Vlinemare

## **Part 1**

**Kenric was laying underneath his Wanderling tree, his body covered in burns. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten there. He remembered distant shouting and having a strange taste in his mouth... a metallic feeling... it was his own blood. He winced as the memories came flooding back. It was too overwhelming and suddenly--Everything went black.**

**When he woke up again, he saw a girl there... and a boy... he vaguely remembered them... the names were on the tip of his tongue...**

**Sophie. Fitz. He smiled weakly. "Sophie...?"**

**Sophie was staring at him, trying not to cry.**

**Fitz was holding her hand.**

**Elwin rushed over. After Kenric choked down dozens of elixirs, he was able to rasp out, "What happened?"**

**Mr. Forkle, who was standing behind them, sighed heavily. "That... is a long story."**

**He sat up, despite Elwins efforts to get him to lay down again. Wincing, he asked how he'd gotten underneath a Wanderling.**

**"Kenric," started Sophie, biting her lip, "That Wanderling... it's...yours."**

**"What?"**

**"You were gone... for two years. You..." she trailed off, choking back tears.**

**"You died," finished Mr. Forkle bluntly.**

**Kenric stared at them. "N-no... that can't be possible--"**

**"But you were brought back to life."**

**"How? How did I d...die?"**

**Mr. Forkle sighed. "Well... Fintan killed you."**

**"I... oh... Wait, then... how am I alive?"**

**"We should probably call the Council here first."**

**"The... Council? You mean... well... I-I guess I'm not part of the Council anymore..."**

## ~only a few moments later~

**All twelve Councillors barreled into the Healing Center.**

**Emery's eyes were wide. Oralie shoved past everyone, already in tears. She wrapped her arms around him and started to sob in his tunic.**

**"K-Kenric! I m-missed you so much...." she wept.**

**Kenric held her. "Oralie... I'm so sorry... p-please, don't cry... I got you, alright?"**

**She continued to sob. Kenric felt like his heart was being twisted with a corkscrew. He hated to see her like this. Oralie didn't care that she was hiccupping or ruining her perfect makeup as she cried, and she paid no attention to the other Council members as she whispered softly, "I love you."**

**Kenric's heart was beating loudly. At first, he wasn't sure how to respond, but then mumbled back, "I love you, too, Oralie."**

**Even Mr. Forkle seemed a little misty-eyed as she clung to him, never wanting to let go.**

**Then, Oralie leaned up and pressed her lips against his. Kenric's face went red with surprise as he slowly kissed her back.**

**Emery coughed loudly, interrupting their moment. Everyone glared at him, even Bronte, as Oralie pulled away quickly and started to cry again. "I-I'm sorry, I... shouldn't've done that..."**

**Kenric winced. "Oralie, you don't have to apologize... I love you. Alot."**

**Emery coughed again. "Does anyone want to explain how the heck this is happening?"**

**"Come on, Emery, can't we just let them have a few minutes?" Terik suggested.**

**"No!"**

**Terik gave Oralie a sympathetic look.**

**Councillor Alina immediately spoke up. "I agree with Emery. We should figure out what's going on first."**

**Everyone looked at Sophie and Mr. Forkle.**

**Mr. Forkle sighed. "It had nothing to do with the Black Swan this time. It was a human. Or... kind of a human..."**

**"What? What do you mean 'kind of a human'?" Emery demanded.**

**"I mean the girl who brought Kenric to life is only half human."**

**Everyone seemed to get very pale.**

**Mr. Forkle looked at everyone. "It seems Fintan Pyren had a wife. A human one."**

**Everyone gasped. Bronte looked especially pale.**

**A girl sitting in the corner with sandy brown hair and hazel-green eyes suddenly said, "And I'm their daughter. Kalesh Pyren."**

**Everyone jumped and looked at her.**

**"Kalesh?" said Bronte quietly.**

**"And her eyes aren't blue!" said Alina.**

**Bronte continued to mouth the name "Kalesh."**

**Sophie stared at him. He was obviously hiding something...**

***Fitz*, she said telepathically.**

***Yeah?* Fitz answered.**

***I'm going into Bronte's mind*.**

## ~after Sophie breaks into Bronte's mind~

**No... it couldn't be possible...**

**She immediately tore herself from Bronte's mind. Bronte gasped, obviously knowing what she had done. But neither of them said anything. Fitz kept telepathically asking what she had found, but she didn't tell him.**

**Oralie was leaning against Kenric.**

**Emery seemed to be glaring at Kalesh, muttering things about Fintan being disgusting.**

**Kalesh sighed. She had dreams about people and accidentally brought them to life. So what? She was half human. So what?**

**Everyone already hated her. She hated them, too. Hated them for the terrible things they were calling her parents. Hated them for thinking her eyes were freaky. Hated them all. Especially Sophie. Why was she so special? Why didn't they mock HER eyes or HER parents? Why were those Councillor Emery and Bronte guys staring at her so much? Where was her dad? She suddenly missed him.**

**Kalesh looked around the room at each elf. She hated each. And. Every. One.**

**And she intended to do something about it.**

**The Council said she was going to live with the Vackers now. Yeah, right.**

**She hated them.**

**Meanwhile, at the Neverseen base, Fintan was furious. "MY DAUGHTER IS LIVING WITH THE VACKERS!?" he screamed, slamming his fist down on the table.**

**Ruy hunkered down in his chair. Vespara rolled her eyes. Trix was staring at the woman next to Fintan. She was a recruit in the Neverseen, an elf with wavy, soft brown hair and hazel eyes. Her eyes were an abnormality. Her name was Haze. She was an Empath and a Phaser.**

**Haze was staring at Fintan, sighing dreamily. Fintan, whose wife had died two years ago, had absolutely no interest in Haze. Or at least that's what he tried to tell himself...**

**Gethen was glaring at Lady Gisela, who was aiming a throwing star at his head and smiling.**

**"Lucky you. MY son is living with my HUSBAND. It's terrible." sighed Gisela, glancing up at Fintan.**

**"Why do you care about her so much?" questioned Vespara. "Don't let your emotions control you, Fintan, or else we might have to find a new leader," she warned.**

**Fintan scowled.**

**"We don't need to waste time finding some little girl! We have to focus!" added Gethen.**

**"She can bring people from the dead, don't you understand!?"**

**"Then why not just kidnap her?" Gisela suggested.**

**"YOU ARE NOT KIDNAPPING MY DAUGHTER! IF ANYONE HURTS HER, THEY DIE!!"**

**Gisela sighed, unfazed by his outburst.**

**Haze looked at Fintan. He was so cute when he was mad...**

**Meanwhile at Everglen, Kalesh was sitting in her new room, scribbling in a notebook. Fitz came in and she hid the book under her pillow. "Hi," she grumbled.**

***Wow, he has nice eyes.***

**She blushed.**

**He smiled. "How do you like it here?"**

**"It's okay, I guess."**

***Fitz!* Sophie's voice filled his head suddenly.**

***Yeah?***

***I got to tell you something. About Councillor Bronte.***

***What is it?***

***Bronte has a wife, too. A human one.***

**Fitz cursed out loud. "Sorry, Kalesh, I... got to go."**

**He hurried away.**

**Kalesh sighed. She hated him.**

***BRONTE HAS A WIFE!?***

***Yes.***

***That's illegal! That is LITERALLY illegal! In so many ways!***

***Fitz--***

***HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE!?***

***Fitz!***

***What?***

***Kalesh is Bronte's daughter. Fintan adopted her.***

***WHAT!? OhmygodwehavetotelltheCouncil!!!***

***NO! Fitz, you can't tell the Council!***

***Why!?***

***He knows who my biological mother is! The Council CANNOT know!***

**Fitz didn't know what to say. *Does... does Mr. Forkle know?***

***Not yet.***

## Sophie Meets with Councillor Bronte

**"Sophie, no one else can know about this."**

**"I know, Councillor Bronte. That's not why I hailed you."**

**Bronte scowled. "Then why did you hail me?"**

**"How did Oralie and Kenric find out?"**

**"They overheard me talking to Emily and--"**

**"Emily?"**

**He blushed. "That's her name."**

**Sophie smiled. "Are you blushing?"**

**"Gah, stop! No. I..." He trailed off.**

**"I guess out of all the Councillors, I never expected you to be the one to illegally get married. And have a daughter... Why did you put her up for adoption?"**

**"We were already hiding our marriage. It's kind of hard to hide a kid..."**

## Meanwhile...

**In Kenric's old Councillor tower, he and Oralie sat together.**

**"Why is there a pink couch in here?" he teased, giving her a heart-melting smile.**

**She smiled back. "I used to come here every night... and sometimes I'd sleep on this couch... and cover up with one of your capes..."**

**She started to tear up. "And... I'd think about how we never got to be together..."**

**She suddenly bursts into tears. Kenric quickly wraps his arms around her**

**"Hey! Hey, I-I'm here now. Okay?"**

**They sat on the couch together.**

**Kenric took off his cape and whisked it on her. She starts to say something, but Kenric cuts her off, wiping tears off her face gently with his thumb. Oralie straightens Kenric's cape on her lap, her eyes locked with his. She snuggles up against him, sniffling. "Kenric? Please don't do that again."**

**"What?"**

**"Die! Don't die, dang it!"**

**His eyes widened in surprise. "Okay! Oralie..." He shook his head, a silly grin forming on his face. "I love you so much."**

**She blushed. "Sorry-"**

**He cut her off with a kiss. Still smiling, he whispered, "I said 'I love you.' You're supposed to say it back."**

**Oralie bit her lip to keep from giggling. "I love you, too." She snuggled against him again, burying herself in his warm arms and cape.**

**He kisses her forehead and holds her close, closing his eyes.**

## *Meanwhile* meanwhile

**"There's something you don't know about Kenric..." Kalesh said quietly.**

**"What?" asked Fitz.**

**"I brought him back to life... but... he won't stay that way..."**

**"What!? you mean he's going to die again!?"**

**Kalesh nodded. "It'll start with seizures..."**

## Uh-Oh

**Kenric's grin suddenly fell. He pulled away from Oralie. He was shaking. Why? What was happening to him? He started to feel pain... he didn't know where it was coming from. A scream started to crawl from his throat. Oralie jolted awake. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder.**

**She looked at him groggily. "K-Kenric?"**

**Kenric collapsed. He was writhing in pain and screaming.**

**Oralie burst into panicked tears. She didn't know what to do or where to go...**

**So, she ran out.**

**She light leapt to Bronte's tower and pounded on the door. "BRONTE!" she screamed. "BRONTE, HELP ME! THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH KENRIC!!"**

**She heard footsteps, then the door flew open. "What!?"**

**Oralie sobbed, sitting by Kenric's bed and listening to his ragged breath.**

## UH-Oh

**Kalesh smiled. "And then, the burns will start to appear on his body again. It'll be two years of pain and burning before he finally dies."**

**"I-Is there a way to stop it?"**

**"Don't know, don't care."**

**"Whose side are you on!?" Fitz demanded.**

**"My own."**

## Kenric in the Healing Center

**Kenric looked up at Oralie. He smiled shakily. "Hey, sugar. Can I call you that? Because you're so sweet to me..."**

**She teared up. "Don't do that right now. I told you not to d-die!" She started weeping uncontrollably. "And you're g-going to d-die again!"**

**He winced. "I'm sorry... I'll... try not to do it again." He offered another shaky smile.**

~MeAnWhilE~

**Meanwhile, back at the Neverseen base, Fintan was getting ready to go. Haze watched him throw on a dark cloak. "Can I come with you?"**

**He was about to say no, but when he saw Haze standing in the doorway, he nodded and tossed her a cloak. Haze squealed with excitement. "Where are we going?"**

