Legacy (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8) - Shannon Messenger Page 0,211

haven’t,” Sophie agreed. “It turns out I’m not good at journeys of self-discovery.”

“Few of us are,” Oralie assured her. “And honestly, I think a ‘journey’ is the wrong way of looking at it. I think it’s more about being aware of yourself and being mindful of your power and focusing on becoming fully aware of how everything within you is working in each moment.”

“Okay,” Sophie said, biting her tongue to stop herself from pointing out how that sounded even more vague and confusing than Mr. Forkle’s suggestions.

Oralie laughed. “I realize that probably seems very abstract. Which is why I’d love to walk you through an exercise that might be helpful. It’s something used in empathy training, but since my ability is also connected to touch, I think it could easily apply to enhancing.”

“I’m game,” Sophie told her, happy for any help she could get. “Did you want to try it now, or…?”

“I suppose it would be wise to avoid delay,” Oralie agreed, “especially since the challenges we’re facing do seem to be gathering momentum. Can you come to my office?”

“Oh, you want to do it in person?” Sophie asked.

“The exercise works best if we can be in physical contact,” Oralie explained. “But I’m just now realizing that it’s late and you’ve had a trying day, so if you’re tired, we can choose another time.”

It was late.

And Sophie was tired.

And part of her still wanted to sit around waiting to see if she’d hear from Fitz or Keefe.

But her mind reminded her of the ominous words Oralie had just used.

Gathering momentum. Gathering momentum. Gathering momentum.

“Just let me tell my parents where I’m going,” Sophie decided.

Oralie nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

FORTY-TWO

SO… HOW DO WE DO this?” Sophie asked, ordering herself to relax as she surveyed the diamond-shaped sitting room that Oralie had led her to. But her heart still insisted on beating much faster and louder than it should—which was ridiculous.

Oralie was a nice Councillor.

A trustworthy Councillor.

A Councillor who’d always been on Sophie’s side and had helped her numerous times.

She was Sophie’s assigned point of contact for Team Valiant.

She’d even given Sophie a makeover!

And Sophie had been in that same sitting room once before, and nothing scary had happened—and surely nothing scary could happen in a room that was so sparkly and pretty and… pink.

Pink armchairs.

Pink jeweled ottomans.

Pink chandeliers.

Pink stones set into the glittering walls in intricate floral patterns.

It was basically Biana’s dream space.

And Ro’s worst nightmare.

But the Council had a strict “no bodyguards in the Councillors’ offices” policy, so the ogre princess would never have to endure the sparkly pink overload.

Even Sandor had been forced to take up a post outside of the massive crystal castle—which meant that it was just Sophie and Oralie standing alone among all of that rose-colored shimmer. And it felt…

… awkward.

And overwhelming.

And intimidating.

It didn’t help that Sophie had forgotten to curtsy when Oralie first opened the door. Or that Sophie hadn’t thought to change before heading over, so she was still wearing a simple white tunic and gray leggings. Meanwhile, Oralie’s perfect blond ringlets were crowned with her pink-tourmaline circlet, and her pink gown was made from different lengths of tulle, as if the skirt had been sewn together from oversize, pearl-lined rose petals.

“It’s probably best if we sit,” Oralie suggested, and Sophie obediently sank onto one of the throne-size armchairs.

As soon as she was settled, another chair floated off of the floor and drifted much closer before lowering gently back down.

“Does my telekinesis surprise you?” Oralie asked as she took the seat that was now right across from Sophie, sitting with the kind of regal posture that made Sophie feel like a gorgodon.

Sophie sat up straighter, folding her gloved hands and resting them neatly in her lap. “I know it shouldn’t. I just don’t see people use it very often.”

She often forgot about it herself—which was silly, since it would make a ton of stuff so much easier.

Oralie smoothed the sleeves of her gown. “I’ll confess, I find myself wondering more and more what price we pay for emphasizing ability over skill. How much stronger would our world be if we embraced the powers that unite us instead of narrowing our focus to that which sets us apart?”

“I… don’t know,” Sophie mumbled when she realized that Oralie was waiting for an answer.

“Sorry,” Oralie told her, “I’ve gotten off topic, haven’t I? I brought you here to walk you through a countdown exercise.”

“Countdown?” Sophie repeated as her brain started picturing a whole lot of things that went