a dangerous combination [discontinued]

~ S I X T Y - E I G H T ~

Foster's landings needed a lot of work.

Granted, walking into battle with your head held high wasn't the world's easiest feat, though maybe she could have steered clear unicorn poop?

Sophie jumped to her feet immediately while Keefe struggled up--having used Keefe as a body cushion--and he could feel her rising panic as she scanned their surroundings to reveal..

nothing.

The silence seemed to bother her more than anything, and he suddenly understood why. He'd only visited the Sanctuary once or twice on school trips, but even on those occasions, there was so much noise. Roars, whinnies, tweets, heck, he may have even heard a couple of moos.

But not even a peep sounded from any of the animals right now. They stood somewhat rigidly, and Keefe wondered if they could sense the imminent danger in their very near future. 

He got his answer much too soon.

"Ah, we were wondering how long it would take for you to play the hero card."

Keefe whipped around and found himself nearly face to face with eyes a color so similar to his own. He stepped away immediately, not missing the tightness around her eyes and mouth.

She was livid. 

With him, of course, though he found some satisfaction in the fact that this didn't bother him in the slightest. He noted how she had ditched her cloak as well as her other two accomplices. She was at ease.

This was what was troubling him. She wouldn't be at ease unless she had something on them.

Despite the anger still evident in her facial features, she extended her arms in a gracious manner, as though she were doing no more than welcoming the two of them to a formal dinner party. "I see you looking much better, Sophie. I supposed that's thanks to my son, isn't it?"

Sophie didn't bother answering her, and Keefe could almost hear the click as she gritted her teeth together. "Where. Have. You. Taken. Them."

Keefe blinked before realizing how slow he was being. The members of the Black Swan who had stationed themselves at the Sanctuary were nowhere to be see.

And neither were Sandor and Grizel.

That was Sophie, always one step ahead of him.

Gisela's lips pulled into their signature insincere smile. "Perhaps you'd like to join them?"

In an instant, Keefe had shoved his way in between the two women, pushing Sophie so that she was obscured behind him. Gisela frowned as though she were disappointed by his sudden protective reaction. "That was a joke, Keefe. I thought you of all people would notice.

Keefe finally spoke, letting his anger consume every syllable. "I only recognize the remotely funny ones."

Gisela pretended she hadn't heard him, though the coldness in her eyes indicated she had. Keefe thought she wasn't surprised that he had betrayed her, though maybe he was wrong. He never thought his mother had any emotions of her own other than anger, but she was radiating something close to sadness.