They still had a long way to go—a lot of healing and figuring things out.

But it felt like a good beginning.

“So… how do you want to do this?” Sophie asked, trying to get back to the more urgent problems they were facing. “We’d cover more ground if we split up and searched by ourselves, but—”

“Okay, don’t get mad at me for saying this,” Fitz interrupted. “But… I think this is a waste of time.”

“I know,” Sophie admitted. “I’m sure it’s going to be too. But… it’s still better than doing nothing, right?”

“See, but I think we have another option.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “You want to talk to someone from the Neverseen, right? What about Glimmer? I’m sure she’d know way more than my brother.”

“I actually suggested that,” Sophie told him. “But Oralie seemed pretty convinced that Glimmer doesn’t know anything—just like Keefe didn’t know anything when he left the Neverseen. And neither did Tam.”

“Yeah, but Keefe and Tam weren’t trusted members of the order,” Fitz reminded her. “The Neverseen knew Keefe was trying to play them, just like they knew Tam was basically a prisoner. But Lady Gisela thought Glimmer was super loyal, didn’t she? Do you really think she didn’t tell Glimmer anything? And isn’t talking to her better than spending hours searching this depressing, dusty house for something we both know we’re not going to find?”

Sophie sighed. “Yeah, I guess. Do you think we should go now? I don’t have a crystal to go to Tiergan’s house—and I’ve never been there, so I can’t picture it well enough to teleport.”

“Candleshade has a Leapmaster we could use. But honestly? I think we should wait until tomorrow. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look super exhausted. Did you sleep at all last night?”

“Not really.”

“That’s what I figured. So why don’t you go home, get some sleep, and we’ll go to Tiergan’s house in the morning? Actually, it’d probably also be good to let Tam know we’re coming, since I hear he’s been a little… protective.”

“But—”

“It’s not wasting time,” Fitz interrupted. “I know it feels like it is, but seriously, Sophie. You’ve barely slept at all in days. And I know you’re probably thinking that you’re just going to toss and turn or have nightmares, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to try to rest. Plus…”

“What?” Sophie asked when he didn’t continue.

He dragged a hand through his hair. “Well… I think I know something that might help you sleep—and no, I don’t mean taking a sedative. I mean… Keefe.”

Sophie straightened up, crossing her arms. “What about him?”

“Come on, Sophie. I saw the look on your face when he agreed to Councillor Alina’s demand, and then you leaped out of the Healing Center as fast as you could. And I get it—it was pretty harsh of him to do that. Especially after you spent all that time sitting by his side in the Healing Center, waiting for him to wake up.” He cleared his throat. “But… that’s why I think you might feel better if you guys talked it out.”

“Yeah… well… he doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“Not with his voice,” Fitz agreed. “But you could use your telepathy.”

Sophie crossed her arms tighter, basically hugging herself.

She’d actually thought about doing that the night before. But she wasn’t sure if Keefe would respond. And the thought of him ignoring her…

“He told me to stay away,” she mumbled, focusing on her feet.

Fitz sighed. “I know. But he was afraid he might lose control of his new ability. It’ll be way different if you use your telepathy. Trust me—I’m his best friend. I know these things. Plus, I saw the look on his face after you left, so I’m sure he’d feel better if you talked everything through. He’s probably been waiting for you to reach out, since you guys talk that way a lot.”

“No we don’t,” Sophie argued, not sure why her voice had gotten so high-pitched. “Seriously, we don’t.”

“Well, even if that’s true, you guys are… close.”

“We’re friends,” Sophie clarified, cringing when her voice turned squeaky again.

The conversation was just so… awkward.

“I know you are,” Fitz told her. “That’s not what I’m saying. I just… I know you’re super worried about him. And I know you’re probably thinking he’s mad at you or something. And the only way your brain is going to quiet down enough to let you sleep is if you talk to Keefe. So just… try it, okay? You’re going to need the rest. I have a feeling meeting with Glimmer tomorrow is going to be pretty intense.”

He was right, of course.

Sophie knew that.

But that didn’t make the idea any less… scary.

“It’ll be okay,” Fitz promised. “Trust me.”

She met his eyes, remembering all the times she’d done exactly that. Fitz had been her first friend—her first guide—in this scary, shimmering new world she’d had to figure out how to belong to. The person she’d called for help after her kidnapping, who’d shown up just in time to save her. Someone she’d survived fires and battles and banishment with, and who’d faced down cold, cruel monsters with her over and over and over.

“Okay,” she whispered. “But we meet up early tomorrow.”

“Deal,” Fitz agreed. “I’ll head to Havenfield as soon as you’re awake.”

Sophie stalled a little longer before she leaped back to Havenfield—then stalled a whole lot more once she got there, not sure she was ready to find out if Keefe would ignore her.

But outside, under Calla’s Panakes, with Wynn and Luna snuggled against her, she finally found the courage to stretch out her mind.

Keefe?

She was only going to try three times—that was the deal she’d made with herself. Three times, and if he didn’t answer, then… that was that.

KEEFE?

She pushed the call as far as it could go, holding her breath.

Still no answer.

One more time, she told herself. One more time, then count to five.

She rallied her mental strength. KEEFE!

One second passed.

Two.

Three.

And before she got to four, a familiar voice flooded her mind.

Has anyone told you you’re starting to sound like Silveny?

Sophie let out a breath. Hey, Keefe.

- EIGHT - KEEFE

Soooooooooooo, Keefe thought, mentally dragging out the word, I guess this means you’re still talking to me.

Funny, Sophie transmitted, I was about to say the same thing to you.

Keefe winced.

“What’s wrong?” Ro asked. “Need me to get Elwin?”

He shook his head.

Ro leaned closer. “Then why do you look all sweaty and nervous?”

Keefe shrugged.

Ro gritted her teeth. “If you don’t start talking soon, I’m going to tie you up in your blankets and use you for tackling practice.”