Keeper of the Lost Cities

  For the first time in her life, she didn’t mind being a Telepath. It was actually pretty cool—and no one could deny her talent. Even Bronte wouldn’t be able to.

  Too bad she had to keep it secret. It would’ve been fun to shut Stina up whenever she teased Sophie about needing remedial studies. Stina still hadn’t manifested a special ability, so it would kill her to know Sophie was a Telepath—being trained by the greatest telepathy Mentor ever. But she’d have to be patient. Stina would learn the truth eventually.

  Plus, she had other problems. Biana avoided her like the plague, and Sophie had a strong suspicion she was keeping Fitz away from her. Two months had passed since she’d moved to Havenfield, and except for a couple waves across the hall, she hadn’t seen or talked to him. She missed him—more than she wanted to admit.

  The next week Sophie finally saw Biana waiting for the Leapmaster without her snotty friend Maruca—another member of the I-Hate-Sophie-Foster Club—and decided to try reaching out.

  Biana spotted her and cut in line, leaping home before Sophie could reach her.

  The sigh Sophie let out sounded more like a growl.

  “What’s wrong?” Dex asked, catching up with her.

  “Biana. I don’t know what her problem is, but I’m really getting sick of it.”

  “She’s just jealous. She’s used to being the prettiest girl in school.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he turned bright red.

  Sophie knew her face had to be redder than his.

  Neither of them seemed to know what to say after that, so she waved goodbye and leaped back to Havenfield without another word.

  SHE CAME HOME TO TOTAL bedlam. Grady and Edaline were struggling to subdue a very angry woolly mammoth, and the gnomes were chasing a small pack of rabbits with antlers.

  “You’re just in time,” Grady called to her as he ducked under a swinging trunk. He pointed to a lump of trembling purple fur. “Can you get the verminion in a pen?”

  “Uh . . . sure.”

  “Thanks.” Grady boosted Edaline onto the mammoth’s back. The huge, hairy elephant trumpeted in protest—an earthshaking squeal that left Sophie’s ears ringing.

  Sophie crept toward the purple mound of fur, hoping the verminion was as timid as it looked. A twig snapped under her foot.

  Hiiiissssssssssss!

  The creature uncurled, revealing a giant rodent face with glassy black eyes, pointy fangs, and bulging cheeks. She’d always thought hamsters were pretty cute, but this rottweiler-size beast was Hamsterzilla, and it looked ready to trample her like a Japanese city.

  “Nice hamster—verminion—thing,” she cooed, taking a step away.

  SNAARRRLLL!

  Hamsterzilla was not impressed.

  “You have to make it chase you to the pen, Sophie,” Edaline shouted as she tried to steer her mammoth by its furry ears.

  “How do I do that?”

  Grady dashed after Edaline. “Get it mad.”

  “But—what if it catches me?”

  “It won’t,” Edaline promised.

  “Better run really fast, just in case,” Grady added.

  Sophie knew this would probably end up in the top fifty stupidest things she’d done, but she picked up a huge clod of mud and nailed the verminion in the gut.

  GROOOWWWWLLLL!

  She took the hint and bolted for the nearest pen, only to realize Grady’s plan had a fatal flaw. The verminion blocked the only exit, and he seemed to know it. She could’ve sworn his beady eyes were laughing at her.

  “A little help here?” she called as the mutant hamster closed in.

  “On it!” The gnomes took over helping Edaline, and Grady raced across the yard, jumped the verminion, and pinned it. Purple fur flew as the beast thrashed to escape.

  Grady grunted. “Okay, Sophie. I want you to put one hand on each of his cheeks and press as hard as you can.”

  After a few tries—and a lot of snarling—she managed to get her hands in position and squeeze. The verminion’s jaw unlocked and an assortment of dead furry things spewed all over the ground.

  “Ew,” she whined.

  “I know,” Grady agreed. “There’s a pile of bags and some gloves in the shed so you can clean it up.”

  She stared at the mound of flesh and fur.

  “We can trade jobs,” Grady offered. The verminion growled again.

  Sophie sighed as she trudged to the shed, slipped on the oversize gloves, and made her way back to the pile. “I am so taking a shower after this.”

