Elysian- After Stellarlune

Chapter Seven- Sophie

The second they glittered into the new Black Swan Hideout, Sophie's jaw dropped, and she was pretty sure everyone else's did too.

It was a castle. The Black Swan hideout was a huge, freaking, castle. It had walls of worn beige stone, and tall spires that stretched so high Sophie had to crane her neck to see the top. The peaks were roofed with shiny silver shingles, and lower roofs were made of normal grey stone. There was a large cobblestone courtyard, right against a grassy courtyard with scattered trees. The castle got progressively lower in elevation as it sloped down a hill, shielded staircases and hallways leading right into the expansive forest that surrounded the castle. The trees were just starting to turn shades of orange, reds, and yellows. The castle reminded Sophie of Hogwarts from Harry Potter.

"Uh, Mr. Forkle? I think you forgot to mention we would be living in an actual human castle!" Marella exclaimed.

Forkle smiled, and Sophie had a feeling he kept it a secret on purpose. "Yes, well, you are. This is Hohenzollern Castle, or as the Black Swan likes to call it Casinture Rest, which means-"

"Nature's Peaceful Rest." Keefe and Sophie translated simultaneously.

They looked at each other. Sophie planted her hands on her hips. "I thought we agreed I was the language show-off here?" She teased.

"Looks like you've got some competition." Keefe challenged, smirking.

Sophie rolled her eyes. "That's in the ancient elvin language, isn't it?"

"Correct, Miss Foster." Forkle gestured to the castle.

"Girls rooms are in the west wing, boys in the east, the Collective and I are staying in the north wing, and common ground is everywhere else. You are only allowed in each other's space with permission, which means no sneaking in to prank anyone." Forkle aimed a knowing look at Keefe.

Keefe threw his hands up, acting innocent. "I would never!"

Linh dragged her brother off into the nearby gardens to greet the gnomes currently working while everyone else moved forward into the castle.

The moment they entered, their jaws dropped for a second time.

The ceiling were high, reminding Sophie of a cathedral, especially with the windows having stained glass designs similar to mandalas, which cast multicoloured projections onto the slick floor. There was a straight shot out into the courtyards, and staircases around it, leading in separate directions. They stretched up, creating a second floor that left the ceiling still visible. Elegant wooden railings lined the staircases and second floor edges.

"Now this, this is cool." Keefe noted from beside Sophie.

"Yeah. This is awesome." Fitz agreed, coming up beside Keefe.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Dex took off toward the stairs, his human back pack he got from Juline bouncing back and forth on his shoulders.

"I'm going to go with 'em. But before I go, you alright Foster? After what happened in the teacher's lounge? You're still sure?" Keefe asked, looking serious for once.

"I'm sure. Are you?"

Keefe smiled, "I have been for three years." He started running after Fitz and Dex, calling over his shoulder, "See yah later Foster!"

"Wait up!" He yelled at them, bounding up the stairs and out of sight to catch up with them.

Biana tapped Sophie on the shoulder, making her spin around, startled. She smirked, "You are so spilling everything. Now help us with out luggage since you don't have anything. We don't all have an Edaline in our lives."