Biana POV

The cold winds bit against her skin, and Biana rubbed her palms against her arms. Her gaze turned down, feeling the smooth metal of the panic switch. The rose pink gem in the center of the ring had a crack straight through the middle of it from when Sophie had bumped into her that day on the streets of New York.

Dex had replaced the band of the ring days ago, but when he had asked her if she wanted a different gem, she said no.

No, because it had always been the same gem. No, because this gem was a piece of her life before the Neverseen had taken her best friend. No, because the fracture through the middle of the gem was a reminder that she found Sophie once, she could find her again.

Mud streaked her clothes, her hair a wild mess from the brawl with the Neverseen. Biana heard someone approach her from behind, and for a second she suspected it could be a Neverseen member attempting to ambush her and her friends.

When they were first taken by the Neverseen at Maylee's house and arrived at the Neverseen base, the two groups were fighting over Sophie. And knowing what the Neverseen could do to Sophie was enough to keep the six of them—Keefe, Dex, Tam, Linh, Fitz, and herself—fighting.

But they were still just six teens with poor combat skills. And because of that, they lost Sophie. For what seemed like the hundredth time.

Once the Neverseen had Sophie, Fitz pressed his panic switch and members of the collective swarmed to their destination.

Thankfully, a little while after Sophie disappeared, the collective convinced Dex to give them the technology that his ring had so that if they were all in danger, the collective would know immediately.

A few Black Swan soldiers along with Squall and Wraith held off the Neverseen while Sandor, Grizel, Lovise, Woltzer and Ro hauled the group back to Raetia—a Black Swan base that had been established in the three years Sophie was missing.

It was unnerving to see the Neverseen play defensive after so many years of them attacking and being two steps ahead. There was no reason to attack when they already had Sophie. Once they weren't fighting for Sophie, they were fighting to keep Sophie. Biana knew it was a message.

We have your little moonlark.

Sophie POV

Another recruit was sent flying across the training room as Sophie watched, knowing that could soon be her.

She fidgeted with the hem of her new attire. She wore a fitted black tunic over a pair of black leggings and knee high leather boots. The outfit was complete with a thick leather belt and long gloves that reached Sophie's biceps.

"Don't you think the gloves are a little excessive?" she questioned, glancing up at Alvar who stood next to her.

He shrugged, "I guess we've gotten used to them by now, but for someone just starting out? I'd probably agree." Sophie nodded, not wanting to take her eyes off the sparring in the case that she needed to dodge out of the way from the sidelines.

The sun was just peeking above the horizon, though Sophie wasn't really sure how much that would help her gauge what time of day it was, anyway.

Something caught Sophie's eye, a small object floating through the air. She squinted, and the object came into focus.

But it wasn't an object. It was a butterfly.

The creature seemed to radiate mystical power, but still nobody in the room seemed to see it. Sophie convinced herself it was probably because of the little sleep she was getting—or wasn't. But she couldn't seem to take her eyes away from the butterfly, with wings like glass and the way they fluttered with such a delicate grace that she could never imagine on herself.

The sun projected through the animal's translucent wings—kind of like the dagger that was headed straight towards her face.

While her reflexes betrayed her, Sophie watched as the sharpened dagger flew towards her—and stopped mere centimeters from her nose as it was intercepted by a shimmering blue force field.

"Haven't even been here for one full day and you're already in debt to me."

Sophie turned her head, glaring at the raven haired boy laying on top of the support beam above her.

Ruy had a smug look on his face, and Sophie couldn't think to imagine how many recruits he'd messed with like herself. His hand was pulled upward in a relaxed position, holding up the force field that had stopped the dagger from flying straight through her skull.

"Is it your goal to get yourself punched, or just an expectation that it'll happen?" she shot back, and the urge to see the smug smile wiped off his face was almost great enough for her to throw something in hopes of him tumbling down off the beam.

"I doubt someone could if they had the chance," he smirked.

Alvar stepped between the two of them, hoping to prevent any sort of fist fight that was likely to happen.

Ruy dropped his hand, the dagger clattering to the floor of the training room. Sophie gave one last glare as Alvar steered her away and to the weapons area.

She glanced down at the array of sharp and clearly dangerous objects on the table and walls around her.

Alvar explained some of the uses and origins of the various daggers, knives, and other murder objects while Sophie picked some up, grasping at the hilt or taking a peek at the dangerously sharp blades.

She felt around on the hilt of a medium sized dagger, the metal a rusted silver that matched the blade with a thin piece of cloth strung around in a neat manner. There were swirls decorating the front of the blade, and through the rust and chalky feeling, Sophie felt that the blade fit her. And maybe she was also tired of looking through weapon after weapon.

And maybe she was also tired of looking through weapon after weapon

"I like this one," she plainly stated to Alvar.

He nodded, "Looks pretty old and dusty to me, but I mean if you really want that one-"

"Well now I don't want it because you said it's ugly!"

"I didn't say it's ugly! I just said it's definitely ancient and sat here for like-one hundred years or something and will probably give you tetanus-"

"You know what? I'm done! I'm leaving this here and you can deal with this dusty blade!" she said, putting her hands up and walking from the table.

