Flashback ( PDFDrive )

I know, he said, reminding her that he could hear what she was
thinking. In a weird way, it’s like . . . things finally make sense. Alvar’s
exactly who I thought he was. The Neverseen are trying to pull off some
elaborate plan. So now it’s just time to do what we always do and focus on
stopping them.
Sophie nodded, knowing there was probably more they needed to
say—but he was right about focusing. We need to figure out how to get
our bodyguards back, she transmitted, and Fitz used the energy pouring
from her fingertips to send the message to all their friends—who did
an impressive job of not flinching as her voice filled their heads.
Already on it, Biana told them—which made everyone realize Biana
was missing. I’m fine, she promised. No one saw me sneak away, and I’m
just bringing Sandor one of Dex’s gadgets so he can take out their force field.
I’ll be back in a second.
It was actually eighteen seconds before Biana made it safely back to
their group—and Sophie was pretty sure each second shaved a year off
her life.
Why isn’t the force field flashing? Dex asked.
Because they have to wait to use it until Ruy’s gone, Biana reminded
him, otherwise Ruy will just trap them again. So I put it right next to the
force field—close enough that if they dig, the shift in the soil should make it
roll into the wall of energy. And I asked them to hang back for a few minutes
once they’re free.
Why? the rest of their friends wondered.
Sophie understood, even before Biana said, Because I want to see
what the Vacker legacy is—don’t you? And Sophie agreed.
It had to be something huge if Alvar was willing to go through so
much to expose it—and if his memories of it made him revert back to