Banished, Love, and everything in between

 Prologue

Sophie's POV:

Elves shifted nervously in fine velvet seats. The Council had one last telepathic conversation. I shared a glance at my friends across the row from the seats of the Tribunal hall.

"We have come to a consensus." Emery's voice called out. I felt the urge to pull out my eyelashes. I did it a few times.

"Because of the recent Neverseen attacks in the Lost Cities it is most imperitable to leave the Lost Cities and go into hiding in the Forbidden Cities. The ancients will have to stay here because of their acumious ears that would give away that we are something else. They also might still have a chance to defeat them since they're ancients." Emery glanced at me for a second with scorn. WHAT?? We're leaving the Lost Cities? I looked at my friends and they were just as shocked as me. "The evacuation will start tomorrow."

No one argued. They all knew what the Neverseen could do. Thousands had fallen from battles, miscalculated tricks, and untruthful promises from the Neverseen. No one was safe. And of the rest that hadn't died, half of them were on the Neverseen's side. The Black Swan's plan wasn't strong enough. I wasn't strong enough.

As much as I didn't want to admit it, the Council had made the right choice. As strong as the Neverseen had gotten, they still wouldn't go to the Forbidden Cities. Maybe they did before, but now something was scaring them away.

"You will organize yourself by last name to receive the city in the Forbidden Cities you will stay in. We will spread out so no one suspects us."

Ruewen, ugh I'd have to wait a while. No one dared to say a word as they made their way to the Councillor's area after the Tribunal.

"Sophie Foster." We'd gotten to the front of the line. They didn't really acknowledge Grady and Edaline. Well, I was the girl with 5 powers. Apparently 5 powers wasn't enough.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this. With all of your other friends, you will be going to Washington DC. Stay safe." They handed us credit cards, fake paperwork, and an English language book. I also saw other language books for different countries. I laughed to myself at the last one.

Keefe looked uncomfortable standing alone in the line. Cassius had disappeared two months ago, leaving him by himself.

"Hey, we're all in this together Keefe." I said as I walked past him.

Tam and Linh stood in the line as well.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Linh said softly. Tam nodded grimly.

The Vacker family was farther back. Fitz smiled at me, but I ignored him and hugged Biana.

"We're getting an apartment together wherever we end up being." Biana exclaimed to me.

I smiled, "You betcha Biana."

We would live through this. We'd survive. I'd survived in the human world for 12 years on my own, how bad could it be with friends? And I was on the verge of 16. Maybe I'd find my soulmate along the way.