Kotlc Quotes

Keefe raised one eyebrow. "You okay there, Foster? Your mood seems to be making some sudden shifts." "Yeah. because I'm trying to decide if I can shove you off the stairs without knocking Biana down." "I can jump out of the way," Biana offered. "I can give him an extra shove as he tumbles by," Tam added. " I'd come up there and do it myself, but I'm trying to be a good brother and wait for my slothlike sister." "I'd like to see you climbing in heels," Linh told him. ~ Shannon Messenger

I'll always remember that's you found me and brought me to the Lost Cities and showed me where I really belong. And that you came when I called for help and saved me from fading away. And you left everything behind to go with me when I joined the Black Swan. Need me to keep going? Because I can."

His smile was a beautiful thing.

But it didn't last. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe gave her sister his famous smirk, reaching up to smooth his expertly tousled blond hair. "Don't worry-were all in the Foster Fan Club. ~ Shannon Messenger

...if you lose, you'll have to wear a metal diaper to school and call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on."

"Uh... yeah, no," Fitz said as Biana asked, "Hunkyhair?"

"Lord Hunkyhair," Keefe corrected. "What? It's accurate." He tossed his head like he was in a shampoo commercial. "I think we need to make it a thing either way- don't you, Foster?"

"I think you're ridiculous," Sophie told him. ~ Shannon Messenger

Now I know why Bianas ready to start stabbing things. ~ Shannon Messenger

I know we've done stuff, Foster. But it's not even close to enough. And the scariest thing is how little we know. I mean... I can't even tell you if I've gotten back all the memories my mom erased. Meanwhile they know everything about us: where we live, where we go to school, what our abilities are, who our friends and family are, how to find us- do you need me to keep going? Because we both know I can. ~ Shannon Messenger

It's amazing he made it through without me bashing his pretty face."

"Aw, did you hear that? Ro thinks I'm pretty! I mean- I usually go for more of a roguish handsome, but..." He tosses his hair and fluttered his eyelashes.

Sophie's lips curled into a smile-without her permission. ~ Shannon Messenger

I still can't believe we are tracking Bigfoot," Sophie whispered as she stared at the giant footprint in the muddy soil. Each massive toe was as wide as her arm, and the print formed a deep, mucky puddle.

Dex laughed, flashing two perfect dimples as he stood on his tiptoes to examine a scuff in the bark of a nearby tree. "Do humans really think there's a giant hairy ape-man running around trying to eat them?"

Sophie turned away, pulling her blond hair around her face to hide her flushing cheeks. "Pretty crazy, right? ~ Shannon Messenger

She studied the relaxed lines of his features. The soft flutter of his long, dark eyelashes. The adorable way his arms cradled Mrs. Snuggles against his bandaged chest.

I don't know what to do.

She hadn't meant to transmit the words, but... it felt good to say them. And it was like like he could hear her. He hadn't even flinched. His breathing hadn't changed rhythm.

So she told him, I really wish you were awake.

He let out a snuffly snore, which gave her the courage to ask, What if I just want you to wake up because I'm tired of fighting the echoes all by myself?

That wasn't the right question, though.

What if I want you to wake up because I miss you?

She'd been trying to stay busy, trying not to look at the beautiful boy sleeping over in the corner.

She hated having him so close and still so far away.

And when she turned to Fitz, his eyes were more than fluttering.

One blink.

Two.

Three.

And then... they stayed open. ~ Shannon Messenger

The teasing tone faded from his voice, replaced with something that made Sophie very aware of how close they were standing. ~ Shannon Messenger

She'd hoped to close her eyes and dream of sparkly winged horses flying through a bright blue sky. Instead, black-cloaked figures haunted her mind, snatching her from the shadows
and dragging her away in a drugged haze. Sharp bonds sliced her wrists and ankles as someone shouted questions she didn't know the answers to. Then fiery hands seared her skin and ghostly whispers swirled through the blackness.

They would find her.

She would never escape them again
. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe, I...'

There were no words.

She threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him as tight as she could. Maybe if she never let go, she could hold the broken pieces together. ~ Shannon Messenger

Bout time you got here," Keefe called as they crested a hill and entered a grassy meadow peppered with tiny blue flowers. "I was getting tired of stomping Fitz to a pulp in bramble."