  She threw dead squirrels and rats and things she couldn’t begin to identify into the heavy burlap sack. One moved in her hand and she squealed, jumping back.

  “What?”

  “That thing isn’t dead!”

  “You’d better take it to Edaline, then, see if there’s anything she can do.”

  Sophie stared at the quivering ball of gray fur, afraid to touch it again.

  “My arms are getting pretty tired here, Sophie.”

  SNARL! the verminion added.

  She steeled her nerves and threw the rest of the dead things into the sack. Then she picked up the live creature, trying not to shriek as he trembled in her hands.

  He was the size of her palm, with enormous green eyes, furry ears, and batlike wings. His tiny chest heaved as he struggled to breathe.

  Sophie raced across the pastures toward the shed. “Edaline! I need your help.”

  Edaline rushed to her side, wiping mammoth wool off her tunic.

  Sophie held out the suffering creature. “Do you think you can save him?”

  Edaline’s gentle fingers probed through the fur. “He has some deep scratches, and his leg looks broken—but we can try.”

  Sophie followed Edaline into one of the stone outbuildings. Beyond the shelves of carefully organized supplies was a space set up like a veterinarian’s office. Edaline laid the creature flat on its back on a sterile table, spreading out his limbs and wings. She smeared a yellow salve over the wounds, then set the leg and conjured up an eyedropper and a bottle of Youth. She dripped a single drop of liquid onto his furry lips. Sophie squeezed Edaline’s arm as a tiny purple tongue popped out and licked the drop of water.

  Edaline stared where Sophie’s hand touched her. Her eyes turned glassy.

  Sophie pulled away. “Sorry.”

  “No, it’s . . .” She cleared her throat. “Can you keep an eye on him while I help Grady finish up?”

  “Sure.” She waited for Edaline to leave, then placed another drop on the creature’s lips. “Don’t die, little guy,” she whispered, watching his tongue pull the water into his mouth. Twelve drops later and his breathing was steady. He curled into a tiny ball.

  “That’s a good boy,” Sophie cooed, stroking the fur along his back. He rewarded her with a squeaky rumbling in his chest. She smiled, remembering Marty’s crackly purr.

  “How’s the patient?” Grady asked from the doorway. He stood next to Edaline, both of them watching Sophie with small smiles.

  “I think he’s doing better. He drank a bunch of water and now he’s sleeping.”

  Edaline nodded. “That’s a good sign. Do you want to wash up and have some dinner?”

  “Can I bring him with me? I don’t want to leave him alone.”

  Grady grabbed a small cage from one of the shelves and filled it with dinosaur fluff from a nearby barrel before handing it to her. “Good job, Sophie. You saved his life.”

  She brought the cage inside and—after an incredibly hot, soapy shower—met Grady and Edaline downstairs for dinner. She kept the cage with her at the table to keep an eye on the creature. He’d rolled onto his back with his mouth open and his tongue hanging out. If it weren’t for the chain-saw-esque snores vibrating the cage, she might have worried he was dead.

  “What is he?” s
he asked with a mouthful of brattail, a tuber that tasted like sausage.

  “An imp,” Grady grumbled. “They’re trouble. When I was a kid, one got inside my tree house. I’ve never seen such a disaster.”

  “You want to keep him, don’t you?” Edaline guessed.

  Sophie shrugged. “Maybe.”

  Edaline smiled.

  “You aren’t seriously thinking about this, Eda? Have you been around an imp before?”

  “Please tell me you’re not afraid of a six-inch ball of fur,” Edaline teased.

  “You should’ve seen my tree house. Plus, they bite—did you know that? And their bite is venomous. It won’t kill you, but it stings—a lot.”

  Sophie looked at the tiny snoring body and tried to see the vicious monster Grady was describing. All she found was a cute little lump of fur, whose life she had saved.

  “Grady, we tame dinosaurs and yetis. We can handle an imp,” Edaline argued.

  Grady laughed. “I can see I’m outnumbered here. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Sophie and Edaline shared a smile. Then Edaline helped her bring the cage to her room. Sophie chose a table by the window so the little guy would have sunlight during the day, and crouched down to check on him. He was still conked out, snoring like a wood chipper.

