What if...? The Neverseen found Sophie Foster

Chapter 3

Sophie had to shield her face as she surveyed her new surroundings. The enormous metal gate in front of them glowed as bright as sunlight, nearly blinding her. "Welcome to Everglen," Fitz said, leading her toward the doors. "What do you think?"

"It's very bright." He laughed. "Yeah. The gate absorbs all the light, so no one can leap directly inside. My dad works for the Council, so he likes his privacy at home."

"I guess." After her stressful morning it was nice to know she would be safe, but she couldn't help wondering what they were trying to keep out. She doubted King Kong could get past the massive doors. A faint click sounded, and the gate swung inward.

A striking figure stood in a small, grassy clearing surrounded by the same enormous trees she'd seen growing along the river in the capital. A floor-length, midnight blue cape was fastened across his shoulders with a clasp that looked like a pair of yellow, diamond-encrusted wings. He was tall and lean, with the same vibrant teal eyes and dark wavy hair—it was impossible to miss the family resemblance.

"Sophie, this is my father, Alden," Fitz introduced. She wasn't sure if she should bow or curtsy or shake hands. How should she greet an elf? She managed a shy wave.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sophie," Alden said with an accent more prominent than Fitz's. "I see Fitz wasn't kidding about the brown eyes. Most unusual."

She could feel her cheeks flush. "Oh. Uh. Yeah." Alden smiled. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I think the color is quite pretty. Don't you, Fitz?" She couldn't look at Fitz as he agreed. Her face felt like it might actually be on fire.

Yes, Fitz told me about your telepathy." He reached out to touch her forehead. "Do you mind?" "Um." She didn't want to be rude, but she couldn't help taking a step back. "I mean you no harm, I assure you." She was surprised he'd asked her permission.

Fitz really was right about the rules for Telepaths. Didn't mean she liked the idea of having her memories searched though. She glanced at Fitz, and he nodded, trying to reassure her, but it was the kindness in Alden's eyes that made her agree.

Alden placed two fingers gently against her temples and closed his eyes. She tried to hold still—and avoid thinking about how good Fitz looked in his dark jacket—but as the seconds ticked by, she could feel her knees start to shake.

"Well," Alden said as he pulled his hands away. "You are indeed a fascinating girl."

"Couldn't hear her either, could you?" Fitz asked him, sounding triumphant. "No." Alden took both of her hands. "Well, I'll look into what happened this morning, but I'm sure there's no reason to worry. You're here now, and it's perfectly safe in our world—" He frowned, and his head jerked toward Fitz. "I specifically told you not to let her leap again without a nexus." "Sorry, I forgot."

"That's not the point." Alden held out his hand, and Fitz dug a small black cuff out of his coat pocket and handed it to him. Alden clamped the bracelet around Sophie's right wrist, twisting until it fit snug. "Is that comfortable?" She nodded, staring at her new accessory. The wide band had a single teal jewel set into the front, a smooth gray rectangle on the back, and intricate symbols etched all around. She blinked when she realized they were letters. Letters that spelled out gibberish. Which seemed like an odd way to decorate a bracelet. But what wasn't odd about this world? Alden twisted the band again and it clicked with finality. "There. All set."

"Um. What is it?"

"A safety precautions. Your body has to break into tiny particles to be carried by the light, and the nexus holds those particles together until your concentration is strong enough to do it for you.