They fell silent. A shudder made Sophie tremble.

- You are very perceptive... I'm delighted to meet a member of the council, but you... you're obviously not delighted to meet me... there was silence. An elf dressed in a red cloak and white mask, as described by Oralie a few minutes before, appeared before them.

- Am I mistaken, councilor Oralie? He said, tilting his head to the side like a little child. You are very quiet... is it because I have been disrespectful? It's true that I didn't greet you properly... I must have forgotten my manners somewhere... oh and it wouldn't be Exil by any chance. Tss ... he hissed. Or is it my talent that frightens you? This one!

The Red Ghost threw himself at Keefe with breathtaking speed. And with one swift movement he ripped out his heart. The youth fell to his knees with a cry of pain. He pressed both hands to his chest.

-KEEFE! Sophie screamed. She threw her dagger in the direction of the oppressor, who disappeared before reappearing.

- Oh isn't that the Moonlark ? Sophie is it? Do you know, young lady, that it is dangerous to play with a gun? Sophie took a step back. Rubbing her emotional knot so as not to instill and hurt Oralie and Keefe. Her boyfriend finally lost consciousness.

-Keefe! she cried out.

- He started to walk towards Sophie, his hand to her chest. Sophie closed her eyes and expected him to grab her heart. But only a cry of pain came from her. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Oralie lying on her side in front of her. The oppressor held two balls in his hands, a pink one in his left hand which was Keefe's heart and a golden one in his other hand which was his mother's. Sophie knelt down and turned Oralie's body over:

-Mummy! she sighed between tears.

-Mummy? Well... someone has disobeyed a law... this deserves a punishment. he said in a sarcastic voice. He squeezed the golden heart, which gave off a faint, even unconscious glow.

-STOP! Sophie shouted. The elf stopped and laughed.

- I'll be back, our paths will cross again, Sophie Foster! He disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. The cloud disappeared, two goblins stood before Sophie now. They were horrified at the sight of the two inert bodies. Sophie was in tears.

- Go and get Elwin, I beg you. She said to the two guards who complied.

-Sophie! shouted a voice in the distance, it was Biana, along with Fitz, Tam, Linh, Dex and Marella, they ran to their friend.

- Sophie, what happened? asked the vanisher when she saw the state of Keefe and Oralie.

- I...

- Sophie, did you ask for me? Elwin said as he appeared at her side with the two goblins. He knelt down beside Keefe and Oralie, opened his satchel and handed over the elixirs. They must be taken elsewhere.

- There is an infirmary in the palace, we can take you there, said a goblin.

He carefully took Oralie in his arms, his colleague did the same with Keefe.

They entered the palace and walked down a long corridor, passing Councillor Bronte and Councillors Liora and Clarette.

-Oralie! What's going on? Bronte asked Elwin.

- I don't know... we're taking them to the infirmary for the moment.

- We're going with you! exclaimed Liora.

In the infirmary they laid Keefe and Oralie on beds in the same room. The doctor took everyone out of the room except Sophie, whom he checked because she looked too pale. He made her swallow some eau de jouvence before examining Oralie and Keefe.

- What has put them in such a state? Clarette asked Sophie's friend.

- We don't know. Sophie didn't have time to explain...we found them like that. said Marella. Elwin then left the room.

- Well... he said. I don't know what's happened but Sophie seems... how can I put this... disturbed. As for Keefe and the counsellor Oralie, well, I don't really understand what's wrong with them... but I've noticed a big fuzzy void in their hearts... it's like there's an echo... they'll wake up soon... if you want to come in.