The rhythmic thunk of daggers, knives, and spears hitting woods set me into a deep concentration of my own thoughts. I was jumping, spinning, and moving in ways that were almost impossible to decipher if I could ever do it again.

After that it was time for sparring. I saw a cocky Vacker across the ring who pinned down his opponent much too easy. Time to lose Alvar.

He smirked at me. Jackass. "You looking to spar someone, Vacker?" He hated when I called him that. He threw his weapons to the side and put his hands up.

"Don't call me that, lab rat." Oh he was asking for it.

"Why not? Are you too scared to get your precious hands dirty, Vacker?"

Then we both stepped into the ring. It was a blur of punches, kicks, elbows, grabs, and some occasional verbal bashes at each other. Then I drew blood in 5 different places. He drew blood in 4 different places. I won. I gave a grin that made him scowl. Then Ruy spoke up.

"Have you guys ever considered not biting off each other head all the time?" He mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't catch. As a trio we were like siblings. Knew everything about each other and were best friends. We just had our own way of showing it.

"Nope." I popped the P. Then for good measure I punched Alvar's arm. To which he punched back harder. That continued till I was certain that we both had bruises.

Then Fintan walked in. We stopped punching each other immediately.

Fintan was a major dick but he was kinda like a role model. He stood up for himself and his right to use his ability to the council.

"I have a job for Sophie and Alvar. Follow me." I realized what Ruy said under his breath.

We followed into his office. "I have recently received news that Biana, Fitz, Dex, Keefe, as well as 2 kids from Exillium. Linh and Tam Song, Twins." He pointed to me. "Your job is to infiltrate their friend group, but to not join the black swan. At least not yet. Just a spy for now." He pointed to Alvar. "Your job is to put it in Alden's mind that Fitz should try to form a cognate bound with Sophie. That way it will make her job easier." We nodded.

"So I have to get my way into a friend group through telepathy lesson to spy? No volcanos I can dive in instead?" Alvar snickered at my response.

"I'm afraid not Miss Ruewen." Fintan said annoyed.

"Understood. Just checking." Alvar burst out laughing.

"Only you two. I swear. Just get out already." We laughed ourselves out of the room. Then I saw Ruy wiggle his eyebrows.

I walked over and punched him in the arm. "Lab Rat! Less violence!" Alvar said as if he didn't do the same thing.

"Do you know what he said under his breath?" Alvar shrugged. "He asked and I quote," I mimicked his voice, "I wonder if they're planning to bang." I punched him in the stomach. He groaned. "You prick! I don't like him like that."

"It was a joke Lab Rat! That fucking hurt!" We all had been best friends for years. So we all earned the right to talk to each other like this. It was a bit immature to curse as much as we did at each other, but then again it was fine with all of us. We got used to cursing at each other.

"GOOD!" I dropped him. "You go deal with cognate buddy time for Fitz with Alden." I spoke while directing my words at Alvar.

"Fine. I'll hook you up with a private lesson with my brother." He wiggles his eyebrows. "Just can't get enough Vacker can you?" I rolled my eyes.

"Fuck off prick."

I was pissed off about this mission in case you couldn't tell. Alvar and Ruy were groaning when I grabbed knives to resume my training.

I went home that night dreading the Monday. Ugh! Who wants to be in a class. Alone. With the golden boy who was training to protecting the Lost Cities from the Neverseen. Like no thank you.

Plus, I'll get a threat from their perfect little princess. I know your just using my brother to get him. Bitch please. I don't want him. I want Black Swan plans.

I woke up the next morning and forced myself to get out of bed. I put on my uniform and my cape. I did my hair in a loose braid. I washed my face and decided to put on a little makeup. A touch of eyeshadow, lipgloss and that was it.

I looked good. Like damn! I needed to learn how to do makeup in case I needed to change my appearance fast.

Then I walked into Foxfire. We went through the daily routine and of course, my new schedule was in my locker. Great. Just fabulous!

Marella started freaking out when beneath the telepathy lessons said "with Fitz Vacker."

"I see love blooming."

"I see disaster."

"Hope."

"Embarrassment."

"Fitz's dreamy eyes."

"Biana's angry threatening eyes."

"Attention."

"Attention." I stressed the word.

"Your no fun Sophie. Come on. Think of how exciting this will be. He has a best friend if you don't fancy him." She said in a sing-songy voice. I'm dreading this so much.

"Think of how much I hate this."

"Oh your just being overdramatic! YOU HAVE A CLASS ALONE WITH FITZ VACKER!" That turned heads. A lot of heads.

"Thanks for the announcement Marella!"

She smiled. "Your welcome."

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh! I couldn't wait to get this over with.

My class was after lunch. So I ate miserable on the inside while trying to put on a happy face. Marella was overbearingly excited about my class. I had to play this off. I went to go speak to Wonderboy.

"Fitz Vacker?"

"Sophie Foster?" I nodded. His sister stared and shot daggers at me.

"I'm just wondering why my schedule says we have a class together." I said innocently while smiled sweetly. I blushed a little too. He stammered.

"I- umm. Uh, I d-dont know." He shrugged. His best friend nudged him. I had to admit, his eyes were kinder than Alvar's were. And his best friend had good hair. Crap, no! He didn't. That went for both him and his best friend.

"No idea either?" I asked grinning. I swear his cheeks went a little pink.

"Nope! Anyway, I'll just see you at class I guess. Right?" He looked around for support from his friends. They didn't give any. His sister however...

"I'm sorry, your intruding on our lunch."

"Right. I'm sorry." I said cowering a bit. "I guess I'll see you later Fitzy." He grinned widely.

"Right! See you later!" He yelled while I was already walking away. I only had one thought on my mind.

He is done for.