(Biana's POV)

"'Lake of Wills?' Where's that?"

Tam, Keefe, Linh, Dex, Sophie, Biana and Marella were gathered around a wide desk. The Collective seemed worried. Biana was worried that they had trusted Fitz with information too important to be handed over to the enemy.

The enemy. And Fitz had joined them.

"I see this as a total win," Keefe said. "We could catch Gethen and Fitz and leave then to deal with the Council."

Forkle shook his head. "Last time when Gethen was jailed, he brought down Lumenaria. I doubt he would hesitate to do it again."

Biana turned pale. "What do we do with Fitz? We can still reach him and punish him."

Forkle sighed. "I suppose you are right, Ms. Vacker. And I understand that you want revenge on your brother for what he did to you and to Sophie."

The name Sophie slipped a pin in Biana's heart. Sophie wasn't actually Lesbian, as Biana expected. She had been stupid to expect a good outcome from kissing her.

But...Sophie had kissed her back. And Sophie had tried to stop Biana before and left. And…

"We need to focus on real problems at the moment," Forkle said with a pointed glance at Sophie and Biana.

Biana knew her cheeks were insanely red as she asked "Were you reading my mind?"

Forkle nodded, and shrugged off the evil look she gave him. "I needed to make sure you weren't breaking down with guilt and grief about both of your brothers. But it seems you have," he cleared his throat, glancing meaningfully at Sophie again, "other worries."

Biana saw Sophie blush too, her cheeks turning bright pink. She shared a look with Biana. "Adults," they both muttered.

Keefe grabbed Biana's wrist. "Woah." He glanced at Sophie, and Biana could see the hurt lingering in his ice-blue eyes.

Forkle cleared his throat. "It seems we've gotten off track. And I don't think this meeting is going to get anywhere. So-"

Keefe cut him off. "Is this the part where you tell us that the adults will handle everything?"

Forkle shrugged. "You kids have school, you know."

"So do you," Sophie pointed out.

Forkle sighed. "I have sent out a notice that Terigan will be acting as principal for a small amount of time. So-"

Tam grabbed some random mallowmelt and tossed it at Forkle's head. "Uh-uh. We're helping you."

Forkle muttered something about "respect" as he dried himself with a towel that Edaline conjured up. "I need some time to study. And you kids need to get to Foxfire. You should enjoy your teenage years."

Biana tilted her head. "I guess…"

Forkle smiled. "And...you might be able to spend time with…" he nodded towards Sophie.

Biana sighed, turning towards Edaline. "Mallowmelt, please?"

Edaline conjured up something even better, Verdi manure. Tam wrapped Forkle in shadows as Sophie and Biana scooped up some. They pelted Forkle. Edaline laughed. "I've been needing to deal with that for a few years."

Sophie grinned. "Well...Forkles job now!" She grabbed Biana's hand, and they glittered away together.