**"To give Councillor Bronte and his wife a surprise."**

## Bronte

**Bronte walked into the huge house. A woman was sitting at a table, reading scrolls. He kissed her cheek. "Hey, I'm home."**

**She suddenly lit up, hopped on her feet, and threw her arms around him enthusiastically. Bronte almost fell, smiled, and hugged her back.**

**"How was work?" she asked happily.**

**"Good."**

**She kissed him. "I missed you!"**

**"I missed you, too," he mumbled.**

**She giggled. "You should be less grumpy sometimes."**

**He scowled, then smiled. She was making weird faces at him.**

**"You're ridiculous," he snorted.**

**"Hey, I made you smile."**

**The freckles on her face stretched as she smiled. He swept some of her dirty-blonde hair from her eyes and looked into her sparkling, icy eyes.**

**She kissed him again.**

**Bronte couldn't help but smile at his beautiful, optimistic wife. She was one of the few sparks of joy in his life.**

**Fintan was watching Bronte and his wife through the window for a few moments before Haze asked, "How did you even know about this?"**

**"My daughter told me."**

**"What?"**

**"She's part of the Neverseen."**

**"Since when!?"**

**"Since she was nine."**

**"How do the Vackers not know?"**

**"I gave her an impartner. She called and told me that she overheard Fitz and Sophie's telepathic conversation, and--"**

**"She's a telepath, too?"**

**"Yes. She can also predict the future and heal people."**

**"Do her abilities have names?"**

**"Yes. She's a Reviver, a Healer, and All-Seer."**

**"Oh. Wow. That's crazy."**

**Fintan rolled his eyes as he looked through the window again, cringing when Bronte kissed his wife.**

**"Why are you cringing?"**

**"Bronte kissed his wife. I... don't care much for romance. I haven't kissed anyone in two years--"**

**Haze leaned forward and kissed him. His eyebrows shot up. He pulled away and stared at her, his face reddening.**

**She grabbed his wrist, reading his emotions. "You like me back!" She smiled.**

**He frowned. "NEVER. Do that again."**

**Bronte walked out of the house and light-leapt away. Now his wife was alone...**

**"You liked it." Haze stated, knocking him out of his thoughts again.**

**"No! Don't do that!"**

**"But you like me."**

**Fintan's hand lit on fire. He then dragged his hand alongside the house until the wall was well-lit.**

**About fifteen minutes later, Emily was stumbling out of the burning house, her clothes singed, a good-sized piece of shrapnel sticking out of her leg. She collapsed before she could leap away. Fintan smiled. He turned to Haze, frowned, blushed, and pulled out a crystal to leap away. Haze grabbed his hand, continuing to smile.**

## Back at the Healing Center

**Bronte sighed. "This ought to be interesting."**

**Oralie was kneeling by Kenric's bed, holding his hand. "Do you think they'll find a cure?"**

**"Maybe. Anything could happen in two years, Oralie."**

**She sighed heavily. "I... yeah. You're right."**

**Clarette, who was next to Bronte, also sighed. "I do wish Councillors could marry."**

**"Obviously, so does she," said Councillor Darek.**

**"They should be careful," mumbled Terik.**

**"They're probably going to resign from the Council after this."**

**"They’d better not!" said Alina.**

**"They're in love, Alina," said Bronte.**

**"What do you know about love?" she snorted.**

**"Enough not to crash a wedding." referring to Alden and Della's wedding**

**Terik attempted to cough over a laugh.**

## Bronte gets home from work

**Bronte returned home to a pile of ashes, his wife laying in front of the wreckage, crying in pain. He hurried over, quickly pulling her into his arms. "Jesus! Emily! What happened!?"**

**She groaned. "I... don't know..."**

**"Wh... a-are you okay? Dang it! I got to take you to a physician..."**

## The Next Day, in Eternalia

**The next day, all the elves gathered to Eternalia to welcome back Kenric. However, Bronte wasn't there. Kalesh is there with the Vackers. Many elves are staring at her, whispering things. Kalesh continues to scowl and hate everyone.**

**"Everyone hates me," she grumbled to Sophie, who was holding Fitz's hand.**

**"I know how it feels," she responded.**

**"Um, you're a Regent."**

**Sophie adjusted her circulet. "Yeah, well... when I first came to the lost cities, people hated me. Alot. It'll change, though. As long as you strive to be better than your father and make the right friends--"**

**"Would you guys stop dissing my father!? He's not that bad! And it's not like I'm joining nobility any time soon like you! I'm half human!"**

**Dex suddenly comes over with Biana. "Hey! Lady Foss-Boss!" He smiled.**

**Sophie rolled her eyes, smiling back. "Hey, Dex."**

**Dex smiles at Kalesh. "Hi! I'm Dex!"**

**Kalesh stares at him. Then blushes lightly. "Hi."**

**He shook her hand, but she held on for a bit too long.**

**Biana seemed to be glaring at her.**

**Suddenly, everyone broke into applause. Kenric was standing there. Some people were crying and cheering. Councillor Emery calls for everyone's attention.**

**Kenric looks at the statue of himself, clearing his throat. "Wow... there's a statue of me."**

**Nervous laughter waves over the crowd.**

**"I know you were brought here under... unusual circumstances."**

### ~Meanwhile~

**Meanwhile, Bronte was freaking out. "Emily! IS SHE OKAY!?"**

**"Sh-she's unconscious! She'll wake up soon," stuttered Elwin.**

**"How soon!?"**

**"Bronte! She'll b-be okay! Please, try to relax!"**

**"RELAX!? MY WIFE HAD A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL IN HER LEG AND MY HOUSE BURNED DOWN!! Do NOT tell me to relax!"**

**Elwin gulped. "M-my apologies, Councillor Bronte."**

**Bronte sat by Emily, tearing up. "S-someone burned our house down... someone knows I have a wife... I'll get k-kicked off the Council... I could get Exiled and never see Emily again..."**

**"S-so... just so I'm getting this right... she's... your wife... and... she's human..."**

**Bronte stared at him, teary-eyed. "Yes!" he shouted.**

**Elwin looked down. "A-and... you married her--"**

**"Illegally, yes! I know! How DARE I fall in love..." He bursted into tears. "I love her so much... y-y-you have n-no idea what she means to me! I'd DIE for her, Elwin..."**

**Elwin slowly nodded, still in shock.**

### Wow, I say "Meanwhile" a lot...

**Meanwhile, Councillor Kenric was explaining that there would be thirteen Councillors now since they couldn't force anyone to resign.**

**Kalesh was thinking about other things she could tell her dad, and she was also thinking about how stupid Fitz was for not knowing she was part of the Neverseen. Also, about how cute Dex was...**

## Kalesh goes to live with the Vackers

**Kalesh sat by the fireplace. The Everglen house was huge, and it took her awhile to find this room, but she did. The fire fascinated her. She often wished she was a pyrokinetic, like her father. She may not have been a pyrokinetic... but there was still a fireplace in front of her... and she could burn down Everglen... with all the famous Vacker family burning inside...**

**She smiled at the thought. Her dad would be proud.**

**The house only partially caught on fire and Alden was able to stop it before it could hurt anyone. Kalesh only hated them more and her need for ruining the Vacker's lives became stronger. She wanted them to feel the same things she felt. Loss when her mom died. Abandoned because her dad barely seemed to care about her. Unloved because she knew no one would accept her the way that her mom did. And she could think of lots of ways to do it.**

**So many options, but she had to pick only one-- she was going to steal something from them. Something very important. And they weren't going to be able to get it back. She sat up in bed, holding a stuffed purple bear. She got it when she was six, and it was the only gift her father ever gave to her.**

**She angrily stared at the bear. "What do you want from me, Dad!? What can I possibly do to make you happy!?"**

**Then, she broke down crying, and threw the bear across the room. The bear clanked hard against the wall.**

**What? Why had it made a noise like that? It was a soft stuffed toy!**

**She cautiously went over to it, sniffling, and picked it up. She squeezed it, feeling around. All she felt was fluff... until her hand found something small and very much solid inside the bear's arm. There was a small secret pocket there.**

**How come she had never noticed it before?**

**Inside the pocket was a white crystal. Was it a light-leaping crystal?**

**She grabbed her nexus, which was pink. Alden had given it to her. She clasped it on her wrist, bit her lip, and held up the crystal to the light with trembling hands. A beam reflected off it, and a glittery pathway formed. She took several deep breaths, trying not to think about where it led, and stepped into the light.**

**She appeared somewhere... in some strange building... but she couldn't get a good look around before she felt someone grab her from behind, covering her mouth with their hand. She immediately tried to flail and scream and fight her way out of the person's arms, but everything suddenly went black.**

### m e a n w h i l e

**Haze was in Fintan's room, talking to him and trying to flirt with him. Fintan was trying to get her to leave. That's when he saw Gisela standing there, scraping a knife down the side of the doorframe, which made a fingernails-on-the-chalkboard sound. Haze cringed. Fintan stared at her. "What do you want?"**

**"I brought you a nice surprise in the interrogation room."**

**"What?"**

**"It's your daughter! I caught her snooping around in the main hall."**

**"WHAT!?"**

**"It's such a nice night to kidnap someone, don't you think?"**

**"Oh my god..." he croaked, rushing past her. Haze trailed behind him.**

**Kalesh was unconscious, tied to a chair. There was a dark purple gag in her mouth. She has a deep cut in her shoulder, which is bleeding, blood trickling slowly down the leg of the chair and dripping on the floor.**

**Fintan and Haze burst into the room. His eyes widen in horror. He looks at Haze, who is equally pale.**

**"Kalesh!"**

**At the sound of her name, she moves slightly. Fintan kneels by her and her eyes crack open. "What have you DONE!?" he screamed at Gisela.**

**Gisela waved him away. "Gethen will be by soon to probe her mind. You said she knows vital information. This is how we get it."**

**Fintan ignored her and untied Kalesh, taking the gag out of her mouth. She collapsed against him, groaning. She glances up at him. "Kalesh?" he whispers.**

**"Dad...?" she mumbles.**

**Fintan looked at Gisela angrily. "What about 'don't hurt my daughter' don't you understand!? She... l-look at what you DID to her!"**

**"She'll live."**

**"I SHOULD KILL YOU!!!"**

**"Here, Fintan, let me see her," said Haze softly.**

**Fintan looked at her wearily. He hesitated. "Alright."**

**Haze gently took her and sent calming waves into Kalesh's mind using her Empathy.**

**Fintan sighs of relief as Kalesh relaxes.**

## **Part 2**

**Fintan watched Haze care for Kalesh, smiling. It was the first time he noticed her soft brown hair and hazel eyes... and how beautiful she was... and how she was the only other person on the Neverseen who cared about Kalesh.**

**Haze and Fintan locked eyes for a moment before Fintan quickly looked away.**

**Gethen came to probe Kalesh's mind. Fintan stood. "If you hurt her, I will kill you."**

**Gethen gulped, nodding slowly.**

### mEaNwHiLe

**Meanwhile, Alden was freaking out because Kalesh was missing. "She's gone! I don't understand how, or why... do you think she ran away? I just..." He trailed off, tearing a hand through his hair and wrapping an arm around Della.**

**They stood in front of the Council. Alden was trembling, using Della to hold him steady.**

**"We'll start a search immediately," said Kenric. His voice was noticeably weak, and it made Oralie want to cry. "And, Alden, don't be so hard on yourself. She's probably safe. It must be overwhelming to be suddenly thrown into a world like this, finding out information about her parents."**

**Bronte, who was sitting next to him, was silent. He looked tired. He couldn't stop thinking about his wife. She was still in a lot of pain, and couldn't walk very well. Elwin was taking care of her while he was gone, but he still doesn't know who caused the fire. He suspected it was Fintan, but how could he know something like that?**

