Unlocked 8.5 (Keeper of the Lost Cities) Read online

  ASSIGNED BODYGUARD(S): Cadoc (goblin)

  SO MUCH MORE THAN A CARETAKER:

  Edaline may appear to be timid and soft-spoken. Or at times even weary and worried. And her delicate beauty and gentle smile often add to the impression that she’s someone fragile who must be handled with care. She’s also had many dark days as a result of losing her daughter (Jolie). But the fact that she was able to hold herself together in spite of her grief speaks volumes on the strength of her character. It also tends to shock and amaze people to learn that Edaline regularly wrestles dinosaurs and wrangles saber-toothed tigers and rides woolly mammoths. And before Edaline stepped back from the nobility (after Jolie’s death), she’d been assigned to one of the Council’s most fraught situations:[REDACTED FOR SECURITY]. The Black Swan has also trusted her with numerous dangerous responsibilities—the most hazardous of which is, of course, serving as guardian to their moonlark (Sophie Foster). In fact, recently recovered reports suggest that the Black Swan manipulated the Council’s decision in regard to Sophie’s living arrangements in order to ensure that she ended up at Havenfield with Grady and Edaline—a powerful Mesmer and Conjurer who could provide a higher level of protection for Sophie against her enemies. And while the Ruewens needed time to adjust to their new roles, they’ve now stepped up fully to the task—and just in time, since the Council suspects that soon [REDACTED FOR SECURITY].

  REGISTRY FILE FOR Alden Dedrick Vacker

  KNOWN ABILITIES: Telepath

  RESIDENCE: Everglen

  IMMEDIATE FAMILY: Della Vacker (wife), Alvar Vacker (son), Fitz Vacker (son), Biana Vacker (daughter)

  MATCH STATUS: Match approved (three match lists received; married the #201 recommendation)

  EDUCATION: Foxfire graduate (both basic and elite levels)

  NEXUS: No longer required

  PATHFINDER: Assigned (to the Lost Cities and the Forbidden Cities; crystals to Gildingham, Loamnore, Marintrylla, and Ravagog also issued)

  SPYBALL APPROVAL: Denied

  MEMBER OF THE NOBILITY: Yes

  TITLE: Lord

  NOBLE ASSIGNMENT: Emissary

  SIGNIFICANT CONNECTIONS: Member of the Vacker family; briefly engaged to Councillor Alina (the #104 recommendation on his match lists); father to a member of the Neverseen; works closely with the Black Swan

  ASSIGNED BODYGUARD(S): None

  THE PATH OF REBELLION:

  As a Vacker—and an immensely talented Telepath—no one was surprised when Alden was appointed as an Emissary soon after graduating Foxfire. And his diligence, resourcefulness, and dedication to his investigations inspired the Council to assign him to increasingly complicated and secretive tasks, eventually asking him to look into the growing whispers of rebellion in the Lost Cities. But Alden took the threat far more seriously than the Council expected. They’d assumed his investigation would prove that the alleged Black Swan group lived only in misunderstanding and rumor. Instead, Alden brought them Prentice Endal and proof in the form of [REDACTED FOR SECURITY] that Prentice belonged to the rebels. The memory break the Council ordered also seemed to produce further evidence—but the Council refused to believe that anyone could illegally produce a genetically altered child without their knowledge, much less hide her away in the Forbidden Cities. They felt the whole thing had to be a hoax to distract them or potentially embarrass them and decided that Prentice’s exile had already stirred up enough scandal. Alden was ordered to drop the matter and found himself facing the same predicament the rebels had faced: Follow orders and allow the situation to escalate—potentially to disaster. Or defy the Council. Alden chose rebellion, conducting his search for the mysterious girl in secret (even involving his children in his work). And while he did turn out to be right and discovered Sophie Foster—who’s turned out to be a vital asset to our world (as has the Black Swan, it should be noted)—several on the Council have long suspected that Alden conducted other unsanctioned investigations, some of which may be ongoing even now and have to do with [REDACTED FOR SECURITY].

