Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“You’re not all coming with me, are you?” she asked Sandor, Bo,
Flori, and Tarina, who stood together under the sphere of dangling
crystals with their arms crossed.
“That’s how this works,” Sandor told her. “We go where you go.”
“But I’m going to one of the most secure places on the planet—and
don’t even try to say it isn’t! Grizel designed the security. If you all tag
along with me, you’re basically saying you don’t trust her.”
Sandor shook his head. “Nice try. Grizel knows that when it comes
to your safety, I’m not taking even the slightest risk. So you’re
bringing all of us with you today.” He held out his hand, expecting her
to take it.
“I wouldn’t fight them on this one, kiddo,” Grady said from behind
her, and she glanced over her shoulder to find him and Edaline at the
top of the stairs. “Be glad your mom and I aren’t insisting on joining
you too. The last time you went off to meet Fitz, it didn’t exactly go
well.”
“That’s because we were in the middle of the desert, not in a superwell-guarded
gated estate! Plus, I have this.” She pointed to the pin
Tinker had made her, which was securing her gold-rimmed cape
around her shoulders.
No one looked impressed.
“Fine,” Sophie grumbled, trudging over to Sandor and taking his
hand.
Flori reached for Sophie’s other hand, and as their fingers twined
together, Sophie realized . . .
This was the first time since the attack that her right hand had
some actual strength.