Page 181 and 182:
Darkness flooded Sophie’s mind. B
Page 183 and 184:
kicked free and crawled up and out.
Page 185 and 186:
“I don’t think that’s a good
Page 187 and 188:
Well . . .That almost made sense.As
Page 189 and 190:
And Magnate Leto’s slip now made
Page 191 and 192:
“Because I think I might understa
Page 193 and 194:
Something inside Sophie shriveled,
Page 195 and 196:
THIRTEENWELL, I THINK IT’S SAFE t
Page 197 and 198:
So now the Neverseen even got to co
Page 199 and 200:
chance to top the Great Gulon Incid
Page 201 and 202:
“Okay, how were you not in the fi
Page 203 and 204:
make getting dressed way easier. Bu
Page 205 and 206:
And that kind of conviction doesn
Page 207 and 208:
“Uh, we’re supposed to be keepi
Page 209 and 210:
“You still up for it, Foster?”
Page 211 and 212:
“Foot . . . energy . . . ,” Sop
Page 213 and 214:
“Ready?” Ro asked, snatching an
Page 215 and 216:
FOURTEENIT TOOK ELWIN MOST OF the n
Page 217 and 218:
you’re going to make them wear gl
Page 219 and 220:
“Cool—the Prattles kraken! I’
Page 221 and 222:
“I thought we’d start with cold
Page 223 and 224:
She gave him half a shrug—and a f
Page 225 and 226:
nailed the breath control trick on
Page 227 and 228:
Then again, wasn’t it better that
Page 229 and 230:
FIFTEENHOW LONG HAVE I BEEN asleep?
Page 231 and 232:
“Your pulse is also racing,” El
Page 233 and 234:
He switched to a red orb around Fit
Page 235 and 236:
“Probably pretty soon,” Sophie
Page 237 and 238:
And because Fitz insisted, she also
Page 239 and 240:
—and that stuff is horrible, by t
Page 241 and 242:
And very sparkly.And between her ha
Page 243 and 244:
Okay, she said, I’m going to try
Page 245 and 246:
SILVENY! he transmitted. PLEASE! SO
Page 247 and 248:
I know.Silveny had always been an o
Page 249 and 250:
A stream of new images cut off the
Page 251 and 252:
NO CHECK! NO CHECK! NO CHECK!Someon
Page 253 and 254:
“Not yet. But she will,” Fitz s
Page 255 and 256:
“My parents are coming?” Fitz a
Page 257 and 258:
“Alvar won’t even have access t
Page 259 and 260:
SEVENTEENI’M FINE,” FITZ PROMIS
Page 261 and 262:
The tinge of green to Fitz’s skin
Page 263 and 264:
The real prize for Ickiest Way to S
Page 265 and 266:
“This is actually only half of it
Page 267 and 268:
“It’s kinda hard to forget,”
Page 269 and 270:
“Looks like things are about to g
Page 271 and 272:
something to camouflage what they w
Page 273 and 274:
“Hear that, Ro?” he interrupted
Page 275 and 276:
“I can handle it,” he promised.
Page 277 and 278:
“He really doesn’t know when to
Page 279 and 280:
“Aw, come on, Leto,” Ro whined.
Page 281 and 282:
“See, but now you’ve got me cur
Page 283 and 284:
EIGHTEENWITH BOTH OF US?” FITZ as
Page 285 and 286:
that detail. And honestly, that was
Page 287 and 288:
He pointed to their trays, which st
Page 289 and 290:
“Like what?”He stared at his ha
Page 291 and 292:
The thought was softer than a whisp
Page 293 and 294:
It IS, Sophie agreed. I’m super g
Page 295 and 296:
You do have time, he told her. Fift
Page 297 and 298:
Not if her name wasn’t on one of
Page 299 and 300:
brother.”“And I’m worried he
Page 301 and 302:
is Leto making—and why does the F
Page 303 and 304:
“Wouldn’t you rather do it not
Page 305 and 306:
repeated the process with Fitz’s
Page 307 and 308:
TWENTYTHE FIRST STEP,” TIERGAN SA
Page 309 and 310:
“Then the masking fades, the same
Page 311 and 312:
“That’s it.”“That’s it?
