Sophie Foster feels betrayed. The Black Swan have asked her to do something impossible and on top of that someone she loved lies to her. But even after all of that, the unexpected happens. She finds love. From somewhere she never could have thought...
Ever since Sophie had dropped out of Telepathy lessons with Fitz she had instead gone back to one on one sessions Tiergan. There wasn't a whole lot to be gained from these lessons since there was only so much Tiergan could coach and help her on. That was why most Wednesday afternoons she got out of session early and was able to wander the campus until study hall. This particular Wednesday afternoon she found herself in the library, reading up on goblin history for one of her sessions. It was useful to have Sandor there since he could give input for her notes. But then again, all peaceful studying always has to come to an end.
Sophie was snapped from her concentration by the sound of the library doors opening and lots of hushed giggles.
"Are you sure about this? What if one of our mentors comes looking for us?" A female voice whispered.
"There's no way they'll think to look here, come on." A male one replied.
Sophie sunk down further as two sets of footsteps entered the aisle right beside her and she held a finger to her lips to tell Sandor to stay quiet. The goblin rolled his eyes but obliged. Sophie proceeded to go back to her studying despite the noise from the other aisle. She actually made some progress before the distinct sloppy sounds of making out started to come from behind the books.
"Are you fucking serious?!" She said rather loudly and few chocked coughs replaced the other noises.
"Fitz! You said we were alone!" The girl voice cried out in embarrassment and Sophie tensed.
Ah shit. It was the happy couple.
"Well how was I supposed to know!?" Fitz replied.
"You're a telepath!" She squealed back.
In hopes of escaping Sophie quickly got up and motioned for Sandor to follow. They darted past the isle and out of the library quickly.
"Where to now?" Sandor asked as they walked away from the library.
"Anywhere but here." She mumbled and made her way towards the cafeteria.
There were a few other students with a free period just milling around the cadet so Sophie took a seat at one of the tables in the back. She continued to study quietly until loud footsteps caught her attention. She looked up slowly to see Mantage Leto walking towards her.
"What do you want?" She asked bluntly as he sat down across from her.
"For you to reconsider." He stated and clasped his hands together.
"Not going to happen." She replied and continued to flip through her book.
"What if I were to tell you who the traitor is?" He asked and Sophie paused.
She honestly had been wondering who it could be.
"Am I still allowed to say no if you tell me?" She replied with a bit of interest.
"No. If I tell you you will be obligated to fulfil the request." He spoke calmly as not to alert the other students around them to the topic of their conversation.
Of course he wasn't going to make it easy. That was what the whole of The Black swan was about, riddles and deception.
"Can I think about it?" She finally asked with a sigh.
A stupid grin spread across his face.
"Of course. Take your time Miss Foster." He said with a smile as he stood up.
He obviously had taken that as a 'yes' and not a 'maybe'. That pissed her off. She only glared at his back as he walked away. She could have just read his mind but she has no doubt that would only end up in disaster. Maybe Alvar would know? But he would have told her already if he knew. Well it's worth a shot.
Alvar? She called out with her mind, usually it took a few moments for him to respond, but this time it was almost instant.
SOPHIE! Oh I am so glad you reached out! Listen I overheard Gisela a few hours ago, they're planning on going after Foxfire.
***
A few hours later Sophie found herself sitting on a driftwood log next to Alvar as he told her everything he heard. Apparently he had been walking by Gisela's office when he noticed the door was ajar and heard her talking to Vespera.
"We only have a week left until we attack, what's our game plan?" Vespera had asked.
"The main focus is to instil fear, so that they know that ever their precious school isn't safe. I say we get a force field up around the school so no one can leap away and cut off their communications. Then our focus is to hurt some students and maybe even kill a few. That should work." Gisela spoke while the continued sound of pen on paper filled the air.
"And for the Moonlark?" Vespera asked.
There was a clinking of metal hitting wood.
"Let's rely on Alvar to neutralize her." Gisela spoke coldly.
That was when he heard foot steps coming towards the door, he had quickly made his way around the corner to hide. The conversation between the two women cut off when one of them fully closed the door.
"Neutralize? What does that mean?" Sophie asked worriedly and he sucked in a shaky breath.
"That's just it. I don't know, they'll tell me soon I think, they'll have to." He talked in a low voice, almost grim.
The silence between them was filled by the soft lapping of waves against the sand.
"What now?" Sophie whispered the question.
"We have a week. Tell those you trust and prepare. I'll tell you any details I get. And let's do this, if we defeat them now, we can be free." He said and turned to her.
She smiled.
"Yeah, Let's do this."
***
"Oh I forgot to tell you, I caught you brother making out with his girlfriend in the library today."
I AM HERE with a new chapter! Sorry it took so long life's just a been a bitch recently but fun fact did you know that the coincide from like 3 cherry pits is enough to kill a human? And yes that is a need to know. So I've figured out how I'm gonna have the story end and I think that arc is going to begin soon. Maybe about 4-5 more chapters?
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