Mellower than I expected in others.
He almost added, You’ll have to see it sometime, but that would probably bring back the awkwardness.
So he went with a safer Definitely way better than being stuck with Daddy Dearest.
Yeah, I bet. And that reminds me… I don’t suppose you have any idea why your dad would get all weird about the term “merged abilities,” do you?
Nope. But what do you mean by “weird”?
It’s probably easier if I show you.
Her memories crashed into his mind in loud, vivid detail, and he found himself grinning at her snarky comebacks even as his stomach turned extra churn-y at the sight of his dad.
Keefe had always disliked his father—but that dislike was slowly morphing into fist-clenching hate. And he couldn’t decide if he wanted to grab his dad and shake him as hard as he could or punch him dead in the face.
“Everything okay, Hunkyhair?” Ro asked. “You’re getting a little twitchy. You haven’t wrecked things with Blondie, have you?”
Keefe shook his head.
To Sophie he added, Yeah, I have no clue what that was all about. But you can bet Daddio and I will be talking about it as soon as it’s safe for me to do that.
Or maybe before.
He definitely wouldn’t feel guilty about numbing his father—though his father was such a cold, emotionless shell, it probably wouldn’t make any difference.
You’ll let me know if you find out more? he asked.
Of course. Though… we’re not really focusing on him right now.
He tried not to let that “we” sting, but of course his brain had to remind him that she was talking about Fitzphie time.
But that was good. Fitz had botched things majorly, but he definitely still cared. So hopefully he’d get his act together and figure out how to be the kind of boyfriend that Foster deserved.
He had a way better chance of pulling that off than Keefe ever would.
You okay? Sophie asked, and Keefe tried to shove those thoughts away, hoping he hadn’t accidentally let her hear any of them.
Yep. All good. So, what are you and the Fitzster working on?
He wished he hadn’t asked when she told him, Well… we really need to find Kenric’s cache.
It was the mistake that kept on giving.
The betrayal Keefe never seemed to be able to fix.
Got any good leads? he asked, pretty sure he already knew the answer.
Not really. But… we’re going to try talking to Glimmer tomorrow. Maybe she’ll know something.
She didn’t sound convinced.
Keefe couldn’t blame her for that. But… who knew? Maybe Glimmer would surprise them.
He wasn’t sure he believed that Glimmer had truly turned against his mom, but his mom was also pretty creepy and evil, so maybe she finally scared Glimmer off.
Will you let me know what she says? he asked.
Of course. Anything you want me to ask—or tell her?
Oh, he had quite a list—most involving words that would make Foster’s innocent little ears burn.
Nah, I’m sure you and Fitzy have it covered. Just… keep me in the loop.
Will do.
They fell back into slightly painful silence before she added, What are you going to do tomorrow? Draw more memories?
He probably should.
He needed to sketch what happened in Loamnore, see if it helped him figure out what was happening to him right now.
But he wasn’t in the mood to relive it all yet.
You know what might help? Sophie asked. Maybe you should try writing about the memories after you draw them. I remember learning that words and images are processed by different parts of the brain, so using both might help you discover new things.
She went on for a few more sentences about the power of words, but Keefe spent most of the speech imagining how she looked as she was saying it. She was so adorable when she was trying to get him excited about something.
I guess I can give it a try, he agreed when she finally finished.
You should. And you should also get some rest. You sound… tired.
So do you, he noted. And that was probably his fault. I think you need a Wynn-and-Luna snugglefest tonight.
I’m actually with them right now.
UM, EXCUSE ME—YOU’VE BEEN CUDDLING WITH BABY ALICORNS THIS WHOLE TIME AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME? I NEED A MENTAL PICTURE OF THIS IMMEDIATELY.
Okay, hang on.
His mind filled with what might’ve been the cutest thing he’d ever seen—Foster leaning against the Panakes’s trunk with Wynn’s head resting in her lap and Luna lying on her back beside her, getting a major belly rub. Flowers drifted all around them, and the sky was