Becoming Magical [2]

C H A P T E R - 4 0

"So . . . I've got good news and bad news," Keefe said as Silveny nuzzled his shoulder through the bars. Keefe hadn't come over the day before, and the high-maintenance alicorn had clearly missed him. "Which do you want first?"

Sophie rubbed her temples. "Might as well start with the bad and get it over with."

She doubted it could be worse than what she was already dealing with. Elwin had spent hours making her drink different elixirs and then flashing light in her eyes to see if they helped. When she'd felt like the headaches were going to break her brain, he'd finally had to admit defeat. And even though he'd promised he would figure it out, she wasn't holding her breath.

The only relief was that he'd agreed to let her wait to tell Grady and Edaline until he had more information. No reason to tell anyone. Yet.

"Well?" she prompted, when Keefe still hadn't said anything.

"I . . . sorta had to tell my dad what we're doing—"

"What?"

"—but before you freak out, don't worry, I didn't tell him anything important."

"Why did you have to tell him anything? I thought you were the king of lying to adults."

"I am. But there's only so much you can hide when you're dealing with an Empath—trust me, I would know—so I had to give him enough truth to hide the lies. Apparently he heard us talking while we were in line to see the Vackers, and he cornered me about it, wanting to know what we were up to."

Sophie was too tired and frustrated to do anything other than sigh.

"Sheesh, will you relax? All I told him is that I was helping you with Silveny because you were having a hard time and needed an Empath's skills. Then I loaded it up with all kinds of stuff about how much Glitter Butt loves me, and how much you love having me around, and all that truth sold him."

"Truth," she grumbled, rolling her eyes. "So if it's not a big deal, why are you telling me?"

"Well, you're cute when you're panicking for one thing—but also, he was super excited about this. I mean, I'm sure it's because Silveny is such a big deal and he's imagining me getting special mention from the Council once Silveny is ready to be moved or something. But later that night he gave me this."

He pointed to the pin clasping his cape around his shoulders—a circle with two hands holding a candle with an emerald flame. She'd seen the crest before on his Foxfire uniform.

"Wow," she said, hoping he couldn't feel her surprise.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Meredith laughed. "Clearly you have no idea how to lie to an Empath. What?"

Sophie bit her lip. "It's nothing. I guess I just didn't realize you didn't have a Sencen crest pin."

"Uh, you've met my father—you've seen what he's like. He's always told me I have to earn my place in the family. And I guess now I have."

Sophie smiled. She'd been wondering why he was wearing a cape instead of his usual tunic and pants, and she couldn't blame him. She knew how much it had meant when Grady had given her the Ruewen crest—and she hadn't had to spend a lifetime earning it. "So was that the good news?" 

"Part of it. But the real good news is he told me I can spend as much time here as I want—so we can see even more of each other!"

"Oh. Great."

"Wow, try not to be too enthusiastic there, Foster." He rumpled Silveny's mane. "At least you're excited, aren't you, Glitter Butt?"

Keefe! Mer!