  REGISTRY FILE FOR Della Adara Vacker

  KNOWN ABILITIES: Vanisher

  RESIDENCE: Everglen

  IMMEDIATE FAMILY: Alden Vacker (husband), Alvar Vacker (son), Fitz Vacker (son), Biana Vacker (daughter)

  MATCH STATUS: Match approved (one match list received; married the #1 recommendation)

  EDUCATION: Foxfire graduate (both basic and elite levels)

  NEXUS: No longer required

  PATHFINDER: Assigned (to the Lost Cities and the Forbidden Cities)

  SPYBALL APPROVAL: Yes

  MEMBER OF THE NOBILITY: Yes

  TITLE: Lady

  NOBLE ASSIGNMENT: Emissary

  SIGNIFICANT CONNECTIONS: Member of the Vacker family (by marriage, not genetics); fealty-sworn member of the Black Swan; mother to a member of the Neverseen

  ASSIGNED BODYGUARD(S): None

  WATCH OUT FOR VANISHERS:

  After marrying the Lost Cities’ most eligible Vacker (and with a hint of scandal, no less, given what happened with Dame Alina at their wedding), Della could have easily settled into a life focused on societal assignments rather than noble ones. But she opted to strive for an appointment as an Emissary, and when the title was granted, she pushed the Council to truly put her to use. She was a Vanisher, after all. She could investigate anything they wanted. And the Council opted to take her up on it, having her look into [REDACTED FOR SECURITY] and [REDACTED FOR SECURITY]. But Della’s success in those matters led the Council to eventually issue a much trickier assignment. Reports indicate that they ordered Della to find out what her husband was working on—and when she initially resisted, she was reminded of the oaths she swore. Additional records do suggest that Della provided the Council with information on Alden’s work—though none of them mention anything about his search for Sophie Foster. Whether that was an intentional omission or proof that Alden kept his secrets safe is impossible to tell. It’s also interesting to wonder if Alden and Della might have noticed the fact that their son (Alvar) had been recruited by the Neverseen if they hadn’t been so distracted by hiding things from each other. There’s no way to know. But it should be noted that Della did inform the Council that [REDACTED FOR SECURITY].

  Inaccessible Files

  Kesler Ardal Dizznee

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  TALENTLESS

  BAD MATCH

  Juline Kalea Dizznee

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  BAD MATCH

  Lady Gisela Minette Sencen

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  MEMBERS OF THE NEVERSEEN

  Alvar Soren Vacker

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  CONVICTED CRIMINALS

  MEMBERS OF THE NEVERSEEN

  Lady Vespera Neci Folend

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  CONVICTED CRIMINALS

  MEMBERS OF THE NEVERSEEN

  Gethen Inar Ondsinn

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  CONVICTED CRIMINALS

  MEMBERS OF THE NEVERSEEN

  Ruy Tonio Ignis

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  BANISHED MEMBERS OF THE NEVERSEEN

  Mr. Errol Loki Forkle

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  MEMBERS OF THE BLACK SWAN

  ALIASES

  Sir Tiergan Andrin Alenefar

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  MEMBERS OF THE BLACK SWAN

  Councillor Kenric Elgar Fathdon

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

  DECEASED

  Jolie Lucine Ruewen

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  DECEASED

  B
rant Alger [REDACTED]

  [FILE INACCESSIBLE]

  See database for:

  MEMBERS OF THE NEVERSEEN DECEASED

  A QUICK NOTE

  FOR YEARS I’VE HAD READERS asking me how to pronounce the different names, so I decided to include my pronunciations on the following pages. That way everyone would have them—but I also want to remind you that this is simply how I say the names. One of the truly special things about reading is that you get to imagine things the way you want—so if you’ve been pronouncing any of the names differently, you’re welcome to keep doing so! I would never want to take that away from you!

  Main Registry List

  Find more character information at keeperofthelostcities.com.

  The Babblos Family

  FERNAN BABBLOS: (FER-nan BAB-los)

  JENSI BABBLOS: (JEN-see BAB-los)

  The Chebota Family

  LESEDI CHEBOTA: (le-SED-ee chee-BOT-uh)

  MARUCA CHEBOTA: (mah-ROO-kah chee-BOT-uh)

  The Dizznee Family

  BEX DIZZNEE: (BECKS DIZ-nee)

  DEX DIZZNEE: (DECKS DIZ-nee)

  JULINE DIZZNEE: (joo-LEEN DIZ-nee)

  KESLER DIZZNEE: (KESS-lur DIZ-nee)

  LEX DIZZNEE: (LECKS DIZ-nee)

  REX DIZZNEE: (RECKS DIZ-nee)

  The Endal Family

  CYRAH ENDAL: (SEE-ruh END-all)

  PRENTICE ENDAL: (PREN-tiss END-all)

  WYLIE ENDAL: (WHY-lee END-all)

  The Heks Family

  OLLIE HEKS: (AH-lee HECKS)

  PELIPA HEKS: (PELL-ip-uh HECKS)

  SILLA HEKS: (SILL-uh HECKS)