Page 313 and 314:
TWENTY-ONETHE GILDED MEMORIES CALLE
Page 315 and 316:
I can do that now if you want, Keef
Page 317 and 318:
me break down like that.Anger burne
Page 319 and 320:
matching tunics that say, My Legacy
Page 321 and 322:
“Yes, well, I’ve never felt you
Page 323 and 324:
Couldn’t have been that big, Fitz
Page 325 and 326:
assuming you can find the right wor
Page 327 and 328:
Then Keefe whispered, “I think we
Page 329 and 330:
No idea. This one’s way more dama
Page 331 and 332:
—but she highly doubted that was
Page 333 and 334:
Keefe reeled toward Sophie and Fitz
Page 335 and 336:
“But she didn’t tell me anythin
Page 337 and 338:
You okay? she asked Fitz when she n
Page 339 and 340:
scribbled questions.”Ro shrugged.
Page 341 and 342:
TWENTY-FOURWHO’S READY TO GET OUT
Page 343 and 344:
“Wow,” she whispered, letting o
Page 345 and 346:
Her mind flashed to the monster, bu
Page 347 and 348:
Yeah. That’s why I haven’t chec
Page 349 and 350:
easy way to stop or pivot direction
Page 351 and 352:
Fitz cleared his throat and shifted
Page 353 and 354:
And their hurried pace was smoother
Page 355 and 356:
TWENTY-FIVEDON’T LET GO!” LADY
Page 357 and 358:
the attack.”“Really?” Linh as
Page 359 and 360:
you’d probably be sleeping. Oh—
Page 361 and 362:
Just like Sophie couldn’t stop wi
Page 363 and 364:
“Thanks for all the visits,” Fi
Page 365 and 366:
TWENTY-SIXWHY ARE THEY WAITING UNTI
Page 367 and 368:
“I’m not leaving early,” he s
Page 369 and 370:
The echo was only a tiny part of he
Page 371 and 372:
“Check in when you can,” she to
Page 373 and 374:
Lots more patience.Plus a long list
Page 375 and 376:
Boy reference? Because you know I h
Page 377 and 378:
“But you know they have to be hum
Page 379 and 380:
“Why not?” Sophie had to ask.
Page 381 and 382:
turned out to be her protector and
Page 383 and 384:
“Here,” Mr. Forkle said when sh
Page 385 and 386:
of weather vane. The third might’
Page 387 and 388:
“No, we’re long past that. The
Page 389 and 390:
He crouched to study the metal anim
Page 391 and 392:
even sound like words, just gibberi
Page 393 and 394:
stopped in front of a cluster of wi
Page 395 and 396:
“Okay, what was that?” she aske
Page 397 and 398:
“Fake caches,” Mr. Forkle corre
Page 399 and 400:
“Mr. Dizznee has made some simple
Page 401 and 402:
“What about the other thing you t
Page 403 and 404:
Tinker tapped the base of each nail
Page 405 and 406:
Dex pressed his finger to the tiny
Page 407 and 408:
“Caution and moderation will be k
Page 409 and 410:
The pen had a much more cagelike fe
Page 411 and 412:
training?”“Not without Elwin’
Page 413 and 414:
“That too,” Bo said as he stepp
Page 415 and 416:
—you carry the hate for what thes
Page 417 and 418:
Tarina followed her gaze. “Can yo
Page 419 and 420:
TWENTY-NINEYOU WANT TO FORM AN alli
Page 421 and 422:
asking you to join any plot or sche
Page 423 and 424:
“I didn’t say our soldiers—I
Page 425 and 426:
over the years. She’s amazing. As
Page 427 and 428:
reason I can think of, other than h
Page 429 and 430:
finishing up without me?”The gnom
Page 431 and 432:
“Did you search his bags?” Bo d
Page 433 and 434:
Sophie took a slow breath, working
Page 435 and 436:
She closed her eyes, swaying softly
Page 437 and 438:
But she wasn’t going to complain.
Page 439 and 440:
THIRTYSHOULD YOU BE LYING LIKE that
Page 441 and 442:
“She seems okay. Though I think t
Page 443 and 444:
I’m expecting you to hold true to
Page 445 and 446:
She didn’t. But it made sense.How
Page 447 and 448:
breath. At least Councillor Oralie
Page 449 and 450:
“Of course I am. I’ve been stuc
Page 451 and 452:
Then he stepped aside.Her turn.And
Page 453 and 454:
mentally prepared for the ugliness
Page 455 and 456:
“The first rule of dagger throwin
Page 457 and 458:
rhythm and could hit exactly where
Page 459 and 460:
Between visiting Tinker and finally
Page 461 and 462:
“But find out everything else. I
Page 463 and 464:
Daddy’s little hugfest tomorrow.
