Keeper of the Lost Spies

Chapter 2 (The Invitation)

          Keefe barreled down hallway towards Sophie attracting a lot of stares. "Hey Foster." Keefe ruffled his super-star hair. "Missed you at orientation. Magnate Leto made some interesting announcements this morning."

         Sophie rolled her eyes, "What did you do?"

         Keefe gave her his signature smirk, "I admit to nothing. Especially not his podium exploding with pillow feathers in the middle of declaring midterms starting in two weeks." Sophie bit back a laugh as she licked the DNA strip. She grimaced as her locker swung open and Keefe snickered, "Did I forget to tell you Elwin picked the flavor today. I believe it's muskog breath."

         Sophie was ignoring Keefe's laughter when a dark blue scrap of paper fell out of her locker. "What's that?" The familiar voice behind her sent her insides fluttering.

         Fitz picked up slip of paper and froze as he read it. "What does it say." Sophie reached up to snatch it and she almost had it before Keefe seized it. Keefe's mouth dropped open in shock and he didn't even blink when Biana appeared behind him.

         "What's this?" Biana flipped her perfectly styled hair making Sophie feel self-conscious about the fact that she hadn't even brushed her hair. Biana's eyes widened the moment she saw the slip of paper in Keefe's hand.

         Sandor from emerged behind Sophie and seized the paper from Keefe before checking it over. She had gotten so used to him hiding in the shadows that his sudden appearance startled her, "Where's Woltzer?" Sandor's squeaky voice asked. A loud series of crashes followed by screaming students and an out of breath goblin came from around the corner. "You need to keep a better eye on your charge." Sandor reprimanded.

         "At least yours doesn't vanish into thin air." Woltzer grumbled. Biana blushed a light shade of pink before mumbling an apology.

         Sophie turned her attention back to an astonished Keefe, frozen Biana, and speechless Fitz. She was getting more frustrated by the minute. "Give it here!" Now everyone was staring at them.

         Sandor reluctantly handed it over. It was a navy-blue piece of paper that read:

                                                   Storm Talent Program

Sophie Elizabeth Foster

         You have been specially selected for the Storm Talent Program where you will receive superior special ability training to what you are currently taking. As you progress through this program it may interfere with the classes and activities you are presently getting. You may refuse this invitation within 48 hours. Storm Student, Fablina Dove Logner, will give you an introduction to the program after study hall tomorrow. Meet her at the Storm Door in the level four tower. I know you will make the right decision.

Sir Storm

         After Sophie had finished, she looked up at her friends who were staring at her intensely. "Why are you guy's staring at me like I just grew an alicorn horn?"

         Keefe cleared his throat, "The Storm Talent Program is the most prestigious program ever. I mean only about two students a year get excepted, if that. It is the one thing my dad was never able to achieve, and it killed him. It was also one of the rumors of where Fitzy here went during his mysterious absences.

         "Should I accept it?" Sophie said still looking at paper in her hand.

         "Should you accept what?" Dex came walking up behind Sophie.

         "Dex, what happened to your hair?" Biana was referring to the now periwinkle mop of hair on Dex's head.

         "The triplet's got into my hair dye supplies." Dex groaned.

         "Don't let them touch The Hair!" Keefe yelled while protectively patting his hair.

         "It looks good on you, Dex. Plus matches your eyes." Biana pointed out.

         Dex perked up, "Thanks. Now, what should you accept?" He turned towards Sophie.

         "Sophie got accepted into the Storm Talent Program!" Biana burst out. Everything went quiet as everyone turned to look at her. Sophie's face flushed with embarrassment. 

         "We shouldn't even be surprised anymore." Keefe draped his arm over Sophie, "Foster's got a knack for doing the impossible with ease."

         Sophie stepped away letting his arm fall limp, "I've got to get to Elvin History we have a test on the troll treaty and I'm already behind thanks to the Neverseen. Hopefully the stuff Tarina taught me will help." The bell rang and Sophie took off in a run, taking the invitation with her.