Chapter 14

My jawline set and I rolled the paper into a small crinkled ball in one swift movement of my fists, crushing the paper into a distinct shape.

I stared at the gates across the field and smiled. I would need assistance for this to work... which is where Dex came in. Or would, but he would be completely against the idea.

I needed to find another Technopath, someone who was very talented at manipulating technology in order to undo the elaborate security set up at the gates, blocking me from breaking in.

I couldn't exactly ask Dex if he knew any fellow Technopaths. But I do remember that at the ability sessions, there's a short listing of the times that the mentors are teaching at.

Unfortunately it isn't displayed to the public, so I would have to search for a more discreet way to obtain it.

At Foxfire later in the afternoon, I slam my locker door shut and glance over to the main teacher's lounging area, or the equivalent for elves. I forgot what the term was, but they had teachers meet up and discuss their issues as well as have important information on exams and papers stored inside a series of files and records for the students.

I remember Keefe mentioned something of the kind when he was informing me about having stolen a copy of the answer key for an upcoming test. It wasn't a big deal or anything so he couldn't get expelled over sneaking the answers, but I recall scolding him over doing it.

My guts twisted and wrenched at the memory.

You're doing this for him, I reminded myself, my eyes glossing over with determination to get him back.

I rub my eyes and turn around to start marching to the lounge when I felt a warm body colliding with mine. Stepping back, I saw Biana was staring back at me with a look that made me think she realized my plan. "Where are you going?" Her voice was cool and smoothened over, like silk coiled around a cocoon of a butterfly held inside.

"Next class," I answer hesitantly.

"No, you're not," she answered, folding her arms over her chest. "Tell me what's really going on here."

"I, uhm... why do you say that?" I blurt out and mentally smack myself. Sophie, you're so freaking bad at lying, it's embarrassing.

"Because of your schedule," Biana informed me, her pinched hands lifting a schedule that had slipped out of my backpack.

Dammit! My stupid luck had a way of ruining everything for me.

"You look distracted, Sophie. You're definitely planning to 'bust Keefe out.' And by that, I mean kidnap."

"Kidnap?" I glared at her. "I'm not kidnapping him, I'm rescuing him!"

"So you are. I knew you were lying to me," Biana concluded, glancing at her nails.

"No I'm not- I- ugh."

"The definition is kidnapping, Sophie. You're taking Keefe away from his home. His new home. Who you think are his captors are probably the people he willingly went to. Sophie, something happened at the Healing Center that made him decide this was the best course of action. And while I'm not agreeing with it, I think he had his motives. You don't know what happened, what ability was triggered." She shook her head softly. "I already told the Black Swan."

"What- you said you would wait!" I protest, my voice quavering. "Biana please!"

"You were playing with fire here, thinking it was a toy to play with I'm assuming. What was your plan? Go on, I'm listening."

"I- I was going to write a note and put it inside the fenced cave, for the Neverseen to find. It was supposed to motivate them to trade Keefe for me—"

"You're an idiot!" Biana proclaimed, grabbing my wrist and dragging me down the hall.

"What- where are we going?" I stutter, trying to pull my arm out of her clutch, but her nails only sunk deeper into my skin. Shit, I really pissed her off.

I expected her to say something about calling Edaline and Grady to tell them about the ordeal but instead she pulled me into an empty classroom, with a glint surfacing in her shining teal eyes. "Help me with this assignment and I won't tell anyone about your plan," she promised me, twisting the lock on the door shut and meeting my eyes defiantly.

"Why do you need my help?" I ask, laughing.

Biana pursed her lips, and her back slammed against the middle of the door, her body sliding down and landing on the floor with a thud. "I need to know how you focus. How would you say, use your inner channeling to break open some glasses?"

I frown at her tone and shrug, scratching my chin. "Uh, it's sort of hard to explain. You just focus on the object in mind and like imagine their center I guess, slowly shifting your concentration through the object's walls and then pushing your mind to pull that concentration right through it, but—" Biana blinked twice, and I bit my lip awkwardly. "Sorry. I guess the whole concentration thing is weirder for non-Telepaths." I pause for a moment, scrunching up my nose in confusion. "Wait but why do you need to know this stuff?"

Biana shrugged, lightly skimming her fingers over the edge of the desk.

I felt my tongue flick out and wet my lower lip automatically, and I stand up, sighing. "What subject?"

"Elvin history," she replied simply. "There's a lot of portion containing mental exercises that would be helpful if a Telepath assisted."

I frown, cocking my head to the side in confusion. "But if you could ask any Telepath, why not Fitz?" Despite our recent breakup of sorts, the wound didn't sting as much anymore. I guess I was over it? I wasn't sure if that was it but Fitz seemed to have adjusted fairly quickly; and we hadn't been together long enough to actually feel true heartbreak. Just a bit of disappointment that it didn't work out and that was it.

Biana studied me with a curious glint surfacing in her expression. "Fitz has been busy lately. I did ask him, but he said he was occupied with other matters and couldn't help me out... and I mean there's no one else in our friend group who's a Telepath, so here I am. Plus, I know you don't want me going around informing everyone about your idea to fetch Keefe from the clutches of the Neverseen." Her tone was annoyed as soon as she shifted to that subject.

I laughed softly, brushing a lock of my hair out my eyes and staring down at my feet, biting my lip. I felt the heat of Biana's gaze fixated on me and I lifted my head up nervously. "So you won't tell anyone?"

Biana nodded, her arms rippling with strength as she moved them to cross over her chest. "I won't. Just as long as you assist me with these mental exercises," she adds with a grin.

I nodded slowly. "Sure. We can do that," I say and smile, unknowing of the troubles I'd undoubtedly bring onto myself this semester.