Flashback ( PDFDrive )

Dex leaped from behind a nearby dune, tossing a silver cube right
where Gethen was still kneeling.
The gadget exploded, blotting out the world with a gritty red fog.
But when the dust settled, Gethen, Ruy, and Umber were safely
shielded inside a glowing white dome.
Now it was a standoff, Sophie realized.
And the Neverseen looked way too happy about it.
“Cowards,” Wylie muttered. “If you want a fight—let’s fight!”
Gethen’s smile widened, and he took his time shaking the red
powder out of his hair. “You do seem like you’ve been practicing. But I
only came here to talk. And I must say, this is certainly a surprise. If
Sophie didn’t look so stunned to see you, I’d almost think this was
proof that she’d decided to cooperate. Pity for her that it isn’t.”
Wylie stole a glance at Sophie, swallowing hard when he looked at
her ruined hand. “I wouldn’t have blamed you if you told them where I
was.”
“I would’ve blamed me.” Her words were a rasp, her throat still
hoarse from all the screaming.
Gethen sighed. “Stubborn, foolish child. You can’t protect him any
more than you can protect yourself.”
“I don’t need her to!” Wylie snapped. “You think I haven’t been
waiting for you guys to come after me?”
He flashed another orb—yellow this time, and even squishierlooking
than the green one—and pitched it toward the Neverseen like
a curveball.
Sophie braced for an explosion. But the golden blob deflated the
second it touched the white energy, spluttering around like a wild
balloon before winking out with a shower of glitter.