"Only because you cheat!" Fitz shouted, tossing a red tri-pointed ball at Keefe.

Keefe caught it and whipped it back so fast Fitz had to dive to avoid being smacked in the face. Then the strange ball curved back like a boomerang and Keefe caught it one-handed. "Only losers play fair. Which is why I call Foster for my team today."

"Hey - why do you get her?" Fitz asked, ~ Shannon Messenger

We could dig into some of the small stuff we hold back."

"Like what?"

He started his hands, twisting the Cognate rings round and round before he transmitted, like all the stuff you tell Keefe and don't tell me. ~ Shannon Messenger

Okay," she agreed. If he refused to be serious, then so would she. "Fine, Im an elf. Am I suppose to help Frodo destroy the ring and save Middle-Earth? Or do I have to make toys in the North Pole? ~ Shannon Messenger

Vika snatched Sophie's wrist with a mud-streaked hand. "You wretched girl! Call her down right now."

"Why do you need my help? Aren't you the expert?"

Keefe snickered. "Ooh, good one, Foster! ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie smiled, "We all have our things."
"Well, yours is weird," Amy told her. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie sighed. "You don't have to do this."

"If you're talking about being adorable, I really can't help myself."

He said it with a wink and a smirk-which wasn't playing fair. But she managed to stop her lips from curling into a smile. ~ Shannon Messenger

How about we play without special abilities?" she suggested. "That'll make it fair for everyone."

Fitz shrugged. "I'm up for the challenge if you are."

"Lame. I vote for The Unstoppable Team Keefe! Or Team Foster-Keefe if you're one of those egomaniacs who needs your name in there. I can share some credit. ~ Shannon Messenger

Ew," Dex complained, plugging his nose. "Who knew sparkly horses had such bad breath?"

"It's nothing on Iggy breath," Sophie reminded him. Her pet imp might only be a palm-size furball, but every time he opened his mouth it was like standing near a mountain of rotting eggs and dirty diapers. ~ Shannon Messenger

Relax, Foster," Keefe said, squeezing her good hand and lacing their fingers together.

"You okay there?" he whispered.

She nodded, not quite ready to use her voice.

Not ready to let go of his hand, either. ~ Shannon Messenger

She'd expected him to hand her the open vile, but he scooted even closer and press the glass against her– something Elwin had done for her dozens and dozens of times.

But it was a very different experience with Fitz.

Especially when his finger accidentally grazed the edge of her lips. Not that he seem to notice.

He didn't blush the tiniest bit- which was extra annoying, said she was certain in her cheeks for me on red. ~ Shannon Messenger

Why would she pick tunics you don't like?"

"Because they had to ruin them," she said, running her hand over her bare shoulder.

Fitz cleared his throat. "I... wouldn't call that ruined."

He didn't say what he would call it, though, and it made her with her Polyglot ability worked for translating Cute Boy so she could figure out if that was suppose to be a compliment.

It kinda felt like one. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe smirked. "If I'm right, you have to call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on."

Sophie shook her head. "You guys are terrible."

"That's why you love us!" Keefe draped his arm around her shoulders. ~ Shannon Messenger

I don't want another bodyguard. I want you. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe shouted, "YOU GUYS HAVE TO SEE THIS!" They ran to the main room and found Keefe standing under the skylight, holding up Mr. Snuggles like it was a baby lion about to be made kind. The sparkly red dragon twinkled almost as much as Keefe's eyes as he said, "I went in to check on our boy and found him cuddling with this! ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz's eyes never left Sophie's as he let Biana lead them for forward, offering one last smile before he left.

It was only a half a smile.

But she knew it was just for her. ~ Shannon Messenger

And you get to bathe the verminion for the next month," Grady added.

Sophie groaned. She swore the giant mutant-hamster-thing had been plotting to destroy her since she'd helped trap it when it arrived at Havenfield. "That's just mean."

"No, that's awesome," Dex corrected.

"Glad you think so, Dex," Grady told him, " 'Cause you get to help her."

"Hey - I didn't do anything wrong!"