**"Bronte?" Kenric's tired voice came again, knocking him out of his thoughts.**

**"Hm? Oh. Yeah... um... we'll set up search parties..." Bronte trailed off. "That IS what we were talking about, right?"**

**Kenric snorted. "You're getting older every day, Bronte."**

**Bronte sighed. "I suppose I am."**

**His non-grumpy, sad response surprised everyone.**

**Kenric and Oralie were concerned. They knew about his wife, and felt bad, though there wasn't much they could do about it.**

### mmmmmmmmmmmmmmeanwhile

**Meanwhile at Havenfield, Grady handed Sophie a scroll from Councillor Oralie. Sophie didn't want to open it. She was still mad Oralie had lied about not being her mother... She ended up breaking the seal and reading it anyways. She glared at Oralie's neat, loopy handwriting.**

**"Dear Sophie,**

**"I must first start off with the suggestion that after you read this letter, you should either dispose of it immediately or put it where no one will be able to find it. There's so much I wish I could tell you, but so little time to write it all down.**

**"I love you, Sophie. As a mother, I am very proud of you and always will be.**

**"Trust me when I say I truly wish to have been able to show affection to you in the past. And I would step down from the Council for you, so hiding you is not simply for my own selfish reasons. It is for fear of weakening the Council and giving the Neverseen any sort of opportunity of control. It's to protect our world.**

**"Though I may not be able to show you publicly that I care for you, I can through a letter. If you wish me to stop, then I will.**

**"Kenric was the one who suggested it, and wanted me to tell you that you can trust him, if not me. It absolutely crushes me that my first child wasn't with him, as fate suggested it should have been. He said he would treat you like a daughter, since you no longer have any interest in finding out who your biological father is. That is all I can say for now. I do love you, Sophie, and I always will.**

**"~~Councillor Oralie"**

**Sophie burst into tears, not knowing if she wanted to punch Oralie or hug her. After a whole lot of crying and raging, she felt a large, rough hand on her shoulder. Sandor.**

**She hugged Sandor, crying on him, even though she knew he was terrible with hugs. The goblin gave a squeaky sigh and hugged back. Flori sat on her bed and began to sing to her. Sophie was trembling when she finally let go of Sandor.**

**She sniffled and grabbed Ella.**

**"Let's go to Calla's tree..."**

**"Of course," Sandor replied, helping her to her feet.**

**"Would you like me to continue to sing to you?" asked Flori.**

**Sophie nodded. "Yes. And thank you... so much... I hope you guys know how much you mean to me. You do so much."**

**Sandor smiled. "As long as you're happy, Miss Foster."**

**"No, I'm serious. You guys are like family."**

**Flori teared up gratefully. "And we are honored to be members of this family. Right, Sandor?"**

**Sandor cleared his throat, and his voice sounded a little squeakier than usual when he said, "Yes, of course, Miss Foster."**

## With the Neverseen

**After Gethen probed Kalesh's mind, she was taken to Haze's room.**

**"Hi! I'm Haze."**

**Kalesh didn't say anything.**

**"Are you okay? I shoul get you some bandages for your shoulder--"**

**"No, it's fine. I'm a Healer."**

**She pressed her hand against the deep cut. Her hands began to glow, and the wound magically mended itself back together.**

**"Show-off, " Haze mumbled. "Ya know, your dad talks about you a lot."**

**Kalesh looked up. "Really?"**

**"Well, yeah! He loves you."**

**"He does...?"**

**"Does he not tell you?"**

**"No... he's never said that to me before."**

**Haze stared at her.**

**Haze pounded on Fintan's door. "FINTAN PSYCHOTIC-PYROMANIAC PYREN!!! GET OUT HERE!!"**

**Kalesh snickered."Is that even his middle name? Psychotic-Pyromaniac doesn't have a very nice ring to it."**

**Haze smiled. Fintan burst out of his room "What did you just call me?"**

**"TELL KALESH YOU LOVE HER RIGHT NOW!!"**

**Fintan made a face. "Wha--"**

**"Do it now!!" Haze demanded.**

**Fintan sighed. "Haze--"**

**"Do it, or I'll kiss you."**

**"Okay! Kalesh, I love you! Your a great daughter and I'm really proud of you. Especially when you tried to burn down Everglen."**

**Kalesh hugged him.**

**At first, Fintan didn't hug back, but Haze was glaring at him, so he patted Kalesh on the back.**

**"Hug her!" demanded Haze.**

**Fintan hugged her.**

**Fintan and Haze were sitting on a couch in the lounge, because even murderers have to chill out sometimes. Fintan stared at Haze.**

**"Thank you."**

**"For what?"**

**"Forcing me to tell my daughter I love her." He winced. "I'm such a jerk."**

**"Yup, you are," Haze agreed.**

**Fintan sighed. "Haze.. I..."**

**She looked at him expectantly.**

**"I..." He cursed quietly and kissed her.**

**Her eyes went wide. Everyone turned and stared. "Gross," Ruy mumbled.**

**Gethen elbowed Ruy. "Shut up!"**

**Trix smiled. "Aww..."**

**Gisela rolled her eyes. Vespara sighed heavily.**

**Fintan suddenly pulled away. He was trembling. "I... I shouldn't have done that."**

**Haze stuttered, "N-no! What are you talking about!? Y-you're in love with me, and I'm in love with you, and we k-kissed! That... I love you, dang it! Just love me back!"**

**"Haze, I-I can't..."**

**She got up and stormed away.**

**Fintain sighed heavily.**

**"You totally screwed that up," remarked Gisela.**

**Fintan scowled. "I swear to god, Gisela, I'll kill you."**

**"No, you won't."**

**Fintain stood, pulled out a throwing star and nailed Gisela in the throat with it.**

**Gisela collapsed, splurted out blood, clawing at her throat. Her body stopped moving.**

**She was dead.**

**Everyone's eyes were wide.**

**"Anyone else?"**

**No one moved. No one spoke.**

**"Good," Fintan growled, storming out. They scrambled away as he stomped past them.**

**Fintan rushed to Haze's room to apologize.**

**Kalesh looked back and forth between them.**

**"Haze, please, I'm sorry."**

**"If you ever kiss me like that again, you better darn mean it!"**

**"I did mean it! I love you!"**

**"No, you don't!"**

**Their argument didn't last long. They hear a voice behind them. Everyone jumps and whirls around. Mr.Forkle, Granite, and Sophie are standing there.**

**"H-HOW--!"**

**"There's a tracker in Kalesh's clothes," said Mr.Forkle.**

**"Give her back!" shouted Sophie.**

**Fintan's mind was racing. He clenched his teeth. "She's part of the Neverseen, now."**

**"I'm not going with you guys," stated Kalesh. "I want to stay here. With my father."**

**"No!" shouted Sophie.**

**"You have no idea what kind of person your father is-"**

**"Really? Tell me one thing you know about his personal life."**

**"He was a terrible Councillor."**

**Fintan scoffed.**

**"It seems to me that you have no idea who he really is. He's trying to help people!"**

**"He's a murderer," argued Mr. Forkle.**

**"Maybe he has a different way of helping, but at least he's getting his point across! Won't you just listen to what he has to say?"**

**Granite was gaping at Haze. "Hazel!?"**

**Haze lets go of Fintan's hand, trying not to make eye-contact with Granite. Fintan makes a face.**

**"Tiergan, it isn't what it looks like," Haze started.**

**"Wh-... Granite is Tiergan!?"**

**Granite shook his head. "You... you're in love with Fintan!?"**

**"He's not a bad person--"**

**"This is why you didn't want to work with the Black Swan!? Because you're in love!?" Granite shouted.**

**"It isn't just for Fintan--"**

**"Mom was right about you."**

**"'Mom'?" Sophie echoed.**

**"Care to explain, Granite?" asked Mr.Forkle, obviously irritated.**

**"This is Haze." Granite locked eyes with her. "My sister."**

**Haze was in tears. She looked at Granite. "Tiergan, I'm sorry--"**

**Suddenly, a red beam shot from Sophie, and Fintan collapsed.**

**Haze screamed. "YOU INFLICTED ON HIM!?" Kalesh is also in tears now. Haze kneels by Fintan, who is curled up on the floor, trembling. He went unconscious.**

**"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?" screamed Haze. She pulled out a gun.**

**A human gun.**

**Haze shot Sophie in the leg. Sophie screamed. Luckily, Mr.Forkle and Granite caught her. Granite held a crystal up to the light, and a path appeared. Just as they're all trying to leap away, the gun fires again.**

**Granite collapses. Haze screams and drops the gun, covering her mouth with her hand. Mr.Forkle and Sophie are gone.**

**Granite groans. Haze hurries over. "Tiergan!"**

**Haze sees the bullet deep in his shoulder blade. "N-no... no... T-Tiergan, I didn't mean... I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"**

**Tiergan looked up at Haze. "Haze..." He winces. "I...I'll be okay... it's just my shoulder."**

**"No! No, it's NOT okay! I SHOT you!" She bursts into tears.**

**He sighs shakily. "Yeah... you did. You're lucky you didn't kill me."**

**Of course, he was lying. He knew he'd probably bleed to death before anyone could come in time to help him, but he didn't say that.**

**"Kalesh! Get over here and heal him."**

**Kalesh blinked. "I-I can't..."**

**"Yes, you can! Heal him!"**

**"Haze, there's... you gotta get the bullet out first."**

**"What?"**

**Fintan groaned. "Use my knife." He slowly sat up, wincing.**

**"Your what!?"**

**Fintan handed Haze his knife. "Get the bullet out."**

**Haze stared at the knife, gulping. "Can you do it?"**

**Fintan winced. "No. If you haven't noticed, I'm in pain. I'd probably cut his back open."**

**"And, no offense, but I don't want Fintan anywhere near my body with a knife."**

**"Understandable," muttered Fintan.**

**Haze gulped again. Then, she slowly inched the knife toward his shoulder.**

**"This... is gonna hurt. Are you seriously okay with me sticking a knife in your back?"**

**"No. Just... get it over with."**

## Kenric Drama

**"They're gonna try to find a way to fix it," Kenric tried to assure a crying Oralie.**

**"Two years isn't enough time! I need you forever, Kenric!"**

**"I'm just as scared as you are, Ora."**

**She cried harder at the old nickname. "Don't..."**

**"Hey, you gotta listen to me for a second." He waited until she was looking at him. "There's a chance I won't make it--"**

**Oralie continued to break down.**

**Kenric gripped her shoulders. "We have to make the most of the time that I have left. So, the Council allowed me to give you something."**

**Oralie sniffled softly. "What?"**

**Kenric smiled, wobbling down on one knee. "Oralie, I--"**

**Oralie bursted into hysterics. "Yes! Y-yes--"**

**He shook his head, still smiling. "Hold on, I'm not done yet." He pulled out a ring box. "Oralie, I love you so much, and I want to marry you, whether it's for two years, or two seconds. Both of us have risked so much to get to this point. I mean, I died... and for you, I'd do it again. I would do anything for you. And you are by far the most beautiful woman on the planet, but that's not why I love you. You are caring, selfless, and I want to spend my entire life with you, no matter how long it's for."**

