Book 2: Exile (Keeper Of The Lost Cities)

## Cover

The cover shows Sophie (right) and Keefe (left) standing before Silveny the alicorn in one of the Black Swan's hideouts.

## Synopsis

Sophie Foster thought she was safe. Settled into Havenfield, surrounded by friends, and using her telepathic abilities to train Silveny—the first female alicorn ever seen in the Lost Cities—her life finally seems to be coming together.

But Sophie's kidnappers are still out there. And when Sophie discovers new messages and clues from the mysterious Black Swan group hiding secrets for her, she's forced to take a terrifying risk—one that puts everyone in incredible danger.

As long-buried secrets rise to the surface, it's once again up to Sophie, and Keefe, to uncover hidden memories—before someone close to her is lost forever.

In this second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must journey to the darkest corners of her luminous world, Exile, in a sequel that will leave you laughing and crying at the same time.

Sophie is, as usual, out on a dangerous journey with high stakes, where people she love may be on the line, not to mention her friendship with the Vackers. Will she be able to save everyone before it is too late?

Sophie is settling in nicely to her new home and her new life in the world of the lost cities. And it helps that living at Havenfield means getting to spend time with rare, precious species—including the first female Alicorn, who shows herself to Sophie and trusts no one but her.

Sophie is tasked with helping to train the magical creature so that the Alicorn can be revealed to the people of the lost cities as a sign of hope, and Sophie wants to believe that the recent drama and anguish is gone for good.

But the secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memories remain, and before long before she’s back in incredible danger, risking everything to find the answers to questions that could save not only her life, but the life of someone close to her…

## Preface

Sophie's hands shook as she lifted the tiny green bottle. One swallow held life and death—and not just for her.

For Prentice.

For Alden.

Her eyes focused on the clear, sloshy liquid as she removed the crystal stopper and pressed the bottle to her lips. All she had to do was tip the poison down her throat.

But could she?

Could she give up everything to set things right?

Could she live with the guilt, otherwise?

The choice was hers this time.

No more notes.

No more clues.

She’d followed them to this point, and now it came down to her.

She wasn’t the Black Swan's puppet anymore.

She was broken.

All she had left was trust.

## Plot

The events of Exile are primarily focused around three things: Alden's mind break, Sophie's malfunctioning abilities, and Silveny, the first female alicorn.

Mr. Forkle heals her abilities by having her drink an ounce of limbium; the limbium would have killed her because of her allergy if he hadn't also given her a shot of human medicine. The remnant of this event is a star-shaped scar.

Silveny is discovered in the opening chapters of the book, and Sophie is responsible for preparing her to enter the Sanctuary. It's discovered that Silveny can transmit to Sophie even when she tries to block her, and she helps Sophie sleep by sending her soothing memories. Later in the book, Silveny is flown on to where Sophie's mind is healed by Sophie and Keefe. After the healing, members of the Neverseen attack and leave all of them injured; it is worried that she may never fly again, but she does at the Celestial Festival, where she enters the Sanctuary.

The book closes after The Celestial Festival; Alden's and Sophie's minds are healed and Silveny has been successfully rehabilitated.

## Quotes

“He was quiet for a few seconds, and Sophie thought he was going to ignore her. But then he leaned closer—close enough that she could feel his breath on her cheek. " I crack a lot of jokes, Sophie, but that's just because it's easier, you know? It's how I deal. But that doesn't mean I don't care. I do, a lot.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“It was a dangerous world for a sparkly flying horse” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“You'd be surprised at how powerful hope can be.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“Sing swan, spring swan, then let‘s fly. — Shannon Messenger, Exile

“Follow the pretty bird across the sky. Call swan, fall swan, then let‘s rest. Tucked in the branches of your quiet nest.”― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“It was easier not to know―at least for right now.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“I think we could all use a little more weird in our lives.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“Sparkles make everything better.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“She’d figured out how to steer Silveny by teaching her simple commands like left and right and if you dump me into another pile of sparkly manure, I will clobber you.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“In fact, most of the great human innovations of the last few centuries happened under elvin tutelage. Electricity. Penicillin. Chocolate cake.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“She wasn’t the Black Swan’s puppet anymore.“ — Shannon Messenger, Exile

She was broken. All she had left was trust.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“If it‘s not a big deal, why wouldn’t you tell me?”

“Well, you‘re cute when you worry.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“She was amazed Silveny had even let them get close enough to attach the reins. Clearly she needed to teach the glittering horse how to recognize pure evil.” ― Shannon Messenger, Exile

“How about we play without special abilities?” she suggested. “That’ll make it fair for everyone.” Fitz shrugged. “I’m up for the challenge if you are.”

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