Dex's POV:
I do want to help Keefe, I really do. But at the possible expense of Sophie's safety? I'm not so sure.
Livvy said that Keefe will probably be drawn to her, so we need to use her as bait. We finished preparing the tools and medicine to help Keefe, so all that's left to do is wait. We're all waiting at Havenfield, with me and Livvy in the house, and Sophie out front. We have Ro, Sandor and Bo standing by in case they have to hold Keefe down for us to sedate him.
I really hope this works. I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't.
...
Sophie's POV (first person bc why not):
I wait out front. It's getting darker and for a second I wonder why we didn't wait until tomorrow morning. Maybe Keefe's planning on killing me before then.
I tell myself to stop thinking like that, but it's hard. He's clearly not himself. Who knows what Gisela might tell him to do.
Then suddenly there he is.
"Hi Keefe." I say quietly, taking a step forward.
He looks at me, his face void of emotion, looking dead if it weren't for his eyelids blinking.
"Hello Sophie."
That unnerves me more than anything else. The real Keefe would've called me Foster. Or something else. Not Sophie. Never Sophie.
He has something in his hands. It looks like a crown, but made from a steel bar. I wonder if he's brought it as a peace offering, or as a gift before he murders me. I tug at my eyelashes, ripping out a couple of itchy ones.
"Sophie, it's so good to see you! I've missed you so much."
His voice sounds wrong. It sounds sweet, much too sweet. Keefe can talk nicely, and sweetly, but not like this. He sounds like he's trying to seduce me. Whatever it is, it's not working. But part of this plan is to lure him in, so I fake it.
"You too Keefe! Want to come inside? Edaline just made some mallowmelt if you want some."
He steps forward, but then stops.
"Come on, aren't you going to give me a hug?"
This is a red flag. I know it. But I can handle myself. I will not endanger this plan, he can't be suspicious of me.
He holds up the silver band.
"I brought you something. It's a crown, for my beautiful princess." He smiles, but it looks fake.
"It looks lovely Keefe! But much too nice for me to wear. I'll keep it inside so I can wear it on a special occasion and show it off."
I'm sweating. He has something planned. But I can't put my finger on it.
"Sophie, darling, I want to see it on you now!"
Double red flag with the darling.
"No, that's okay. Come on in, it's getting cold."
He rushes forward and hugs me, his strong arms wrapping around my back. It feels so good to be in his arms that I forget what I'm supposed to do. But it's too late. I feel him place the band on my head, and a splitting pain erupts in my skull.
I scream. The last thing I say before passing out from the pain is,
"Keefe, whatever you did, I forgive you."
(Unedited)
YOU ARE READING
Nothing is Set in Stone
FanfictionThis is the sequel to Confessions and Realizations. You should probably read that one first. It's taken me my whole life, but I've figured it out. He'll be the most powerful elf alive. This is Keefe's defining moment. His Legacy. And he won't let me...