**Oralie, still crying, manages to choke out, "K-Kenric, of course I'll marry you!"**

**Kenric opens the ring box. It is upside-down, and the ring falls out. His face reddens.**

**Oralie giggles through her tears.**

**"Wh-where did the ring go--?"**

**"Kenric, get up."**

**He shakily stood and smiled awkwardly.**

**Oralie pulled him forward and kissed him. "You're adorable."**

**"Do you wanna help me find the ring?" he asked, giving a small grin.**

**When they finally find it, Kenric puts it on her finger and kisses her.**

**"It's beautiful, Kenric."**

**"Not as beautiful as you."**

**She smiled and leaned against him.**

## Oralie visits the Healing Center

**Oralie knocked on the door of the Healing Center.**

**Elwin answered. He looked nervous. "Councillor Oralie--"**

**"It's okay. I know about Bronte's wife."**

**Bronte looked up from his spot by Emily's bed. "Oralie?"**

**She smiled. "Hi."**

**"We got a new house."**

**"You look like you've been crying."**

**Bronte scowled. "The house is in the Forbidden Cities! I won't be able to see my wife as much now... I... I'm gonna miss her." He started to tear up again. Then he cursed at himself.**

**"Hey, you don't need to curse at your tears."**

**"I hate crying."**

**"You hate a lot of things, Bronte. It's okay to have emotions! You love her, don't you?"**

**"Of course--!"**

**Emily suddenly yawned. Bronte looked at her, eyes wide. "Hey, sweety, how are you feeling?"**

**Emily smiled. "My leg still hurts. Why are you so worried? I'm fine."**

**"There was shrapnel in your leg!"**

**"But... it's gone now."**

**"But it was... th-there! And... I hate it when your in pain..."**

**"Your so sweet."**

**He scowled. "I love you."**

**She giggled. "You're not supposed to say that when you're scowling."**

**He looked at her.**

**Oralie smiled. "I like your wife, Bronte. She's going to be my new best friend."**

**Bronte rolled his eyes.**

**"How did you two even meet?"**

**Emily squealed. "I love to tell that story! Bronte, can I tell her?"**

**Bronte gave a small smile. "Fine."**

**Just as Emily was about to launch into the story of how they met, Mr.Forkle came stumbling into the Healing Center with Sophie, who was screaming in pain.**

**Elwin was already a bundle of nerves because he'd just found out that Bronte has a human wife, but when he saw Sophie, the nerves exploded. "Oh my God! Sophie, are you okay!? What the heck happened!? WHAT IS THAT!?"**

**"It's a bullet! From a human gun! She was shot!"**

**"A HUMAN GUN!?"**

**"The Neverseen has human weapons. Help her!"**

**"O-okay, I'm sorry!" He scrambled for elixirs and his crazy goggles.**

**"Elwin, you have to get the bullet out."**

**"I-I've never had to do that before!"**

**Oralie, Bronte, and Emily watched, in shock.**

**Mr.Forkle noticed Emily. "I'm guessing you're Bronte's wife," he said, wheezing. "It's nice to meet you."**

**Emily nodded slowly, looking at Sophie, who was sobbing, "Elwin, please, help me!"**

**Elwin was in a panicked frenzy, stumbling around and frantically looking for everything he would need to remove the bullet.**

**Meanwhile, Tiergan was screaming. Kalesh quickly scrambled over to heal him.**

**Tiergan cursed when Kalesh laid her hands on his back.**

**A moment later, he was stumbling to his feet. "H-how did you...?" He touched his shoulder. "It's g-gone..."**

**"I'm a Healer," said Kalesh.**

**Haze tackled Tiergan in a hug. Tiergan hugged back, tearing up. "Haze... you--"**

**"I know you hate me because I joined the Neverseen, but... you could always stay. with me. I..." She broke down crying.**

**Tiergan held her tighter. "Haze... I could never hate you..."**

**"I just missed you so much... I haven't seen you in twenty years! A-and the first time I see you I shoot you in the back!" She was sobbing.**

**Tiergan laughed quietly. "Yeah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I forgive you for shooting me."**

**She snorted. "Tiergan, please stay. You could join us!"**

**He looked at Haze. "I... I can't do that."**

**"And take off your stupid rock disguise!"**

**He pulled an elixir out of his pocket and coughed it down. Granite disappeared, and Tiergan smiled at her.**

**Haze started sobbing again, hugging him. "You l-look the same..."**

**He kissed her forehead. "You changed your hair. It used to be shorter..."**

**"I decided to grow it out."**

**"It looks nice."**

**"Stop changing the subject! Tiergan, please stay! I won't let you leave!"**

**"Haze--"**

**"If I have to go another twenty years without you I'll..... I'll kill myself!"**

**Tiergan winced. "Haze, don't say that."**

**"I will!"**

**"Haze! Please... I care about you."**

**"Not enough to stay, apparently."**

**"Haze, look at me."**

**Haze looked up at Tiergan, tears streaming down her face. She was trembling, clinging to him. "Don't go... don't leave me here..."**

**Fintan was watching closely. He'd never seen Haze so emotional before. She was usually so happy...**

**Haze tore away from Tiergan. Tiergan winced as if Haze hadn't just tore herself away from him, but a piece of him. "Haze--"**

**She went over to Fintan. "Tell him not to leave, Fintan! Tell him to stay!"**

**Fintan glared at Tiergan. Then he looked at Haze. Then he glared at Tiergan. Then he looked at Haze... Then he pulled out his impartner.**

**"Gethen, get in here."**

**"Where are you?"**

**"Haze's room."**

**Gethen paused. "What are you doing in Haze's room...?"**

**"GETHEN GET IN HERE OR I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU!"**

**Gethen made a face, but about 15 seconds later, he was rushing into the room.**

**"Take Tiergan to the interrogation room. He's a member of the Collective."**

**Gethen looked surprised.**

**Haze shouted, "NO! Fintan, you can't hurt him!"**

**"I won't. At least not physically."**

**She shoved him. He stumbled back. "Don't! He's my brother! If you do, I really will kill myself! Or I'll leave the Neverseen and go to the Black Swan! And I'll tell them all the nasty things you're planning on doing, and I'll tell them about Kalesh's abilities, and I'll even show them where your wife's GRAVE is if I have to!"**

**Fintan sighed. "Good luck leaving the Neverseen."**

**She hesitated. "You... you wouldn't hurt me..."**

**"You don't know me, Haze. I always get what I want. Tiergan is just in the way. If you leave me, I'll kill him."**

**She started to cry, looking at Tiergan. "No... no... this can't be happening..."**

**Gethen grabbed Tiergan and started to pull him away.**

**"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, FINTAN!!" Tiergan shouted, glancing back at Haze.**

**Haze stood there, trembling. She felt dizzy. She needed to sit down... or cry again...**

**"DON'T YOU HURT MY SISTER!!" screamed Tiergan.**

**That broke Haze. She was scared, and uncontrollably crying. She suddenly collapsed, sobbing. Tiergan tore away from Gethen, rushing to Haze, falling by her and holding her. "It's okay," Tiergan whispered. "Haze, listen, there's something you don't know--"**

**Gethen jerked him back and dragged him away before he could finish his sentence.**

**"Haze, I love you!"**

**"I-I-I l-love you, t-too, Tiergan," she choked out.**

**When he was gone, she glared at Fintan. She stood up and hit him hard across the face, sobbing curse words at him. "I HATE YOU!! YOU--"**

**She stopped herself, sniffling, then looked at his eyes. "You. You're a monster, you know that?" She sniffled again. "I thought this was a rebellion led by an amazing and intelligent leader, but you are a terrible monster, and I'm sorry I ever fell in love with you." She stormed away.**

**Fintan touched the side of his face, still shocked that she'd slapped him.**

## Haze Visits Gethen

**"Haze?" asked Gethen. "What are you doing here?"**

**"Why is Fintan so terrible? And why do you listen to him."**

**"Because I don't want to be murdered."**

**"I'm gonna break Tiergan out."**

**"He's going to kill you."**

**"Well, not if he can't find us!"**

**"I wish I were as brave as you."**

**"Come with us!"**

**"No way! That's a suicide mission!"**

**"STAYING HERE IS A SUICIDE MISSION!"**

**"Haze, I'm not leaving. I joined the Neverseen to take down the Council, not because I think Fintan is awesome."**

**She sighed. "Well then. Don't tell Fintan I'm planning on leaving. He'll probably put trackers in my clothes."**

**"How are you gonna get Tiergan out?"**

**"I'm a Phaser."**

**"But Tiergan isn't."**

**"Oh. Yeah. Who has the keys to the interrogation room?"**

**"Me."**

**"Give them to me!"**

**"No!"**

**"Why!?"**

**"I don't even know why your talking to me right now!"**

**"Who else am I gonna talk to, Vespara?"**

**Gethen sighed. "I don't... I just..."**

**Haze grabbed his wrist to feel his emotions, then gasped and pulled away. "You... you like me?"**

**Gethen shouted, "GET OUT!"**

**"Wait! If you like me, then why aren't you helping me?"**

**"I'm not helping you escape because Fintan would track you down and kill you, and I don't want you to die! And I don't want Tiergan to die, either. Fintan's solution for everything is death and fire. I don't like to kill people, but if I do, I wipe my memory afterward. Fintan is way more insane than I am. He even..." Gethen trailed off.**

**"He even what? What did he do?"**

**"Well, he was the one who killed his wife."**

**"What!? Why!?"**

**"Because his wife adopted Kalesh. Do you think he WANTED a kid?"**

**"I... wait... so... who are Kalesh's parents?"**

**"I don't know."**

## Emily Drama

**After returning to their new house on Earth, Emily convinced Bronte to take her on a date. They walked into the restaurant, Bronte mumbling that she should be in a wheelchair.**

**"It's fine. I can limp."**

**"That's not very reassuring..."**

**"Well! Today was an interesting day!" she said loudly. Emily was smiling at him.**

**"Stop looking at me like that," mumbled Bronte.**

**"I'm sorry. You just look so cute in human clothes. Jeans... button-up shirt... with your hat... to cover up your cute little ears..."**

**Bronte glared at her, but couldn't help give a tiny smile. "I really hate you sometimes."**

**"Aw, that's not true. You love me." She leaned up and kissed him, then winced, almost falling.**

**"Hey, take it easy on your leg! I love you, but... don't do that. If you want me to kiss you, I'll just... lean down a little."**

**"Are you calling me short, Councillor Bronte?"**

**He looked at her. "Maybe."**

**Emily giggled. "Well?"**

**"What?"**

**"Aren't you gonna kiss me?"**

**"Oh. Yeah." He blushed and kissed her.**

**"Are you blushing?"**

**"Stop it."**

**"You *are*! You're blushing! Aw, that's adorable."**

**"Emily... please don't call me that."**

**"What? Adorable? I can call you that as many times as I want! Because you're ADORABLE!"**

**A few people were staring at them.**

**"Why are you so loud? We're in a restaurant."**

**"But I love you. LOVE CANNOT BE SILENCED!"**

**"Emily! Jesus Christ..."**

**A waitress finally came to seat them.**

**"Table for--"**

**"No! Bronte, I wanna say it."**

**Bronte's face reddened. "Go ahead, Emily," he grumbled.**

**"Table for two, please!" she said in a sing-song voice.**

**The waitress smiled. "Right this way."**

**"It's been so long since we've been on a date! Why don't you take me on more dates, Bronte?"**

**"Because... I..."**

**"I'm just joking! Yeesh." She elbowed him.**

**The waitress smiled again. "What a lovely couple."**

**"Couple? Bronte is old enough to be my father."**

**Bronte's face got very red. He scowled at the tablecloth. "I... hmph."**

**Emily giggled. "This grump is my husband. Isn't he so cute?"**

**Poor Bronte grimaced as the waitress smiled, nodded, and walked away.**

**"You... are... way to happy. All the time."**

**"That is why you love me! You need my happiness to balance out your grumpiness."**

**"I know... I love you..."**

**She leaned her head on his shoulder. "I do, too."**

## Havenfield

**Sophie was asleep. Grady and Edaline were yelling at Mr.Forkle.**

**Sandor was sitting outside Sophie's door with Fitz and Grizel.**

**"Hold on, guys, Elwin is hailing me," Fitz said suddenly.**

**He answered his impartner.**

**"Fitz! Keefe is awake!"**

## Neverseen

**Haze was about to leave. She looked at Gethen. And hesitated. "You really should come with me."**

**"Why?"**

**"Well... we could live in the Forbidden Cities, change our identities, a-and--"**

**"That's not what I asked. I asked why, not how."**

**She started to tear up. "Because... I don't know... I just, what if we could... what if you and I could..."**

**She was cut off by a scream. Tiergan's scream. "GETHEN, GIVE ME THE KEYS!!"**

**Gethen gave her the keys. Together, they rushed to the interrogation room.**

**Tiergan was face-to-face with Fintan. There were burns bubbling over Tiergan's face and shoulder. He winced, then started to scream again when Fintan grabbed him by the throat and--**