  STINA HEKS: (STEE-nuh HECKS)

  TIMKIN HEKS: (TIM-kin HECKS)

  VIKA HEKS: (VEE-kuh HECKS)

  The Redek Family

  CAPRISE REDEK: (ca-PREES RED-eck)

  DURAND REDEK: (DUR-and RED-eck)

  MARELLA REDEK: (mah-RELL-uh RED-eck)

  The Ruewen Family

  SOPHIE FOSTER: (SO-fee FOS-tur)

  EDALINE RUEWEN: (ED-uh-leen REW-in)

  GRADY RUEWEN: (GRAY-dee REW-in)

  JOLIE RUEWEN: (JO-lee REW-in)

  VERTINA: (ver-TEE-nuh)

  The Sencen Family

  CASSIUS SENCEN: (CASS-ee-us SENSE-in)

  GISELA SENCEN: (jih-SELL-uh SENSE-in)

  KEEFE SENCEN: (KEEF SENSE-in)

  The Sonden Family

  LIVVY SONDEN: (LIV-ee SOHN-den)

  QUINLIN SONDEN: (KWIN-lin SOHN-den)

  The Song Family

  LINH SONG: (LIN SONG)

  MAI SONG: (MY SONG)

  QUAN SONG: (KWAHN SONG)

  TAM SONG: (TAM SONG)

  The Vacker Family

  ALDEN VACKER: (AL-din VACK-er)

  ALVAR VACKER: (AL-var VACK-er)

  BENESH VACKER: (BEN-esh VACK-er)

  BIANA VACKER: (bee-AH-nuh VACK-er)

  DELLA VACKER: (DELL-uh VACK-er)

  FALLON VACKER: (FAL-on VACK-er)

  FITZ VACKER: (FITS VACK-er)

  HARLIN VACKER: (HAR-lin VACK-er)

  LUZIA VACKER: (loo-ZEE-uh VACK-er)

  NORENE VACKER: (nor-EEN VACK-er)

  OREM VACKER: (OR-um VACK-er)

  The Council

  COUNCILLOR ALINA: (uh-LEE-nuh)

  COUNCILLOR BRONTE: (BRON-tay)

  COUNCILLOR CLARETTE: (clare-ET)

  COUNCILLOR DAREK: (DARE-eck)

  COUNCILLOR EMERY: (EM-er-ee)

  COUNCILLOR KENRIC: (KEN-rick)

  COUNCILLOR LIORA: (lee-OR-uh)

  COUNCILLOR NOLAND: (NO-land)

  COUNCILLOR ORALIE: (OR-uh-lee)

  COUNCILLOR RAMIRA: (Rah-MEER-uh)

  COUNCILLOR TERIK: (TARE-ick)

  COUNCILLOR VELIA: (VEH-lee-uh)

  COUNCILLOR ZARINA: (zare-EE-nuh)

  Foxfire Staff/Faculty

  LADY ALEXINE: (AL-ex-een)

  LADY ANWEN: (AHN-when)

  SIR ASTIN: (AS-tin)

  SIR BECKETT: (BECK-et)

  LADY BELVA: (BELL-vuh)

  SIR BUBU: (BOO-boo)

  MASTER (LADY) CADENCE TALLE: (KAY-dince TALL-ee)

  SIR CATON: (CAY-ton)

  SIR CONLEY: (CON-lee)

  LADY DARA: (DARE-uh)

  LADY DELMIRA: (del-MEER-uh)

  SIR DONWELL: (DON-well)

  ELWIN HESLEGE: (EL-win HESS-leej)

  LADY EVERA: (EV-er-uh)

  SIR FAXON: (FACKS-on)

  LADY GALVIN: (GAL-vin)

  SIR HARDING: (HAR-ding)

  LADY ISKRA: (ISK-ruh)

  SIR JARVIN: (JAR-vin)

  SIR LEANDER: (LEE-ann-der)

  MAGNATE LETO KERLOF: (LET-oh KUR-loff)

  LADY NISSA: (NISS-uh)

  SIR ROSINGS: (ROSE-ings)

  LADY SANJA: (SAHN-juh)

  SIR TIERGAN ALENEFAR: (TEER-gen al-EN-fahr)

  LADY VEDA: (VAY-duh)

  LADY ZILLAH: (ZILL-uh)

  Exillium Coaches

  COACH BORA: (BORE-uh)

  COACH ROHANA: (ro-HAH-nuh)

  COACH WILDA: (WILL-duh)

  Foxfire Prodigies

  AUDRIC: (AH-drick)

  DEDRA: (DEE-druh)

