Keeper of the Lost Cities

by Shannon Messenger

  Edaline cried harder and Grady cleared his throat. “Come on, I’ll take you upstairs.”

  Sophie barely had enough time to sneak back to her room. She crouched by Iggy’s cage and rubbed his cheeks through the bars as Grady peeked his head through the door. “Oh, you’re awake.”

  “I wanted to make sure you got home safe before I went to bed.”

  Guilt twisted his handsome features. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “It’s okay. Where were you?”

  “On an errand.”

  She stared at her hands. “Did it have something to do with Alden’s visit last night?”

  “That’s none of your business. You should go to bed. It’s getting late.”

  She didn’t want to upset him, but she needed to know. “Something bad is happening, isn’t it?”

  Grady’s sigh echoed through the silence. “It’s nothing you need to worry about. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  But when she crawled into bed, all she did was worry.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  CAN I TALK TO YOU?” SOPHIE WHISPERED to Fitz on their way into the cafeteria the next day. “Somewhere private?”

  His brows shot up at the request, but he shrugged and motioned for her to come with him. She could feel Dex’s eyes burning into the back of her head as she followed Fitz down the hall.

  “What’s up?” he asked when they were alone.

  “Do you know what your dad’s investigating right now?”

  “Why?”

  She focused on his nose to think a little more clearly. His eyes had a way of turning her brain to mush. “He came over a couple nights ago, begging Grady for help with something. It seemed like it was important.”

  “I’m sure there’s no reason to worry.”

  She rolled her eyes. He sounded just like his dad. “He looked really stressed, Fitz. I’ve never seen him like that. Do you know what he’s working on?”

  He hesitated. “It’s some sort of fire—and I only know that because he comes home smelling like smoke. He doesn’t tell me about official matters.”

  “But he sent you to find me, so he must tell you some stuff.”

  Fitz glanced over his shoulder, making sure they were still alone. “That was an exception. He needed someone close to your age to follow the leads he found—someone who would blend in. Otherwise he wouldn’t have involved me.”

  She chewed her lip, processing his words. “And you have no idea what he’s working on—at all?”

  Something changed in his face. He knew more than he was telling her—she was positive.

  You can trust me, she transmitted into his mind.

  He sucked in a breath. “Whoa—I keep forgetting you can do that.”

  Please, she pressed. She may have sworn off investigating things after the Quintessence debacle, but this was big—and it was tearing Grady and Edaline apart. I need to know.

  His eyes searched hers, then closed. “I shouldn’t do this.”

  Please.

  He leaned his head against the wall. “Concentrate.”

  She knew what he meant. He couldn’t transmit into her mind—even Tiergan couldn’t—so he wanted her to read his thoughts. She opened her mind and listened.

  I heard him talking to Alvar, he thought. It’s not one fire—it’s hundreds. All in the Forbidden Cities. All starting the same day. And the flames are this weird fluorescent yellow color. The Council ruled it a human arsonist and refused to investigate, but my dad thinks the Black Swan is involved. Alvar thinks he’s crazy.

  Her heart stopped. Hundreds of human fires? Do you know which cities?

  He didn’t say. But I know they’re all over the planet.

  Are they near my family?

  I’m sure they’re fine. My dad was assigned to keep an eye on them—in case their memories come back.

  Alden never told her that. But it was nice to know someone was watching them. Do you know what the Black Swan is up to?

  No idea—I swear. And you can’t tell anyone I told you this. I’m not supposed to know.

  I won’t. I promise.

  “Okay? Can we go eat lunch now?” he asked.

  “You can. I need to think.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Sophie. I’m sure it’s not a big deal.”

  She forced a smile. “I just want to think.”

  She wandered the halls, letting her mind spin with the new information.

  Why would the Black Swan set fires around humans—and why were they yellow this time? Why did Alden need Grady to help? And why did Grady refuse?

  She made her way to the atrium so she could switch her books before everyone else got there. She wasn’t in the mood to talk.

  A book was waiting on the center shelf of her locker: An Insider’s Guide to Pyrokinesis. It came with a note: “Hope this helps you find what you’re looking for.”

  She smiled. She’d forgotten the librarian’s promise to send her anything she found on Pyrokinetics. There couldn’t be better timing.

  ALCHEMY WAS AN EVEN BIGGER disaster than usual. Sophie was way too distracted to concentrate, and after she accidentally turned a part of her own shoe to copper, Lady Galvin released her early, before anything could happen to her cape. Sophie used the time to head to the Level Six library, to thank the librarian for finding the book.

  “Still looking for books on pyrokinesis?” she asked when she saw Sophie.

  “No, the one you gave me is more than enough.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “An Insider’s Guide to Pyrokinesis.” She froze when she caught the look of absolute confusion on the librarian’s face. “Didn’t you send me the book?”

  “I’ve never even heard of it—and I thought I knew them all.”

  “Oh. Must’ve been one of the other librarians I talked to. I guess I’ll have to thank them.” She forced a tiny laugh.

