Chapter 24: Amy

Amy appeared in the doorway and all of Sophie's anxiety melted away at the sight of her face.

Amy made a face. "He did tests on me."

"And I found stuff!"

"Whatever."

Elwin grabbed Sophie and yanked her inside.

"I did some tests on her cells and blood. And she started off with one drop of elvin blood at an early age, and someone enhanced it." He looked at her.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"There's now a lot more elvin genes in her body now. She may be able to develop a talent. Or get prettier."

Amy scowled.

"She's fine the way she is," Sophie said defiantly. Elwin waved her off.

"The problem is, that drop of blood didn't just happen. Someone had to put it there."

Sophie was about to process this information when there was a knock on the door.

She opened it and there stood Fitz.

"Uh...hey." He said. He sounded nervous.

"Hey, Fitz." Sophie said.

"Um...can we go somewhere to talk?"

Sophie glanced at Elwin and Amy. Amy was giving her a thumbs up and Elwin was nodding.

She shrugged and followed him.

He led her to a grassy spot in front of a river.

They sat down.

"Sophie?"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering...could this...kinda sorta...be a..."

Sophie bit her lip to stop from squealing. "A-a date? Sure, Wonderboy."

She reached for his hand. He squeezed it tight.

She stood, pulling him up with her. "C'mon. I want this date to be fun, not serious."

She ran down to the river, laughing as he trailed behind her. At the last moment, her clumsy self tripped and landed in the water. She should've been blushing and cursing herself for face planting in a river, in front of Fitz, but she was to happy to care. Because Fitz was pulling her out of the water, and she was splashing him, and they were both soaked, running down the river and laughing.

When they both sat down, tired, Sophie leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure."

She grabbed his hand again, leaning close to the water.

"You're going down."

And she pushed him in.

He emerged, sopping wet, and Sophie laughed.

He glared at her and she stopped. "But I do actually have a secret."

Fitz stayed where he was.

"No, really. I got another talent."

Fitz shot out of the water. "What?!"

"You have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Kay."

"I manifested as an Animalay. Tiergan did it. I turned down Colori, and he said there's more to come."

Fitz picks her up and twirled her around. "This is amazing!"

"Yeah, I know."

He placed her on the ground again.

"What-"

But before he could finish, a hand covered Sophie's mouth and she vanished.