Biana

Chills ran down Biana's spine as a cold breeze passed through the area. Biana looked around. Snow covered the park she appeared to be stranded in. While snowflakes danced their way towards the ground, twirling and twinkling gracefully as they landed on Biana's head and nose. She smiled at the tingly feeling the snow left her with. 

"Where am I?" she asked herself, noticing the park was empty. Not a person was in sight. And only occasionally did a car drive past. In the middle of the park, was a large map. It had been labeled with strange symbols and little pictures. 

Crap. Biana thought. I can't read. Another cold wind passed through Biana, and Biana decided she'd figure things out after she was bundled up and prepared for the wintery weather. 

Only... she didn't have money, either. Biana cursed herself for leaving her friends behind. Especially Marella. She would kill to have one of her warm fires now. 

So, until she could figure out her next move, she waited inside a big building with a heater. A satisfied smile crossed Biana's face. So warm. She ignored the strange looks others were giving her- probably because of her elven attire- as she squatted beside a vent, expelling warmth. 

Now, how was she going to find Keefe? Ugh! Why didn't she think about any of this before she had come here? She could've used Sophie's spyball! Actually, why didn't Sophie use the spyball to find Keefe? 

Unless... had Keefe changed his name? Biana let out another groan, earning herself another round of confused glances. How could she find Keefe if he wasn't even Keefe, anymore? 

"Are you okay?" asked a voice. No way. Fate had to be messing with her. 

Because, as she looked up, a pair of ice blue eyes stared back at her with concern. Biana cursed her heart for fluttering the way it did. 

"Uh, yeah." she muttered, taking his extended hand and pulling herself to her feet. Was it really Keefe? He looked older, and, Biana hated herself for thinking it but... he also looked... cuter. But, other than his eyes, there was no way to be sure.

"Yeah," she  muttered, "I'm great. I was just... cold and I don't have the money to afford winter clothes so..." She hated herself for the way she consistently trailed off and stuttered. But, she couldn't help it. Her traitorous heart couldn't help it. 

"If you want, I can lend you my coat until you can get a new one?" The offer was sweet, and accompanied by one of his infamous smirks, if it was Keefe. And Biana felt her cheeks grow warm. Luckily, the cold was the perfect excuse for why she was red in the face. 

"T-thanks," she stuttered as the boy wrapped his green coat around her. And, as the two stepped back out into the cold, Biana felt relieved when a hint of a cold nipped at her face. 

The coat had worked. Though, her face was still vulnerable, it was still better.

"What's your name?" He asked. Biana tensed. If this was Keefe, he would know who she was. And, she didn't know him well enough anymore, that she wasn't sure if he'd bolt or hug her as they caught up on everything. 

So, she settled on the "answer a question with a question" tactic.

"Why did you help me?" she asked, settling on one of the most obvious questions. A sad smirk crossed the boy's face as she answered. 

"You reminded me of someone I knew awhile back." Guilt swelled in Biana's stomach. Should she do it? Could she do it? What would happen? Anxiety swelled inside Biana as she fought against her mind. 

But, when she remembered Sophie... She was the reason for any of this in the first place. And Keefe was the only one who could help her at this point. So, she swallowed her pride and accepted the humiliation as she muttered the words.

"Keefe," barely a whisper. Heck, she was so quiet she wasn't even sure she'd said the words. However, the look of realization and anxiety on the boy's face confirmed her words. And her suspicions. 

"Keefe," she said, more confident this time. 

"Biana?" Keefe managed, forcing himself to look her in her turquoise eyes. And her heart did another flip as his icy blue eyes met hers own, teal eyes.

"Wha-what are you doing here?" Biana laughed- much to her surprise as she answered, "I'm surprised I found you so fast. On my first try and everything!" but her surprise and relief was quickly gone as Keefe again repeated.

"What are you doing here?" Biana was again filled with sadness as she remembered the reason she was there. 

