Flashback ( PDFDrive )

slumber party a secret. That’s why there’s not a huge crowd in here, in
case you’re wondering. I’ve had to chase all your friends away—and
Keefe’s been even worse than Biana. I swear, it’s a good thing that boy
didn’t manifest as a Vanisher—the world would’ve dissolved into
chaos. But I digress. This slumber party is closed to visitors unless the
Council says otherwise. They don’t want anyone knowing what
happened until you and Fitz are fully recovered.”
Sophie shouldn’t have been surprised, considering how much the
Council was already hiding. And she didn’t totally blame them for
trying to prevent panic. But the more secrets and lies they piled on top
of each other, the bigger the mess would be when it came crashing
down.
“Aren’t people going to notice that we’re not at school?” she asked.
“Or wonder why Dex’s arm is in a sling?”
“Dex stayed home today—and he’ll stay home tomorrow, too. And
then he’ll be out of the sling and back to normal. And I’ve put Keefe
and Biana in charge of making sure everyone thinks you’re all busy
with some mysterious assignment for the Black Swan. Though, from
what I’ve heard, everyone’s mostly gossiping about the Council’s
verdict for Alvar.”
Sophie glanced at Fitz, glad he was at least getting to sleep through
some of that. “You said there’s a lot going on at Everglen,” she
reminded Edaline. “Does that mean the Council moved Alvar in?”
“Actually, that’s been stalled. Grizel’s redoing all the security, and
the Council agreed to wait until she’s finished—and also until she’s
had time to go back to Gildingham and get treated for her injuries. So
it’ll be a few more days at least.”
Another sliver of good news.