Sophie tugged out a loose eyelash-a nervous habit-and started at her feet.

Stina laughed her high, wheezy snicker. “Last I checked, empathy wasn’t an ability yourcreators gave you.”“Last I checked, you hadn’t manifested any abilities at all,” Sophie spit through gritted teeth.

Before she could change her mind, she placed one hand on the alicorn’s cheek and used the other to grab the pendant hanging from a long chain around her neck. She held the crystal up, and light hit the single facet cut into the stone, refracting toward the ground.“Sophie, don’t you—” Grady started to say, but he was too late.She stepped into the light, letting the warmth swell under her skin like thousands of tickling feathers as the simmering rush swept her and the alicorn away.

Vika glared at him for a second, then shoved Sophie back, sending her tumbling into Fitz’s arms.“You okay?” he asked, flashing his movie-star-worthy smile as he steadied her.She was fairly certain her face was on fire as she pulled away and mumbled, “Yeah. Thanks.

She’d hoped to close her eyes and dream of sparkly winged horses flying through a bright blue sky. Instead, black-cloaked figures haunted her mind, snatching her from the shadowsand dragging her away in a drugged haze. Sharp bonds sliced her wrists and ankles as someone shouted questions she didn’t know the answers to. Then fiery hands seared her skin and ghostly whispers swirled through the blackness.They would find her.She would never escape them again.

It’s too bad Keefe isn’t here, you two could have a contest to see who whines the most.

Sophie smiled, “We all have our things.”“Well, yours is weird,” Amy told her.

I don’t know how it’s all going to work out, but … I’ll be fighting for the happy ending too.

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.