Intending to turn around and walk back to the table, she turned halfway around until the sound of her name stopped her short.

"Miss Sophie Foster."

The click of heels echoed on the cold stone floor. Walking towards her was the woman from the day she was taken.

She had jet black hair pulled into a slick bun crowned with gold netting and jewels adorning her hair. Her lips were painted a deep wine red, matching the flowing dress the woman wore. Her aura commanded power, and soldiers parted the room for her like commoners for a queen.

Sophie was frozen in place, her instincts telling her to run, but she just wanted to stay, adoring the feeling of power when she stood by this woman.

As she stopped a few feet away from Sophie, a small smile grew on her face.

"Miss Sophie Foster."

Her voice was like silk. Smooth and elegant, but something about it had an edge. A danger. A warning.

"I've been meaning to speak to you."

Sophie remembered how she seemed only a few sunrises ago. Hostile. Vicious.

"I do hope you've been settling in well," she fidgeted with a thin bracelet on her wrist. After a moment's silence, she glanced up at Sophie with her eyebrows raised.

"Oh," she stumbled for words, "I'm adjusting."

"Good," her smile grew. "If you don't mind, dear, I would like to talk with you about-" the woman gestured to the room around them. "-all this."

Sophie gently nodded.

"Walk with me," the woman said.

She guided them out to the hall.

"I don't believe I've introduced myself to you yet. I am Vespera. Since that is my name, you may call me just that. Although you may hear others around you refer to me in more formal ways," Vespera remarked.

Sophie took in the information, wondering why others would speak to her more formally than she would be expected to.

Vespera continued, "I'm sure you have many questions, and you are definitely confused, considering all of what's happened recently. But I expect you are not feeling scared or alarmed, are you?"

She took a moment to pause as they kept walking, and Sophie's mind began to spin. Ever since she had gotten to her room that night after Maylee's party, she hadn't been. She hadn't felt scared, or anxious, or terrified about any of her current scenarios, despite being kidnapped and brought to a world that seemed completely fiction. Only a fantasy. It almost seemed that she might wake up in her dorm room, all of this being part of an unlikely nightmare. But it seemed so material, so real.

Sophie attempted to respond, "I-". She decided on shaking her head instead, words not forming correctly in her mouth as she did a mental recap of the last few days.

Vespera gave a small smile, and upon seeing her expression, Sophie couldn't help but feel a bit on edge.

"I wouldn't usually let... new recruits in on this strategy of ours, but I think you can handle it," she spoke, talking to Sophie like she was a kindergarten student.

There was an awkward silence for a few seconds while the woman made eye contact with Sophie, almost seeming as if she was staring through her.

"In our world, we have those who possess abilities, and those who are talentless. Although I don't enjoy using those terms, I believe it to be easier for you to understand right now. There are many abilities someone may have. One of these abilities is the power to read and analyze other's emotions as if they were their own. We call these people empaths."

The entire concept of this distant life felt odd to Sophie. Odd, but not new. And that was the real concept that scared her.

But she would have other time to dwell on her current mood when she wasn't standing next to a possible threat to her life in a small, confined space.

Vespera continued to drone on, "Because of your very unique position, Sophie, we are currently having one of our empaths monitor your emotions."

Her and Sophie stared at each other, both very aware of how on edge Sophie was. The idea that someone she most likely didn't know—she almost hoped she didn't know—was tracking every emotion she felt was unnerving to say the least.

The godly woman resumed the one-sided conversation, "This recruit is not only monitoring your emotions, but calming them."

Vespera looked at Sophie as if she was going to explode.

"This process does not alter your emotions, but simply tame them, as I'm sure this all this recent activity must be very concerning." She paused for a moment. "Is there anything else I might help you with? I believe it best that we pause here for now, I don't want to overload you with this information."

The blonde just pursed her lips and nodded.

"That's it I guess," Vespera spoke like Sophie had no voice she could use if she wanted. "You're feeling alright?"

Sophie finally chimed in, "Oh- yeah. Yeah I'm good. Probably because you're having someone stop my emotions." She continued to nod her head until Vespera took over the speaking part once again.

She sighed and gave a tight smile in reaction to Sophie's claim. "We're not stopping y-"

"Madam," a caramel-brown haired man interrupted. Both women turned to stare at the man.

He gave a slight bow in the presence of Vespera, "We've located the, uh, information."

"Ah! Yes, I'll see to it immediately," she replied, her eyebrows shooting up. "Please excuse me, Miss Foster."

"Of course!" Sophie replied, not knowing what a proper reply would sound like.

The two moved swiftly down the hall, leaving the girl alone within the elegant walls, more confused and alarmed than before.

Hey everyone- so sorry this chapter is like five months late lol. That last conversation was killing me to write, but I'm glad I got this one out! Just to let you all know, this was edited reaaaaalllly really quickly so I'll have to go back later and reread because I'm running late for an event right now, but really wanted to get this out for all of you!

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)

      ~bubblekissed <3