**Haze pulled out her gun and shot him in the back.**

**Fintan screamed and collapsed.**

**"H-Haze..." Tiergan groaned.**

**He was tied to a chair. Haze quickly untied him, tearing up. "I-I'm so sorry... can you walk?"**

**"Mmm... maybe..."**

**She helped him up.**

**Tiergan yelped. Haze stopped, covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh my gosh! I'm sorry!"**

**"I-it's okay, Haze. I just... just go..."**

**"No way!"**

**"Haze, don't be stupid."**

**"I love you! I am not leaving! Gethen, carry him."**

**Gethen gave her a look. "What!?"**

**"Please!" She started to cry. "Please... he's my brother."**

**Gethen's eyes softened. "Okay, okay, please don't cry." He went over to Tiergan and carefully lifted him up, mumbling, "I can't believe I'm doing this..."**

**"Believe it. Come on. Kalesh is probably going to heal Fintan, and he'll be back for me in a few days."**

**"Just kill him."**

**"No! Gethen, I... I've never killed anyone before."**

**"Give me the gun."**

**She was about to hand the gun to him, when suddenly, a throwing star whizzed past his head.**

**Vespara was standing there. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"**

**Haze pulled out a crystal, holding it up to the light. "Let's go!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the light.**

**Oralie came to Bronte and Emily's house in the Forbidden Cities, knocking on the front door. Bronte answered. "Oralie? What are you doing here?"**

**"I came to ask you something, Bronte."**

**"You shouldn't be in the Forbidden Cities."**

**She snorted. "Neither should you! Anyways, I came to ask you something. Kenric would've come, but he was embarrassed in case you said no."**

**"What is it?"**

**"Will you be the best man for our wedding?"**

**He blinked in surprise. "M-me?"**

**"Yeah! You!"**

**Emily suddenly came up behind him. "Say yes!"**

**Bronte gave a small smile. "Alright. I'll do it."**

**"Yay! And you look good in human clothes."**

**"I know, isn't he so cute!?" gushed Emily.**

**Oralie smiled. "He's gonna look even better in pink."**

**Bronte's tiny smile fell. "What?"**

**"At our wedding! You have to wear pink. Everyone is! All the Councillors... it's great!"**

**Bronte stared at her.**

**Emily squealed. "You have to wear pink!" She laughed, "Aw, that is so cute!"**

**Bronte scowled. "Why pink?"**

**"Because that's the color I picked. Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. This wedding is very important to me, Bronte, so I want it to be in my favourite colour. Do you have a problem with it?"**

**Bronte stuttered.**

**Oralie broke into a smile. "I'm just kidding! I specifically picked pink to annoy you!"**

**Bronte glared at her. "I hate you."**

**She hugged him. "I'm so excited! I'm getting married! Also, can I come inside so I don't have to light-leap in front of your house?"**

**He sighed. "Sure."**

## Escaping the Neverseen

**"Where are we?" asked Gethen.**

**"My house." replied Haze.**

**"Why?"**

**"That's the first place I thought of, okay?"**

**Tiergan groaned. "Haze... there's an orange crystal in my pocket... it... it'll take you to the Black Swan... Physic can help us."**

**Haze ruffled through his pocket and pulled out an orange crystal, holding it up to the light. They were immediately whisked away to Alluveterre.**

**They light-leapt right in front of Mr.Forkle, Squall, Wraith, and Blur, who were in the middle of some kind of meeting. They all flew up from their chairs when they saw Gethen, Haze, and Tiergan.**

**Haze put her hands up in surrender. "I-I know this looks bad, but... you g-gotta help Tiergan... we... didn't know where else to go."**

**Mr.Forkle glared at Gethen. "Maybe I can accept that, because you're his sister, but why is he here?"**

**"He wants to leave the Neverseen."**

**Gethen scoffed. "No, I don't."**

**"Fintan will kill you if you go back, that or he'll blame me and make you kill me."**

**"I'd never kill you, Haze."**

**"Then LEAVE THE NEVERSEEN!!"**

**"I can't!"**

**"Yes, you can! Just stay away from them!"**

**"It's not that easy..."**

**"Yes, it is!"**

**Squall took Tiergan from Gethen. Gethen flinched. "You froze my fingernails off."**

**"Yes, I did," she rasped. "But I can do worse if you don't behave."**

**Gethen scowled.**

**"If you love me, you'll leave them," Haze continued.**

**Gethen looked at her. "I..."**

**"I thought you liked Fintan..." Tiergan mumbled.**

**Squall carried him away.**

**"Fintan's a jerk..." whispered Haze. "I can't believe he hurt my brother..." Haze burst into tears for probably the tenth time that day.**

**Gethen winced and wrapped an arm around her.**

**She leaned against him.**

**"I think we should let them stay," said Blur.**

**Wraith slowly nodded in agreement.**

**Mr. Forkle sighed.**

**"Haze, I can't... stay..."**

**Haze shoved Gethen away. "What!? No! Stay here with me! I like you, Gethen, you can't just leave me here... alone..."**

**"You have your brother."**

**"Please?"**

**Gethen hesitated, and you could see the conflict in his eyes. "I... well... do you think I could... do both?"**

**"What do you mean?"**

**"I could be a double agent. Pretend for the Neverseen and come back here."**

**"That's a suicide mission."**

**Gethen smiled. "I feel like we've had this conversation before."**

**"I... I don't like it, Gethen. Fintan could seriously hurt you!"**

**He shrugged. "I think I can get away with it."**

**"But..."**

**"Haze."**

**She sighed. "Okay. But I don't like it."**

**He hesitated, sighed, and wrapped his arms around her.**

**Haze sniffled. "You know, your a lot nicer than Fintan."**

**"Thank god." He smiled.**

**She smiled up at him. "You smile more than he does."**

**He stared at her.**

**She kissed his cheek.**

**He smiled bashfully.**

### Meanwhileeeee

**Kalesh healed her father. "I can't believe she did that to you!"**

**"I loved her," Fintan scowled. "I'm going to get her back."**

**Vespara rolled her eyes. "I don't think that's the priority of this organization."**

**"I DON'T CARE!! I'M GETTING HER BACK!!"**

**Vespara sighed. Trix came into the room. "Is everything okay in here?"**

**"NO!"**

**Trix walked away.**

**Fintan looked at Kalesh. "You. Go back to the Vackers. You need to find out more information. Sneak into Alden's office if you have to."**

**"What will I tell them?"**

**"Tell them I wasn't who you thought I was and crap like that. You can fake cry, right?"**

**"Yeah, sure."**

**"Good." He hands her a light-leaping crystal. "This will take you to Eternalia. Go straight to the Council."**

## Eternalia

**"Kalesh!? What are you doing here!?"**

**Kalesh conjured up some fake tears. "My dad... I had to get away from him... he's not what I thought he was..." She added an extra-dramatic sob, and Councillor Oralie quickly led her inside.**

## Keefe is Awake!!!

**Keefe was back at his father's house when Sophie recovered from her shot to the leg.**

**"Keefe!" Sophie barreled into him, grabbing him and hugging him tightly. "Are you okay? I missed you..."**

**Keefe hugged back. "Yeah. I actually don't feel any different."**

**"Are you sure?"**

**"Don't worry, Foster, I'm fine. I'm holding you, after all. I missed you, too. Even though I was asleep. Elwin said I was out for a couple weeks."**

**"Gisela will pay for what she did to you! I just..." Sophie started to cry.**

**Keefe squeezed her tighter. "Hey, it's okay. I promise."**

**Sophie continued to cling to him.**

**Cassius, who was standing at the door of his room, cleared his throat loudly. Sophie continued to hug Keefe.**

**"I heard you got shot," Keefe commented to Sophie, ignoring his father.**

**Cassius sighed and walked away. Ro glared at him as he left the room.**

**"I'm fine," mumbled Sophie.**

**"Oh, so you're allowed to be worried when I've been sleeping for a few days, but I can't worry that you got shot?" He smirked. "Classic Foster."**

## Everglen

**Alden hugged Kalesh, who was crying. "I'm so sorry..."**

**"What if my father comes for me?"**

**"We'll protect you," Alden promised. "No reason to worry."**

**Fitz crossed his arms, looking at her. "Dad, what if she's lying?"**

**"Fitz, don't do that right now. She came back!"**

**Kalesh glared at him.**

### ~the next day~

**The next day, the Black Swan had a meeting with all members.**

**All the members of the Collective, Timkin Heks, Sophie, Tam, Linh, Dex, Keefe, Fitz, Biana, Della, Livvy, Tinker, Lord Cassius, Marella, Maruca, Wylie, even Prentice, and a few others that Sophie didn't recognize were all there (wow, that's a lot, sorry).**

**Haze was there, sitting between Tiergan and Gethen. Everyone gaped at Gethen. He didn't dare make eye-contact with an of them as they were all shouting.**

**Mr.Forkle silenced everyone. "I understand this is a complicated situation--"**

**"They shouldn't be here!" shouted Timkin. Almost everyone in the room nodded in agreement.**

**Haze looked overwhelmed, biting her lip and holding onto Tiergan.**

**"She's my sister!" Tiergan shouted back. "I'm not letting Fintan hurt her!"**

**"Aren't you a bit biased, Tiergan?" he remarked.**

**Tiergan rolled his eyes. "It's not my fault I love my sister."**

**"Well, what about Gethen?"**

**Gethen flinched.**

**"He's not as bad as Fintan," Haze spoke up.**

**"Nobody is as bad as Fintan!"**

**Haze recoiled. "I'm sorry, I just thought--"**

**"You don't get to 'just think', we don't trust anything you say! You're a member of the Neverseen!"**

**She moved closer to Tiergan. Tirgan scowled. "Don't talk to her like that."**

**"Why not? She's a member of--"**

**"We KNOW, Timkin! We know!"**

**"If it counts for anything, I think we should let Haze stay, at least," mumbled Sophie.**

**"And Gethen?" asked Mr.Forkle. "What do you think we should do about Gethen?"**

**"Well..." She rung her hands. "I don't think he should join the organization until everyone can learn to trust him... but we can't just let them kill him. We should let him stay."**

**Gethen breathed a sigh of relief.**

**Haze lit up. Tiergan wrapped an arm around her.**

## Kenric stuff

**"So, did Bronte agree to be the best man for our wedding?" asked Kenric.**

**"Yes! You should've seen his face when I told him he had to wear pink." Oralie giggled.**

**Kenric smiled at her, noting how beautiful she looked in her new blue gown. Well, she always looked beautiful no matter what she was wearing.**

**Oralie smiled. She grabbed his hand. They were walking through Atlantis together, to a jewelry store, because Oralie claimed that she HAD to get these new pearl earrings. Of course, Kenric couldn't refuse walking her there. Many people stared as they walked down the road together, obviously not used to the fact that Kenric was alive. Kenric pushed his thoughts away, pulling Oralie closer. Oralie squealed with delight when they got to the store, and pointed to the display case.**

