It's the day after Mare's party and Sophie decided that Mare is ready to learn about the Black Swan. Sophie and Keefe called Magnate Leto and asked him to be in his ruckleberry disguise. They don't want her knowing that her soon-to-be principal is the head of a rebellion. They called Dex, Fitz and Biana to come too so they could all explain. When the three arrived, Sophie got mallowmelt and custard bursts. Mare grabbed a custard burst and they all sat down in the main room. "Is this like a second party or something?" Mare asked. For a four year old, she had some sass. "No honey. We're here to tell you something. Come in Mr. Forkle!" Sophie said. Then the old wrinkled man walked through the front door. Mare stopped eating to look up. "Daddy, who is this" Mare said. She scooted over and sat on Keefe's lap. "This is Mr. Rucklewrinkle" Keefe said. Everyone laughed but Mr. Forkle. He rolled his eyes. "That's not my real name. That's just a nickname your father made when he was a kid" Mr. Forkle said. "Yeah. I used to do all sorts of pranks. Want me to teach you some?" Keefe said. Mare nodded her head frantically. "Okay this is not the time" Sophie said. Mr. Forkle sat down in a chair. "My real name is Mr. Forkle. You could say I'm a friend of your parents and their friends. I used to watch over your mom" he said. Mare looked confused. "Mare, I used to live with humans. That's why we celebrate your birthday each year. Elves don't celebrate birthdays, but humans do. I lived with the humans for twelve years and I didn't even know I was an elf" Sophie said. Mare was already interested in the story. "Mr. Forkle was my next door neighbor in the Forbidden cities. He was sent to make sure no one hurt me. I started reading minds when I was five, and I had no way to block the thoughts. Elves don't usually get an ability until they are thirteen. Biana was the youngest to manifest besides me. The reason I manifested so young is because my DNA was altered. That means I'm not like other elves. That's why I have brown eyes and three abilities. You and me are special. We are the only brown-eyed elves" Sophie explained. "Was my DNA altered?" Mare asked. "No. You were born the way you were supposed to be. My DNA was altered because my parents were part of a group called the Black Swan. I don't know who my real parents are. Gramma and Grampa adopted me when I was taken to the Lost Cities. Mr. Forkle, can you tell her more about the Black Swan and what my real parents did?" Sophie asked. Mr. Forkle nodded. "I am the head of the Black Swan. We are the organization that made your mother so powerful. She didn't know until she was twelve. The Black Swan are a group that tried to make the Lost Cities peaceful. We were once in a silent war with a group called the Neverseen. We took them out years ago. One of the members was-" Mr. Forkle said, but he was cut off by Keefe. "Let's not tell her about that member" he said. "Keefe. I know it's hard to talk about, but Mare needs to know" Sophie said. Keefe nodded. "Tell her" he said. "Your father's mother was a part of the Neverseen. The Neverseen kidnapped your mother to try and find out her secrets. The secrets that we implanted into her brain. I know this is hard to understand. Do you understand it?" Mr. Forkle asked. Mare nodded. "So, my other gramma is one of the bad guys? And you are the good guys?" Mare asked. Keefe nodded. "My mother was a very mean person. She hurt me and your mother, so we went to join the Black Swan. We used to live with Mr. Forkle and all of the other Black Swan members" Keefe said. "Oh. So why are Dex, Fitz and Biana here?" Made asked. She pointed to the other three. "They went with us. They lived with the Black Swan with your daddy and I" Sophie said. Mare still looked confused. "What does Black Swan mean?" She asked. "Well, it's a metaphor for something that shouldn't exist, but does. In other words, it means that we are a secret organization that no one thought existed. But we do exist. Your parents and your aunt and uncles belong to the Black Swan" Mr. Forkle said. Mare looked around the room and everyone nodded. "Does that mean I am a member too?" Mare asked. "If you want to be" Sophie said. "I do. I want to be one of the good guys" Mare said. That made Sophie smile. Everyone else smiled too. "Then it is decided! Mare Calli Sencen, you are now a member of the Black Swan!" Mr. Forkle said. Mare laughed. "Yay! I'm just like mommy and daddy!" Mare said. "Yes you are" Keefe said.