Sophie could barely stop herself from crying out when Keefe light leaped away to Elwin's house. It was like this new ability of his had ripped out all the laughter, joy, and life out of him, leaving an empty shell of a boy.
After all those years of waiting, hoping, and shattered dreams, she had lost Keefe once again.
She had tried her hardest, but it seemed that her hardest just wasn't good enough. She would never be good enough.
"Sophie?" Fitz called out, but she ignored him. He would be okay without her help. Keefe on the other hand...
Sophie stood up and walked out of the Healing Center. She needed space, and air, and alone.
The magnificent glass pyramid shone in the bright sun, and Sophie was reminded of the little rainbow prisms she used to play with as a child. She had hung up a few in her old home, so that whenever the sun shone, her room would be filled with miniature rainbows.
Sighing, she held up her crystal to the sun and light leaped away, not thinking about the consequences or how angry Sandor would be.
The sound of the wind gently teasing the long, swaying branches of Calla's Panakes was all Sophie needed to relax.
She needed to stop thinking about Keefe, to stop judging his new ability that she knew nothing about. But she couldn't help but remember the broken look in Keefe's eyes, the deep emptyless look of shattered ice.
"Hey," a familiar voice said, and Sophie looked up to see Edaline holding a plate of a treat she had never seen before.
"Hi," Sophie replied, slumping down against the tree trunk.
Edaline sat down next to Sophie, offering her one of the star shaped, sprinkle covered treats.
Sophie ignored her, staring out into the distance, aimlessly.
"I heard about Keefe," Edaline said, "and whatever happened to trigger him like that was not your fault."
"Everyone keeps saying that," Sophie said, "but the problem is that we... we lost Keefe for three years while he was in a coma. We thought he would never wake up. Then he does, but refuses to speak and light leaps away with Elwin."
"He's living with Elwin?" Edaline asked, this piece of news surprising her.
"Yeah, it was that or some prison like place the Councillors had set up."
"I know you're upset, Sophie," Edaline said, letting Sophie rest her head on her shoulder, "but it's a lot for Keefe to take in. I mean, he was asleep for three years, yet to him it must have just felt like a couple of hours."
"I know I'm being selfish, but I just wish..."
Edaline stood up carrying the plate of treats.
"I know, honey, I know."
Sophie walked in her room, Sandor following close behind, grumbling about the little off route trip she had taken earlier.
Exhaling deeply she slumped on the perfectly soft bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"Sophie," a squeaky voice growled from the doorway, "I know you're upset but you can't just run off like you did today."
Sophie sighed and Sandor continued, "what if the Neverseen had been waiting? You would've had no protection whatsoever."
"We haven't had an attack for the past three years," Sophie replied.
"That's because they're probably waiting in one of their hideouts, planning their next attack, and I know you don't want to hear this but, Keefe would probably be involved."
"Keefe would never."
"The Keefe you knew would never. But don't forget, three years have passed, and Keefe has a new ability."
"I wish people would stop bringing up the fact that there years has passed!" Sophie almost screamed. "I know how much time has passed! How could I not? I've been to the Healing Center everyday, just wishing he would wake up. Then he does and just... leaves..."
"I'm sorry," Sandor said, turning away, "but like I said before, you need to remember about other things too. For instance, I dont think you've called Biana since you've got back."
"Fitz will tell her the news."
"Then how about the Song twins? They're probably anxiously awaiting some news too."
Sophie shot an exasperated look at Sandor and reached for her Imparter.
"Show me Linh," she said, shortly, frowning at the words that flashed up on the screen.
Unable to hail Linh.
