Mirrored Conflicts (a Sokeefe story)

Chapter 9: The Detectives

"So you realize, like, all of us think the story you're telling us is sketchy, right?" Biana checked. "Because seriously, where did Fitz hear the very specific name 'Keefe Sencen' and why did you feel the need to look him up in the registry? Hm?"

Sophie didn't know the details of the story Fitz had told Alden, but it had convinced him, so... "You'll have to ask him. All I know is that whoever this boy is, he's somehow important—and he's connected to Lady Gisela."

"Seriously, how did it take us this long to figure out that Gisela had a son?" Dex wondered. "Like, don't you think if he was a part of the Neverseen, he would have shown up by now?"

"Maybe he's not a part of the Neverseen," Biana suggested.

"So what do you think Gisela did with the son she kidnapped?"

"Is it kidnapping if it's your own child?"

Sophie was silent throughout Dex and Biana's speculation, and behind her, she knew Mr. Forkle had noticed. She hoped he wasn't trying to sneak into her mind and figure out what she knew, because she definitely wasn't ready for him—or anyone—to hear her thoughts about Keefe Sencen.

The way she was hoping to avoid fighting him before she was able to convince him to betray the Neverseen's cause.

(The way she, in some ways, related to him.)

(Yeah—Mr. Forkle specifically didn't need to hear that part.)

However, it seemed as though he hadn't resorted to invasive methods quite yet, because a few seconds later, she heard his voice in her mind: You've been awfully quiet for their discussion.

Just having other thoughts, is all, Sophie said vaguely, hoping he'd take that as the truth and leave it at that.

You're wondering if his unique connection with the Neverseen makes him a possible candidate for your nemesis, Mr. Forkle guessed.

That... actually wasn't a bad thing to let him think. Yeah, Sophie admitted. It makes sense, right? He's Lady Gisela's SON. So unless they did a lab experiment like the Black Swan...

I see where you're going, Mr. Forkle agreed, but I warn you not to jump to conclusions. It's easy to make connections between new discoveries and the things you WANT to learn more about.

Of course, Sophie said, shaking off the irony. She wondered how many times Mr. Forkle had said similar things, and how many times they might have turned out to be wrong. What would happen if she followed her gut instinct more often?

"Aaaand they're talking telepathically," Biana said with a sigh. "I guess that's our cue that this conversation is over. So, are we going to leap over to Lord Pretentious' place and interrogate him about his family?"

"Have you met him?" Dex wondered.

"No, but he annoys my father to no end," Biana said with an eye roll. "I honestly can't wait to be all like, 'we're with the Black Swan! Tell us everything you know!'"

"That is not how this will be going," Mr. Forkle cut in as the four of them stepped into the light.

When they rematerialized at the place that was called "Candleshade," Sophie half expected thunder sound effects to play and lightning to flash. Because... dark tower? Excuse me?

...Had Keefe been raised like Rapunzel, or...?

That was actually very good to know. It would probably eventually explain a lot.