Biana

"Well that was a bust," Fitz grumbled as they entered the Black Swan base.

"I was so sure that was Sophie," Keefe said, "Her emotions were strong and everything!"

Biana scoffed, "She didn't even look like Sophie. She had red hair. And freckles. Sophie doesn't have freckles."

"I've never met anyone else with such strong emotions," Keefe countered, "And it isn't hard to change appearances."

"Still," Biana said, "Sophie would've remembered us, right?"

She waited for an answer, but the room remained silent.

"What?" Biana asked.

"Well..." both Fitz and Keefe said in unison, Fitz turning to glare at Keefe as he finished, "Sophie did say she was forgetting things. So maybe..."

Biana shook her head, so violently that it made her dizzy.

"No," she protested, "That was not Sophie. Sophie's too strong for the Neverseen. She wouldn't ever let them hurt us. She would never side with them. Never."

"Well, just in case," Keefe decided, "We should keep an eye on those two. When Wraith gets back, we'll assign you and him-" he looked to Biana, "You two will follow them. If anything shady goes down, you report back immediately. Do not leave each others sides."

"You're forgetting one thing," Biana said. And Keefe raised an eyebrow, prompting her to explain.

"Wraith is gone."

"Not anymore," said a bone-chilling voice, and all three straightened to see a familiar floating cloak.

A small squeal escaped Biana, but she didn't mind as she rushed to hug him. She didn't care how awkward it was. Wraith was back. They had at least one adult on their side.

It felt like a huge win. They could do this. They had a lead. A chance. Something.

One big step towards bringing Sophie back-- from wherever she was.

//

A week later...

Biana's breath was shaky as she and Wraith trailed behind the two nameless figures. The red head and the mustached man with a stubble.

She'd never been on such an important mission before. Okay. She had. But this was double the pressure. Because all her friends' lives were on the line. Sophie's life was on the line. The Lost Cities. It all came down to how well she and Wraith did. Well, she did. Because Wraith was an adult. So he was bound to be amazing. Biana still needed to learn how to make all but her clothes disappear. That would be so cool!

Not now, Biana! she scolded herself, fantasies later. Later.

Her breath caught as she realized the pair had turned the corner.

"Let's go," Biana whispered to Wraith, whom she couldn't see because he was invisible. But they had imparters to communicate. And held wrists to ensure they wouldn't lose each other.

"I'll follow you," Wraith agreed.

//

Sophie POV

"I feel it again," Sophie warned Alvar. The mustached man beside Sophie's red head character nodded to confirm he'd heard. They kept their voices low, ensuring no one would overhear them.

Let's talk Telepathically. Sophie suggested. Our stalkers won't hear us.

Alvar gave another nod.

How many?

Sophie paused a moment, tracking the thoughts around her until she latched onto two thoughts that stood out from the rest. Though she knew she shouldn't, she couldn't help herself when she dug deeper into their thoughts.

Only thoughts.

It was Biana's voice-- the girl Sophie had met earlier that week.

"I still need to learn how to make only my body disappear. Leaving my clothes. That would be so cool!- No. Focus, Biana!"

Sophie couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's thoughts, earning a curious look from Alvar. And Sophie knew she needed to pull out before he caught on. For some reason, he didn't want her in their heads. Yet.

There are two. Your sister and one other. Sophie transmitted to Alvar.

Not Fitz nor the Traitor?

No.

That'll be a problem.

Why? Sophie couldn't help but ask as they continued to walk. Keeping to the crowded streets in order to stay less suspicious.

We don't know much about this new person. Their strengths nor abilities. We can't risk a fight.

I'm sure it's a Vanisher. Sophie told him. That's why they're invisible.

Alvar's expression seemed to dim.

What is it? Sophie asked, straightening as she felt their stalkers grow closer. But only a little. Not enough to be concerning. Yet.

My sister's a Vanisher. Like me. She could be using her ability to shield the other person.

Sophie's face fell, realizing he was right. There was no way to tell who was behind them. She flinched, feeling them draw nearer than they should be.

They're coming closer. Too close.

Prepare to fight.

I thought you said it would be too danger--

We don't have a choice. Follow my lead.

Alvar sped walked ahead, and Sophie strained to maintain their connection as their walking turned into a jog and ending in a full-on sprint.

