Moonlark Turned Evil

51: The Pieces Are Moving

*panting*

AHH I FINALLY FINISHED IT

There is a one word explanation for why this chapter is so late: SCHOOL.

But yeah—

*breathes slow sigh of relief*

I'm just gonna go rest my pour aching fingers (I rewrote this like five times) while you guys read...

*collapses in a heap but gives a thumbs up*

Enjoy!

Sophie flashed her gaze around the room as she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

Keefe gave her a small wave, shooting her his usual smirk. Ro was standing guard behind him, Bo and Glimmer beside her, and the Song twins were stationed on Keefe's left.

The Vackers—meaning Alvar, Fitz, Biana, and their parents—were against the far wall. Fitz and Biana's bodyguards, Woltzer and Grizel, nodded to Sophie as she walked in.

Marella and Jensi were standing side by side. Jensi's parents were with them, looking a little out of place among the other adults, who were already used to the whole our-kids-are-involved-in-this-war-and-we-can't-do-anything-about-it  situation.

Marella's parents were nowhere to be seen. From what Sophie knew, Marella's mother had some kind of illness, so it made sense if neither of them could make it—but Sophie had an inkling that there was more to their absence than just a need to take care of the sick Caprise Redek. In fact, if she had to guess, she would say it was possible that neither of Marella's parents knew of the Pyrokinetic's involvement with Phoenix.

The Dizznees were all standing together in a clump, the triplets being silent for once. Kelser had a grim look on his face, as though they were all heading out to war—which, well . . . they kind of were.

Beside the Dizznee family was Tiergan Alenefar, his adopted son, Wylie Endal, standing mutely beside him. Maruca Endal was hovering beside her cousin. She was clearly unsure of herself, but she'd tried to school her face into a sneer, and the resulting expression was a very interesting one indeed.

Moving further around the semicircle, Sophie met eyes with Grady and Edaline, and swiftly looked away to Elwin, who was beside them. The Physician gave her a wave, beaming, despite his obvious worry.

Sophie forced a smile onto her face, matching his enthusiasm.

The remaining members of the circle that had been created within the third meeting room of Inia were Ruy, Elen, Fayn, Gethen and Fintan. The latter two were poking at each other, whispering in hushed voices, and Sophie rolled her eyes at their childish manner. Fayn gave her a mock salute, which she returned, and he moved to strike a funny pose—but was slapped over the head with a stack of paper, courtesy of Elen.

Sophie cleared her throat, leaning against the now-closed door, and crossed one foot over the other.

"For those of you who do not know," she started, glancing in the direction of the Babblos family, then towards the two Endals, "I am Sophie Foster, the leader of Phoenix. I am also known as the Moonlark, though the failed Moonlark would probably be a better fit, as the Black Swan abandoned me five years into my life."

Juline and Tiergan both stiffened imperceptibly, averting their eyes.

Sophie continued on, as if she didn't notice their guilty expressions. "Everyone in this room is being offered a chance to live in Inia, under Phoenix's protection."