Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Just take a seat anywhere you want,” Edaline explained. “Your
registry pendant let them know you were here the second you walked
through the door. They’ll come to us when it’s our turn.”
Sophie nodded, choosing three seats in one of the shadowy corners
—but it didn’t stop people from noticing her. She was even more
recognizable, thanks to the Neverseen’s show at the festival. So she
got to spend the next hour discovering that she’d rather fight
bloodthirsty trolls or be attacked with shadowflux than sit in a frilly
dress pretending she didn’t notice that people were whispering about
her.
And boy, were they whispering.
Every few seconds it was Sophie Foster, Sophie Foster, Sophie Foster.
“Sophie Foster?” a female with very thick bangs and very red lips
asked.
“Yes,” Sophie squeaked—then cleared her throat and tried again.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
The female nodded, giving Sophie a quick once-over before her
turquoise eyes locked with Sophie’s brown ones. Her expression
stayed neutral. But a tiny pucker formed between her arched brows as
she said, “I’m Ceri. And I’m here to collect you.”
“Great,” Sophie said, willing her feet not to trip as she stood.
“You’re not coming?” she asked Grady and Edaline when she realized
they were still sitting.
Grady shook his head. “From here on out, you’re on your own,
kiddo.” He smiled as he said it, but there was something sad in his
tone, and she found herself bending to hug each of her parents before
she followed Ceri down a glass hall lined with dozens of identical
silver doors.