cascade | kotlc

NEVERSEEN

 "We have to go," Fitz said, bursting through the doors of Everglen's upstairs guest room.

Sophie was sitting with June, dressed in human clothes, deep in discussion.

"I thought we were waiting another hour?" June asked, glancing out the window at the endless black sky. Night had set already.

"We can't. The Council is already convening on our punishments."

June sighed, digging out Glistensteel and whirling it like a baton, slicing the sword through the air. It helped her focus. If she didn't, her hands would be cut off.

"Is everyone ready?" Sophie asked.

"They should be." June sheathed Glistensteel and took out Streamliner, staring at the metal orb for a while before she pocketed it again. "Let's hope we can make it out alive."

"Bout time you got here," Keefe said as they followed Fitz down the twisting silver staircase. He stood next to Dex in Everglen's glittering round foyer, both of them looking very human in hoodies and dark jeans.

Keefe flashed his famous smirk and patted his carefully mussed blond hair. But as much as he pretended he was okay, everyone knew he wasn't.

Not after...

June sighed. Her back still ached from her parachute stunt.

Now that it was over, she could instantly think of a billion better solutions not including jumping off an airplane. She really didn't know what she was thinking, especially since she hadn't even changed into warmer clothes.

"Hey, no worrying about me, Foster," Keefe said, fanning the space between them. June pulled out Glistensteel, which was now in the form of a pocket knife, and spun it on her finger, trying to steady her nerves.

"I'm worried about all of you," Sophie told him. "You're all risking your life because of me."

At least they weren't jumping off an airplane.

"Eh, what else is new?" Dex asked, flashing his dimpled grin. "And will you relax? We've got this! Though I'm not sure about my shoes." He pointed to his soft brown boots, which were a typical elvin style. "All the human ones Fitz had were too big for my feet."

"I doubt anyone will notice," Sophie told him. "But I guess it depends on how long we'll be around humans. How far away is the hideout after we get to Florence?"

Fitz smiled. "You'll see."

June smirked. "You have no idea where it actually is. You're just pretending so you can get on my sister's nerves."

"Perhaps."
Sophie growled.

"Hey," Fitz said, leaning closer to June. "You trust me, don't you?"

She smiled. "Not enough to let you guide us through a Forbidden City, while trying to one, avoid the Council, two, avoid human attention, three, avoid the Neverseen, and four, find the Black Swan. I've known you enough to realize you're not very competent at this."

"That's mean," Fitz pouted. "I can totally figure it out."

June pecked him on the cheek. "I really doubt it."

"Whatever. You still trust me anyway."

"Unfortunately."

"What is it with these clothes?" Biana interrupted, appearing out of thin air next to Keefe. She was wearing a sweatshirt three sizes too big and faded, baggy jeans. June collapsed into giggles, leaning on Fitz for support.