Flashback ( PDFDrive )

people safe. She’s also happy to repay any loyalty shown to her—which
is why I know she’d allow me to make this offer. But I’m still going out
on a limb by making it without asking for permission—and I’m taking
that risk because I realize that time is of the utmost in this situation—
and that applies to you as well. If you waver too long on this decision,
I won’t be able to help save these babies. But I also can’t go any
further without securing your commitment. So think fast, Sophie.”
“How do I even agree?” Sophie wondered. “Am I supposed to take
some sort of oath? Sign my name in blood?”
“You’re supposed to give me your word. I know you wouldn’t make
that kind of promise without meaning it. Otherwise we wouldn’t be
having this conversation. You would’ve just agreed, taken what you
wanted, and backed out later. But that’s not who you are—and it’s not
who we are either. If you make us this commitment, we will do all we
can to honor it from our end. Not just in this instance.”
Sophie looked away, noting the mix of curious and suspicious faces
watching them very closely—especially Fitz, who looked like he’d
guessed at least part of what they were saying.
“You guys okay?” Grady asked.
Sophie nodded. “I’m just . . . asking Tarina about trollish medicine
to see if they have anything that might help.”
Edaline straightened. “Do they?”
“I’m trying to think,” Tarina told her, shifting back to Trollish
before she told Sophie, “Brilliant cover. You’ve now laid the
groundwork for the story we would need to craft should you accept my
help. And not to add pressure to you—but there are a number of steps
we’ll have to take, and the alicorn is already beginning to stir again.”