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Chapter 18 - Sophie

The words bounced around the cavern of Sophie's head as she tried to make sense of them. She had to have misheard Mr. Forkle.

Sophie opened her mouth to speak, trying to form sentences but none came. She managed one, although it was high and squeaky, reminding her of how Sandor sounded. "What?"

Mr. Forkle sighed. "Trix's memory is gone. Remember how Alvar's mind was after we found him? According to Tiergan it's similar to that... blank and fuzzy."

"How is that even possible?"

"I would prefer to explain this as little times as necessary, so our eavesdroppers are welcome to join us."

Sophie glanced around. "Eavesdroppers?"

Mr. Forkle simply opened the door next to them that led into the living room, and Dex and Ro both stumbled through, struggling to gain their balance. They looked momentarily startled, like they had had their ears pressed up against the door and were off guard when what they were supporting themselves against was taken away.

Dex looked slightly embarrassed but Ro didn't seem bothered in the least. The ogre just said plainly, "It was because of that syringe in his arm, wasn't it?"

If Mr. Forkle was surprised, he didn't show it. "Yes, how—"

"I recognized the liquid inside the needle, it causes amnesia. I've seen warriors use it when they want to forget battles they've fought because they're ashamed of the things they did. Weaklings," Ro muttered the last part under her breath. Then she continued. "I like to call it Blackout, but the official fancy word is in the ogres' native language. You usually take it in small doses to wipe your mind clean of recent events, but the amount Lady Gisela had would take out someone's memory for good."

"Why didn't you tell us that before?" Sophie demanded, needing someone or something to release her impatience on.

Ro shrugged harmlessly. "I wasn't sure. Didn't want to make a bunch of elves run around like crazy and freaking out for no reason, although it would have been pretty funny."

"But... why would Lady Gisela erase Trix's memory?" Dex asked, probably the only one thinking logically right now.

"Isn't it obvious?" Sophie felt anger heating up in the pits of her stomach. She dug her nails into her palms. "She knew she couldn't get away with both Trix and Gethen, so she took her stronger ally, and wiped the memory of the other so we couldn't even find out the smallest bit of her plan." She wheeled on Ro. "Is there any way we could get his memory back?"

Ro hesitated before shaking her head helplessly. "Sorry Blondie, not with the amount he was given."

"What if this is like what happened to Alvar?" Dex piped up again, asking the smarter question. "What if there's some trigger to bring his memory back? What if this is all a repeat of what happened at the Celestial Festival?"

"I don't think that's the case," Mr. Forkle said. "The Neverseen wouldn't use the same strategy twice."

"They would if we're naive enough to fall for it," Sophie muttered, fitting every urge she had to go up and punch the wall.

"Naw, I think Forkle's right," Ro said. "Especially since Lady Gisela was flustered and in a rush when she used the Blackout. Erasing Trix's memory was her last resort. Trust me, that stuff is strong. It's like Blondie said, she just rid herself of her most disposable member, since she had no other choice."

"Are we going to have to tell the Council about New York?" Sophie asked, really hoping the answer was no.

"Yes," Mr. Forkle said, and the hesitance in his voice made it sound like he was dreading it. "They're bound to see human the videos circulating everywhere regarding your visit. Which means we're going to have to tell them why you were there in the first place, which means—"