The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 4

Everything she knew was wrong. Her entire life was a lie.

Meredith nudged her arm. "Hey. It's not your fault. You believed what they taught you—I'm sure I'd have done the same thing. But it's time you knew the truth. This is how the world really works. It's not magic. It's just how it is."

The castle bells chimed, and Fitz yanked her behind a large rock as a gateway opened while Meredith slipped to hide beside them. Two elves with floor-length velvet capes draped over their black tunics emerged, followed by dozens of bizarre creatures marching in military formation down the rocky path. They were at least seven feet tall and wore only black pants, leaving their thick muscles prominently on display. With their flat noses and coarse gray skin, which fell in pleated folds, they looked part alien, part armadillo.

 "Goblins," Fitz whispered. "Probably the most dangerous creatures you'll ever meet, which is why it's a good thing they signed the treaty."

"Then why are we hiding?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"We're dressed like humans. Humans are forbidden in the Lost Cities—especially here, in Lumenaria. Lumenaria is where all the other worlds come together. Gnomes, dwarves, ogres, goblins, trolls."

"Why are humans forbidden?"

He motioned for her to follow him to a rock farther away, squatting behind it. "They betrayed us. The Ancient Councillors offered them the same treaty they made with all the intelligent creatures, and they agreed. Then they decided they wanted to rule the world—like it even works that way—and started planning a war. The Ancients didn't want violence, so they disappeared, forbid any contact with humans, and left them to their own devices. You can see how well that's working out for them." Meredith answered her question while Flitz kept a lookout. Sophie opened her mouth to probably defend her race but she closed her mouth as quickly.

"The stories told by the humans who'd known us must've sounded impossible after we disappeared, and eventually they evolved into the crazy myths you've heard. But this is the truth, Sophie." Fitz pointed around them. "This is who you are. This is where you belong."

"I'm really an elf?" she whispered.

"Yes."

Sophie peeked through the rocks at the glowing castle. "Okay," she decided, her head spinning in a thousand directions. "I believe you."

A loud clang sounded as another gate closed. Fitz stepped out of the shadows and pulled out a different wand—no, pathfinder—sleek and black with a cobalt blue crystal. "Ready to go home?"

Flitz held out his hands for Sophie to grasp on. Sophie grasped his hands tightly and then she turned to Meredith and asked, "Aren't you coming with us?" Meredith smiled and said, " No, you guys go ahead, I have some work to do." 

Before they could leap away, Sophie stepped forward and asked, "Will I see you again?" Meredith looked a little surprised but then said, "Of course not. Now that you know Flitz, you'll probably see me a lot." 

Sophie and Flitz let away from the city. As they reached their destination Sophie asked, "So, are you and Meredith dating?" Flitz gave her a strange look and said, "What gave you that idea? She my best friend, almost like a sister to me." 

Fitz coughed and glared at the sky. "You'd think humans could handle putting out a few fires before the smoke pollutes the whole planet."

"They're working on it," she said, feeling a strange need to defend her home. "Plus, these aren't normal fires. The arsonist used some sort of chemical when he started them, so they're burning white hot, and the smoke smells sweet."

The next day a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into the shadows between buildings. Sophie stopped her scream just in time when she recognized Fitz and Meredith.

"Where have you been?" she demanded—a little too loudly. Several heads turned their way. "Do you have any idea what I've been going through?"

"Missed me bad, huh?" he whispered, flashing a cocky smile. Meredith gave him a glare and then turned to hug Sophie and whispered in her ears, "Don't mind him, he's an idiot."

 "More like you left me alone with a ton of unanswered questions and no way to find you, and then this guy shows up and tries to grab me and—"

"Whoa—wait. What guy?"

"I don't know," she said. "Some creepy blond guy tried to trick me into wandering off with him, and when I wouldn't, it looked like he was going to snatch me but I wasn't sure because I couldn't hear his thoughts and I think he might be another elf."

"Okay, slow down." Fitz swept his hair back. "No one else knows you're here. Only my dad and well Meredith, and he sent us to get you."

"Then why couldn't I hear his thoughts?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "Are you sure you couldn't?"

"Maybe not," she said quietly.

"My guess is he was human, and maybe his mind is just quieter than the others. But we'll check with my dad. We'd better move though." He pointed to a teacher who was eyeing them like she suspected impending mischief. "We can't leap with people around." Meredith added

"Leap?" she squeaked as he pulled her behind the English building. "I can't ditch class, Fitz. They'll call my parents—and after yesterday I think my mom might strangle me."

"This is important, Sophie. You have to come with us."

"Why?"

"Just trust us."

"How am I supposed to trust you when you won't even tell me anything?"

"You can trust us because we are here to help you."

"A test?" she shrieked. "What am I being tested for?"

"You read my mind?" He dragged her deeper into the shadows, shaking his head. Hard. "You can't do that, Sophie. You can't listen to someone's thoughts any time you want to know something. There are rules."

"You've tried to read my mind without my permission. And I tried with Meredith first but I got no answer."

"That's different. I'm on assignment."

"My mind has a lot of barriers. I won't of much use if people can just willingly get into my mind."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Fitz ran his hands through his hair, which he seemed to do when he was frustrated. "It doesn't matter. What matters is you could get in big trouble for invading someone's mind like that. It's a serious offense."

"Really?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah. So don't do it again."

She started to nod, but a small movement at a nearby oak caught her attention and she froze, her heart hammering so hard it drowned out everything else. It was only for a second—but she could've sworn she saw the jogger's face.

"He's here," she whispered. "The guy who tried to grab me."

"Where?" Meredith scanned the campus.

She gestured toward the tree, but there was no one around.

Fitz pulled the silver pathfinder from his pocket and adjusted the crystal. "I don't see anyone—but let's get out of here. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting, anyway."

"Who's everyone?"

"My parents, and a committee of our Councillors. It's part of the test you heard me thinking about when you broke into my head." He shot her a sidelong glance, and she felt her cheeks heat up.

"Sorry, could I travel with Meredith today instead?" she mumbled.

Meredith grinned and held out her hands and Flitz shrugged his shoulders at her. Meredith took her hand and led her into the sunlight. "Ready?" she asked as she held up the pathfinder.

She nodded and said, "Can you tell me what the test determines?"

Flitz grinned and said, "You're future."