"NO!" Sophie shouted, voice breaking. "Where's Silveny?!" 

"She's not here." 

Keefe gently whispered into her ear. "He's lying."

Sophie looked around, searching for a clue.

Anything would help.

Anything. 

Then she spotted it. A silver-tipped feather lying on the ground. 

Proof that Silveny had been here.

Sophie turned to Damel, transmitting to Keefe at the same time. 

Keefe, do you see that feather?

Yeah. Keefe thought. Wait, is that-

Yes, it is. Now, can you go get it? I'll distract Damel. 

Keefe nodded ever so slightly. Sure.

Quietly, he crept inch by inch towards the feather.

Sophie smirked at Damel, hoping to mask her fear. "So, are you sure you're telling the truth?" 

Damel nodded, the cold smile never leaving is face. "Yes." 

Keefe was now inches away from the feather. 

"You know that there's an Empath in the room right?" Sophie asked. 

Damel nodded again. "Yes, and I also know that your friend here is attempting to steal the alicorn's feather." 

Sophie raised an eyebrow, confused. "Then why aren't you stopping him?"

Damel smirked. "You'll see." He grinned. 

The realization dawned on her as soon as she noticed that the loctoga was gone.

Damel's smirk.

The white feather laying out in plain view.

The loctoga gone.

Sophie stole a quick glance at Keefe from the corner of her eye. 

It's a trap.

But Keefe had already touched the feather.

The loctoga jumped from the ceiling, slime dripping down from its gooey back, and charged.