Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Relax, Miss Foster,” Mr. Forkle told her. “We can hear and view
him from all sides. But the bubble is reflective on his side—
everywhere except the point right there.” He gestured to where two
throne-size chairs carved from clear ice had been set up outside the
bubble, facing straight at Fintan. “I’m told there’s a sensor in the floor
that activates once you’re seated, allowing Fintan to hear you. So don’t
sit until you’re ready. And remember: He called this meeting, so let
him carry the conversation. Never forget that every word he says may
be a lie to manipulate you. Do not react. Do not volunteer any
information. And if you need to communicate with each other, do it
telepathically. Also: Be very careful about when and how you attempt
to enter his mind. Fintan may not be a Telepath, but he’s been
defending his thoughts for millennia.”
It was the same instructions they’d gone over many times. But it
was still good to have the reminder as Sophie and Fitz made their way
toward the icy thrones.
Fintan’s sky blue eyes watched their every move as they sat down,
and Sophie felt the monster stir inside her, eager to tear into all of her
worst Fintan nightmares. But she met Fintan’s gaze head-on—and
maybe it was the dim lighting, or the dirty-dishwater color of his
wrinkled robe, but he looked older than she remembered.
Haggard.
Not that it stopped him from twisting his slender features into a
chilly smile. “Miss Foster. Mr. Vacker. How nice of you to finally join
me.”
They each took a calming breath as they nodded.
“Oh, let me guess. You’re planning to follow the whole let-theprisoner-do-all-the-talking
approach? I think you’re forgetting that I