Behind her, Sophie could feel the invisible stalkers chasing after them and Sophie prayed Alvar knew what he was doing.

She followed him to a dead ended ally.

"Levitate," Alvar instructed, lifting himself up and over the obstacle. Without question, Sophie obeyed.

On the other side, was a path that led into a forest. A large empty clearing. Sophie swallowed the bile that had pooled in her throat. They really were going to battle. Right then and there.

A not-so-graceful thump! behind them sounded, and Sophie knew Biana and her partner had arrived.

Don't worry. Alvar assured her, his comforting voice filling her mind. I've got a plan.

//

Biana POV

Biana bit her tongue, doing her best to hide how hard she was panting. Beside her, Wraith had already let go of her wrist and disappeared to who knows where.

Had he run away yet again? Biana crossed her fingers in hopes he hadn't. There was no way Biana could fight these two on her own.

But whether they were just shady, it was Sophie, or new Neverseen members, Biana didn't know. All she knew was that they were enemies. They couldn't be trusted. And it was a fact that this beautiful, floral clearing would soon become a battlefield.

Her nameless targets' eyes wandered around, searching for any sign of her and Wraith. Biana's lips curled into a smile. They wouldn't find her. Nor Wraith. They were invisible. And as long as Biana didn't get too tired, she'd remain that way.

But as Biana felt around for Wraith, she froze.

To her horror, the red head's gaze had met Biana's. Not just a look in the same direction. No. She could see Biana. But how? Biana was invisible! There was no way!

"No need to stay hidden when I can see you," the red head smirked, but Biana remained defiant.

"But your friend can't see me. And therefore, I have the advantage."

Biana quickly and silently moved positions after she'd spoken, levitating over the pair and landing directly behind them. Quietly this time. Wraith was nowhere to be found, and Biana was starting to get really worried. Had he run away? Escaped? Left Biana to fend for herself?

He'd done it once, so why not a second time?

But to Biana's relief and their targets' surprise, their knees buckled and the redhead was caught in a chokehold by a seemingly invisible force.

"There's two of them. Two Vanishers!" the mustached man informed his partner, and Biana wondered if they really were Neverseen members. They'd claimed to be siblings earlier, and though they certainly didn't look it, they'd had no reason to lie before.

And the redhead was much too young to work for the Neverseen. But then again, she and Biana seemed to be the same age and Biana was in the Black Swan but... wasn't that different? Even for Keefe, he'd been Gisela's son. So, he was an exception.

But Biana refocused her attention on the coming battle. It didn't matter who they were. They were enemies all the same. Though, knowing who they worked for, it would be easier to win the battle. Knowing the enemy's tactics, resources, and if it were really worth Biana's time would be very valuable information.

The redhead continued to choke as the invisible force-- Wraith-- restrained her. And the mustache dude was-- Biana froze in her tracks. He was gone. Like, nowhere in sight.

Chills ran Biana's spine. And then, her attention turned back to Wraith and his capture. Something else seemed to be prying the two apart. Mustache dude was a Vanisher! Biana rushed to help, completing the messy mixture of three Vanishers and one misfit redhead who was seemingly Talentless as far as Biana could tell.

But Biana couldn't afford to underestimate the girl. So, she kept wary of the redhead girl struggling before her.

//

Sophie POV

It was a total mess. The second Vanisher was on top of Sophie, squeezing her neck to the point where Sophie had gone purple. And in the mix also, she could feel Alvar pulling to her and the nameless figure apart.

And then, another force was added to the Vanisher mixing bowl. Biana. Sophie could feel as the three struggled to fight over her. She cursed. This was not good. The irritation grew to a boiling point inside Sophie, triggering an idea.

Sophie straightened, no longer needing the air she had desperately been trying to regain earlier. Instead, she let the irritation consume her. It was nothing near anger. Nor was it as powerful. But it would work.

As a distraction, at the very least.

So, she let it overpower her and slowly but surely, she felt the commotion atop her slow to a stop. Until finally, the weight from her shoulders had lifted and the tight grip on Sophie's throat loosened.

