Flashback ( PDFDrive )

sense. Except . . . the guards weren’t supposed to know the hive
existed.
The forest also felt much too dark and quiet.
And Silveny’s transmissions had reached a whole new decibel.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Sophie whispered as they reached
the edge of the illusion—the point where their next step would take
them into whatever reality was waiting for them over at the hive.
“But . . . I’m getting a bad feeling. So promise me—no matter what
happens—we’ll stick together, okay?”
Tam and Keefe eyed each other for a second before they nodded.
Ro drew her sword.
“All right,” Sophie murmured. “Here goes.”
She reached for Keefe’s and Tam’s hands again, taking a long
breath to shove the monster somewhere she could manage it. Then
together, they stepped through the illusion. It looked like they were
tumbling off a cliff, but in reality, their feet touched down on the same
solid ground they’d been standing on before, and the light and
shadows rippled around them, revealing the alicorns’ tower
silhouetted against the dark sky.
Silveny and Greyfell stood outside with their wings flared wide, and
Silveny’s transmissions screeched to a halt as her eyes locked with
Sophie’s. Silence swelled inside Sophie’s mind, along with a choking
wave of regret and something that felt like desperation as both
alicorns lowered their wings to reveal a female standing between
them.
Keefe’s mom.
SORRY! Silveny transmitted as Keefe’s grip went slack from shock.
BABY DANGER! BABY DANGER!