Keeper of the Lost Cities: Somewhere [Completed]

Two

A/N: ...I think there's a thing called a disclaimer? Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places and whatnot. Like that...? And I have four views, but I think the only person viewing it is me. So if you're actually there, readers, PLEASE COMMENT! I would love to hear from you!

Sophie

Sophie stepped up to the door, holding her breath. Fitz, standing beside her, was silent. She raised her fist and rapped it against the hard door.

The door swung open to admit her. Magnate Leto smiled at them grimly.

"Come on in, Miss Foster," he said, not unkindly. "Sandor, Grizel--you may come in this time."

"Thank you," Sophie's bodyguard grumbled gruffly. "It really is about time!"

"What about us?" Biana asked, gesturing to herself, Keefe, Dex, Tam, Linh. and Ro.

"You may come in, Miss Vacker, but the rest of you may go home." Magnate Leto gave Sophie and Fitz a pointed look. "I'm sure you will be updated the very moment the meeting is over."

Sophie tugged out an eyelash impatiently as her friends dispersed. Could they move any slower?

Finally Magnate Leto led them inside the office and clicked the door shut. He collapsed into his chair and gestured for Sophie, Fitz, and Biana to do the same.

"Let's cut to the chase," he began, and the three younger elves gave a sigh of relief. "Sophie, I want you to search Alvar's memories."

The room went dead quiet as they processed this information.

"B-but he has no memories!" Biana broke the silence.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Magnate Leto answered gravely. "I searched his mind as well, and I found it rather...overwhelming. But perhaps Miss Foster can find something I couldn't."

"Okay." Sophie reached for an eyelash but stopped herself. "When?"

A flutter of relief passed Magnate Leto's face. "We have yet to schedule a date, as we have yet to receive permission from the Council, but Master Tiergan thought it best to give you a heads-up."

"I expect to be there," Sandor broke in.

"Of course," Magnate Leto replied graciously. "We will have the utmost security for Miss Foster and Mr. Vacker."

Fitz, the Vacker in question, had yet to speak one word. His face was stormy. Sophie reached for his hand, but he pulled away. Sophie drew in a sharp breath.

"And I'm helping her." Fitz said to Magnate Leto, the words hardly a question.

"Of course," Magnate Leto repeated. "You're Cognates, aren't you?"

Fitz barely smiled. Sophie longed to see his movie-star smile again. Or at least he would take her hand.

"Well, I'm ready," she said, on behalf of Fitz. "Just say the word."

"Thank you, Miss Foster." The relief on Magnate Leto's face was evident now. "I always know I can count on you."

"What about me?" Biana asked. "What can I do?"

The principal of Foxfire gave her a long, thoughtful look.

"Don't worry, Miss Vacker," he replied. "I have a job for you. Miss Foster, Mister Vacker, you are dismissed. I think I'll keep Biana for a little longer."

Sophie sent Biana a steadying glance and reached for Fitz's hand again, watching his teal eyes questioningly. He grunted submissively and obliged.

"I'll...see you later, Magnate," she mumbled lamely, and led Fitz out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"At least they're being straightfoward," Keefe remarked when Sophie finished explaining. "Does that mean we don't get to solve any more rhyming riddles?"

"Are you seriously whining about that? I never thought I'd see this day," Sophie teased, thinking of the days when the Black Swan would give her hidden messages. Keefe had been "fascinated" by their rhyming techniques.

"I whine about everything, Foster," Keefe informed her gravely. He gave her an I-am-totally-dead-serious look. "And you say you know me better than anyone in the Lost Cities."

"I'm pretty sure I never said that," Sophie replied.

"See, Gigantor? She's learning the ways of the Snarky Keefester," Keefe told Sandor. The goblin crossed his big arms and sighed.

Sophie had come back to Havenfield after her 'chat' with Magnate Leto to find Keefe and Ro waiting for her. They were hiding in her room, apparently having snuck past the ever-resistant Grady.

Sophie faced the window. Her adoptive parents were outside, attempting to tame the gorgodon. Ro was watching them with rapturous eyes.

"You put up my paintings," Keefe noted, his voice unusually soft and un-sarcastic.

"W-what?" Sophie turned. Keefe was staring at the paintings he'd given her before the Atlantis mission. She's hung them on the wall, where she could see them from every corner of the room.

"Oh, o-of course," Sophie stammered, all hopes of a teasing response vanishing. Her stomach flipped as Keefe spun to face her. He grinned broadly.

He'd probably been about to say something, but he was stopped by Sophie's tackle-hug.

A/N: Was that long or short? I was contemplating putting it into two different chapters, but I wasn't sure. By the way, do Tam, Linh, Dex, and Biana have bodyguards? I can't remember! Please comment!! -Jade