Page 465 and 466:
See. See. See.Silveny’s mental vo
Page 467 and 468:
So she would save it for a last res
Page 469 and 470:
“Wrong!” Tarina informed her.
Page 471 and 472:
session. And she could feel his min
Page 473 and 474:
And since Sophie had already blown
Page 475 and 476:
I’ll see what I can dig up, he to
Page 477 and 478:
And yet, despite all that time and
Page 479 and 480:
Sophie spun around to find Marella
Page 481 and 482:
“Nope. And way to be smooth about
Page 483 and 484:
wants training to defend herself, I
Page 485 and 486:
“Is that bad?” Linh added, shar
Page 487 and 488:
think it must be the rhythm of dark
Page 489 and 490:
That’s actually why I reached out
Page 491 and 492:
“You’re not all coming with me,
Page 493 and 494:
“Of course,” she said, smoothin
Page 495 and 496:
most of the space, framing a small,
Page 497 and 498:
THIRTY-THREEWOULD YOU LIKE TO SIT?
Page 499 and 500:
think it’s easy to sit here knowi
Page 501 and 502:
LEGACY!LODESTAR!NIGHTFALL!KIDNAP!AD
Page 503 and 504:
Sophie nodded, hooking Fitz’s arm
Page 505 and 506:
Sophie’s eyebrows raised as he le
Page 507 and 508:
crusty and gross. Honestly, I don
Page 509 and 510:
“Yet,” Fitz added. “I still t
Page 511 and 512:
gleaming door made of braided silve
Page 513 and 514:
THIRTY-FIVEFITZ MEANT HIS WINNOWING
Page 515 and 516:
as a tradition. Then people just si
Page 517 and 518:
She shook her head again, sucking i
Page 519 and 520:
And it only grew bigger when she bu
Page 521 and 522:
THIRTY-SIXSORRY!” SOPHIE SAID, FE
Page 523 and 524:
Right before they would’ve splatt
Page 525 and 526:
“Hang on tight,” Sophie warned,
Page 527 and 528:
THIRTY-SEVENLABOR IS GOOD NEWS, RIG
Page 529 and 530:
But none of that mattered.“Silven
Page 531 and 532:
“I can handle it,” Timkin said
Page 533 and 534:
“More of a calming agent,” Vika
Page 535 and 536:
THIRTY-EIGHTTWINS,” SOPHIE REPEAT
Page 537 and 538:
“Hey,” Fitz said, stepping clos
Page 539 and 540:
And Timkin didn’t look convinced.
Page 541 and 542:
Sophie’s gaze darted back to Silv
Page 543 and 544:
the beach, their feet kicking up sa
Page 545 and 546:
that we have to invent ways to surv
Page 547 and 548:
Sophie grabbed her arm, feeling lik
Page 549 and 550:
Tarina shook her head. “It would
Page 551 and 552:
Out loud she added, “And I was al
Page 553 and 554:
way she kept glancing over her shou
Page 555 and 556:
“With all due respect,” Tarina
Page 557 and 558:
“This is the hive?” Sophie aske
Page 559 and 560:
thick and green, like a lake of sno
Page 561 and 562:
“Is it me, or is it super stuffy
Page 563 and 564:
FORTYSOPHIE LEARNED MORE ABOUT BIRT
Page 565 and 566:
And so was her brother, who arrived
Page 567 and 568:
“It doesn’t have a name—and i
Page 569 and 570:
She wasn’t sure what they were ta
Page 571 and 572:
at the moment, her brain could bare
Page 573 and 574:
Sophie wasn’t a fan either. There
Page 575 and 576:
She chewed her lip as she considere
Page 577 and 578:
“So it was you this whole time?
Page 579 and 580:
Nubiti, if she hasn’t already. An
Page 581 and 582:
FORTY-THREEOKAY, THAT MIGHT BE THE
Page 583 and 584:
Edaline shook her head at him. “D
Page 585 and 586:
Real wasn’t bad.But it was . . .
