Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“So, who’s going with whom?” Linh asked, careful to keep her voice
hushed.
“I dunno,” Keefe whispered back, “but I call ‘not it’ for Team
Fitzphie.”
Actually, Sophie transmitted to everyone, trying not to feel stung by
that, I think Fitz and I should split up, since we can communicate with each
other telepathically.
I agree, Magnate Leto confirmed. In fact, it might be better to stick with
only two groups—that way you’re all in contact.
Fitz did not look happy about that arrangement. Especially when
Keefe announced, “Well then, looks like we’re bringing back Team
Foster-Keefe! Who’s with us?”
Tam was the first to join.
“What?” he asked when he saw everyone’s shocked expressions.
“Sophie’s always the biggest target, right? And I’m the only one who
can break through force fields. Plus, I can use some of the stuff Lady
Zillah taught me if Umber comes after her.”
Somehow that sounded equal parts touching and terrifying.
“I’ll go with them too,” Marella decided, “since I don’t have a
bodyguard and Sophie has, like, fifty.”
“Only two right now,” Sophie quietly corrected.
Bo was hidden away with the new ogres. Flori was somewhere in
the scattered trees with the other gnomes. And Nubiti was
underground with the other dwarves. So she only had Sandor and
Tarina, and they’d be giving her a much wider berth—like all the
bodyguards would be doing with their charges—to avoid drawing any
attention away from the projected decoys.