Sticks and Stones

Chapter Eighteen

Caspian hadn't been planning on heading to Claudio's castle anytime soon but a summoning from the King himself was unavoidable.

He'd never been nervous to enter his best friend's abode—but then again he'd never kept a secret from the man.

Under no circumstance was Claudio to find out Caspian had found his mate. Worse, he'd scorned his mate. For there was no hope for Caspian and Sofia, so Cas was done trying.

He had his mission to focus on now. Taking down the Crusader would give him something to think about.

Thoughts of her weren't needed.

Arriving to Claudio's castle, Caspian headed straight for the King's office. Except the King was in a strange mood, his facial expression one Caspian didn't understand.

"It's happening," Claudio said.

Caspian glanced to Ruby, an uptight brunette demoness, looking for answers. Said demoness hugged her clipboard and avoided his gaze. Not just his gaze but Claudio's too.

"What are you going on about?"

"It's happening Caspian," Claudio declared. "Don't you see it? Everything's changing."

Caspian turned to Ruby again. "Did you put something in his drink?"

The demoness blew out a tired breath, answering, "You should listen to him. He just got a phone call."

Now that was comical.

Claudio was big on phone calls, sure. But outside their demon community, most of the world communicated by book.

"Who's calling you old man?" No answer. "Claudio?"

"This is why you should always answer the phone," Claudio rambled. Rambled! The man was rambling. Claudio didn't ramble. "Important things happen when you answer the phone."

"You're losing me here. Just tell me what's happening."

"The war's happening."

Caspian frowned. The Chaperone had been talking about the same thing. But there was no proof in it.

What was it Cas had said?

He'd believe it when she came back. But Evette wasn't coming back so there was nothing to worry about.

"And you're happy about it?" He turned to Ruby again, aghast. "Fuck me. What did you put in his drink?"

She scoffed, glaring. "I haven't done a thing."

"Yeah, you been taking notes?"

"None of this is my doing." She shuffled, clearly uncomfortable. But if this wasn't her doing, what did she have to be nervous about? "And if you give him chance to speak, he'll tell you all about it."

"Chance to speak? He's entered planet coocoo. I'm waiting for him to speak."

Claudio beamed, explaining. "I got a call from Lorcan."

"Did you give him that ID card?"

The first thing Cas had done after leaving Dundaw was hand the ID card of the deceased werewolf over to his King. Claudio promised to get it into the right hands.

"I did. The werewolf community send their thanks, but this is something different. The werewolves want our help. Lorcan's got a friend with him. He needs a vehicle from us and wants the keys to my Scottish hunting lodge."

"Cool. What's so great about that?"

"His company." Claudio's eyes lit up. "Lorcan's travelling with Evette."