"Keefe..." she sighed, "I need your help." It had been a month since she'd seen him. And yet, he looked so... different. Maybe it was the intoxicating air or the litter filling the streets? 

Keefe stayed silent. So, Biana continued.

"Sophie's gone." Keefe's head snapped up with surprise and worry.

"What?" he asked, his voice cracking. 

"She... came looking for you and... we think she was kidnapped. By the Neverseen." Keefe cursed under his breath. 

"My mom. She's trying to coax me back." Biana wanted to tell him they weren't sure. And there was a chance it wasn't Lady Gisela. But... the chances of that were slim. Maybe even impossible. 

"Anyway," Biana continued, "As I said, I need your help. See, I know you two had a unique bond"

"She's Fitz's cognate," Keefe interrupted, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Biana groaned.

"Yeah, and Fitz needs to realize that being her cognate is a privilege and he shouldn't abuse it. It's not supposed to be an excuse to get closer to Sophie when she is obviously over him." Keefe's head snapped up. Biana's heart filled with unexpected jealousy as Keefe spoke.

"Sophie's over Fitz?" 

Biana shrugged, leading him down the street. Despite not knowing where she was taking him.

"She broke up with him, didn't she? And, despite her saying she just needed 'a break', I doubt they'll ever get back together, y'know? But that's not the point. You and Sophie have a special bond. Better than a cognate so I figured... you'd know a way we could find her?" 

She could see the guilt hidden in Keefe's usually handsome features. 

"I'm sure you just need to think about it. Maybe if you came back with me-"

"I can't," he said, startling Biana with the pain and anger in his voice.

"I can't," he repeated. 

"Okay," she said. "Okay. I just thought you'd want to help...." she mumbled. Keefe shook his head.

"No. I do. But, I betrayed Sophie's trust. She doesn't need this," he said, gesturing to himself, "She doesn't need me and my drama. She needs someone who loves her. Someone like... Fitz." And Biana could see the hurt on his face as he said it. 

Bile pooled in the back of Biana's throat. It'd hurt her... But. But Keefe needed it. So, she swallowed her pride and spoke.

"But... don't you care about Sophie?" she asked, her heart breaking at the half-shrug half-nod. 

"She needs Fitz." Keefe repeated. The queasy feeling once again returned as she remembered Fitz's hateful words. 

"Fitz is... upset with me." she admitted, averting her eyes. Keefe scoffed. 

"You told him you wanted to come find me?" he guessed. And her heart fell with a thud as Keefe muttered something.

"Well," Keefe told her, "He's angry because he loves Sophie. And he wants to save her. And you, think I'm better suited for the job." 

Biana felt ready to vomit. Why hadn't she known that? How could she be such a terrible sister? But... she couldn't help but ask, "You aren't ever coming back, are you?" 

"I'm sick of hurting people." he replied, watching a flock of birds fly overhead- leaving for the winter.

"You realize..." she mumbled, "if you're here to control your powers without hurting elves, you risk all of the Lost Cities exposure, don't you? If anyone learns of your abilities... or that you're different... they'll turn you into their lab experiment. And, when they figure out your secret, all the historians or anyone who remembers the age when elves and humans worked together, the entire Lost Cities is doomed." 

Keefe sucked in a sharp breath, and Biana could tell he hadn't thought about that.

"So come back," she urged, "Come back and we can help you. Screw Fitz's feelings. He treated Sophie terribly! Sophie's life is on the line and you're worried about Fitz being her prince charming when you obviously love her, yourself!" Keefe was left speechless as Biana huffed, trying to catch her breath after that rant. 

An awkward silence filled the air, and for a moment, Biana was unsure whether or not Keefe would accept. And, though she hated that it was for Sophie, she was glad to have him back. 

"Fine." Keefe finally said, "But I'm not staying a second longer after Sophie's safe." 

It was Biana's turn to scoff. "Like Sophie'll let that happen." 

Keefe shrugged, his infamous smirk returning.