Legacy (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8) - Shannon Messenger Page 0,65

sessions resume. But most people will likely still see them primarily as light and nothing more. Focusing on the power behind them is more of a Council way of thinking, which is why we thought they’d be a fitting symbol for your team, since you’ll be collaborating with us rather uniquely.”

“But something else bothers you about the pins,” Oralie pressed, placing her hand on Sophie’s shoulder, probably to remind her that she couldn’t hide anything from an Empath.

Sophie sighed. “Well… I guess I’m just wondering if these pins mean I can’t wear my Ruewen crest anymore.”

“We’d prefer that you didn’t,” Bronte admitted. “At least until people no longer need regular reminders of your authority. That’s the point of all this”—he motioned to the gilded chests at her feet—“to ensure that people will see past your youth, and any of the previous scandals they may remember, and recognize that you must be obeyed and respected. Particularly those with authority themselves, like the leaders of the other species. That’s going to be essential for you to succeed with your assignments.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Sophie mumbled, reaching to remove her Ruewen pin. But her fingers didn’t want to unfasten the clasp.

“Grady and Edaline will always be your family, with or without their crest on your cloak,” Oralie assured her.

“It’s not that,” Sophie argued—though it was a little.

Having a family crest meant a lot to a girl who’d been adopted.

“It’s just… I don’t know—this all feels so much bigger than I imagined when Edaline first told me about the Regent thing. I mean, it’s not like Grady wears a special cloak clasp with a custom designed symbol, or a circlet—and he’s an Emissary.”

“But you’re a new kind of Regent,” Bronte reminded her. “In fact, we considered creating a wholly new title for you and your friends, to help highlight the difference to everyone. But we feared that would end up causing too much confusion—as well as a bunch of Regents seeking appointments to the new level. So we asked our gnomes to put together these Articles for all of you instead. The circlets, clasps, and cloaks should sufficiently communicate your exalted status, while also feeling specific to your team.”

“Cloaks?” Sophie repeated, letting out a sigh when Bronte pointed to three more of the chests on the floor.

“One silver, one white, and one gold,” he told her. “I’m sure you can guess the meaning for the colors at this point. And in case it’s not clear, you should be mixing up which Source you choose for each item. So you’ll be wearing the starlight circlet today—and you’re holding the sunlight clasp. Which means you should wear the moonlight cloak.” He flipped open the center trunk to reveal a neat bundle of folded silver with some sort of patch sewn to the fabric. “The patch is one final demonstration of your new status—and your Foxfire uniforms will need to be affixed with it as well, once sessions resume, since it’s a noble school.” He reached for another small chest and showed her the stack of round patches inside, handing her one so she could study the design.

The palm-size circle had a bright red border and the same symbol from her circlet and cloak clasps swirling in the background—though the three lines alternated colors this time, one gold, one silver, and one white. But the main focus was the detailed silhouette stitched on top of everything—a howling dire wolf.

“We’ve assigned each of you an individual mascot,” Oralie explained, “to represent the role you’ll play for your team.”

“And I’m… a dire wolf?” Sophie asked. “Shouldn’t mine be… you know…?”

“A moonlark?” Bronte guessed.

“I mean, it seems logical, right?” She was surprised she even had to suggest it.

Bronte shook his head. “No offense to the Black Swan. The name they chose for you is not without its significance. But we think it’s high time for people to see you as more than an experiment. More than a survivor. More than a girl left to fend for herself in a world where she didn’t truly belong. You’re a leader now, Miss Foster. Not a defenseless little bird. And you’re part of a team, not struggling alone. So we wanted you to show our world—and your enemies—that you rule your pack, and have the claws and teeth to take anyone on.”

Sophie studied the wolf silhouette again, hoping it hid the tears she could feel forming.

She’d never thought she needed the Council’s support—but having it meant everything.

Even if the pressure of their