Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“It is,” Mr. Forkle told Tinker. “But I’ve found a better way—as you
already know.”
He turned to Dex. “I haven’t brought you to Tinker before, because
it allowed you to come at each other’s projects with fresh eyes. But I
think we’re to a point where it would be far more beneficial for you to
put your heads together. Lady Iskra is a brilliant Mentor—and you’ll
still work with her during your Foxfire sessions. But her approach is
very traditional, and we both know that traditional isn’t where you
excel. So I’d love you to start coming here after school and training
with Tinker.”
“Every day?” Dex asked.
“As often as you can,” Mr. Forkle told him.
“Okay, but . . . I’m not going to be able to keep ditching Lovise. She
won’t fall for the triplets’ tricks again.”
“Lovise is a goblin?” Tinker confirmed.
“A very loyal goblin,” Mr. Forkle clarified. “You can trust her. But I
know that will be a challenge, given your past experiences.”
Tinker’s hands curled into fists, the metal guards covering her
pointer fingers making a clinking sound. “Would the goblin be willing
to wait outside?”
“I suspect that can be arranged,” Mr. Forkle agreed.
Tinker’s grip relaxed—slightly. And she dipped her chin in a nod.
“Excellent,” Mr. Forkle said. “Then I have your first project.”
He reached into his cape pocket and retrieved two clear marble-size
spheres, each glinting with tiny colorful jewels set inside—and
Sophie’s stomach soured as Dex hung his head and looked away.
“Caches?” Tinker asked.