Vendy Martínková’s Reviews > Neverseen > Status Update

“You keep trying to fix everything, Sophie. You even fixed Exillium. But you can’t fix me.”

“You don’t have your home crystal with you?” she asked. “How were you planning to get back?”
“He wasn’t,” a familiar voice said behind them.
Sophie studied Keefe’s face, noting that he didn’t look the least bit surprised as she turned to find Alvar, Fintan, and Brant.

“This is the one you made for your mom,” she said, tracing her fingers over the stunning beads. The intricate details he’d given each blossom made them look like photographs.
“Yeah,” he mumbled, fussing with his hair. “I know you already have a ton of necklaces and stuff, but . . . I wanted you to have it.”

“No,” Sophie said. “There has to be something I can do—”
“There is,” Calla interrupted. “You can listen to my songs. And you can make starkflower stew and pour a bowl into the ground to share it with me. And you stay my brave moonlark, always.”

“I have one favor to ask. I must set my roots down somewhere. And the earth feels peaceful here.”
“Of course,” Edaline whispered. “Our home is your home.”

Calla stared at her hands, where the green coloring was already spreading beyond her thumbs. “Sometime tonight the final shift will happen, and by morning you’ll find my tree.”

rushing over to give him a hug.
Fitz and Biana joined in, and after a moment she felt more arms add to the group as Grady, Edaline, Elwin—even Dex—held everyone tight. Sophie glanced to where Keefe sat alone and glared at him until he reluctantly got up and hugged his friends. Tam and Linh were the last to wrap their arms around the group, but they fit right in.

The best she could do was lean her head on Keefe’s shoulder, trying to stay warm in the chilly evening wind.
“Awwww, you guys look so cute!” Alvar said, stumbling toward them a few minutes later. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt cuddle time,” he added as Sophie scrambled away.

Sophie wanted to lie—spare him the heartache. But they were a team. He needed the truth. So she gathered what little courage she had left and transmitted, The cure is a hoax.”

“It’s only a few more hours. Please wait with us.”
“I could be back with the cure while the rest of you guys are still sleeping.”
“Or you could be dead,” Sophie reminded him. “Please don’t make me beg.”
Keefe let out a sigh. “Fine. I’ll wait until dawn.” His eyes found hers as he whispered, “For you.”