Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“So this was never about the festival,” Wylie said through gritted
teeth as he combined his blue light with Tam’s next blast of shadows.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Gethen told him. “The festival just isn’t
involved the way Fintan assumed it would be—and really, he should’ve
known better. If he wants to ruin our plans, it’s going to take a whole
lot more than tattling on us to the Black Swan.”
“So Fintan isn’t a part of this?” Marella asked as Umber unraveled
all the progress Wylie and Tam had made on the force field.
Gethen tilted his head to study her. “I’d heard there was another
new recruit. Gisela’s right—the moonlark’s greatest talent does seem
to be convincing people to risk their lives for her misguided cause.”
“And where is Mommy Dearest tonight?” Keefe asked. “Aren’t you
getting a little tired of doing all her dirty work for her? Or has there
been another mutiny?”
“No mutiny,” Gethen assured him. “We’re all working together
rather well, now that Fintan isn’t around to disrupt things.”
“Then where is she?” Keefe countered.
Gethen smiled. “At the festival.”
Panic flared with the words—but so did a fresh swell of confidence
as Sophie reminded herself how thoroughly prepared the Collective
and the Council were for whatever Keefe’s mom might be planning.
“I wouldn’t smile yet, Sophie,” Gethen told her. “You truly have no
idea what’s going on.”
“Then why don’t you tell us?” she suggested, glad her voice was
working again. “I’m assuming that’s why you’re holding us here.”
“Actually, I don’t want to spoil the surprise,” he said smoothly. “It’ll
be so much more fun watching you discover it for yourselves.”