Here's an extra long chapter to make up for skipping a day. I had some problems getting it up.
Hailey: Hi again(: Their reactions happens to be the part I am most looking forward to writing too.
Hey: Aww thanks here's that update
Cool Kid: Sorry for the wait here it is (awesome name BTW)
"There's no need to be afraid, Sophie. I'm here to help you." He said kneeling so she could look him in the eye where she laid in bed. He had been forced to light leap them to safety due to their recent development. Sophie had to be as far away as possible from the Neverseen or Elvin Council while he worked on her. Unfortunately, that meant that he had alerted both to their location, and while he had done everything possible to confuse their tracking, he knew they had very little time.
"You keep saying that. 'Sophie'. Is that my name? Why would I be in danger? Why can't I remember anything? Who are-"
"Yes," The wizened Elf interjected, "Your name is Sophie, we are at a motel in Alaska, you are in danger, an impending danger I am trying to keep you from so if you value your life and sanity I suggest you stop asking questions and start answering mine. Alright?" Dex unconsciously groaned next to them, as if complaining about his lack of a bed in his sleep. Kids.
Sophie's looked at him, squinting a little, pursed her lips, and nodded; apparently deciding to trust him. "Okay. What-"She gasped in pain, apparently the numbing potion he had given her was wearing off. She took a deep, shaky breath and continued. "What do I need to do?"
"Good girl. Now what I want you to do is close your eyes-you might want to relax a little bit it will help the pain, that's good-and search. Look into your mind. It has had quite the strain put on it so chances are some memories are just in hiding from the trauma. Now you want to start with the easy things. Who you are for example."
She opened one eye and looked at his strangely. "What?"
"You make it sound as if they are alive. My memories, I mean."
He gave her a smile that held more knowledge and secrets than she could tell and said to her, "You don't know the half of it." Staring for only a moment longer she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began to search.
While Sophie was searching for herself, quite literally, the man stood. He watched her as she winced in pain with each breathe. He hated having to make her work while her body was so physically damaged, but he needed to know how extensive her internal damage was. It was imperative that he knew as soon as possible. Still, watching the young girl in so much pain was becoming increasing difficult so he turned to Dex and sighed. "I supposed I should check on you as well, shouldn't I."
After a thorough search, only finding a small burn and some malnutrition-both easily treated- he lightly patted the boy's cheek. "Looks like you've gotten off easy. You lucky elf." (AN: It said something else in my rough draft but I don't know how I feel about swearing in this story)
"Sophie." He spun around to see Sophie struggling to sit herself up. He rushed over to help her and as he did she grabbed his wrist. "Sophie." She said stronger this time. More confidently. "My name is Sophie Elizabeth Foster." She looked at him and smiled. "I remember! I live in San Diego with my parents and my little sister Amy! I'm 12 and I am a senior at the high school!"
"Yes, well that was a little while ago. You are 13 now. But I want you to think. What about your telepathy? And -this is important Sophie- what is the very last thing you remember?"
She frowned at him. "Telepathy? You mean that thing where people can lift stuff with their mind? You know that's not real right?"
"No, that's telekinesis and a completely different subject. Are you telling me you don't remember being a telepath? Your migraines? Perhaps hearing something you didn't want to know?"
She seemed very skeptical of his strange questions "No," She drew out, "I can't say that I have. I mean, I have photographic memory if that's want you mean."
"Sure. Yes that's-that's what I mean. Tell me, what is the last thing you can remember?"
"Um, well my class and I went on a field trip to the museum. The very last thing" she mused, "Well that would have to be when this guy, he couldn't have been more than 15, came up to me and asked me about my picture in the paper. It was weird, but he asked me about my eye color. I mean, who does that? So then I say bye and go outside for some air. Never saw him again but that's as far as I can remember. I must have blacked out from the smoke or something."
"I suppose you must have." This was bad. Very, very bad. A select few could master blocking or implanting memories. Even fewer could alter preexisting memories. But only one other person could control when an elf developed their ability. And not even he could block abilities that had already been developed. There was only one person who would have been able to do that, and to Sophie's mind no less. The only person capable would have had to have been train by him. And there was only one person who he had taught how to do so. Who had grown even stronger than himself. Who had convinced him that breaking Prentice's mind was necessary for his cover. One person who had stood by his side claiming to be loyal to the Black Swan. One man. Quinlin. And if his most trusted ally was a Neverseen Spy, who else was?
One thing was for sure. He couldn't trust anyone. Sophie had been safer in her twelve years hidden and ignorant to her true self that in the one year she had spent with some of the strongest Elves to protect her. He had made up his mind. He wasn't going to send her back to the Lost Cities ignorant and unaware of her abilities. He would return her to her host family. Sure he would need to alter a few memories. And sure he would have to deal with the Elvin Council. They did check up on the human family often. But he could get them to do what he wants. And any other family would run too high of a risk of remembering their old life. No, she would be safest with her human family. Now all he had to do was alter a few minds, send Dex back, and wait for the Council to respond.