**"Those ones, Kenric!" she said enthusiastically.**

**He smiled. "Do you want to buy a nice dress to go with it?"**

**"Ooo, Kenric, I wanna go look at wedding gowns after this!"**

**"Sure!"**

**Oralie spent almost the rest of the day trying on dresses. Kenric offered a different compliment for every one, commenting how it brought out her eyes, and "no, Oralie, it doesn't make you look fat," and "yes, that one goes with your shoes," and "I like the color of this one."**

## Keeping up with the Vackers

**Kalesh was sitting in her room, talking to Fintan on her impartner. Della suddenly came in, and Kalesh quickly ended the call. Della smiled at her. "Would you like to help me make dinner?"**

**Kalesh looked at her, surprised. "I..." She thought, maybe I can get closer to Della. Earn her trust. She smiled. "Of course!"**

**A few minutes later, she found herself chopping vegetables, and learning the perfect way to sauté a brattail.**

**Her father called her half-way through and asked her to slip chloroform in their drinks to knock them out. Then she could sneak into Alden's office undetected.**

**She agreed.**

**As they all sat down for dinner, Alden was complementing how good it looked and smelled. Kalesh smiled back and went into the kitchen to pour their drinks.**

**She came back.**

**Alden started to do a toast. "To Kalesh! Who is an amazing addition to our family and a great chef."**

**They were about to take sips of their drinks.**

**"Wait," said Fitz. "I have something to say, too. I... I didn't trust Kalesh at first." He looked at her. "But now I realize I was wrong."**

**"Let's drink to that," said Della.**

**Something inside Kalesh broke a little. They just complimented her cooking and called her an addition to the family and now she had to knock them out?**

**She had to stop them from drinking their drinks in a non-suspicious way...**

**She tore the tablecloth off the table and all the food and dinnerware went crashing to the floor. "STOP!"**

**Everyone was shocked. "I-I..." Kalesh stuttered. She grasped for an excuse for ruining their food. "I... uhhhhhhhhhh. I have something to tell you. I... am allergic to brattails. I didn't want to say anything because I was having so much fun cooking with Della... but I feel really sick because of all the smells... and... we can't eat this."**

**"Oh! Oh my god, Kalesh, why didn't you say anything?" asked Della.**

**Why indeed, Della. Why.**

### \*chokes on the word "meanwhile"\*

**Meanwhile, at Candleshade, Keefe was starting to feel faint. He was right in the middle of drawing something in his notebook. "Ro, I don't feel so good."**

**Ro stared at him. "Well, don't puke on me."**

**"I'm going to go... get some water..." He wobbled to his feet, promptly collapsing.**

**Ro caught him. "Whoa!"**

**Keefe winced. "There's something happening... my head hurts..."**

**Suddenly, his arm caught on fire. Keefe yelped as Ro dropped him. "So, you're a pyrokinetic now?"**

**Then orbs of water were forming in the air around him.**

**"Hydrokinetic?"**

**Wind blew the orbs into strange and obscure shapes.**

**"Guster..."**

**The room started to tremble. Keefe screamed.**

**Ro cursed. "And you cause earthquakes!? What the heck!? Couldn't Gisela just pick one!?"**

**Cassius burst into the room. "Why is the house shaking!? What is going on!?"**

**"Your son just manifested all of the elemental abilities at the same time!?"**

**Cassius stared at the obscure water orbs for a moment before falling on his face as a tremor shook the house again.**

**Ro snorted, "You have terrible balance."**

**Keefe yelped. "I can't control it! What do I do!?"**

## Haze and Gethen

**Haze sighed. "Fintan is going to kill me."**

**"I won't let him," replied Gethen.**

**Haze looked at him. Tiergan smiled. Haze blushed.**

**All three of them sat in Haze's new room in Alluveterre. Gethen couldn't stop staring at Haze, and Tiegan was giving the cheesy smiles, because it was his job as Haze's older brother to embarrass her.**

**"I'm glad you decided to leave the Neverseen, Gethen," said Haze quietly.**

**"Yeah," Tiergan agreed. "I'm glad, too. Especially now that Haze isn't in love with Fintan anymore."**

**Haze blushed. "I... yeah..."**

**Tiergan smiled. "I haven't gotten to tease you in twenty years, so get used to it."**

**Gethen smiled. "Do I get to tease her, too?"**

**"Of course!"**

**Haze looked at him in disbelief. "Gethen! Hey!"**

**"Sorry, but you seem like a fun person to annoy."**

**Haze blushed.**

**Tiergan stood. "Well! I must go. Wylie and Prentice are expecting me for dinner."**

**"Bye." She hugged him tightly.**

**He smiled and hugged her back. "Don't do anything dumb while I'm gone." Then he whispered in her ear, "Gethen totally likes you."**

**She snorted and shoved him away.**

**He snickered and walked out.**

**"So..." started Gethen.**

**Haze looked at him. "Do you want to go out with me?"**

**His eyes widened. "I. Uh. Mm. Yes..."**

**She smiled. "I've always wanted to go to the Forbidden Cities."**

**"Wh-- Um. Okay. When?"**

**"Tonight."**

**He stared at her. "Really?"**

**"We should go tonight!"**

**"Wh-- Seriously?"**

**"Yeah!"**

**She looked so happy, and Gethen just couldn't say no... "Fine."**

**"Yay!"**

**She hugged him. He blushed.**

## Fintan is a Mess

**"Are they knocked out?" hissed Fintan through the impartner.**

**Kalesh frowned. "Um. It... wasn't the right time."**

**"What do you mean!? All you had to do was give them the drinks!"**

**"The drinks spilled!"**

**Fintan bellowed in outrage and hung up.**

**Vespara sighed heavily. "This is why we don't put our trust in the poor con skills of a child."**

**"She's fine. She'll get the info we need. She's a telepath. She just needs to slip past Alden or Fitz's blocking. She'll figure it out."**

**"You seem stressed."**

**"THIS IS A VERY STRESSFUL SITUATION!"**

**Vespara rolled her eyes. "Whatever."**

## Bron-tay

**Bronte hugged Emily goodbye, knowing he had to hurry out of the Forbidden Cities so the Council wouldn't be suspicious.**

**Emily kissed him. "Have a nice day at work!"**

**Bronte snorted. "Sure."**

**"I love you."**

**He gave a small smile. "I love you, too."**

**When Bronte finally came back, it was around midnight.**

**Emily frantically came up to him. "Bronte! Bronte, I-I have to tell you something!"**

**Bronte looked at her, his eyes widening at her frantic state. "What? What's wrong?"**

**"I..."**

**"Emily, what's wrong?"**

**"I'm pregnant."**

**"WHAT!?"**

**She suddenly started to cry. "Bronte, can we keep it this time?"**

**"Emily--"**

**"Last time you put Kalesh up for adoption, and she's being raised by a murderer! We have to keep it!"**

**Bronte just stared at her, in shock. "I..."**

**"Please!" she begged.**

**He locked eyes with her, biting his lip. "I... What if I...?"**

**"'What if you...'?"**

**"What if I'm... not a good dad..."**

**"Oh, don't even! You are an amazing husband, and you'll be the best dad ever!"**

**"But what if--"**

**"No. Shut up. I love you."**

**"Emily--"**

**"I said shut up! I love you!"**

**He looked at her. "I love you, too."**

**She smiled. "So... we're keeping it?"**

**"Y... yes."**

**She squealed and hugged him tightly. "We get to be parents! We'll be great parents!"**

**"Why do you always have to be so happy..."**

**"Because you're such a grump!"**

**He scowled.**

**She giggled. "Can we have two more kids?"**

**"Emily! I don't really want... any more kids..."**

**"Yes, you do. We're going to have a thousand."**

**He snorted. "Emily--"**

**"I want kiiiiiiiiiiiids, Bronte! I want babies, and teenagers, and I want to see them go to college, and I want to dress them up for Halloween!"**

**"Okay, I don't know what Halloween is, but I don't--"**

**"And I'm going to make you dress up as something ridiculous for Halloween. Like a banana. Or a puppy."**

**Bronte blushed. "Emily, that's ridiculous."**

**"I know! I love you." She kisses him for a whole lot longer than necessary. "So! What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?"**

**He continued to blush. "Um--"**

**"Bacon and eggs! Good idea, Mr. Grumpypants!"**

**"Don't call me that. And I'm vegetarian! You know that."**

**"Fine. I'll make you a salad."**

## Wedding Plans?

**Kenric and Oralie were planning their wedding. "I think the cake should be pink, too," said Oralie.**

**Kenric smiled. "How about we make it white, or--"**

**"No. Pink!"**

**"Fine."**

**"Yay!"**

## Vackerssss

**That night, Kalesh broke into Fitz's mind while he was sleeping. She knelt by his bed and, closing her eyes, entered his mind. She stayed in his mind until she found information involving the Black Swan. This section of his mind was a little harder to get into, but after finding her way through a maze of his subconscious mind and dreams, she found what she was looking for. Something about Councillor Bronte and his wife... having a kid... and their kid was adopted by Fintan's wife... she quickly broke from Fitz's mind.**

**Covering her mouth with her hand, she stood, backing out of the room.**

**When she got to her own room, she called Fintan.**

**"Is it true!?"**

**"Is what true?"**

**"Councillor Bronte is my real father!?"**

**"WHAT!?"**

**"You didn't know!?"**

**"No!"**

**"Well, he is!"**

**Fintan cursed loudly. "I should kill him."**

**"Why didn't you tell me I was adopted!?"**

**"Well, I didn't know you'd find out information like that from Fitz's mind!"**

**"THAT'S NOT THE POINT! I... I'm not even your daughter! Don't you think I should know something like that!?"**

**"I don't know..."**

**"YOU'RE A TERRIBLE FATHER!!"**

**She hung up, in tears, not wanting to hear his response.**

**Fitz was standing in the doorway. "Hey, I heard you talking to someone. Or more accurately, screaming. Are you okay?"**

**"No! Go away!"**

**He blinked. "Sorry." He walked away.**

**Kalesh winced at herself and continued to cry.**

**The next day, Fitz came back to her room, wanting to comfort her since he'd seen her crying last night.**

**Fitz sat next to Kalesh. "You know, you didn't need to rip the tablecloth off to tell us you couldn't eat the brattails," he started.**

**Kalesh blushed. "Well, I guess I just panicked."**

**Fitz flashed his perfect movie-star smile.**

**Kalesh looked away. "I..." Her impartner beeped. She winced. "Can you give me a second?"**

**"Sure!" He walked out.**

**"What do you want?" she mumbled to her father.**

**"You have to break into Alden's office. Now. He's running errands for the Council right now, right?"**

**"Yeah."**

**"Now is the perfect time."**

**"So, you're not going to acknowledge what happened last night?"**

**He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry. I don't have time to talk to you about that right now."**

**He hung up. Kalesh clenched her teeth, holding back tears.**

**Kalesh snuck into the office, starting to ruffle through his desk, which was full of scrolls. She searched for something that would be of importance to the Neverseen, but couldn't find anything that would be worth her father's time.**

**Fitz suddenly came into the room, freezing when he saw Kalesh.**

**Kalesh spun around "H-hi, Fitz."**

**"What are you doing in here?" he asked.**

**"I'm..." This time, she couldn't come up with a good excuse and broke down crying. "Fitz... I need your help... it's... it's... I really don't want to hurt you guys..."**