  “What do you want to name him?” Edaline asked.

  Sophie blushed. “I know it’s silly, but I kind of like Iggy.”

  “Iggy the imp. I like it.” She placed a hand on Sophie’s shoulder, and Sophie straightened. “Sorry, do you mind?”

  “No . . . it’s nice,” Sophie whispered. It was the first time Edaline had touched her.

  Edaline held her breath as she used her other hand to brush a strand of hair off Sophie’s cheek.

  Sophie closed her eyes and leaned into Edaline’s hand. Her heart seemed to swell inside her chest, filling an empty space she’d almost forgotten was there. Her human parents had been generous with hugs and touches, and she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed those gestures. She held still, afraid to do anything to ruin the moment.

  Edaline swept her hand across Sophie’s forehead again and let out a sigh. “You should get to bed.” Her fingers brushed down Sophie’s cheek as she pulled away.

  Sophie blinked and nodded. “I’ll get ready.”

  “Good.” Edaline smiled, and her eyes glistened with tears. “I hope you sleep okay,” she added, with a dubious glance at the noisy cage.

  “Me too.” Sophie’s cheek still tingled where Edaline’s fingers had left tiny trails of warmth. “Edaline?” she asked, as Edaline turned to leave.

  Edaline’s eyes met hers.

  “Thank you.”

  It took Edaline a second to answer. “You’re welcome. Good night, Sophie.”

  “Good night.”

  When Sophie climbed into bed a few minutes later, it finally felt like home.

  TWENTY-TWO

  SHARING A ROOM WITH IGGY WAS KIND OF like having a congested warthog for a roommate, but Sophie didn’t mind. She was warm and snuggly with the feeling of home, and even a sleepless night couldn’t spoil it.

  Grady and Edaline promised to check on Iggy during the day to make sure he was okay, and Sophie left for Foxfire not even caring that it was a Thursday, and she had another humiliating PE session ahead of her.

  “Who’s ready for the Ultimate Splotching Championship?” Sir Caton asked as the Mentors strode into the amphitheater carrying huge sacks of tiny, brightly colored balls.

  Everyone cheered.

  “What’s the Ultimate Splotching Championship?” Sophie asked Dex.

  “Telekinesis,” he grumbled. “I suck at telekinesis.”

  She tried to look sympathetic, but secretly she was celebrating. Finally—something she knew how to do! Well, sort of—but that was better than nothing. “How does this work?” she asked as everyone partnered up. Naturally, she teamed with Dex.

  “We push the splotcher at each other with our minds,” he explained, “and whoever gets splattered loses. The winners play each other until there’s only one left, and that person wins.”

  “Everyone, on your marks,” Sir Caton ordered, as Lady Alexine handed Dex a bright pink splotcher. “Get set!”

  Dex tossed the splotcher toward Sophie. “Catch.”

  It very nearly splattered the floor, but at the last second she managed to catch it with her mind.

  “Sorry, I forgot you’re worse at this stuff than me,” Dex said smugly. “At least I’ll win one match this time.”

  She rolled her eyes. He shouldn’t count her out yet.

  She took a deep breath, focusing on the power she knew was deep within her core. She could almost feel it swirling around, like a warm buzzing in her stomach.

  “Splotch!”

  Sophie pushed the warmth out through her fingers and sent it toward the splotcher.

  Splat!

  A stunned Dex stared at Sophie with bright pink slime running down his chin. She’d nailed him right on his smug little grin.

  “Sorry,” she said, not quite able to hide the smile in the corners of her mouth.

  “It’s okay,” he said through a sigh. “I guess I deserved it.”

  “Well done, Sophie!” Sir Caton interrupted, sounding more surprised than she would’ve liked. “Go ahead and move up to the winners. Dex can join those colorful prodigies over there.” He pointed to a group forming on their left.

  Dex scowled.

  “So what’s the prize for this contest, anyway?” Sophie asked before Dex wandered away.