  “Let me know who it was. I’d love to read it when you’re done.”

  Sophie nodded, keeping the smile plastered across her lips as she wobbled down the hall.

  The other librarians never promised to send a book to her locker. It was possible one of them did, but she had a sinking feeling it had nothing to do with them.

  She confirmed the suspicion an hour later when she was alone in her bedroom. A thick dog-ear marked a chapter toward the end. She flipped there, to a drawing of an elf surrounded by bright yellow fire.

  everblaze: the unstoppable flame

  The book slipped from her hands as foreign memories flashed through her mind. Half blind from the rush of information, she stumbled to her satchel and pulled out her Imparter.

  “Show me Alden.”

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  SOPHIE TOOK A DEEP BREATH TO FIGHT the drowning sensation she always felt when surrounded by the aquarium in Alden’s office. She strangled her satchel against her chest.

  Alden cleared his throat from the other side of his paper-strewn desk. “What was it you wanted to talk about, Sophie?”

  She opened her mouth. No words came out.

  “Is this about Grady and Edaline’s decision?” he asked quietly.

  She shook her head and swallowed, forcing her voice to work. “No—though I am worried about them. They’ve been acting weird since you came over that night.”

  Alden looked away. “They haven’t told you?”

  “About the fires? No. But they don’t have to—I know there are hundreds of them. I know they’re around humans. And I know you think the Black Swan’s involved. So don’t tell me there’s no reason to worry because I know something’s going on.”

  “The situation will be under control soon enough. The humans will put the fires out and everything will go back to normal.” The words were confident, but she could tell from his eyes he didn�
��t believe them.

  She tugged out an eyelash, knowing the next words she spoke would change everything. “Not if it’s Everblaze.”

  Alden was on his feet before she could react. He held her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “How do you know that word?”

  Her voice vanished. She fumbled in her satchel, pulling out the pyrokinesis book.

  His mouth fell open. “Where did you get that?”

  “Someone put it in my locker today. The chapter on Everblaze was marked.” She pulled out her memory log and flipped to the pages she’d filled after she called Alden. “And when I read the word ‘Everblaze,’ I remembered this.”

  His rubbed his temples as he examined the complicated formula she’d projected. “Do you know what this is?”

  “Not really. I know it’s called Frissyn.” She pointed to a symbol that looked like . . .ith an X running through it. “And that stands for Quintessence, but I have no idea what it does.” The list of ingredients and instructions was so detailed only a master alchemist would be able to decipher it.

  “Frissyn is the only way to extinguish Everblaze. The formula is highly classified—I’ve never seen the entire directions before.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you know what this means?”

  “Someone planted secret information in my brain.” Her voice shook. The words were so much more terrifying out loud. She handed him the photo of her on the beach with the sand castle. “I found this a few weeks ago.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice wasn’t angry, but guilt made her face hot anyway.

  “I’m sorry. I was afraid I would get in trouble. But I also haven’t remembered anything else until today. That’s why I called you.” She forced herself to meet his eyes. “The fires are Everblaze, aren’t they?”

  “I’m afraid they might be—but I’ve been overruled on that opinion.”

  “Overruled?”

  He rose to pace. “The Council doesn’t believe it’s possible. They think it’s much more likely the humans have an arsonist who’s playing with chemicals on their hands, and since they excluded themselves from our help when they broke the treaty, it’s not our concern. I can’t blame the Council for feeling that way. Things like this are supposed to be unheard of. But our world is changing.” He stared into the aquarium. “Your existence is proof of that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Indecision warred across his features before he moved to the desk, closed her memory log, and pointed to the silver bird etched into the cover. “Did you know that this is a moonlark?”

  A chill ran through her as she shook her head. She’d barely paid attention to the cover.

  “Suldreen,” Alden said quietly. “Moonlarks lay their eggs in the ocean and let the tide carry them away. The babies hatch alone, and must learn to survive without family. That’s what the Black Swan called you. Project Moonlark.”

  She gripped the sides of her chair, needing something to hold on to.

  “Twelve years ago we captured a member of the Black Swan and probed his mind.”

  “Prentice,” she interrupted.

  He nodded. “Prentice was a Keeper for the Black Swan, so the Council ordered Quinlin to probe his memories. His mind broke in the process, and Quinlin was only able to extract two pieces of information. A strand of your unregistered DNA, and your code name: Moonlark. You were the egg they cast out into the sea of humans, hoping you’d survive.”

  The words stung, like swallowing ice. They matched what Tiergan already told her but felt so much worse. She was Project Moonlark?

  “So my parents belong to the Black Swan?” she asked.

  “In a way . . .” His fingers twisted the fabric of his cape. “The thing is, Sophie, I’m not convinced you have parents—not in a conventional sense. I think the Black Swan created you, for some purpose I have yet to determine. I’ve done some research since I found you. Your human parents had trouble getting pregnant, so they saw a fertility doctor. I believe that doctor was a member of the Black Swan—posing as a human—and that he implanted your mother with your embryo to keep us from knowing about your existence.”

