Becoming Magical [2]

C H A P T E R - 2 0

"You're really still going to make me dance?" Sophie whined as Edaline handed her the stupid Opening Ceremonies costume to change into.

Why, why did she let Elwin tell everyone she was one hundred percent recovered when he checked her that morning? She should have asked him for a Get Out of Dressing Like an Elephant Free card. 

"Being part of the mascot dance at the Foxfire Opening Ceremonies is a tremendous honor, Sophie," Edaline told her. "Tonight will be a night you'll remember for the rest of your life."

Oh, she had no doubt about that. She just had a feeling it would go down in history as The Night Sophie Foster Tripped on Her Trunk and Fell on Her Face In Front of the Entire Elvin World.

Meredith had already left before Sophie could even see her. Curse her!

But Edaline looked so proud and excited—and it would be nice to do something fun with her family for a change. Plus, she'd get to see Alden again. Elwin had assured her that he was completely healed, and Fitz had told her the same thing when she'd tried reaching him with her Imparter that morning. But she needed to see him for herself, with no more gash on his forehead or burn on his skin. Then she'd really know he was okay.

So she didn't argue—too much—as Edaline left her to get ready.

She tried pulling back part of her hair and even put on one of the lip glosses Biana had given her, but Iggy still made a snickering sound when she put on her costume. Sophie was glad her mirror wasn't a spectral mirror. Vertina would've had quite a lot to say if she could've seen her in all her floppy-eared glory.

Her furry feet made it even harder to walk as she climbed the stairs to the Leapmaster, and she slipped on the smooth floor, landing on her butt with a thud. At least the costume had some extra padding to cushion the fall.

"You're going to love this," Grady told her as he rushed to help her up.

Somehow she doubted "love" was ever going to be a word to describe this process. But it was nice to see a smile on Grady's face again. He looked almost regal with his amber-brown cape clasped at the base of his neck with the Ruewen crest. Edaline stood beside him, looking like a Disney princess in her long amber-encrusted gown and silky cape.

It really wasn't fair that they got to look stylish and elegant and she had to look like a shaggy elephant. Even Sandor had changed into amber brown pants.

"Does he really have to come?" Sophie whined. "Thousands of people are going to be there—there's no way the kidnappers are going to try anything."

"One can never be sure of such things," Sandor corrected. "It is just as possible that they could decide the chaos of a crowd is the perfect opportunity to make their move—and I'm not going to allow that risk. You're not leaving my side again. Except for your performance, of course."

"Are you sure that's safe? Maybe I should sit with you on the sidelines. . . ."

Grady laughed. "Nice try, kiddo. You're dancing."

Sophie glowered at the ground.

Sandor handed her a flat golden disk, about the size of a human penny. "I assume you have a pocket hidden somewhere in that fur? Keep that inside it."

There were dozens of pockets running down each of her legs—which Sophie thought was strange—but she hesitated before slipping the disk into one. "What is it?"

"A tracking device. I've had them sewn into all of your permanent clothes, but not your costume, since you'll be returning it."

He'd put trackers in her clothes?