Secrets

Seven

Sophie gasped. She had completely forgotten about the monthly checkup with Silveny along with the Councillors.

Her voice dripping with malice, Councillor Alina glared at them all as she repeated, "WHERE IS THE ALICORN?!"

Sophie had a hard time believing that she was a Beguiler, an elf with the ability to manipulate people with their voice. 

As if on cue, Keefe leaned over, "Can you believe that she even has a nice voice? I'm picking up some serious negative vibes." 

He shivered. 

Sophie shuddered too, Alina could be pretty scary when she wanted to be.

The room was silent, everyone but the Councillors were staring at Alina, shocked that the Councillors were there. 

Alden spoke up, "Alina, Silveny was captured by the Neverseen."

He let the sentence echo throughout the room. 

The Councillors blinked. 

Then, as if the words had just registered, they started shouting.

Except for Oralie. 

And Bronte. 

Also Councillor Terik.  

Emery raised his hands. With his sweeping black hair and dark, sapphire-colored eyes, his commanding presence quickly silenced the room. 

"Tell us more information," he said quietly, voice full of disappointment and defeat with a hint of anger. 

Alden stood, his teal eyes glittering. He looked so much like Alvar that Sophie's mind flashed to a couple of weeks ago.

"Alvar?" he repeated, every line on his face twisting with confusion. 

His eyes darted between them, studying their expressions. Then to his bonds. Then back to Sophie.

He huffed out a shaky breath. "Who's Alvar?" 

Sophie blinked as Fitz yelled at a quivering Alvar. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'WHO'S ALVAR?!" 

"Yeah," Keefe exclaimed. "Is this some kind of sick joke?" 

But Sophie knew Alvar wasn't joking. His face was terrified, every feature frozen in terror and confusion. He didn't know who he was, or where he came from. His face looked genuine, his questions honest. 

But what Sophie was most confused about was that if his mind was washed, then knowing his name should trigger his memories. 

If it didn't, then his memories were wiped- completely. 

But... why?

Why would the Neverseen do that? 

Sophie pressed her fingers to her forehead, trying to shove all of the new revelations to the back of her brain. "Keefe, can you figure out Alvar's emotions? I want to know if he's telling the truth." 

"Sure thing Foster." 

Keefe moved to Alvar's side and grabbed his hand. His face blanched for a second, but he quickly covered it up. "Huh. Weird. His emotions are genuine, and he is clearly confused on who he is." 

He looked at Sophie, and she could tell he was holding something back.

She knew him too well. 

Keefe sighed as Sophie rose one eyebrow, asking for more details. "But I've never felt emotions like his before. It's like he completely forgot everything, including how to feel certain emotions- the exact emotions he should have felt even when his memories were washed. These emotions that are missing belong to the memories that were wiped."