Tam’s jaw fell and he lowered his arms, all trace of his shadows vanishing. “I’ve never heard anyone speak ill of my father.”
“Then you haven’t been talking to the right people,” Mr. Forkle said. “Do not make the mistake of assuming all adults are like him. Now, where is your sister hiding?”
Tam hesitated a second. Then waived his hand, and the shadows around a clump of trees shifted to reveal Linh.
“Wow, that’s like an antivanish,” Biana said. “How did you do that?”
“We can trade ability secrets another time,” Mr. Forkle interrupted. “At the moment, I have a proposition for the Song twins. Shall we?”
He pointed to the river dividing them.
Linh swept her arm and raised the water into an arch before taking her brother’s hand and guiding him forward.
“Wow,” Fitz breathed, and Sophie hoped he meant the river trick—but it was hard to tell with the way he was staring at Linh.
Dex seemed equally stunned as the twins crossed under the river and Linh set the water down for its normal flow. The only boy who didn’t look impressed was Keefe—but that was probably because he was too busy glaring at Tam.
“So who are you guys?” Tam asked, frowning as he studied Mr. Forkle’s ruckleberry wrinkles.
“This is Mr. Forkle,” Sophie said. “He . . . takes a little getting used to. And these are my friends, Dex, Keefe, Fitz, and Biana.”
Linh bowed shyly and introduced herself.
“I really love your hair,” Biana told her.
Linh pulled at the long strands, brushing the silver tips against her palms. “Mine is less of a protest than my brother’s. I melted my pendant to remind myself what happens when I lose control.”
“Enough about our hair,” Tam said. “Why are you here?”
“To make you an offer.” Mr. Forkle turned to Sophie, and she explained about the arrangements the Black Swan had made with the dwarves.
“What’s the catch?” was Tam’s first question.
Mr. Forkle’s lips curled with half a smile. “There is none. King Enki and I have everything arranged. All he asks is that you respect his laws while you live there—which are really no different than elvin laws, except perhaps slightly less restrictive.”
Tam blinked several times. “Why are you helping us?”
“Because someone should.” Mr. Forkle stepped closer, his wrinkled features softening. “I make a point of trying to right the wrongs I see in my world.”
Linh wiped her eyes. “This is far more than we ever could’ve expected.”
“It still seems like there has to be a catch,” Tam mumbled.
“There isn’t,” Sophie promised.
“Please,” Linh whispered to her brother. “I can’t stay here any longer.”
Her eyes roved to the dying Wildwood Grove, and fresh tears welled.
Tam sighed, tugging on the ends of his bangs. “I guess we could give it a try.”
“A wise decision,” Mr. Forkle told him. “If the arrangement doesn’t suit you, we can find another. Do you need assistance packing up your tents?”
Linh shook her head. “We always keep everything gathered in case we have to flee. Give me five minutes.”
She raised the river again, earning yet another “wow” from Dex and Fitz as she ran for the grove of trees.
“So,” Tam said, circling Mr. Forkle. “I’m assuming Sophie told you everything I told her yesterday?”
“She did. It made me wish I’d spoken to you and your sister the last time I was here.”
Tam froze. “When was that?”
“Several weeks ago, when I came to investigate the plague. I’m afraid my search was no less hasty than the Council’s—a mistake I intend to correct.”
“But I don’t remember seeing you,” Tam said.
“That’s because I didn’t want to be seen. One cannot live the lives I lead without mastering the art of hiding.”
Tam glanced at Sophie. “You’re right. This guy’s going to take some getting used to.”
“It’s worth it though,” Sophie said.
“I hope so.” Tam’s shadow fell over hers, and he shadow-whispered, “I’m trusting you. I don’t care about me, but if something happens to Linh . . .”
I promise, we’re only trying to help, Sophie transmitted.
Keefe let out a sigh that sounded more like a groan. “And I thought secret Telepath conversations were the worst. Just so we’re clear,” he told Tam. “I’m the president of the Foster fan club. And we’re closed to new members.”
Tam’s cheeks flushed. “Uh . . . not sure what that’s about but . . . no worries there—no offense!” he told Sophie.
She noticed he stole a quick glance at Biana after he said it.
Sophie couldn’t decide if she should feel relieved or insulted. She was saved from having to decide by the river rising again.
“Wow,” Dex and Fitz whispered, right on cue.
Linh crossed the riverbed carrying two small bags and a long cylinder, with poles sticking out of one end.
“You won’t need the tents,” Mr. Forkle told her.