"I never said you did. But do you really think Sophie will let you just stand there and watch her work? ~ Shannon Messenger

It's too bad Keefe isn't here, you two could have a contest to see who whines the most. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe's right," Elwin said, making them both jump. "You two do stare into each other's eyes a lot."

"It's how we concentrate," Sophie argued, becoming very interested in smoothing her disaster of a ponytail.

"i'm sure that's what it is," he teased. ~ Shannon Messenger

So is it strange coming here and not being the one on trial?" Keefe asked, "Because I'd be happy to help you break a few laws if you're feeling left out. ~ Shannon Messenger

We have too many villains," Sophie said through a sigh.

Keefe snorted. "You're not wrong. ~ Shannon Messenger

Why else would you spend so much time helping Miss Fosters causes?"

"Uh... you've seen how cute she is, right?" Keefe asked. ~ Shannon Messenger

Hang on – what are you wearing?" Keefe asked as she threw back her covers, revealing the sparkly slogans on her tunic. "Is that a Bangs Boy reference? Because you know I haven't let him into the Foster Fan Club, right?"

Sophie rolled her eyes. "It's an inside joke – and Linh made this for me."

"Yeah, well, it still breaks the fan club rules. As penance, I'm giving you a tunic that says, 'Empaths Give Me All the Feels," and I expect to see you wear it twice as much as Bang Boys. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie froze.
"My name's Fitz," he added, stepping closer still.
Fitz? What kind of name was Fitz? ~ Shannon Messenger

Linh peeked her head over his shoulder. "This is fun! I never get to see Tam blush!"

She pinched her brothers cheeks, and Tam rolled his eyes and stalked into the Healing Center, with Linh giggling right behind him. ~ Shannon Messenger

She stretched, feeling her spine pop in several places. She curled her legs to the side and opened her eyes-to find Fitz staring at her with his eyebrows practically launching off his forehead. ~ Shannon Messenger

You okay?" Keefe asked, flicking a strand of her blonde hair to get her attention. "And before you answer, remember: You're talking to an Empath. Plus, you've already pulled put two eyelashes since we got here, and I can tell you're dying to go for a third."

She was. ~ Shannon Messenger

What?" Sophie asked, wiping under her lashes when she noticed Keefe staring. "Did I smudge it?"

"No, Foster. You look... perfect. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe marched through the doors to the Healing Center and declared, "Wow, it's like walking into a cloud of sulk in here."

He fanned the air away from his face as he made his way over. "I mean, I figured you be feeling a little lost about your Cognate buddy, but trust me: Fitzy isn't worth this much angst."

"I'm not pouting about Fitz, "Sophie informed him.

"Ah, so you admit you are pouting? "He countered, plopping on to the side of her cot with enough oomph to make the mattress bounce. ~ Shannon Messenger

Do you have any fathomlethes around here?"

"I hope you're not talking about the weird river-pearl thing you took in Alluveterre that made you cover your walls in scraps of paper like a serial killer," Sophie told him.

"Oh I am- I know you're not going to like it, Foster. But I remembered a ton of stuff last time. So how about I promise to let you help me sort through the notes again? Remember that? Such a classic Keephie moment! ~ Shannon Messenger

Team Foster-Keefe will always be cooler. ~ Shannon Messenger

What I was still out of it, I heard your voice in my head- I think it's why I woke up."

Her face tried its best to burst into flames. "Sorry, I-"

"Don't be," he interrupted. "I'm glad I'm awake."

"So am I," she admitted. "But... you have to be super careful, okay?"

"I will if you will," he made her promise.

He waited for her to meet his eyes, and when she did, he gave her the sweetest smile she'd ever seen.

"By the way," he murmured, pressing Mr. Snuggles against his heart. "I missed you too. ~ Shannon Messenger

I'll go out of my to make their job impossible."

"No, you won't," Sandor told her. "Youre much too smart to resort to such reckless behavior."

Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "You sure about that? You've seen how much time I spend with Keefe. ~ Shannon Messenger

But something about the way Grady was smiling at them made Sophie's cheeks feel hot. Dex must've noticed it too, because his face was bright red as he mumbled some excuse about his parents worrying if he wasn't home soon, and quickly leaped out of there ~ Shannon Messenger

She pulled her shoulder-length blond hair around her face, wishing she could hide behind it. This is exactly the kind of attention she went out of her way to avoid. Why she wore dull colors and lurked in the back, blocked by the other kids who were at least a foot taller than her. It was the only way to survive as a twelve year old in high school. ~ Shannon Messenger

Yeah, what time should we arrive to catch the Great Fitzphie Ooze Fest?" Keefe asked.

"We're not calling it that," Sophie told him.

"Oh, I think we are. And don't worry, Foster," Keefe added, patting her on the head. "I'll still love you when you're oozy. ~ Shannon Messenger

She was a girl with strange abilities and a different way of looking at the world. What she decided to do with these things was up to her. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie tugged out a loose eyelash-a nervous habit-and started at her feet. ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz laughed. You really are adorable when you worry. ~ Shannon Messenger

I was already planning to have us start with telekinesis, since that's what got Foster all swoons about my skills in the first place."

"I didn't get swoons," Sophie felt the need to point out.

"Keep telling yourself that, Foster. Keeeeeeeeeep telling yourself that. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe tried to break the tension, pumping his fist and shouting, "LORD HUNKYHAIR LIVES! Say it now, Ro. Say it! ~ Shannon Messenger

By the way, you look awesome," Biana said, admiring Sophie's dress. "Now I'm wishing I braided my hair or something."

"Oh please, you look amazing," Sophi assured her. "Like always. ~ Shannon Messenger

Are you kidding?" Sophie and Fitz asked, once again in perfect unison.

Elwin chuckled. "I'm sure if Keefe were here, he'd have a lot to say about how in sync you two are getting."

"Just more proof that Fitzphie's the best," Fitz told him, with a wink that shouldn't have made Sophie's heart flutter. But hearts could be foolish things. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe whistled, "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Dizznee. ~ Shannon Messenger

Stina laughed her high, wheezy snicker. "Last I checked, empathy wasn't an ability your
creators gave you."

"Last I checked, you hadn't manifested any abilities at all," Sophie spit through gritted teeth. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie stomach growled, and she gave herself three seconds to imagine it-to picture what it would be like to creep through the shimmering halls when they were empty and quiet and dark and see all the hidden places Keefe had discovered.

But...

"Don't you go shaking that adorable little head at me, Foster," Keefe said before she could get a word out. ~ Shannon Messenger

So," she mumbled, not sure how to finish that sentence – or what to do with her arms. Or where to stand.

It all felt awkward and weird and wrong-until fits dropped his crutches and gently pulled her into a hug.

"I don't want to go," he whispered.

"I don't want you to either," she admitted, hoping her hushed tone hit the thickness of her voice.

She told herself not to pull him tighter so he wouldn't feel how hard her heart was pounding. But she couldn't help leaning closer when she realized his pulse felt just as crazy as hers.

She didn't know what that meant.

But it felt like something. ~ Shannon Messenger

Scattered, disconnected pieces of thoughts broadcast straight into Sophie's brain- like being in a room with hundreds of TV's blaring different shows at the same time. They sliced into her consciousness, leaving sharp pains in their wake.

She was a freak. ~ Shannon Messenger

Alden turned to Grady. "I'm sorry to be late. I'd hoped to get here before the Hekses arrived. But Fitz, Keefe, and Biana insisted on seeing the long-lost alicorn, and someone needed time to fix their hair."

"Hey, a guy's gotta look his best for the ladies." Keefe patted the back of his head. "Right, Foster?"

Sophie ignored him - though she could feel her cheeks blushing. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe groaned. "What is it with girls and sparkles?"

"Sparkles make everything better," Biana informed him, and Sophie had to agree. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie moved to his side. "Hey," she said, nudging him until he looked at her. "Think you can help me master these dance moves before the Ceremonies next week?"

A small grin spread across his lips. "I don't know. I can't exactly work miracles."

"Hey, I'm not that bad."

He grabbed her hands as she tried to shove him, and his face turned serious. "You're not bad at all. You're awesome."

He blushed after he said it, and Sophie dropped her eyes to the ground. ~ Shannon Messenger