Dex’s cheeks turned the same color as his strawberry-blond hair.

Sophie smiled, glad to see Dex and Biana getting along so well—especially after all the years Dex had spent resenting the Vackers. He used to call Fitz “Wonderboy” and claimed their legendary family was too snobby and perfect.

Nobody thought that anymore.

In fact, both Fitz’s and Biana’s thinking caps looked emptier than they’d been the previous year. Their parents had decided not to let the Black Swan cover for Alvar’s disappearance like they’d done for Keefe. Alvar had lied for more than a decade and used his position in the nobility to spy on his father and the Council—and helped kidnap Sophie and Dex. He didn’t deserve protection, even if it brought undeserved shame on the family.

Awkward silence settled over their table and Sophie tried not to look at the empty chairs. Not only was Keefe missing, but Jensi had chosen to sit with his old friends. He’d reconnected with them during the months that Sophie and the others had lived with the Black Swan, and he seemed reluctant to come back, like he was worried they’d abandon him again. Marella was avoiding them too—though she also wasn’t at Stina Heks’s table, like Sophie would’ve expected. Marella sat by herself in the farthest corner, while Stina sat with Biana’s former best friend, Maruca.

Stina caught Sophie watching her and didn’t return her smile—but she didn’t offer her usual glare either. Apparently that was as nice as Stina was going to get, now that her dad was working with the Black Swan.

“Here,” Dex said, placing a white box into Sophie’s hands. “Made this for you—and sorry it’s not wrapped. Rex and Bex used up all the ribbon tying Lex to a chandelier.”

Dex’s younger triplet siblings were notorious troublemakers. Sophie had a feeling the loudest shouting on the other end of the cafeteria was coming from them. And she’d expected to open the box and find another Dex-ified gadget. But his gift reminded her that he was also an amazing alchemist.

“You made me Panakes perfume?” she asked, shaking the fragile crystal bottle and watching the pinkish-purplish-bluish petals swirl through the shimmering syrup.

She twisted open the top and closed her eyes as she inhaled the rich, sweet fragrance. Instantly she was back in the Havenfield pastures, standing under the swaying branches of Calla’s tree. A Panakes only grew when a gnome willingly surrendered their life and shifted into their final tree form. Calla had made the sacrifice for her people, to let her healing blossoms end the deadly plague the ogres had unleashed.

“I’m sure you smell them all the time,” Dex said, “but I know how much you miss her. And this way, when you wear the perfume, you’re keeping a small part of her with you everywhere you go.”

Sophie’s voice failed her, so she grabbed Dex and hugged him as tight as she could—but she might’ve held on a bit too long. When she let go, Dex was redder than Fitz’s school uniform.

They were saved from the awkwardness by the doors to the cafeteria bursting open.

Despite her earlier calm, Sophie’s palms turned clammy as she searched the flood of parents for Grady and Edaline. She spotted Grady’s tousled blond hair first, and as soon as his bright blue eyes met hers, his chiseled features curved with an enormous smile.

“Passed with flying colors,” he and Edaline both shouted as Sophie raced across the room to meet them.

She threw her arms around both her parents. “Even linguistics?”

That had been her iffyest subject—by far. Being a Polyglot made her naturally understand languages, but after the trick Keefe had pulled, Sophie refused to practice mimicking voices. Plus, her relationship with her Mentor was . . . complicated. Lady Cadence had a special affinity for the ogres, and was not happy with Sophie for helping flood the ogre capital.

“That was your lowest score,” Edaline admitted, shaking a piece of her wavy amber-colored hair out of her eyes. “But you were still well within passing range.”

“And your highest score was inflicting,” Grady added. “Councillor Bronte said you’ve been incredibly dedicated during your sessions. In fact, he said you’ve now reached his most advanced level of training.”

“Is that bad?” Sophie asked, not missing his raised eyebrow. She didn’t like inflicting pain—but the ability had saved her life. And training at least gave her something she could do to prepare for the next time she faced off with the Neverseen. “I just want to make sure I can defend myself—and I know I have Sandor. But it’s not like he’s invincible. Isn’t it smart to plan for the worst-case scenario?”

“It is smart,” Grady agreed. “But I also think you and I should talk later. Okay?”

Sophie gave him half a nod. The last thing she wanted was another “with great power comes great responsibility” lecture. But she was pretty sure it was unavoidable.

“Do you guys want to go?” she asked, knowing her parents weren’t fans of crowds. Before she’d moved in with them, Grady and Edaline had spent sixteen years hiding away, mourning the death of their only daughter. Jolie had been killed in a fire they’d recently discovered was set by her fiancé, Brant—a secret Pyrokinetic, and a leader of the Neverseen.

“We’re fine,” Grady promised, squeezing Sophie’s hand. “And we can’t leave until Magnate Leto makes his final announcement.”

He said the name so easily, without tripping over it the way Sophie tended to. Now that she knew his secret identity, her brain always wanted to call him Mr. Forkle.

Sophie scanned the room to check for her friends and found them smiling and celebrating. Even Alden and Della—Fitz and Biana’s parents—looked happier than she’d seen them in weeks. She was on her way to say hi when the lights dimmed and Magnate Leto’s face projected across the glass walls.

“You kids did an excellent job on your midterms!” he said, starting his speech with his two favorite words.

No matter how many times Sophie studied his slicked dark hair and sharp features, she still couldn’t see the bloated, wrinkled face of the Black Swan leader behind them. But she’d watched Mr. Forkle’s ruckleberry disguise fade right before her eyes.

“I realize this is usually the point where you’re dismissed for a six-week break,” Magnate Leto continued, “but in light of recent events, the Council has elected to do things a bit differently. I won’t go into further details—the Council will be sending out official scrolls after the weekend. But I wanted to mention it now so you’d be prepared. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the celebration. And remember, change can be a powerful, inspiring thing when we keep an open mind.”