Flashback ( PDFDrive )

A ridiculous number of hours later, just as the sun started to brighten
the dawn sky, the arguing masses finally reached a consensus.
They weren’t going to let the Neverseen spoil their beloved
tradition.
Canceling the festival would be giving in to fear—and passing up an
opportunity to get ahead of their enemies. So they were going to stand
strong, up their security, and set a trap instead.
It felt like the right decision.
But it was also a risk. And Sophie wished there was a way to warn
everyone that the festival might be more dangerous than they realized.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Mr. Forkle said, his eyes on her
even though his voice was raised enough to address the whole room.
“And it’s good that you’re feeling that responsibility. We all should.
It’s our job now to come up with a plan that will protect every single
innocent person at the festival. We’ll have to be more thorough and
prepared than we ever have been before.”
“And more clever,” Councillor Emery added, his rich voice raspy
from the endless debating. “If we’re setting a trap for the Neverseen,
we can’t have our security giving us away.”
“And the trap needs to work,” Bronte emphasized. “We can’t blow
this chance.”
Mr. Forkle nodded. “Which is why we’re going to need everyone’s
full support and cooperation. Yours especially,” he said, pointing to
Orem, Luzia, Tam, and Wylie. “Illusion is going to be key to hiding
our defenses.”
The four of them agreed. And that seemed to settle things for the
night—if night was even the right word anymore. Mr. Forkle promised
to contact everyone after they’d had a chance to rest, assuring them