Flashback ( PDFDrive )

That’s actually why I reached out. Now that I’ve held up my end of the
bargain, I can start calling in some of the other demands I got my
parents to agree to. And . . . I need your help for one of them—if you’re
up for it.”
“I’m up for it,” Sophie promised.
“I don’t know—you might not want to, once you know what it is.”
“No, I’m in no matter what,” Sophie assured him.
He rewarded her with one of his glorious smiles—which wasn’t the
reason she’d said it. But it sure was a nice bonus.
Sadly, the smile faded when he told her, “I know we haven’t been
able to do any Cognate training, so it probably won’t be all that
different from the other times we’ve tried, but . . . I have to try again.
So I demanded another chance to look around Alvar’s head—and this
time I’m going to hit him with absolutely everything I have. But . . . I
can’t do that without you. I know it’s a lot to ask—”
Sophie shook her head. “It isn’t.”
She wasn’t sure if they’d actually be able to learn anything—but she
understood why he needed to try. And so did she, in case she’d been
right about her theories—in case the Neverseen had targeted them
because of their telepathy.
“You’re sure it won’t be too hard with your echoes?” he asked.
“I’m sure,” Sophie said, holding his stare so he’d see she meant it.
“What time do you want me to be there?”
• • •
Sophie barely slept that night, even with the sedative. And by sunrise,
she was done tossing and turning.