The power thrummed beneath her skin, giving Sophie extra strength to keep going. It felt good, to use her abilities. She wasn't allowed to use them inside headquarters, and if she were to use it in public, people would grow suspicious. As, Sophie and one of the councillors, Bronte were the only elves known to hold the ability.

Luckily, they were in an empty space. Leaving Sophie free to do what she pleased.

Sophie gasped for air as she returned to normal, scrambling away from the mess of invisible people. Shoot! Sophie cursed under her breath as she realized that she'd accidently paralyzed them all. And they were all still stuck in their invisible forms.

Which one was Alvar? Transmitting crossed Sophie's mind, but she quickly disregarded the idea. At the moment, the enemy Vanishers had no idea who Sophie and Alvar worked for. And Biana certainly didn't know she'd been fighting her brother. So, if she transmitted wrong, things would surely go bad.

... Brother? Sophie finally settled, remembering their earlier lie. Brother, where are you?

//

Biana POV

Shoot! Biana thought as her grip on the invisible mustache dude loosened. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she and the rest of the Vanishers fell off the redhead one by one. Even the mustache man, she could tell.

A frenzy washed over her, full of irritation and annoyance. Inflicting. Fear flickered in Biana's glossy eyes as she watched the redhead stare over in her direction.

Inflicting was a rare ability. Currently, Bronte and Sophie were the only ones who possessed that ability. So either, they had an unregistered Inflictor or... Sophie. Biana tried to utter the words, but her paralyzed state wouldn't let her.

Instead, a voice filled her mind.

Brother?

Internally, Biana grinned. She, Wraith, and Mustache Man were still invisible. If only Biana could convince the redhead-- maybe Sophie-- to pick the wrong person, they could actually get into the Neverseen's hideout!

Assuming, of course, that they were Neverseen members. But how could Biana trick maybe Sophie?

Brother, where are you?

Wait! If maybe Sophie was connected to Biana's mind currently, maybe she could trick her by thinking! All she had to do is quickly mimic a man's voice and hope the redhead didn't think anything of it!

Biana took a deep breath, and rearranged her thoughts.

//

Sophie (again)

Sophie latched onto the first thought she found, not yet ready to dive into the thoughts. For some reason, Alvar really didn't want Sophie in Biana's thoughts. So if she were to see something she wasn't yet meant to see... Sophie shook her worries away.

Just a quick peek. It's for Alvar.

Sophie repeated the promise as she dove into the mind, trying to decipher who she was listening to.

Neverseen...

Sophie hesitated. Sure, that could be Alvar. But, the spies could have been targeting them. They probably already knew Sophie's association with the Neverseen, and it was their current thoughts.

So, as much as Sophie hated to disobey Alvar-- her version of a big brother, aka, the only family she had left-- she couldn't risk losing him. And she decided to wait for more information on the thoughts.

Evil Black Swan... Justice... Dumb Council...

The words were too basic. Anyone could guess those words when thinking of the Neverseen.

Sophie needed a more specific answer. But Alvar may have been too paralyzed to figure that out. Maybe, Sophie needed to give him a prompt. So, she transmitted to the mind she'd latched onto. If they guessed the right word, it was Alvar.

Moonlark... Sophie prompted. She waited. Waited and waited. A couple minutes passed, or maybe Sophie was just being impatient. But finally, the mind responded.

Sophie Foster...

//

Biana hoped it was the right answer. She held her breath, waiting for any sign that might show if the redhead had bonded.

But the next words Biana heard made her blood boil.

Alvar, I found you.

Biana tensed as the redhead went to reach for Biana, stepping over the other two bodies. Biana wanted to kick, scream, and shout. No! Alvar was there! Her brother! The traitor! The same man who'd kidnapped Sophie and Dex all those years ago! Drugged them! Faked their deaths!

Biana wanted to fight. To escape. But... she was so close to finding her friends. She had to go through with this. Still, she couldn't help but tense as the redhead lifted Biana over her shoulders. For the girl's age, she was surprisingly strong. Because she trained with the Neverseen, Biana now knew.

The redhead was an enemy and she worked with Alvar.

Despite the anger, however, Biana also felt relief. Even if Sophie had been brainwashed, she'd never side with Alvar. Sophie knew and understood how much Biana and Fitz hated him. So, she'd at least have some natural feeling to stay away from him, even if she didn't remember... right?