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  Turning his gaze to the counter, he was finally able to command his voice. “It was nothing.”

  “Don’t say that,” she said, her tone more forceful than he would have expected. It caused him to look at her again. “You should never downplay your abilities.”

  She had no idea how much her words meant to him. For a brief energized moment, they simply stood there looking at each other. When her gaze moved to his mouth, he knew she was remembering their kiss. That, of course, made him think about it.

  Again.

  Noticing that it had grown very quiet, he finally looked away from her. He realized that everyone in the room now stared at them.

  “Ah…” he began, his face growing warm. He trailed off, not having a clue what to say.

  “I was thanking Quincy,” Sophia said, moving closer to the bed. “I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was absolutely beautiful.”

  Just like you, Quincy thought, and wanted to hit himself in the head for being so pathetic.

  “Would you like to hold him?” Olivia asked, shifting the sleeping baby toward Sophia.

  Sophia’s face lit up. “Sure.”

  She accepted the bundled baby, holding him gingerly and with obvious awe. The tender and unguarded look on her face had Quincy longing to reach out and touch her. As she lowered the blanket to look on her brother’s features for the first time, her expression changed. She looked stunned.

  “What is it?” Quincy asked, hurrying over.

  She caught his gaze, her eyes wide. “He’s blond,” she said. Her eyes filled with tears and she looked back down at Devon and smiled. “I’m no longer the only blond Kynzesti.”

  It was late the next day before Sophia joined those of her kin training in the paddock. She normally would have found an excuse to avoid it, especially in light of her exhausting experience the day before, but she was about to embark on a dangerous journey in search of the second scroll piece. It made sense that she prepare as much as possible.

  “Hey, Soph,” Clara Kate greeted her with a grin. “Congrats on becoming a big sister again.”

  “Thanks,” Sophia said, returning the smile.

  She received similar congratulations from other members of her family, though she only vaguely heard them. She had just noticed Quincy walking over to Aunt Skye and Uncle Caleb’s home. Ini-herit walked at his side.

  The last time she saw Quincy speaking alone with his elder, he had been preparing to leave because of something she said to him. Was he about to do the same thing now?

  Seeing where her attention had turned, C.K. said, “Oh, yeah. Zayna and Uriel arrived late last night. And it sounds like Knorbis and Malukali will be getting back today. I’m sure they’re going to make plans for you all to head out as soon as possible.”

  “Oh,” Sophia said. She couldn’t deny the relief she experienced when she realized she hadn’t once again chased Quincy away.

  “Indeed they will,” Zachariah said, drawing her attention. He tossed a bo at her, which she caught one-handed. “So we should stop the chit-chat.” His red gaze swept the small crowd and settled on Tate. “On this journey, you will face injury and death.

  “Prevention against either of those outcomes begins now.”

  Sophia couldn’t ever remember being this sore. Even a warm bath didn’t ease the stiffness of her muscles after Zachariah’s vigorous workout. She dressed in a long-sleeved top and pants with boots, since the temperature had dropped, and then made her way downstairs.

  Her parents waited for her in the kitchen. Her mother nursed Devon in a rocking chair situated in the eating area and looked up as Sophia entered.

  “Hi, sweetie,” she said, attempting a smile. It obviously masked her worry, though. “Your dad is ready to go with you to meet with everyone.”

  He stood up from his place at the table and moved to her mother’s side. “Just send a thought if you need anything.”

  His comment was issued out of more than just typical courtesy. These early days after Devon’s birth were meant to be spent within close proximity of both parents. The baby was developing the faith needed to maintain his new form. His parents were the ones who would help him do that. Both Olivia and Devon needed care and attention right now to ensure their well-being.

  “We’ll be okay,” her mother said. “Amber and Skye will be here soon. Sophia, I’d love a hug.”

  Smiling, Sophia walked over and fulfilled her mother’s request. “This won’t take long. We’re just going to chat with everyone about the plan.”

  “For now,” her mother said. “But before I’m ready, you’ll be leaving on this quest. I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”

  “It’ll be fine, Mom.”

  “That’s what they always say.”

  The meeting took place in her Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Amber’s home. Sophia and her dad were the last to arrive. Everyone else waited in the large family room.

  Tate sat on the raised stone hearth beside a crackling fire. Zachariah leaned against the wall beside the fireplace with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes moving from one spot to the next. Sophia had learned that he had a very assessing mind. Since one of the core class attributes for Mercesti was strategizing, she figured this worked well for him.

  Ariana and Tiege sat beside each other on a loveseat near the fireplace. Their hands were linked, a fact that made Sophia’s eyebrows rise. Apparently their relationship was progressing. She wasn’t quite sure what to think about that.

  “Welcome, James and Sophia,” Jabari said. “Please make yourselves comfortable.”

  “Thanks,” Sophia murmured, settling on the sofa next to Clara Kate. Her father moved over to stand beside her Uncle Gabriel and Uncle Caleb.

  “We’re glad to have everyone back,” Jabari said. Then he added, “Well, with the exception of Malukali. But we do understand why she would remain behind when Kanika is still so unwell.”

