The Biological Breakdown

by slytherclawcrew

Everything is changing in the Lost Cities. While Sophie struggles with the identities of her biological parents, the Neverseen is gathering speed. Choices need to be made between people, love, powers, and the very world around them. It is the ultimate test for the Keeper Crew, but they don't know how to pass it.

6. A visit to save Keefe

Oralie looked surprised to see Sophie there. She was framed in the pink doorway of her castle-like-house in a way that made her look even more fragile, especially with her pink lace gown, but she had a steely look in her eyes that Sophie was not excepting.

"Sophie," Oralie nodded to her, "you came."

Sophie's smile came out more like a grimace as she dipped in a slight curtsy. Off-balance, as usual. "It's not because I forgave you," Sophie warned. "It's just for Keefe."

"Of course," Oralie opened her door wider and tentatively invited Sophie inside.

With a sour feeling in her mouth, Sophie stepped inside and followed Oralie deeper into her house.

Sophie felt her heart twist as she went farther and farther into her house. The walls here were covered in hundreds of photos of Kenric.

Kenric smiling and waving. Kenric laughing. Kenric standing with the rest of the council. Kenric levitating the rest of the council's golden goblets in front of a laughing Oralie. Kenric making a speech. The largest, framed photo drove an even deeper wedge into Sophie's heart. Kenric was spinning Oralie around in his arms, just like Fitz had done to her after Wynn and Luna had been born.

Sophie hadn't even noticed she had stopped until Oralie tugged gently on Sophie's satin sleeve. "Let's keep moving," Oralie suggested quietly, her sparkling blue eyes filling with tears, a few escaping down Oralie's otherwise flawless features.

Sophie nodded, blinking away some of the tears threatening to spill out of her eyes. She felt her echoes rising and she gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the guilt clawing at her stomach.

She knew what guilt could do to elves, yet she couldn't help feeling as though Kenric's death was her fault. No, she knew it was her fault. If she had just done things differently. If-

"Sophie?" Oralie interrupted her thoughts softly, "I think its best if we keep moving."

Sophie nodded and followed Oralie down one of her many twisting hallways like an unwilling puppy begrudgingly being dragged along on a leash.

(A/N: Am I the only one who keep forgetting she is mad with Oralie for being her biological mother?)