The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 2 9

"Can i talk to you?" Sophie whispered to Fitz on their way into the cafeteria the next day. "Somewhere private?"

His brows shot up at the request, but he shrugged and motioned for her to come with him. She could feel Dex's eyes burning into the back of her head as she followed Fitz down the hall.

"What's up?" he asked when they were alone.

"Do you know what your dad's investigating right now?"

"Why?"

She focused on his nose to think a little more clearly. His eyes had a way of turning her brain to mush. "He and Meredith came over a couple nights ago, begging Grady for help with something. It seemed like it was important."

"I'm sure there's no reason to worry."

She rolled her eyes. He sounded just like his dad. "He looked really stressed, Fitz. I've never seen him like that. Meredith looked like she might drop. Do you know what he's working on?"

He hesitated, his facial features looked worried at the mention of Meredith. "It's some sort of fire—and I only know that because he comes home smelling like smoke. He doesn't tell me about official matters."

"But he sent you and Meredith to find me, so he must tell you some stuff."

Fitz glanced over his shoulder, making sure they were still alone. "That was an exception. He needed someone close to your age to follow the leads he found—someone who would blend in. Otherwise he wouldn't have involved me."

She chewed her lip, processing his words. "And you have no idea what he's working on—at all?"

Something changed in his face. He knew more than he was telling her—she was positive.

You can trust me, she transmitted into his mind.

He sucked in a breath. "Whoa—I keep forgetting you can do that."

Please, she pressed. She may have sworn off investigating things after the Quintessence debacle, but this was big—and it was tearing Grady and Edaline apart. I need to know.

His eyes searched hers, then closed. "I shouldn't do this."

Please.

He leaned his head against the wall. "Concentrate."

She knew what he meant. He couldn't transmit into her mind—even Tiergan couldn't—so he wanted her to read his thoughts. She opened her mind and listened.

I heard him talking to Alvar, he thought. It's not one fire—it's hundreds. All in the Forbidden Cities. All starting the same day. And the flames are this weird fluorescent yellow color. The Council ruled it a human arsonist and refused to investigate, but my dad thinks the Black Swan is involved. Alvar thinks he's crazy.

Her heart stopped. Hundreds of human fires? Do you know which cities?

He didn't say. But I know they're all over the planet.

Are they near my family?

I'm sure they're fine. My dad was assigned to keep an eye on them—in case their memories come back.

Alden never told her that. But it was nice to know someone was watching them. Do you know what the Black Swan is up to?

No idea—I swear. And you can't tell anyone I told you this. I'm not supposed to know.

I won't. I promise.

"Okay? Can we go eat lunch now?" he asked.

"You can. I need to think."