  Sophia followed his gaze to Knorbis. The Wymzesti elder gave everyone a small smile and nod, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He seemed tired and a little distracted, she thought. But then, the two elders were so close that it had to be difficult to be apart for any length of time. It made her wonder why he had left his wife to come here.

  “We appreciate you making the trip back so quickly to help us strategize, Knorbis,” Jabari said, answering her question. “The news that you learned from the Waresti guarding Kanika just impresses upon us how important it is that we move forward.”

  “Knorbis and Malukali found out that Eirik knows more about the location of the second scroll piece than we thought,” Uriel explained from his position standing near a window. “Malukali received several disturbing Mercesti thoughts while at Kanika’s. She and Knorbis felt it best that Knorbis come back to share this information directly.”

  “There is always the possibility of Mercesti with mental abilities intercepting our thoughts,” Knorbis said. “We didn’t want someone giving Eirik valuable information.”

  “He apparently knows that the second piece is in the ancient library,” Uncle Gabriel said. “Knorbis said that they’ve also learned that the map to the library is being held by Hoygul, which puts the Scultresti at risk.”

  “We need to move forward with doing what we can to acquire the scroll piece before Eirik does,” Jabari said. His gaze moved to Ariana, then continued around the room. “Ariana and Tate will need to use their abilities to get the piece. Zachariah, Tiege and Sophia will aid them. Uriel will lead the Waresti who will accompany them for their protection. The trip shouldn’t take more than a week or so, depending upon exactly where on the Estilorian plane the library is.”

  “We should leave tomorrow at daybreak,” Uriel said. “We will give everyone a chance to rest before we start out.”

  Sophia tried not to goggle. Tomorrow? She was only just starting to wrap her head around the fact that she was going to be a part of this, and he wanted to leave the following day?

  “You still have enough of a c
onnection to the scroll to be able to locate it, right?” Uncle Gabriel asked Ariana.

  The Lekwuesti nodded, her expression grim. “Eirik sliced me with the sword that Volarius wore during the scroll’s creation ceremony. I’ll be able to draw on that connection to the scroll to find the remaining pieces. It would be helpful to know more about the library so that I can focus on getting to that piece first. If Eirik knows about it, we need to be sure he doesn’t get it before we do.”

  Sophia smiled over the determination she heard in her friend’s voice. It was very encouraging in light of the rough emotional road she had recently traveled.

  “Quincy, will you speak with Ariana about what you remember from your visit to the library?” Jabari asked.

  Surprised because she hadn’t known he was in the room, Sophia glanced in the direction of Jabari’s gaze and saw Quincy sitting at a checkerboard table against the wall. He briefly caught her gaze.

  “Of course,” he replied.

  Flushing, she turned back around as Jabari said, “Thank you. As some of you know, Sebastian intends to travel with you since the Kynzesti haven’t yet had an opportunity to visit Central and pair with a Lekwuesti. He will assist you with your hospitality needs.”

  “I believe it would be wise for me to go, as well,” Knorbis said. “I might be able to be of some assistance if something goes awry at the library. Although my memories were erased, I did design it with Sebastian and could recall something when we get there.”

  “Very well,” Jabari said. “And perhaps Malukali can join you if Kanika recovers.”

  Knorbis nodded. Sophia once again thought that he looked strained. He definitely missed his wife, something that made her heart go out to him.

  “We will all meet tomorrow morning in the training paddock to see you off,” Jabari concluded. “Let’s put an end to this.”

  Chapter 17

  Quincy didn’t sleep much that night. He couldn’t believe that Olivia and James were going to let Sophia leave. Didn’t they realize how much danger she faced?

  Every time he closed his eyes, he thought of Sophia in Eirik’s clutches. He remembered the horrible and vicious creature, Deimos, who had attacked Ariana and Kanika and killed a number of other females. Thinking of Sophia against such an opponent terrified him.

  The thought that she could shift into a stronger form was all that kept him sane. Of all of those traveling to retrieve the scroll piece, Sophia was probably the most able to defend herself against one of these fearsome opponents. In light of her small size, there was a lot of irony in that statement.

  Since he wasn’t sleeping anyway, Quincy got up before the sun rose and connected with his Lekwuesti for some tea and toast. He figured that was the most his system could handle just then.

  A couple of hours later, everyone else finally started stirring. The sun was just cresting the horizon when everyone gradually made their way to the training paddock. Quincy absolutely had to speak with Sophia alone. There was still so much to say. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep at all if she left without knowing how he felt about her.

  As he passed Skye and Caleb’s home, Tate’s voice captured his attention, causing him to slow down. He glanced toward a covered terrace on the side of the castle and saw Tate engaged in a heated discussion with Zachariah in the shadows.

  “I always wear them, Sparky,” Tate said. “You can’t dictate how I style my hair on top of everything else!”

  “I can and I will,” Zachariah argued. “You must leave the beads and feathers behind.”

  Quincy figured that wouldn’t go over well. Tate was very rarely without her elaborate hair decorations. She had worn them since she was a child and considered them a standard part of her daily attire. When he saw her cross her arms and lift her chin, his suspicions were confirmed.

