Free Everblaze (Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 3) by Shannon Messenger

the Sanctuary. Each new detail made him grip the hilt tighter, until his skin was stretched so thin, she was sure it would tear.
    “What?” she asked, taking a deep breath to brace for the bad news she could tell was coming. “Are the silver trackers more dangerous?”
    “Trackers can’t be made from silver,” Sandor whispered, “because of the way the metal tarnishes. The tracker you found could only have been made from stalkenteene—a metal that isn’t sold and isn’t shared. The only creatures who use it are those who mine it, and it can only be mined in the deepest caves of an underground mountain in the heart of Ravagog, the ogres’ largest and most powerful city.”

TEN
    B UT ALDEN DIDN’T THINK THE ogres were involved—and neither did Alvar or Lady Cadence,” Sophie argued, replaying her earlier conversation in her mind. “And why didn’t he say anything about stalkenteene when I showed him the tracker?”
    Sandor started a second sweep of her room, checking every shadow, like he expected an ogre to jump out any second. “I doubt Alden would’ve known. The ogres work hard to keep their technology secret, especially from elves. It’s something my court has had many arguments with your Council about—though this tracker changes things. I need to ensure nothing prevents Alden from showing it to the Councillors.”
    “What—you think he’s going to hide it?”
    “No. I think the ogres might try to steal it. This tracker could finally prove they’ve been violating their treaty and carrying on a silent war.”
    A silent war.
    The words felt cold, making Sophie shiver as she dug out her Imparter—a silver square that worked like a videophone—to call Alden and warn him. But when she said his name, the screen declared him “out of range.” Same thing happened when she tried to reach Grady.
    The only areas “out of range” were dark, dangerous places.
    “I’m calling for reinforcements,” Sandor said, taking out a black triangular gadget he’d never used before. “They’ll make sure Alden is safe. Meanwhile, you are going to shower and go to bed.”
    Sophie knew better than to argue, so she ran to her bathroom and rushed through her shower. She raced back with soggy, dripping hair, and found Edaline sitting on the edge of her giant canopy bed.
    “Where’s Sandor?” Sophie asked, glancing around her room to make sure she wasn’t missing him—not that it was easy to miss a seven-foot-tall goblin.
    “In the hall, talking to Alden.”
    “Alden called? He’s safe?”
    “Yes, perfectly safe. And Grady is as well. He’s off on a completely unrelated assignment.”
    Edaline’s hands were twisting the fabric on her skirt back and forth.
    Back and forth.
    “Sandor told me about the tracker,” she said after a second, “and your surprise trip to your old home.”
    “Oh.” Sophie tugged on her pajamas, which were sticking to her still-damp skin. “Am I in trouble?”
    “Not trouble . But I wish—”
    Sandor stalked back into the room, stomping so hard he sent petals from her carpet flying with every step.
    “Everything okay?” Edaline asked.
    “Everything’s fine, apparently. I have no reason to worry .” Sandor kicked the carpet, scattering more petals. “What’s it going to take for your Council to see what’s really going on? An army of ogres marching across your capital?”
    Sophie shuddered, hoping she’d never see a mob of lumpy-faced ogres parading through the glittering streets of Eternalia.
    “What exactly did Alden say?” Edaline asked quietly.
    “That all we know for the moment is that whoever planted the tracker got their hands on ogre technology—not that ogres are involved. And that he’ll be conducting a full investigation into the matter.”
    Clearly Sandor was not in the mood to wait for an investigation, and Sophie couldn’t blame him. She knew better than anyone how hard it was to be patient. But . . . Alden did have a point. The rebels could’ve