Keeper of the Lost Cities: Phoenix Rising (Book 9)

Chapter 5 - Dex

The beam deposited Dex and Lovise just outside the main atrium where a steady stream of students were making their way inside for announcements. Normally, Dex would have had to wait his turn, but being the youngest regent in a century had its perks.

After tacking on his pin, he made his way to the front of the line and into the coliseum. Most of the stands were already filled, but there were a few empty spots here and there.

Dex ascended the stairs past the rows of chatting students and into the reserved section. The space was mostly empty save for one student who was staring at the ground. A folded up piece of paper rested in her hands. Beside her sat Sandor, who was clenching and unclenching his hands.

Instantly, Dex knew something was wrong. It wasn't a conscious sort of knowing, but more like an instinct. He crossed the room and sat on the chair next to hers.

"Sophie?"

The girl looked up. Her eyes were blotchy. Dex got the sense that she'd been crying recently.

"What's wrong?" Dex asked. "Did something happen?"

When she didn't respond Dex reminded her that he couldn't help if he had no idea what was going on.

"It's Keefe." Sophie choked out "He's gone."

All the blood drained from Dex's face.

"Gone?"What do you mean by gone?"

By way of answer, Sophie handed him the paper which she'd been holding.

The paper read:

To the Mysterious Miss F!

Ugh—I'm already regretting starting this letter that way. But I don't have any extra paper, and crossing it out would look worse, so... I guess we'll just have to add it to my list of mistakes.

And I know you're going to think that everything I'm about to say should also be on that long list of Keefe Fails. But I swear—that's NOT what this is. I'm not trying to fix everything or save everyone this time. I'm just trying to make sure I don't hurt anyone.

I can't tell you more than that without putting you in danger, so just... trust me when I say that the powers my mom gave me are super bad. There seriously aren't strong enough words to explain how horrible they are. And I CAN'T control them—just like I can't stop my mom from forcing me to use them.

So... this is the only way. I don't want to do it. But I have to.

And I'm not going to ask you not to hate me. In fact, it might be better if you do, because I need you to PROMISE that you won't try to find me. My mom will be waiting for you to track me down—and since I know how stubborn you are, I want to make sure you understand who you'd be putting in danger.

I'm going to be hiding the same way the Black Swan hid you.

That's why you have to stay away. Well, there are lots of reasons. So again, please, just... trust me, okay?

And since this is the last time I'll ever talk to you, I just... I want to say that I'm really going to miss you. You mean a lot to me, Foster. More than you'll ever know.

Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all about me.

It'll be better for everyone that way. You'll see.

Love,

Keefe.

For the first time in his entire life, Dex was dumbfounded. Absolutely, 100% dumbfounded. What was Keefe thinking? Dex's father and himself were so close to discovering a solution to Keefe's powers. Why-.

The sound of Sophie sniffling cut off his train of thought. He looked up from the letter to see her wipe a tear off her face. "Hey, enough of that." Dex chided.

"It's not your fault."

"You can't be right." Sophie shot back. "If I'd just taken the time to talk to him about his abilities like a good friend, he would've never left!"

"You're already a good friend to him, Sophie." Dex reminded her.

"Besides, Keefe didn't leave because he thought you didn't care about him. From the looks of it, he left to protect you."

"Trust me."

Sophie still looked unconvinced, but at least she'd stopped crying.

"I know it hurts but if you still feel like this, hail me." Dex offered.

"I know what it's like to lose."

"Don't we all." Sandor commented, making the both of them laugh.

A weak laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.