Flashback ( PDFDrive )

It’s up to him.” Her eyes focused back on Tam, who’d gone ghostly
pale. “Oh, relax, it’s not nearly as traumatic as you’re thinking. All I’m
asking right now is for you to give us a chance. Come with me. See
what our cause truly is. As long as you don’t make any trouble, you’ll
be perfectly safe.”
“You’ll also be their prisoner,” Keefe jumped in. “You think they’ll
just let you go home after that? You think they won’t make more
threats? Today it’s the alicorns—but what about tomorrow? Who will
they go after next?”
“That’s easy,” Lady Gisela said, tucking another strand of hair into
her hairpiece. “We’ll go after Linh. We’re already set up for it. If I give
the word, chaos could rain down on your twin within a matter of
hours. Is that really what you want?”
Tam wobbled like he’d been punched in the gut, and Sophie
tightened her grip on his hand.
We’ll NEVER let that happen, she transmitted.
“I’m sure Sophie’s trying to assure you right now that she can
protect Linh,” Lady Gisela guessed. “But you and I both know she
can’t make that guarantee. She’ll try her best—but you’ve seen how
often her ‘best’ simply isn’t enough. Are you willing to risk that for
your sister? After all you and Linh have been through together?”
Don’t listen to her, Sophie begged. She’s just trying to get in your head.
“I know this isn’t easy to hear,” Lady Gisela added. “Especially with
all the myths and misconceptions about my order, and all the ways
other leaders have stepped in and botched things. Sometimes I wish I
had Sophie’s talent for recruitment. One pretty smile and she has
friends lining up to risk their lives.”
“I’ve never recruited anyone!” Sophie practically growled.