  The room spun as she tried to make sense of what he was telling her. “Why?”

  “You’re very special, Sophie. Your DNA has been manipulated. That’s why your eyes are brown. Why your telepathic abilities are so outstanding. They even gave you a photographic memory, so you can easily learn and retain information—like cipher runes, and Council secrets—and an impenetrable mind to keep anyone from discovering them. I assume that’s also why you have an allergy. Limbium affects the mind, and your mind is different from the rest of ours—not just on a talent level. On a genetic level.”

  She shook her head, wanting to shake the information away. “So I’m a mutant.”

  “Not a mutant. An anomaly.”

  “Same thing.”

  “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

  “How? You’re saying a group of crazy renegades made me and hid me away, like I’m their secret weapon or something.”

  “I never said you were a weapon. I don’t know why they made you, or why they wanted me to find you.” He smiled sadly when her eyes widened. “It’s safe to assume they’re the ones who sent me that article about you. I’m sure they wrote the article—I doubt it’s a coincidence the title uses the word ‘prodigy.’ They even burned their sign around the city where you lived to get our attention.”

  She rubbed her temples. The news was getting worse and worse. “What does that mean?”

  “It means you need to be very careful.” He pointed to the pyrokinesis book. “Clearly, they’re trying to manipulate you. For what—I don’t know. But they already made you illegally collect Quintessence, and the Council may not be so forgiving if you break the law again. So I need you to promise me that no matter what messages you get, no matter what you hear, or what you remember, you will come straight to me—just like you did today—and do nothing else. Will you promise me that?”

  The fear was so suffocating she could barely choke out the word: “Yes.” It was scary enough having secrets in her brain. The idea that she’d been designed and controlled, like someone’s puppet, made her whole body shake.

  Not to mention she now had no hope of ever having a normal life. Who would be friends with her when they found out she was an anomaly?

  Alden wrapped his arms around her. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll figure it out.”

  She buried her face in his cloak and swallowed the sob fighting its way out of her chest. She was stronger than this—and she couldn’t afford to lose her head. She shoved her fears away and focused on the bigger issue. “What if the fires really are Everblaze? They’re yellow, right—just like in the book?”

  “Many things could cause fire to be that color. I’m looking into it. Please trust that I can handle this.”

  She soaked up the hug for a few more seconds before she pulled away. “Okay.”

  He handed her the memory log, and she couldn’t help staring at the silver bird, now that she understood the meaning. “Keep track of everything—and you can’t let anyone see what’s in there. That formula is top secret, but I want you to have it in case it triggers something else. Do you understand?”

  “Don’t worry. I haven’t shown anyone—not even Grady and Edaline.”

  He frowned at the names.

  “Are you still mad at Grady for refusing to help?”

  “I’m just . . . disappointed. But what’s done is done.” He squeezed her hands. “Everything will be fine. Remember that—no matter what happens.”

  “I’ll try.” She glanced out the window, at the purple twilight sky. “I should get home. I don’t want to worry them.”

  Alden nodded.

  He kept the pyrokinesis book to see if it held any clues to where it came from, and he made sure the memory log w
as well hidden in the bottom of her satchel before he let her leave. “Do you need the Leapmaster?”

  “Nope. I have my home crystal.” She held the pendant up proudly.

  Alden bit his lip. “Good. And, Sophie? Anytime you need to talk—no matter what time it is—call me, okay?”

  “I will,” she promised.

  Then she stepped into the light, willing the warmth to soothe the chills rushing down her spine. As the scenery glittered away, she saw Alden’s calm facade crumble, and then she was on her way home, hoping she’d imagined it.

  ANOTHER NOTE FROM GRADY AND Edaline waited for her on the table: “On errands. Be back later.” Five words this time—more than double the last note. Maybe that was a good sign.

  She missed Grady’s throaty laugh. She missed Edaline’s gentle smile. She wasn’t sure what the problem was, but she needed to find a way to fix it—before it drove a wedge between them. She couldn’t lose another family.

  Edaline had left dinner for her in the kitchen. Sophie didn’t want to be alone, so she brought Iggy and some homework with her. She was starting the last chapter of the firecatching book when the front chimes rang.

  She raced to the door, afraid it was Alden with another emergency—but it was a messenger, delivering a scroll from the Council.

  She didn’t hold it up to the light to see if she could read through the paper. She didn’t test the seal, to see if she could break it and then reseal it. The curiosity was a fierce beast rampaging inside her, but she fought the urge and left it on the table. She did stay downstairs though, so she could see Grady’s reaction when he opened it. Her willpower had its limits.

  She curled up on the chaise in the main room to finish the last chapter. She mostly skimmed—firecatching was so boring—but the word “blaze” caught her attention. Sir Conley had taught her to place a copper bead in the bottles to seal in the heat of the flame, but the book said copper only worked with luminous flames. Nonluminous flames needed silver. And something called a “generated blaze” required gold.