**"What are you talking about?"**

**"I... I lied to you. You were right to not trust me. I was sent to get information for the Neverseen, but I--"**

**"WHAT!?" Fitz exploded.**

**"Fitz, please, let me--"**

**"NO! YOU'RE JUST LIKE MY BROTHER!" he shouted. "I'm telling my dad!"**

**"NO! Fitz, I don't want to work for my father anymore! You have to help me!"**

**"I DON'T--... wait, what?"**

**"I hate him! He lied to me about everything, but I'm scared of what will happen if I try to leave the Neverseen..." She was trembling. "He killed my mom... what will he do to me?"**

**Fitz's eyes were wide. "I..."**

**"You have to help me trick my father. But you can't tell Alden."**

## Black Swan

**The Black Swan was gathered for another meeting. Wraith was noticeably missing from the Collective. Mr. Forkle looked at Sophie. "Wraith has been attacked."**

**"What!? You mean by the Neverseen?"**

**"No, it was by a creature of unknown species."**

**"What do you mean?"**

**"I mean we have never seen anything like it before. It's not even in the Sanctuary."**

**"How is that possible?"**

**"I don't know."**

**"Is there a description of the creature?"**

**"No. Wraith is unconscious."**

**Mr. Forkle eyed Tam and Linh. "I'm going to need you two to come with us to the sight where he was attacked."**

**"Why!?" demanded Tam.**

**Linh was already agreeing.**

**"We need a Shade and a Hydrokinetic."**

**"But why?" pressed Tam.**

**"Because it's a water dragon. And it is the only creature to have manifested with an ability. And it's a Shade."**

## Fintan's Dog

**Fintan sighed heavily, holding the small pomaflamean, which was a breed of Pomeranian dog, but it breathed fire.**

**"You know, you're the only one who really gets me, Ember."**

**Ember gave a high-pitched yip in response, causing Fintan to crack a small smile.**

**"If the other Neverseen members found out about you, they'd totally make fun of us." He scratched the fluffy dog's head. "But if they made fun of you, I'd kill them."**

**The dog yipped again and looked up at him. Fintan grinned.**

## Tiergan

**Tiergan woke up. There were people surrounding his bed.**

**He yelped. "Jesus! What the heck is going on!?"**

**"Well, you weren't waking up," said Mr. Forkle.**

**"I'm a heavy sleeper..."**

**"You didn't move a single time yesterday!" shouted Physic.**

**"What!?"**

**"Yeah. We were all worried."**

**"Well--"**

**Haze ran in and hugged him. "What the heck!? I thought something bad happened to you!"**

**"I... don't even know what's going on."**

**"You don't remember anything that happened the day before yesterday?"**

**"No..."**

**"You were attacked by the creature."**

**"Well, did you find out what it is?"**

**"Yes. It's our world's very first dragon. We call it the axolotl dragon, because it lives in the water and has six horns."**

**"Whoa, really? And I was attacked by it?"**

**"Yes. Tam is taking care of it now."**

**"Why is Tam taking care of it?"**

**"The axolotl dragon needs the protection of a Shade because it's abilities were forced upon it. Someone messed with her genetics."**

**"I know how that feels," mumbled Sophie.**

**Mr. Forkle gave her a look. "I'm... sorry."**

**She sighed. "It's okay, I guess."**

## Keeeeeeefe

**"How is that even possible?" Cassius wondered aloud.**

**Keefe was still trembling. Ro looked at him. "How am I supposed to be your bodyguard if you keep causing earthquakes?"**

**Keefe shrugged, shaking. He stared at his hands. "Well, I guess this means more ability training at school."**

**"No. Foxfire cannot know that you're a Pyrokinetic."**

**"Why not? Magnate Leto is Mr. Forkle."**

**"Yeah, The Black Swan can know, but not the rest of the school--"**

**"Why do you care so much about it? Your reputation is already terrible."**

**"Well, maybe I don't want yours to be!"**

**Keefe stared at him.**

**"Wait," started Ro, "Did you just say something nice to your son?"**

**"Yes. Believe it or not, I care about him."**

**"What if I'm okay with being Pyrokinetic?" argued Keefe.**

**"You shouldn't be."**

## **Part 3**

**Tam stared at the dragon. It was about half his size, still a baby, and he wondered how he'd take care of it when it was full-grown. All the shadows in the room stretched when Tam accidentally dropped something on the floor, startling it.**

**"Hey, take it easy," he said softly.**

**The dragon let out a low growl.**

**Tam slowly reached out his hand.**

**The dragon stared at him intensely. Tam tensed, retracting his hand as it came closer to him. It stared at him for another moment before letting out a strange purr and hopping up next to him. It leaned its head on his lap.**

**Still tense, Tam looked at its scaley back and gills. It slept and hunted while it was in the water, but it did everything else on dry land. Its horns were sharp and looked like they could impale him at any moment. He grimaced at the thought but didn't move away. He slowly relaxed. The shadows in the room slowly went back to their usual positions. The dragon, he thought, was a lot like him.**

**He carefully stroked the dragon's back, and it nuzzled his leg.**

**He half-smiled. "You don't have a name, do you, girl?" He paused. "You are a girl, right?"**

**She let out another strange purr.**

**"Your name is Shadow Heart." He looked at it. "Can you say, 'Shadow Heart?'"**

**The dragon looked at him quizzically.**

**He snorted. "Yeah, I know. I'm ridiculous. Don't tell Linh I said this, but... you're the most adorable thing ever." He stroked her back again.**

**She gave a wide yawn, showing a huge tongue and sharp teeth.**

**He smiled. "Cool..."**

## Gethaze

**Gethen and Haze finally go on a date in the Forbidden Cities.**

**They sat in front of a bakery, gazing into each other's eyes.**

**"So, I guess you have a crush on me, huh?" started Haze.**

**Gethen blushed. "Yeah... I mean... you asked me out and I said yes..."**

**She giggled. "Yeah. This is so weird. A good weird, though. Have you ever had a croissant before?"**

**"Um, yeah."**

**"Are they good?"**

**"Sure..."**

**She gave him a look. "Are they?"**

**"Y-yes..."**

**She smiled. "Good. I think I'm going to get one. How 'bout you, Gethen?"**

**"Uh, I might get a salad."**

**"Don't be boring! Get something good!"**

**"Okay, how 'bout carrot cake?"**

**"Oh, that sounds so weird... you should let me have a bite."**

**"Okay."**

**The waiter comes over to take their orders. He stares at Gethen, blushing. "Um, can I take your order?"**

**"Sure! We'll have a croissant and a carrot cake. And a couple waters."**

**"Yeah... hi... I... I'm Leon..." Leon continued to look at Gethen.**

**Haze laughed when he finally walked away. "Gethen, I think he likes you."**

**"What?" Gethen blushed. "Oh..."**

**"That is so cute!"**

**"I..."**

**Leon comes back over with their waters. He looks at Gethen again, blushes, and looks away.**

**Gethen sighs.**

**"You know, he's pretty cute..." remarked Haze when he walked away.**

**Gethen stared at her.**

**She laughed. "I'm kidding! You're cuter."**

**His face reddened. "Thanks."**

**Haze grabbed his hand under the table.**

**Leon came back with samples of something, but he froze mid step when he saw Gethen and Haze holding hands, sighed heavily, and turned around.**

**Haze smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "He totally thought you were cute."**

**"Whatever," he mumbled.**

**A few minutes later, a different waiter came out with their food. "Here you go, guys, enjoy!"**

**"Thank you!"**

**Neither of them moved toward the food, though.**

**"Gethen?" Haze eventually whispered.**

**"Hm?"**

**"Can I have a bite of your cake?"**

**"Yeah."**

**Haze takes a bite of his cake. "Wow. It's really good."**

**"You... have some frosting on your cheek." Gethen picked up his napkin and gently wiped it off for her.**

**They locked eyes for a moment.**

**"I think I like you, Haze. In fact, I think I'm in love with you."**

**Haze teared up. "You have no idea how much that means to me, Gethen... I do, too."**

**He carefully moved the hair out of her eyes. She clung to him, blinking back tears.**

**"Fintan is going to hate you," she mumbled.**

**"Fintan hates everyone."**

**Haze smiled. "True."**

**He laughed softly, pulling her closer. Haze looks up at him, her eyes bright.**

**Gethen locks eyes with her. "You still have a little more frosting on your cheek." But there was no frosting there.**

**"Oh, well can you get it?" asked Haze, turning her head slightly.**

**He kissed her cheek. She blushed and looked up at him. "There was no frosting, was there?"**

**He shook his head, smiling bashfully.**

**Haze smiled and kissed him.**

**His eyes went wide. He blushed and kissed her back.**

## After the Date

**Tiergan smiled. "You kissed, didn't you?"**

**Haze blushed.**

**He smiled wider. "YOU DID!? Ah, that's so great!"**

**"I was just a kiss, Tiergan."**

**"You're in love! And I'm going to be honest, you should try falling in love with someone who isn't part of the Neverseen. It seems you're really into guys who have tried to murder me..."**

**"Hey! I'm sorry! It's not my fault Fintan was good-looking..."**

**Tiergan gagged. "You are so weird."**

**Haze blushed. "I don't like them because they tried to kill you, Tiergan, I swear, I love you--"**

**"Hey, it's alright! I was just joking. But seriously, try not to fall in love with anymore of those guys, okay?"**

**Haze hugged him. "Okay. Just Gethen."**

**There was a long pause. "When is the wedding?" he whispered in her ear, breaking the moment.**

**She shoved him, giggling. "Stop it! You are terrible!"**

**Tiergan smiled. "I know."**

**She hugged him again. "You're a great brother."**

**"I know. Are you going to do weird couple things, like hold Gethen's hand under the table, or kiss, or always be around him and forget I exist?"**

**"I could never forget you. You pester me too much."**

**"Aw, thanks!"**

## Fintan's Mad, lol

**"I AM GOING TO ETERNALIA AND I AM MURDERING COUNCILLOR BRONTE!!!"**

**"NO!! Dad, please--"**

**Fintan hung up before anything else could be said.**

**Kalesh burst into tears. "Nonono...no..." She rushed to Fitz's room. "Fitz! Fitz, he's going to kill Councillor Bronte! And it's all my fault..."**

**Fitz's eyes went wide. "What-- NO! He can't do that!"**

**"We have to get to Eternalia before he does!"**

## Bront-ay the Kween

**Bronte was just about to leap to Eternalia. His impartner beeped. It was Sophie Foster.**

**"Sophie--?"**

**Sophie, Fitz, Kalesh, and Mr. Forkle were all visible on the tiny screen. "BRONTE! Don't go to Eternalia! He's going to kill you!"**

**Bronte looked at Kalesh. "What?"**

**"Look, I know about you being my father," said Kalesh, "and I don't want Fintan to kill you, sopleasedon'tgotoEternalia!"**

**Bronte stared at her. "What? But what about the rest of the Council?"**

**"Oralie isn't answering her impartner--" started Sophie.**

**"I'm going to Eternalia. I have to help them!"**

**Everyone started shouting at the same time. "No!" "Bronte, that's crazy!" "I can't let you die!" "Just stay with Emily!"**

**Bronte winced, locking eyes with Kalesh. "I'm sorry! I have to!"**

**"NO--"**

**He ended the call.**

## Oof

**Vespara laughed, holding up Terik's prosthetic leg. Terik was trying to scramble away. Vespara grabbed his arm. "Now, where do you think you're going!?"**

**She throws him to the ground.**

**Fintan was holding a ball of fire close to Oralie, and Kenric was screaming, "Don't hurt her, I swear--!"**

**The other Councillors were tied up. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, FINTAN!" shouted Emery.**

**Fintan cackled. "Yeah, sure, when you're dead. I swear, if you don't tell me WHERE BRONTE IS, I WILL KILL HER AND ALL OF YOU WILL WATCH!!"**

