“Uh, I’m not much of a hugger,” Ro warned.

But she also twisted Keefe’s head so it rested on her shoulder, away from the spikes on her armor. And mixed with her surprise and awkwardness was a tangle of anger and concern so tightly woven together that they felt almost solid.

Protective.

Which was good, because Keefe couldn’t let go.

Couldn’t move.

Could barely open his eyes—but he made himself focus on Dex, pouring the full force of his plea into his stare.

Ro whistled. “Wow, now that’s what desperation looks like.”

“It is,” Dex agreed, dragging his hands down his face so hard, his fingers left little red lines. “But you don’t understand what you’re asking for, Keefe. You weren’t there in Magnate Leto’s office when the Council made me put the ability restrictor back on Sophie. Even with the adjustments I made, I could tell it was super painful—and I don’t think I can fix that. I also can’t control which abilities it blocks. I’d have to restrict all your abilities.”

“I don’t think my boy cares,” Ro said quietly. “But you know what, Hunkyhair?” She grabbed Keefe’s shoulders and leaned him back, so he’d have to look at her. “I think you should care. I mean, don’t get me wrong—I’ll always think you elves put way too much emphasis on your little ability things. But I’ve also been here long enough to see how much drama it causes if you don’t have them—and you have enough drama in your life already. Plus… you do have abilities. They’re part of you. It never goes well trying to fight who you are—trust me on that.”

Keefe jerked away and sank onto his bed, curling into a ball and wishing he could shout, THIS ISN’T WHO I AM—MY MOM CHANGED ME.

But… did she?

Or had she just activated something that had always been there?

Some awful, creepy thing she’d planned from the beginning?

And did it matter?

This was his life now.

He had to deal with it.

Dex sank onto the bed next to him again. “Wow. You’re really scared. I’m not even an Empath, and I can feel it.”

“So can I,” Ro mumbled, and the protective energy in the air ramped up a bit.

Which made Keefe want to deny it—want to smirk and crack a joke like he always did.

But those things felt like they belonged to a different life.

Seconds ticked by.

Finally Dex said, “Okay. I get it. Elwin described what happened yesterday, and… yeah, it’s pretty terrifying. But… you just manifested yesterday, you know? You haven’t given the ability any time to settle. You don’t even know exactly what the ability is, or have a name for it yet! And you haven’t tried whatever concoctions Elwin and my dad are making right now. You also haven’t let me see if I can come up with some gadgets to help—or some elixirs. I make a lot of those, too—and I’m pretty good at it. And you haven’t tried training. So… can’t we start with all of that? Before we try anything more drastic?”

“Come on, Hunkyhair,” Ro said, shaking his shoulder. “Your techy friend is right. You’re giving up way too easily. Where’s the stubborn guy who set the record for detentions at your fancy elf-y academy? The guy who’s spent years finding creative ways to annoy his jerk of a dad instead of giving in and cooperating?”

“The guy who spent weeks setting up for the Great Gulon Incident,” Dex added, nudging Keefe with his elbow. “I know I wasn’t there for that, but I’ve heard lots of stories. And I know you planned it so perfectly that Dame Alina never found enough proof to nail you for it.”

Ro laughed. “Sounds like someone needs to give me the details on this gulon thing I keep hearing about someday. But right now”—she dragged Keefe up to a sitting position—“you need to get your fight back. I didn’t leave my home and suffer all these months in Sparkle Town so I could protect some boy who gives up the second things get tough. I came here to protect the scrawny elf who beat my dad in a sparring match, because I figured that guy might be someone worth keeping around. And I’ll deny saying this later, but… you are worth keeping around.”

Keefe looked away, not sure if the tears burning his eyes were from Ro’s pep talk—or the fact that he couldn’t quite believe it.

Ro shook him until he turned back to face her. “I know you think your mom won, but trust me, this isn’t over. You have an infinite number of ways to keep resisting her. Don’t give up. And don’t hide from the power she gave you. Learn how to use it against her.”

“Exactly,” Dex agreed, placing a hand on Keefe’s shoulder. “And remember, you’re not in this alone.”

Keefe had never felt more alone in his entire life.

But… when he read Dex’s emotions, all he felt was determination and confidence and hints of the same warmth he’d felt from Elwin.

Dex was on his side.

So was Ro, strangely enough.

Her protective vibes were stronger than anything he’d ever experienced before.

He didn’t want to let them down.

And he definitely didn’t want to let his mom win.

So maybe if he was careful, and stayed hidden, and didn’t talk, and worked super hard—maybe he could get a handle on this new power in a more manageable way.

He’d already resisted using a command on Dex.

That had to be a good sign.

So he sat up taller and nodded—but he also grabbed Dex’s wrist when Dex started to pull away, took a steadying breath, and risked nine more whispered words.

“If it doesn’t work, you have to help me.”

He didn’t specify how—too afraid it would turn into a command. But Dex seemed to know he meant the ability restrictor.

Dex sighed. “I’ll think about it. That’s all I’ll agree to.”

Keefe tightened his grip as the itch surged back in his brain—the word so loud this time that he could almost hear it, almost know what to say.

But he closed his eyes and breathed until he’d buried it again.

That was twice now.

Twice he’d kept control.

So maybe there was hope.

If not, he’d make Dex take the ability away.

By any means necessary.

- SEVEN - Sophie

What are you doing here?” Fitz asked as Lord Cassius flashed an oily smile and said, “To what do I owe my sudden popularity?”

Sophie ignored both questions.

“What are you doing here?” she asked Fitz.

“Providing me with an update on my son,” Lord Cassius told her, “since no one else seems to have considered that to be a priority—unless that’s why you’re here.” He fanned the air. “No, it feels like you were very much hoping I wouldn’t be home.”

“I’m always hoping you won’t be anywhere I’m going,” Sophie snapped back, deciding she was done trying to be polite to Keefe’s father. She should’ve used every word—every conversation—to shame him for the countless ways he’d hurt his son. “If you wanted updates on Keefe, you could’ve shown up at the Healing Center. He was there for three days. So was I. Where were you?”