Keeper of the Lost Cities

The next day, Sophie, Edaline, and Grady go to Foxfire, where the parents meet with their children's Mentors and learn their grades. Students put gifts into their friends’ thinking caps. Sophie bumps into Tiergan, Keefe, and Keeth’s father, Lord Cassius, an elegant man who’s rudely critical of his son and politely hostile to both Sophie and Tiergan. He acts like he knows all about Sophie’s special powers. She’s mum.

At the cafeteria, the students enjoy a feast and open their presents. Sophie’s thinking cap is crammed full of gifts, but she’s too nervous about her grades to enjoy them fully. Dex gives her the iPod refitted with solar power and a speaker; Marella’s gift is a set of flavored airs; Biana gives her edible lip glosses. Jensi produces a “speckled spider snapper,” a plant that eats spiders (275). Fitz gives her a pen that writes only in riddles until the user writes the answer, but he gives them to everyone.

The parents enter the cafeteria. Grady tells Sophie, “You passed.” Laughing and crying for joy, she hugs him and Edaline. She returns to her table and hugs Dex, saying she couldn’t have done it without him.