  DEMPSEY PEMBERLEY: (DEMP-see PEM-ber-lee)

  HUXLEY: (HUCKS-lee)

  SHAYDA ADEL: (SHAY-duh uh-DELL)

  TRELLA: (TRELL-uh)

  VALIN: (VAY-lin)

  Matchmakers

  BRISA: (BREE-suh)

  CERI: (SARE-ee)

  JUJI: (JOO-jee)

  Members of the Neverseen

  BRANT: (BRANT)

  FINTAN PYREN: (FIN-tan PYE-ren)

  GETHEN ONDSINN: (GETH-en OND-sin)

  RUY IGNIS: (ROO-ee IG-niss)

  VESPERA FOLEND: (VESS-per-uh FOE-lend)

  Other

  JUREK: (JUR-eck)

  DAMEL KAFUTA: (duh-MELL ka-FOO-tuh)

  The World of the Lost Cities

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  IN CASE YOU SOMEHOW MISSED the gorgeous map of the Lost Cities—or even if you did see it—go take a look at all of that amazingness!

  It’s okay. I’ll wait.

  *waits*

  *waits more*

  Everyone back now?

  Good!

  Now that you’ve studied the map, I’m guessing you have QUESTIONS. Like, What are Solreef and Splendor Plains and Fluttermont? Or Why do Ravagog and Marintrylla and Loamnore and Gildingham have alternate names? And those questions are all answered in the next few pages. But before we get to that, I wanted to cover the bigger question you may be having, which is: If the Lost Cities are on Earth, why does this map look different from other maps I’ve seen?

  The simple answer is: Maps are a reflection of the cultures that create them. So a map drawn by the elves wouldn’t look like a map drawn by humans (even though they’re technically representing the same planet). And after lots of discussion (seriously, you have no idea how many emails my editor and I sent back and forth on this), we settled on a style that’s not built around latitude and longitude (since maps that do so were primarily designed for sea travel). Instead, we went with a more “overhead” approach (which would make more sense for a culture that relies on light leaping). That’s why Antarctica looks like a large island (near Australia), instead of sliced up and running along the bottom like you’re probably used to seeing. Most of the locations are also in places that might make you think, Wait—I don’t remember an island there!—which is the point! The Lost Cities have been carefully hidden from humans. In fact, the elves won’t be too happy with me for showing you where to find everything.

  Well… I’m not showing you everything. The world of the Lost Cities is so intricate that there was no way to include every place I’ve mentioned in the series without the map turning into a cluttered mess. So we tried to pick the places we thought you’d be most interested in. Turn the page to learn more about them!

  (And if you want one more behind-the-scenes tidbit, we chose to have the artist paint the map blue and gold instead of blue and green—like Earth i
s normally painted—because the elves see land as “wherever sunlight reaches.”)

  PS: The map was drawn by Francesca Baerald, who somehow took the disastrous sketch I sent her and turned it into all of that stunning beauty. She seriously deserves a round of applause!

  MAPPED LOCATIONS

  (FOLLOWING THE ORDER ON THE MAP, CLOCKWISE FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER)

  Splendor Plains: Elwin’s residence is just as bright and bold as his fashion sense, and every pane of his windowed walls is set with a different color of glass. But the architecture is also surprisingly sleek and modern, with a flat roof and lots of sharp angles. And while the decor is somewhat sparse, there are plenty of “Elwin” touches—like the room holding his stuffed animal collection and the tunnels visible under the glass floor, which allow his pet banshee (Bullhorn) to scurry wherever his little heart desires. The house is bordered by forest on one side and ocean on the other, providing Foxfire’s resident physician with a variety of peaceful views to enjoy after stressful days in the Healing Center (most of which involve complicated injuries suffered by Sophie Foster).

  Wanderling Woods: As the Lost Cities’ only graveyard, the Wanderling Woods is a place of peaceful silence, filled with carefully arranged, incredibly special trees. Wanderlings are planted with the DNA of someone deceased in order to grow with hints of their physical attributes. As a result, no two Wanderlings are alike, and each is labeled with a sign to indicate the life being memorialized—though there are three Wanderlings that were planted prematurely: Sophie Foster’s, Dex Dizznee’s, and Alden Vacker’s. Only elves may enter the Wanderling Woods (unless special permission is granted by the Council), and a golden sign arches over the entrance reminding visitors that “those who wander are not lost.” And while some might comment on how few trees grow in the woods—and claim it as proof that death is rare in the Lost Cities—those mourning loved ones would likely argue that there are still far too many Wanderlings.