  “I'm quite capable of making my own wardrobe decisions,” she snapped. “I’ve been doing it for years. If you don’t like my hair, too bad.”

  Zachariah reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders, giving her a little shake that had Quincy frowning and considering intervening. “This is not about my opinion regarding your hair, damn it. This is about sense. I have millennia more experience than you about such things, and you will listen to me.”

  Tate snorted. She didn’t appear at all concerned that Zachariah looked like he wanted to choke her.

  “Bloody hell,” he said with another shake. “Do you not realize that it was the damn feathers and beads that led them to you?”

  Quincy’s eyebrows rose in surprise and comprehension. Zachariah was referencing the two Mercesti, Bertram and Tycho, who had captured Tate and brought her to Eirik almost two months ago. Quincy watched Tate’s demeanor change as realization sank in for her as well. She reached up and touched her decorated ponytail, easily removing a brightly-colored feather.

  Zachariah took it from her and held it in front of her face to punctuate his point. “These will create a trail leading the enemy right to you. Go and remove them. Now.”

  Tate lowered her gaze. “Okay, Sparky.” She looked and sounded quite defeated.

  She turned and walked back inside. Zachariah’s gaze stayed on her until she closed the door behind her. Then he studied the feather for a moment, apparently lost in thought. He brought it closer to his face, as if catching its scent. Quincy saw an expression pass briefly across the other male’s features that looked strangely like regret. He figured he imagined it. From what he had experienced so far, the Mercesti cared only about doing his job.

  When Zachariah put the feather into a pants pocket and then turned to follow Tate into the castle, Quincy hurried to get back on the path to Sophia. A minute later, he spotted her exiting her family’s home. She was by herself, a fact that thrilled him. He figured her parents weren’t far behind, however.

  “Good morning, Sophia,” he greeted her, hurrying to catch her before she walked closer to the training paddock and those beings who might overhear them.

  He thought he heard her sigh from beneath the hood of her cloak before she stopped walking and turned to face him. A few tendrils of her golden hair caught in the cold breeze and blew across her cheeks, but the rest had been confined in a bun. She adjusted the hood to make more of her face visible.

  “Hi, Quincy. Are you seeing us off?”

  “Yes.” Nerves almost had him stopping there, but he’d spent far too long backing away from expressing himself to her. “I wanted to speak with you for a moment before you leave.”

  “Okay. I’m listening.”

  He swallowed, not very encouraged by her unemotional tone. Knowing he was pressed for time, he said, “I hope you’ll take care while you’re gone. You’re very brave for doing this. I’ll worry about you the entire time you’re away.”

  She shrugged. “It’ll only be a week, maybe two. You heard Jabari.”

  “Yes,” he said, keeping his tone as level as hers. “But the babies will have all been delivered by then.”

  Her lips parted. He saw her processing this and the implications of it. Eventually, she closed her mouth and shrugged again.

  “I suppose that means you’ll be leaving again for an unknown period of time to harvest more souls?” she said. She could have been commenting on the weather for all of the inflection she put into the words.

  “Well…that depends.”

  “Depends on what, Quincy?” she asked. “Or are you going to keep this to yourself, too?”

  He winced at the sharp point, but knew he deserved it. “It depends on several things, including how everything stands between us. Before you go, I want you to know how I feel about you. You’re right that I’ve kept things to myself, and I know now that I waited a very long time to say this. I can only hope I didn’t wait too long.”

  Her face went from expressionless to puzzled. Before she spoke, he went on, “I love you, Sophia. I always have.”

  She stepped away from him, her face washing of all color. Moving forward out of instinct to see if there was anyt
hing he could do to help, he came to an abrupt stop when she held up her hands to ward him off.

  “Holy light, Quincy,” she said, her voice raspy. “I’ve only known since yesterday afternoon that you don’t think I’m an abomination upon all Estilorians after believing that for more than five years. And now you’re springing this on me just before I leave on this important journey?” She shook her head, looking at him as though she didn’t recognize him. “You might just have the worst ability to express yourself of anyone on the plane.”

  “I thought—”

  “What did you think? That I needed this on my mind right now? That the pressure of coming up with a response to your declaration of love was a great way to send me off?” She tugged her hood back into place, shielding half her face from him. “Well, you’re wrong, Quincy.”

  And then she turned with a whip of her cloak to head toward the training paddock, leaving a shattered mass where his heart had been.

  She didn’t even tell him goodbye.

  Clara Kate found him going an intense round with a sand-filled punching bag shortly after everyone left to retrieve the scroll piece. She was also dressed for training. She walked up to the punching bag and held it in place.

  “Thanks,” he said. Then he moved into another series of strikes.

  “Got a lot of power in those punches today,” she observed after a few minutes. “Working something out?”

  Quincy paused, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “You could say that,” he said before resuming.

  Several more minutes passed with the thudding against the punching bag the only sound. When he paused again, Clara Kate caught his gaze. “It sucks to be left behind while the others do this huge thing, doesn’t it?”

  Stepping away and reaching for a nearby towel, Quincy wiped sweat off his face and neck. “Yeah,” he said, figuring that was as safe an answer as any.

  “It sucks even more when one of those who left is someone you really care about.”