UNLOCKED, kotlc

Chapter 34

For one very awkward moment, they just stared at each other, flushed and very, very embarrassed.  Sandor looked like he wanted to clobber Keefe on the head, and Edaline just smiled and slipped discreetly out the door.

Keefe was always teasing Sophie about her liking him but neither of them knew what to do if that was actually true.

"So.... Fitzey's mad at you?"

Good.  They were going down the let's-pretend-it-didn't-happen route.

Sophie slumped back against her pillows, pulling her hair in front of her eyes.  "I guess.  I mean it's not like I chose you to be on Team Valiant because.. well, you know.... I just figured...." she trailed off feeling like maybe all this mess would've gone away if she'd picked Fitz.

"I get it."  Keefe took a shaky breath, and that's when Sophie actually took the time to look at him instead of worrying about her boy problems.

His eyes were sunken and his hair was a mess which was surprising, seeing that his hairdo was his pride and joy in life (or so he said.)  His usual teasing energy was zapped out of him- although maybe it was from hearing Sophie's humiliating confession.

"What happened to you?"

"Um.... I might've had my first lesson with Lady Zilliah," Keefe admitted, tearing a hand through his already-very-messy hair.

"What did she do, make you stay up the whole night?"

"Sorta.  I don't know how Bangs Boy handles it all.  He deserves more credit." Okay, wow.  Now Keefe was complimenting Tam?  That was a never-ever-what-is-going-on sign.

"Are you sure you're okay?"  

"Yup.  Fine.  Bangs Boy sucks!  Yay,"  Keefe went on, the vacant look in his eyes staying there.  Why did they look so familiar?  Why was he even acting this way? Sophie doubted it had anything to do with his first Shade training.

"So.... why'd you decide to come over?"  Sophie asked, trying to get him to talk more.

Keefe took a step forward but his movement looked robotic and very, very forced. For the tiniest second his eyes turned a different color- Sophie couldn't see what- and then he went back to his normal, teasing, self.

"I know you need me in my life, Foster!  You know it's true!  You admitted it yourself." He leaned closer, but this time he looked like he was doing it out of his own free will.  "Tell yourself the truth!  I'm much better than Fitzey is."

Even though she swatted his hand away and laughed, glad that he was back to normal, a part of her thought what had just happened?  It was like... like........?  She made a mental note to ask Adela about it- which was also a depressing thought, knowing that she was looking forward to having a Telepathic conversation with a murderer.

"Go get some rest," Sophie told him.  "It's been a long day for both of us.  I'll visit you tomorrow, deal?  And... well I might want to make up with Fitzey.  Not like dating- make-up," Sophie added quickly when Keefe's eyebrows shot up.  "Just.... as friends."

"As friends," Keefe repeated.  And then he left.

___________

"Adela?" Sophie asked. "Are you there?"

Silence.  Nothing but darkness.

"Yes, my pretty moonlark, I'm here." Adela's soothing, warm voice washed over every bit of hurt and confusion turning her emotions smooth and silky like velvet.  "What do you need from me?"

She's part of the Neverseen. She's the founder of the Neverseen.  They killed Kenric, and Mr. Forkle.  Sophie had to repeat that to herself, over and over, because part of her just wanted to confide in her like she did with Edaline.

"Keefe," Sophie said, trying to keep her voice steady. "What was happening with him?  He was acting really weird, and looked like he was... well, just not himself.  Did you do that?"

Even though Sophie could only hear Adela's voice, she could sense pleasure rippling off of her.  "I see Gisela has succeeded.  I admit, I doubted her plan when she first presented it, but after pondering it, it was the best way, contrary to my idea."

"What did she do to him?"  Sophie demanded, her emotions hardening.

"Oh, nothing much," Adela said, and Sophie could sense her smile.  "It's all part of his legacy- just a bit of reprogramming."