**Kenric was in tears. "I-I know where he is," he said softly.**

**"NO!" Oralie screamed, "Don't tell him, Kenric! DON'T DO IT!!"**

**"I'm sorry... I can't watch him hurt you... I love you..."**

**"Kenric, NO! I hate you! I swear we're not getting married if you--"**

**"WELL WE CAN'T GET MARRIED IF YOU'RE DEAD, EITHER!" Tears were streaming down his face. "I LOVE you, Oralie, I..." He took a deep breath. "He's with his wife. In the Forbidden Cities."**

**The other Councillors gasped. "A wife!? He has a wife!? That's where he goes when he's not here!?"**

**"Emery, shut up," mumbled Councillor Clarette. "I have a confession to make. I have a girlfriend. And she's Councillor Zorina."**

**Councillor Zorina blushed. "It's true."**

**Fintan rolled his eyes. "Oh, yeah, spill all your secrets to each other before you die."**

**Emery sighed. "Alright, I have one." He stood from his chair easily. The ropes that would've held him there aren't tied. "I'm part of the Neverseen."**

**Fintan hands him a cloak, and he puts it on.**

**Everyone starts shouting at once.**

**Bronte bursts into the room.**

**Fintan whirls around, still holding Oralie against him with a ball of fire. Oralie yelps when it burns her neck.**

**Kenric is glaring at Fintan.**

**"On my god..." croaks Bronte.**

**Haze, Tiergan, Gethen, and Sophie all burst into the room.**

**"YOU TRAITOR!" Kenric was screaming at Emery, who shrugged.**

**Oralie was struggling against Fintan. "Let me go! Let me go, you monster!"**

**Fintan rolled his eyes. He was holding Oralie around the neck so she wouldn't struggle too much. Then he looked at Haze. He saw her holding hands with Gethen and squeezed Oralie harder around the throat. She was choking.**

**"LET HER GO!! SHE CAN'T BREATHE!! FINTAN, PLEASE!!" Kenric begged, tears rolling down his face.**

**Haze let go of Gethen, horrified. "Stop it! Stop hurting her!"**

**"I should kill everyone in this room! And I will!"**

**"Let me kill one of you, and I'll let her go. A life for a life."**

**"I'll do it! Kill me," Haze volunteered immediately.**

**Tiergan and Gethen shouted, "NO," at the same time.**

**Clarette called "I'll do it. For Oralie. She was always a great friend."**

**Zarina looked at her like she was crazy. "No, you're not doing that."**

**"Oh, I'll gladly kill a Councillor," said Fintan, coming toward Clarette.**

**All the other Councillors were shouting things, like, "No, don't hurt her!" and "Kill me instead!" All of this only caused more shouting and screaming as Fintan pulled out a knife, holding it to her throat.**

**"Wait!" Haze shouted suddenly. Zarina was sobbing, and Clarette's eyes were squeezed shut.**

**"Fintan, I'll be with you again. Isn't that what you want?"**

**"Well, I originally came here to kill Bronte, but she will do just fine."**

**Clarette let out a scream.**

**Then there was blood. So much of it.**

**Zarina scream sobbed. Oralie was crying softly as Fintan continued to keep his hand around her throat. Councillor Noland also let out a scream, and it was so loud, everyone winced, even Fintan, and Zarina kicked him as hard as she could between the legs. Fintan grimaced and fell to his knees.**

**Haze darted over, wrestled the gun from his hands and drove it through the side of his head.**

**Fintan collapsed, motionless. Emery's face was pale, and he light-leapt away.**

**Everyone was silent, and the only sound was crying and the sound of Councillor Alina muttering to herself.**

**Everyone was untied.**

**Zarina knelt by Clarette's body, sobbing.**

**"Zarina, I'm so sorry," whispered Councillor Bronte, putting a hand on her shoulder.**

**Zarina shoved him away.**

**"DON'T EVEN TOUCH ME! You were married illegally! MARRIED! DON'T YOU THINK I WANTED TO GET MARRIED!? Because I DID! We wanted to adopt a boy... WE WANTED TO HAVE A FAMILY, TOO!!"**

**Bronte winced. "I-I... how did you find out?"**

**"I wanted to get married," Zarina wept, ignoring him.**

**Kenric was holding Oralie, looking at the burns Fintan left on her neck.**

**"I'm okay, Kenric--"**

**"This is not okay."**

**"I know, but--"**

**"This is NOT OKAY!!"**

**The Councillors looked around. Bronte was married, Emery was part of the Neverseen, Alina wouldn't stop muttering to herself, Oralie and Kenric were getting married, Clarette was dead and apparently Zarina was in love with her, and what was even the point in banning relationships if it was happening anyways?**

**The Council soon declared that they could have a family, even if it was with a human, since Bronte was already married to one. Emily was also elected to be on the Council, to rule alongside Bronte, and**

**A cure was found a few weeks later for Kenric, so he wouldn't be dying any time soon. There was a memorial for Councillor Clarette, and Zarina sat under her tree and cried.**

**Kenric was elected as the new spokesperson for the Council.**

**Kalesh was walking through the grass around Everglen for some fresh air. She saw a dead mouse laying in the grass and sighed.**

**It's not like she could bring it back to life, but what if... just for a moment...**

**She pressed two fingers on the mouse's fur.**

**Her hands started to glow. She felt for any sign of life. Anything at all. And suddenly, she got it. She led the small bit of life back, pushing it through every nerve in the small creature's body, and suddenly, it scurried away.**

**She gasped.**

**"Whoa."**

**Zarina was just about to leave the Wanderling tree and let the man in charge of the sanctuary for the elves' bodies take Clarette away, when Kalesh ran forward, out of breath. "Councillor Zarina! Wait!"**

**Kalesh bounded over. "I can bring her back to life! I figured out how to do it without a dream!"**

**"What!?" She looked at Kalesh, her eyes wide. "Do it! Bring her back!"**

**Kalesh scrambled over to Clarette, pressing her hands on her shoulders. Kalesh's hands began to glow, as well as Clarette's lips, and Kalesh searched Clarette's cold mind until she heard an obscure voice. She called to it, bringing it to Clarette's lips as the bit of life broke apart and spread, until it touched every nerve in her body, and Clarette jolted back to life, gasping for air and wincing. The stab wound in her chest healed when Kalesh had brought her back to life, and Clarette continued to gasp, until she started coughing, and then crying in confusion.**

**Zarina quickly threw herself into Clarette's arms, sobbing and hiccupping.**

**Clarette held her, "Wh-what's going on...? Zarina...?"**

**"Y-you d-d-died!!" Zarina wailed, pulling her to her feet and hugging her fiercely.**

**Clarette gasped, suddenly remembering. "Oh my god... Zari, I'm so sorry, sweety, I didn't mean-"**

**"Don't. I-it's not your fault... Clair, we can be together now! The Council said that we could be together!"**

**"R-really?"**

**"Yes!"**

**Clarette let out a shaky laugh. "I love you so much..."**

**Zarina cried, "I love you, too! We can get married! And have a family! And... you... I get to have you..."**

**Clarette smiled brightly, wiping the tears off her face.**

**Zarina sniffled. "S-sorry..."**

**"For what? Crying?"**

**"I... yeah... I guess..."**

**Clarette locked eyes with her. "Don't apologize. I love you."**

**"I do, too, Clair..."**

**Clarette kissed her.**

**Zarina kissed back, struggling not to cry.**

**Kalesh smiled at the heartfelt scene, stepping back.**

**When Clarette finally pulled away, she had Zarina's dark purple lipstick all over her lips.**

**Zarina giggled.**

## **Part 4**

### **Kenric and Oralie's Wedding**

**Bronte was smiling, completely forgetting that he was wearing pink, as he smiled at Kenric. Kenric was gazing at Oralie, waiting to say I do and kiss her. Oralie was looking at him, her face glittering with blush.**

**Emily smiled at Bronte, tears falling.**

**Clarette and Zarina sat in the back, holding hands and smiling. A small boy was sitting in Zarina's lap. The boy fidgeted and looked at Clarette.**

**"Mommy, when will it be over?" he asked.**

**Clarette shushed him, smiling. "In a few minutes, ."**

**The matchmaker pronounced Kenric and Oralie to be bound by their love forever, til death do they part, and Oralie pulled him forward and kissed him.**

**He kissed back.**

**Everyone was clapping and cheering.**

**Bronte kissed his wife, and Clarette kissed hers.**

**Kenric and Oralie were dancing.**

**Bronte was shoved to the dance floor by Emily. "Emily, I don't know how to--"**

**"Be quiet. We're dancing."**

**He sighed. "I..." She grabbed his hands. He blushed when she put his hands on her waist. "This isn't how elves dance--"**

**"I know. Just trust me. Here, just sway to the music."**

**She began to sway them back and forth. He relaxed after a moment. "I... that's it?"**

**She giggled. "Yeah. Just go with the music." She took his hands, leaning against him. "Spin me around."**

**"What?"**

**"Just do it!"**

**He carefully spun her around, giving into a small smile. "This is actually pretty fun."**

**"Yeah!" She continued to spin, and spun into him, almost falling, then winced.**

**He quickly caught her. "Are you okay?"**

**She gave a reassuring smile. "Yeah. Just my leg."**

**"You should sit down..."**

**"I'm fine! Keep dancing with me!"**

**"Emily--"**

**"Bronte."**

**He hesitated. "Fine."**

**She giggled. "Stop worrying so much."**

**He frowned. "You shouldn't be dancing around..."**

**"It's fine. I know you'll catch me if I fall."**

**He blushed lightly. "Hmph. Yes, but--"**

**"But nothing!" She giggled again.**

**He scowled.**

**She kissed him, and when she pulled back, the scowl was gone. He looked at her. "It's gonna take me a while to get used to the fact that I can kiss you in front of people without being attacked."**

**She laughed.**

### Like a month later

**"I have an announcement to make." Councillor Bronte immediately had everyone's attention. "My wife is pregnant."**

**All the Councillors cheered.**

**Emily was practically glowing.**

**Now that Kalesh was living with them, she was excited to be a big sister.**

**Everything went back to normal.**

**Bronte and Emily were living in their new house, which was called Vlinemare, which means "a house of life and diversity."**

**Tam was taking care of ShadowHeart, and Emery was taking care of Fintan's dog, Ember.**

**The Neverseen was struggling, but Emery was the leader now, and that meant things would be changing. Things would be different.**

**Especially since they had a new recruit, and he was a Mesmer.**

**Sophie got another letter from Oralie, and, this time, it said that everyone now knew that she was her biological mother. And now she knew who the father was.**

**It was someone she didn't know... a man named Xavier, who was an inflictor.**

**Mr. Forkle finally told her.**

**And now she and Fitz were getting their match-making scrolls.**

**"Who's at the top of your list?"**

**Fitz's face was pale.**

**"What is it, Fitz? Who is it?"**

**"K-Kalesh..."**

**Sophie smiled. "Mine is some boy I don't know... did you seriously think we'd be matched perfectly?"**

**"No, but..."**

**"Come on. Let's go to Everglen. Kalesh is still packing up her stuff, right?"**

**"Yeah, but--"**

**"I know you like her."**

**Fitz went silent.**

**Sophie smiled again. "It's okay! Do you know who's third on my list?"**

**"Who?"**

**"Keefe."**

**Fitz sighed. "Sophie, I'm sorry--"**

**"Don't apologize. Let's go!"**

**Kalesh smiled. "So... you like me?"**

**"I..." He blushed.**

**"Good. Because so do I."**

**Alden suddenly burst into the room. "Guys! There's something wrong with Biana!"**

Current Council:

1. Kenric

2. Oralie

3. Bronte

4. Emily

5. Alina

6. Noland

7. Darek

8. Terik

9. Zarina

10. Liora

11. Ramira

12. Velia