Page 587 and 588:
“The most powerful elf our world
Page 589 and 590:
FORTY-FOURGRADY AND EDALINE TRIED T
Page 591 and 592:
know how proud we are of how you ha
Page 593 and 594:
Sandor and Bo, off a cliff. She may
Page 595 and 596:
Flying wasn’t possible until Silv
Page 597 and 598:
“Or Keefette. Or Keefelle. Or Kee
Page 599 and 600:
best friend and see how Fitzy was h
Page 601 and 602:
counts.”“Has it ever occurred t
Page 603 and 604:
“Cadfael,” Sophie repeated, nee
Page 605 and 606:
She stalked deeper into the pasture
Page 607 and 608:
Breathing became a little easier. B
Page 609 and 610:
“Well, for one thing, the masking
Page 611 and 612:
that her writing was still mostly i
Page 613 and 614:
She started with Gethen’s taunts,
Page 615 and 616:
panic switches—which could now se
Page 617 and 618:
They didn’t fly far, just circled
Page 619 and 620:
should’ve let Vertina talk her in
Page 621 and 622:
Mr. Forkle nodded. “The Council
Page 623 and 624:
“No,” Mr. Forkle called back to
Page 625 and 626:
practically invented that strategy
Page 627 and 628:
“Oh, are we to the part where you
Page 629 and 630:
“And what about you, Sophie?” F
Page 631 and 632:
ability, and it was time to undo th
Page 633 and 634:
FORTY-SIXWE SHOULD CANCEL THE FESTI
Page 635 and 636:
Pyrokinetic is hardly reliable. Par
Page 637 and 638:
attention.”With that she turned a
Page 639 and 640:
that he’d figure out when and whe
Page 641 and 642:
Ro muttered something that sounded
Page 643 and 644:
“Thank you for thinking about me,
Page 645 and 646:
“Smart,” Biana said, glancing a
Page 647 and 648:
looked . . . scared.“I’m fine,
Page 649 and 650:
The good news was, the security for
Page 651 and 652:
“Or you could take this,” Dex s
Page 653 and 654:
The Collective agreed. And the Coun
Page 655 and 656:
FORTY-SEVENA HUGE RED MOON FILLED T
Page 657 and 658:
“So, who’s going with whom?”
Page 659 and 660:
The thirty minutes felt like thirty
Page 661 and 662:
Maybe he thinks he can.Is he even n
Page 663 and 664:
built into the Warden’s band. “
Page 665 and 666:
darkness and landing them among the
Page 667 and 668:
“Right,” Fitz muttered, wincing
Page 669 and 670:
FORTY-EIGHTI KNEW IT!” FITZ YELLE
Page 671 and 672:
“So this was never about the fest
Page 673 and 674:
“Why do you look so afraid?” Um
Page 675 and 676:
“That’s all?” Gethen sighed d
Page 677 and 678:
“There has to be another way,”
Page 679 and 680:
“So they were never here?” Mare
Page 681 and 682:
to himself about how he should’ve
Page 683 and 684:
“Trying to,” she said, choking
Page 685 and 686:
halo of light up ahead.“That’s
Page 687 and 688:
More important, though: Keefe’s s
Page 689 and 690:
they know they all but phased me ou
Page 691 and 692:
“Actually, I was thinking more ab
Page 693 and 694:
I know, he said, reminding her that
Page 695 and 696:
So they concentrated on coming up w
Page 697 and 698:
Even Alvar looked shocked by the re
Page 699 and 700:
“Not like this. Our hives are cel
Page 701 and 702:
And the drippy walls were lined wit
Page 703 and 704:
dragged it back to her. “I mean i
Page 705 and 706:
“Interesting,” Gethen said. “
Page 707 and 708:
“Aim for its eyes!” she shouted
Page 709 and 710:
as she fumbled to regain her balanc
Page 711 and 712:
The name pinched her heart, jolting
Page 713 and 714:
“I’m not serving anyone,” he
Page 715 and 716:
Fitz nodded and went back to starin
Page 717 and 718:
The Neverseen couldn’t say the sa
Page 719 and 720:
Ro raised one eyebrow. “I think w
Page 721 and 722:
Sophie had no doubt of that.It’s
Page 723 and 724:
each containing an orange blob. “
Page 725 and 726:
new Shade.”Tam snorted. “So, wh
Page 727 and 728:
“Are you sure? From what I hear,
Page 729 and 730:
a chance to experience our side and
Page 731 and 732:
FIFTY-TWOSOPHIE HAD NEVER SEEN KEEF
Page 733 and 734:
something for their soporidine—so
Page 735 and 736:
answered Grady’s and Edaline’s
Page 737 and 738:
All rang with vulnerability and str
Page 739 and 740:
So it seemed especially timely when
Page 741 and 742:
Or . . . maybe that was why she was
Page 743 and 744:
perfect shade of shimmering teal.
Page 745 and 746:
“I never realized there were this
Page 747 and 748:
“But it looks like no one’s fil
Page 749 and 750:
I’d also be lost without my amazi
Page 751 and 752:
KEEPEROFTHELOSTCITIES.COMALADDINSIM
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