"I don't care, Grady. We're getting a Spyball." snaps Edaline as she paces around the vast area of space. The smell of fresh flowers fills the air, but Edaline is too stressful to appreciate anything. She is deeply concerned about Sophie. Has anything bad happened to her yet? What is she doing now?
Alden, Della, Juline and Kesler have visited them earlier - and left. Now they are alone, and Edaline has decided to voice her opinion out.
They can get a Spyball—with the Spyball—they can watch Sophie anytime they want. It is the best solution, but it is the hardest one.
She cannot afford to lose another daughter again. She knows she is quite an emotional outbreak sometimes, but she cannot help it. Other people have never experienced losing their daughter so suddenly before - it is total grief and sadness. Fear and rage.
A vision of a smiling Jolie appears in her mind, but she pushes it away before she can feel anything or react. It is too painful to think about.
Run, don't walk away, she remembers these words she has spoken to Sophie before. Covering her eyes with her hands, Edaline slumps down onto a luxurious couch right below a glimmering chandelier.
Grady, whom is sitting on an elegant chair, sighs and rakes his fingers through his blonde hair. "I'll see what I can do," he finally says, "but it'll be too hard. We're not really back into the Nobility yet-"
"You're an Emissary." interrupts Edaline.
"Well, and then as you know Spyballs are very hard to get. Even Alden doesn't have one."
Edaline slumps down even further. "Then, only the Council. And maybe Sir Tiergan has one."
"Sir Tiergan? Would Sir Tiergan have one?" asks Grady. "He's not part of Nobility-"
"Yes, but he was before. And he still is." Edaline interjects, tapping her fingers on the mahogany surface, causing a continuous click-clack sound.
Grady sighs again, then smiles. "You are quite eager to see Sophie, huh?" He embraces her, patting her back.
Edaline, tightens her hold around Grady and smiles back sweetly. "As eager as I'll always be."
The glimmering city of Eternalia overwhelms Grady and Edaline. They are not used to being outside. Edaline shields her turquoise eyes from the glaring light, and gazes around.
The Council has already rebuilt the capital of the Lost Cities, Eternalia. True to Councillor Emery's word, the rebuilt city is even more beautiful than the previous one which has been destroyed by the Everblaze set by Fintan.
Edaline knows Sophie has suffered a huge blow from that, but an even huger blow from the death of Councillor Kenric and the circlet that has restricted her abilities.
She glances at Grady. He looks wearier, older for some reason. And dark circles, which she has never seen before, below his eyes. She wants to know what happened, but Grady won't speak anything about it. Edaline hopes he returns to normal.
They head to Sir Tiergan's office. The Council has been reluctant to let Tiergan return to Nobility.
The door opens and Tiergan stands there, a surprised but relieved look on his face. His blond hair stands in sharp contrast with his dark, tanned skin.
"Grady and Edaline!" he exclaims. "What a pleasure to see you here. What are you here for?"
Grady grunts good-naturally. "Don't ask me," he says, "ask Edaline." He gestures to her.
Edaline rolls her eyes sarcastically.
Tiergan looks at her with great interest, then shrugs. "Come on in," he says, leading them in.
"A Spyball?" Tiergan frowns. "Why do you need a Spyball for?"
"Because of over-protectiveness of Sophie," grumbles Grady.
"Grady!" says an exasperated Edaline. "You know how I feel. Even if you're not an Empath."
She can't believe Grady doesn't care about Sophie - after they lost Jolie-
Don't even think about it, she warns herself.
Before Grady can say anything, Tiergan pulls him back smoothly. "I understand that you want to check if Sophie is alright or not?" he asks Edaline.
Edaline nods excitedly, a million emotions rushing through her.
Tiergan stands up from his seat. "Wait here, and don't do anything silly while you're alone. Yes, I have a Spyball. But it'll have to stay here, I can't lend it to you. I can only show you Sophie."
The transparent glass sphere stands on a sleek black table.
Edaline squats down and stares at it, followed by Grady. Tiergan stands far behind them, crossing his arms and tapping his leg.
"Show me Sophie Foster," she whispers as blue mist clouds up in the Spyball. Then the mist gradually fades, a blurry image focusing as Edaline grabs the sharp table edge, barely noticing the pain.
A familiar blonde girl grasps a silver knob on a smooth black door.
Edaline notices that the door has the sign of the swan embedded on it. Have they made it to the Black Swan already?
Sophie. Edaline's shoulders relax when she recognizes her. But what happened to her? Why is she so dirty? Why does she have an ugly red wound on her left arm?
Behind her is Dex, Keefe, Fitz and Biana. They look weary and tired too.
Sophie pushes open the door and steps into the dark room, followed by her friends. A silhouette of a slender man stands in wait of them. Edaline squints at him. She thinks she has seen him before, but where?
Just then, a knock sounds on the door. Tiergan takes the Spyball away just as the image fades. He puts it away in somewhere Edaline can't see. Then he races to answer the door, while Grady and Edaline casually sit on the comfortable couches.
Edaline wonders who it is.
The door opens and Councilor Emery and Councilor Alina step in.