  “Usually a pardon from one punishment—but don’t get your hopes up. Fitz always wins—not that Wonderboy ever does anything to need a pardon.” He mimed gagging. “Anyway, I hope you win a few more rounds.”

  “Thanks.”

  Marella made it to the winners. So did Biana and Maruca. Even Jensi. Unfortunately, so did Stina.

  “Even a muskog could beat Dex,” Stina sneered. “Let’s see how you do against a real opponent.” She tossed a bright blue splotcher at Sophie’s head.

  Sophie caught it with her mind, floating it in the space between them. She ignored the knots in her stomach. She wasn’t backing down.

  “I’m going to enjoy this,” Stina sneered. “I’ll aim for your eyes—finally turn them blue.”

  Sophie gritted her teeth. She didn’t care how she did it, but Stina was going down.

  “Get set!” Sir Caton called. “Splotch!”

  Sophie threw her hands out, pulling a bigger burst of strength from her gut as she shoved the splotcher.

  Splat!

  “Ow!” Stina screamed, rubbing her slimy blue cheek.

  “Sorry,” Sophie said, her eyes wide. Had she pushed too hard?

  “No reason to apologize,” Lady Alexine corrected. “Well done, Sophie. I haven’t seen such raw telekinetic power in a long time.”

  Sophie flushed. That was the first compliment Lady Alexine had ever given her.

  “But she hurt me!” Stina argued. “That disqualifies her, doesn’t it?”

  “I didn’t mean—” Sophie started to explain but Lady Alexine held up her hands.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. If you’re hurt, Miss Heks, go to the Healing Center. Either way, Sophie won fair and square.”

  Marella caught her eye and pumped her arms in victory. Sophie’s face felt hotter. Especially when she noticed the other prodigies cheering for her. Did they think she’d actually taken Stina down?

  “As for you, Miss Foster,” Lady Alexine added, “I think it might be a good idea to put you with the Level Threes so your opponents can match your mental strength.”

  Since when did she have the mental strength to face off against older kids with a lot more training and experience? She’d been ahead around humans, of course, but here she f
elt so far behind it wasn’t even funny. Was she starting to catch up?

  It seemed like she was. She took out the Level Threes in duel after duel, and before she knew what was happening, there were only nine other prodigies left.

  “A Level Two making it to the top ten,” Keefe said behind her. He flashed a crooked smile. “And you said you weren’t mysterious.”

  She stared at her feet to hide her blush. “Must be beginner’s luck.”

  Keefe snorted. “Or maybe you’ve got all kinds of talents we don’t know about.”

  He couldn’t know about her telepathy, could he?

  “Look who went pale again. Interesting . . . ,” he murmured.

  She opened her mouth to make some excuse, but he cut her off.

  “I have a feeling you’ll be the one to take down the mighty Fitz.”

  Sophie froze. She wasn’t surprised that Fitz was still in the competition—especially after Dex’s earlier grumblings—but it hadn’t occurred to her that she might have to battle him. Her palms slicked with sweat, but she shook the idea away. What were the odds she would be able to beat a bunch of older, much more experienced prodigies?

  Evidently, the odds were good.

  Soon enough she was in the final four: her, Fitz, and two Level Sixes named Trella and Dempsey. Everyone seemed as surprised as she was—even the Mentors.

  Sir Caton paired Fitz against Trella, and Sophie toyed with the idea of not even trying in her match with Dempsey—so she wouldn’t have to face Fitz. Then she caught the hopeful look on Stina’s face and found a new determination to win.

  “Splotch!”

  Dempsey was fast on the draw and the splotcher was halfway to her face before she stopped it. She locked her jaw and threw out her hands, pushing with every bit of strength she could muster. Her stomach cramped and the splotcher splattered so hard it knocked Dempsey back a step.

  “That hurt!” He rubbed his cheek, smearing the orange goo.

  She rushed toward him. “Sorry, are you okay?”

  He flinched, not looking happy to have the girl who’d just bested him trying to help him. Sophie stepped back.

  “Winner,” Lady Alexine announced, and Sophie spun around. Fitz waved to the cheering crowd before he turned and met her eyes. Her heart fluttered.