Now that Biana mentioned it, Sophie remembered that too. “But wait, Fitz said you used to go out looking for me. Why would you do that if you didn’t think the Black Swan existed?”
Alvar laughed. “I was wondering when you guys were going to call me out on that. Honestly? I did the Sophie Search just to keep my dad happy—and because it was fun to sneak to the Forbidden Cities. It was probably good that Fitz took over. I’m sure my biases affected my search. I visited each girl expecting not to find an elf. All I needed was one detail to prove I was right, and I was out of there. I never could’ve looked past your eye color.”
“I almost didn’t, either,” Fitz admitted. “As soon as I saw the brown, I thought I should leave. But . . . there was something about her. The way she kept herself separate. The way she was so much smarter than her teacher. And other than her eyes, she definitely looked like an elf.”
Sophie was fairly sure he’d just implied she was pretty—and had to look away to hide her grin.
“So you really lived with humans?” Tam asked.
Sophie nodded. “It’s a long story.”
“One we do not have time for,” Mr. Forkle added.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Alvar said, turning to Tam and Linh. “New recruits?”
“More like temporary assistants,” Mr. Forkle corrected. “Much like yourself. We would never expect any of you to swear fealty with so little information.”
“But now we’ve seen your secret hideout,” Alvar teased. “How can you keep us away?”
Mr. Forkle didn’t return the smile. “I dare you to find it again.”
“What if we want to join?” Linh asked, ignoring her brother as he elbowed her.
“That’s something we could discuss,” Mr. Forkle said. “After this mission. For the moment, we must stay focused. How is our progress?”
“Sucker Punches are almost done,” Dex said. “Then I’ll make as many of these as I can.” He held up one of the cube-shaped gadgets he’d used in Exile.
“The cloaks are also finished,” Calla said, pointing to a stack of black robes. “I’m still assembling the rest of the outfits.”
“We’re wearing disguises?” Linh asked.
“As an added precaution,” Mr. Forkle agreed. “In case there are moments you and your brother cannot keep everyone hidden, it’s best for you to blend in.”
“They’re hiding us?” Alvar asked. “What are their abilities?”
“I’m a Hydrokinetic,” Linh said. “And my brother is a Shade.”
Alvar scratched the back of his head. “Huh. That definitely changes things up.”
“Why?” Keefe asked. “How do we know his little Shade tricks are even going to work? What if the ogres can see through them like Calla can see through the vanish?”
“They can’t,” Alvar said. “I used to sneak around the city all the time—but wait, gnomes can see us?” He disappeared and tried the how many fingers am I holding up test. “Whoa. Total mind blow.”
“I know how to get around it,” Biana said smugly.
“What’s the secret?” Alvar asked as she vanished to prove it.
“Like I’d tell you!” She shoved her brother as she reappeared. “Honestly, though, you kinda have to figure it out yourself. I’ve been trying to teach Mom, but she still can’t do it.”
“Can you see Tam?” Sophie asked Calla, getting back to the bigger worry.
Tam gathered the shadows and faded from sight. A faint outline remained, but Sophie had to really look for it.
“My eyes see nothing beyond yours,” Calla said. “The glints of life ignore him.”
Keefe snorted. “How does it feel to be rejected by dust?”
“Pretty good, actually,” Tam snapped back, “since it means I can survive this mission. Can you?”
“Yes,” Mr. Forkle jumped in, “with your help.” He eyed both boys. “Whatever differences the two of you have must be settled immediately. You’re a team now. It’s time to start acting like it.”
“That’d be a whole lot easier if he’d let me take a reading,” Tam said. He pointed to Alvar. “I’d like to do one on him, too.”
Keefe rolled his eyes. “Forget it, dude.”
“That’s twice now you’ve refused. Do you really have that much to hide?” Tam asked.
“Hey, I’m not up for it either, and I’m not hiding anything,” Alvar jumped in. “You want to know something about us—ask.”
“Okay,” Tam said, glaring at Alvar. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because I’m the only one here who knows the back paths of the city. It’d be easier if I knew exactly where we’re going, though. I can think of several places they might keep the cure.”
“Choose the one that would be the most obvious,” Mr. Forkle said.
“Mr. Forkle thinks this is a trap,” Sophie explained. She did her best to convince them it was the advantage Mr. Forkle believed, but they all looked a lot more fidgety, and she didn’t blame them.
“That . . . complicates things,” Alvar said, going back to studying the scroll he’d set aside. It turned out to be the map of Ravagog from Lady Gisela’s possessions. “Does anyone have any idea which side of Ravagog this secret tunnel is going to bring us to?”