Legacy (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8) - Shannon Messenger Page 0,43

light go?” she asked, trailing her hand over the outer wall, which was sparkly and clear and should’ve been flooding the interior with sunshine.

“The diamonds are cut with a specific pattern of facets that reflects all of the light away. It’s one of the ways the Seat of Eminence remains untouched by any outside force or influence. The palace is also a place of peace, where even the Councillors’ own bodyguards aren’t meant to follow—but they’ve made an exception for Sandor because they want you to feel safe. Their only requirement is that your weapons must remain stowed,” he warned as Sandor pushed past them to take the lead.

“Places of peace are generally the most vulnerable,” Sandor countered, gripping the hilt of his sword. But he kept the blade sheathed when he strode through the doorway.

Sophie expected his body to be swallowed by the shadows, but as soon as Sandor crossed the threshold, a thread of fuzzy grayish light flared around him, forming a spotlight that looked like he was standing in the center of a glowing lasso.

A similar light coiled around Grady when he followed—except his glow was orange.

Sophie’s was vivid red.

“Do the colors mean something?” she asked when she noticed the way Grady was studying her.

He nodded. “Different talents flare in different shades. And given your multiple abilities, I’d assumed your light would be nearly white, from the spectrum blending together. Or if one ability was going to dominate, I’d figured you’d glow blue, like the other Telepaths.”

“Which ability is red?” she asked, even though she was pretty sure she could guess.

“I think it’s inflicting—but the Councillors always glow silver when they’re here, to ensure they present as equals, so I’ve never seen what shade Bronte would flare on his own.”

Sophie sighed.

She wasn’t a huge fan of her inflicting ability, given how intense the power was—and how impossible it was to control. And it definitely didn’t help that now it made her look like some sort of possessed girl from a human horror movie.

“Come on, kiddo,” Grady said, hooking an arm around her shoulders. “The Council’s waiting.”

Sandor kept his place in the lead, and Sophie had no idea how he knew which way to go. Even with their strange spotlights, the darkness remained so thick that she couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of her in any direction.

“Not saying I don’t appreciate the ominous aesthetic they have going on here,” she said after several minutes of walking. “But isn’t this kind of a waste of space?”

Also a waste of time—but she stopped herself from saying that in case the Council was somehow listening. This process was already taking much longer than she’d wanted, and it technically hadn’t even started yet.

“The design is meant to ensure that by the time we reach the main chambers, we’ve cleared our minds of everything except the reason we’re here,” Grady explained—which she was absolutely failing at. “Serving in the nobility means disconnecting from your daily life and fully immersing yourself in your duties to the Council. I realize that may be extra challenging for you,” he added, obviously knowing her way too well. “You’re carrying a ton of truly daunting responsibilities—more than I probably know about. But try to remember that what we’re here to discuss could help with some of those problems—if you decide you feel comfortable accepting the appointment, that is.”

“I know. It’s just…” Sophie’s voice trailed off as the fuzzy glow of another spotlight became visible up ahead.

The light looked white from a distance, but as they drew closer, it took on a greenish tint. And when the figure in the center finally came into focus…

“Dex?” Sophie whispered, blinking to make sure the strawberry-blond boy with periwinkle eyes wasn’t some sort of mirage. “What are you doing here?”

“No idea,” he admitted with a smile that was a tad too nervous to reach his dimples. “I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

“Are you here alone?” Grady asked.

The answer seemed pretty obvious, given that there were no other spotlights—until a familiar female voice declared, “Nope!” and Biana appeared next to Dex in a halo of flickering violet light.

Her magenta gown was much simpler than the styles Biana usually favored. The only adornment was an embroidered teal sash that matched her stunning eyes—not that it stopped Biana from looking more glamorous and gorgeous than anyone else ever could. The gown was also sleeveless, with a V-shaped neckline that left the scars on Biana’s arms, shoulders, and