ŷ������

“Relax, Foster,�� Keefe said, squeezing her good hand and lacing their fingers together.

“You okay there?�� he whispered.

She nodded, not quite ready to use her voice.

Not ready to let go of his hand, either.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Linh grinned. “I think I need to get Happy Shadow Thoughts embroidered on a tunic for you- with a bunch of smiley faces.��

“I definitely think I need to see him wear that,�� Sophie agreed. “Especially if it’s pink.��

“Hot pink,�� Linh decided. “With sparkly letters.��

“And it should say Angry echoes-beware! on the back!�� Sophie added.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“...if you lose, you’ll have to wear a metal diaper to school and call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on.��

“Uh... yeah, no,�� Fitz said as Biana asked, “Hunkyhair?��

“Lord Hunkyhair,�� Keefe corrected. “What? It’s accurate.�� He tossed his head like he was in a shampoo commercial. “I think we need to make it a thing either way- don’t you, Foster?��

“I think you’re ridiculous,�� Sophie told him.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Embrace the sparkles, Foster,�� Keefe told her. “They look good on you.��

Any other day she might’ve blushed.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Keefe grinned. “You’re adorable when you worry. I’ve told you that, right?��

Sophie gave him her best glare, but his smile only widened.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“The teasing tone faded from his voice, replaced with something that made Sophie very aware of how close they were standing.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Keefe whistled, “Remind me never to get on your bad side, Dizznee.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Keefe smirked. “If I’m right, you have to call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on.��

Sophie shook her head. “You guys are terrible.��

“That’s why you love us!�� Keefe draped his arm around her shoulders.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“So is it strange coming here and not being the one on trial?�� Keefe asked, “Because I’d be happy to help you break a few laws if you’re feeling left out.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“You okay?�� Keefe asked, flicking a strand of her blonde hair to get her attention. “And before you answer, remember: You’re talking to an Empath. Plus, you’ve already pulled put two eyelashes since we got here, and I can tell you’re dying to go for a third.��

She was.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Sophie stomach growled, and she gave herself three seconds to imagine it-to picture what it would be like to creep through the shimmering halls when they were empty and quiet and dark and see all the hidden places Keefe had discovered.

But...

“Don’t you go shaking that adorable little head at me, Foster,�� Keefe said before she could get a word out.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“y—what did I tell you two about secret Telepath conversations?�� Keefe asked as he shoved his way between them. “Unless you’re talking about
me
, keep it out loud.��

Fitz laughed. “Keefe just wishes he could swap secret messages with you.��

“Please, I don’t need your little mind tricks. I can feel Foster’s secrets”—he fanned the air around her—“and I feel some pretty
intense emotions right now.��

“Probably because I’m wondering if I should strangle you or beat you with my shoe!��

“The shoe would be funnier,�� Fitz jumped in”
― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“How about we play without special abilities?�� she suggested. “That’ll make it fair for everyone.��

Fitz shrugged. “I’m up for the challenge if you are.��

“Lame. I vote for The Unstoppable Team Keefe! Or Team Foster-Keefe if you’re one of those egomaniacs who needs your name in there. I can share some credit.”
― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“Linh peeked her head over his shoulder. “This is fun! I never get to see Tam blush!��

She pinched her brothers cheeks, and Tam rolled his eyes and stalked into the Healing Center, with Linh giggling right behind him.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“She was a girl with strange abilities and a different way of looking at the world. What she decided to do with these things was up to her.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“We have too many villains,�� Sophie said through a sigh.

Keefe snorted. “You’re not wrong.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Keefe groaned. “What is it with girls and sparkles?��

“Sparkles make everything better,�� Biana informed him, and Sophie had to agree.”
― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“I’ll go out of my to make their job impossible.��

“No, you won’t,�� Sandor told her. “Youre much too smart to resort to such reckless behavior.��

Sophie’s eyebrows shot up. “You sure about that? You’ve seen how much time I spend with Keefe.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Now I know why Bianas ready to start stabbing things.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“I know we’ve done stuff, Foster. But it’s not even close to enough. And the scariest thing is how little we know. I mean... I can’t even tell you if I’ve gotten back all the memories my mom erased. Meanwhile they know everything about us: where we live, where we go to school, what our abilities are, who our friends and family are, how to find us- do you need me to keep going? Because we both know I can.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Bout time you got here,�� Keefe called as they crested a hill and entered a grassy meadow peppered with tiny blue flowers. “I was getting tired of stomping Fitz to a pulp in bramble.��

“Only because you cheat!�� Fitz shouted, tossing a red tri-pointed ball at Keefe.

Keefe caught it and whipped it back so fast Fitz had to dive to avoid being smacked in the face. Then the strange ball curved back like a boomerang and Keefe caught it one-handed. “Only losers play fair. Which is why I call Foster for my team today.��

“Hey—why do you get her?�� Fitz asked,”
― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“I don’t want another bodyguard. I want you.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Aw, aren’t you guys cute?�� Stina sneered. “Better watch out, Biana. It’s only a matter of time before she drags your whole family down to her level.��

“That’s still way higher than your family,�� Sophie snapped back.”
― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“I’ll always remember that’s you found me and brought me to the Lost Cities and showed me where I really belong. And that you came when I called for help and saved me from fading away. And you left everything behind to go with me when I joined the Black Swan. Need me to keep going? Because I can.��

His smile was a beautiful thing.

But it didn’t last.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Ugh, now I get why Keefe was always going on about this one,�� the figure to Gethen’s right grumbled. “They both think they’re so clever.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Sophie moved to his side. “Hey,�� she said, nudging him until he looked at her. “Think you can help me master these dance moves before the Ceremonies next week?��

A small grin spread across his lips. “I don’t know. I can’t exactly work miracles.��

“Hey, I’m not that bad.��

He grabbed her hands as she tried to shove him, and his face turned serious. “You’re not bad at all. You’re awesome.��

He blushed after he said it, and Sophie dropped her eyes to the ground.”
― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“Sophie fought off her smile as Fitz kicked the sand, stirring up a coppery cloud. He was so determined to be angry that it was honestly kind of adorable.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Fitz offered Sophie his arm, and she tried to ignore the way her insides fluttered at the gesture. He was probably only doing it because everyone knew that climbing things wasn’t her strengths- particularly when she was wearing heels. But her face grew warm as she hooked her elbow around his.

It got even warmer when he told her, “I’m glad you’re here.”
― Shannon Messenger

“Sophie turned to him, so relieved to see his beautiful eyes staring at her that she didn’t care he’d been eavesdropping.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback

“Fitz offered Sophie his arm, and she tried to ignore the way her insides fluttered at the gesture. He was probably only doing it because everyone knew that climbing things wasn’t her strengths- particularly when she was wearing heels. But her face grew warm as she hooked her elbow around his.

It hit even warmer when he told her, “I’m glad you’re here.”
― Shannon Messenger, Flashback