Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Chapter 22

"Whoa," Wylie said. "That's a lot you've been through." 

Sophie opened her eyes. 

In the memory, she had felt the same excruciating pain that Della experienced. But underneath, there was something fiery and powerful. 

Determination? Courage?

Or... the instinctive nature to protect those who she loved?

"Definitely," Della responded. Her eyes were clear and her voice was steady. "Now... where were you?" 

"Long story," Linh replied. "While Biana, Tam, Wylie, Rayni, Blur, Wraith, I, and our bodyguards were looking for the others, they were at Elysian-" 

"I'm sorry, what's Elysian?" Della asked, confused. "There's a lot I don't know. And wait- where are Dex and Keefe?" 

Tears sprang to Sophie's eyes. She didn't know which of the boys' names caused them. 

"I'll give you the recap," Ro announced. "Blondie and her friends met this nice lady named Elysian and ate a bunch of delicacies in a non-sparkly house, by the way! Then, she decided to go into this mysterious underground hallway and almost drowned. Then, the Fire Girl and Force-Field Girl went to check out a quarry to see if there were any freaky crystals, which was extremely unhelpful and disappointing. Then, they came-" she gestured vaguely at Biana and Tam- "and it was all nice and exciting. Then, I read a nice poem to Blondie and Hunkyhair and Hunkyhair fell unconscious, so he's not here. Then, Blondie fell unconscious after touching a weird pin. And then we planned a little and came here!" 

Ro's description made Sophie feel rather useless. Like she'd been doing a lot of nothing while her friends and family were suffering.

But she had acquired a lot of information...

Right? 

She hoped the information would end up being helpful.

"Sounds like a regular day in your life," Della told Sophie. "I'm not sure whether to be more concerned about you almost dying... or the fact that Keefe fell unconscious from a poem." 

Sophie glared when Ro cackled. "Still proud of that?" 

The ogre princess mimed locking her mouth with a key and backed away into a corner.

"Anyway," Sophie said. "We're trying to find where the Neverseen are keeping our parents and friends. Lady Gisela's working with the trolls gives her many advantages." 

"Need another Vanisher with you?" Della suggested. "I'm determined as you are for this rescue." 

"The scent of the nectarwinds doesn't protect you," Sandor pointed out. "So the trolls can detect your scent." 

"Then how did I manage to hide from the trolls?" Della countered.

"I guess that there were too many overwhelming scents in the room already so that it smothered yours," Sandor said. 

Sophie wanted to throw up. She forced herself not to look at the blood...

"We'd better get going," she said. "Our families need us. Do you need anyone to look after you?" 

Della shook her head. "I'll be fine on my own." 

"Lie low for a while," Grizel suggested. 

Della nodded and threw her arms around Fitz and Biana, who hugged her back. 

"Stay safe," Biana mumbled. 

Della led them to the Leapmaster. "Where are you going next?"

"Candleshade, probably," Marella answered. "And the Shores of Solace."