Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Chapter 14

Her friends.

Biana. Linh. Tam. Wylie. Rayni. Blur. Wraith. As well as Woltzer, Grizel, and Bo.

At first, there was stunned silence. Sophie didn't know what to say.

Then, there was an excited "Sophie!"

Then, there were arms wrapped around her, and then more, and more, and...

Sophie stumbled back, taking a few deep breaths.

"Easy there, Foster," Keefe said.

"You've been here all this time?" Linh said, her eyes wide. "It's been rather... challenging... for us."

She gestured at Biana, Tam, herself, Wylie, and Rayni.

Then, Sophie realized one person was missing.

She gasped and whispered, "Dex?"

Linh and Biana's eyes filled with tears.

She already knew the answer. But her heart still ached when Biana shook her head.

No... not Dex.

Sophie pictured her best friend- his strawberry blond hair and his dimples.

"The Neverseen got all of our parents," Wylie whispered. "They fought so we could escape. They fought hard."

"Mr. Forkle, Squall, and Granite were captured," Wraith said. "Only Blur and I were able to escape thanks to our abilities."

Sophie was glad that some part of the Black Swan had survived.

"Same here," Biana said, trembling. "My mother went to save my dad but failed. The trolls were able to find her using her scent. I was lucky I made it out with Woltzer and Grizel."

"Linh and I were able to hold them off, but then Trix came," Tam said as he clenched his jaw. "Then we ran to find the others."

"I was able to fend off the trolls too," Rayni chimed in. "On my own, I might add. Although the ogre standing nearby will definitely deny it, I am more than capable of handling myself."

Bo coughed.

Given how strong-willed Rayni could be, Sophie wasn't surprised she was one of the survivors.

"Now is not the time," Biana said. There was a new confidence on her face that Sophie hadn't seen before.

Grizel swiftly snatched a dagger from somewhere. Then, there was a blur of motion, and suddenly she was holding it so that the tip was right in front of Fitz's eyes.

He flinched.

There was a dark fury in her gaze, and even Elysian was intimidated.

Grizel's dagger stopped a centimeter away from his nose and her expression became unreadable.

Sophie was both curious about what she was going to do and concerned for Fitz's safety.

Grizel sighed but didn't lower her dagger. "The next time you sneak off without me, I swear I will end you. And if you manage to die, I will kill you again. Do I make myself clear?"

Fitz gulped and nodded as Grizel sheathed her dagger.

Keefe cracked up.

"I should do that too," Sandor muttered under his breath.

"It's getting a little crowded in here," Elysian interjected. "Not that I don't appreciate your presence. It's just that some of us could be a little more comfortable outside."