Sticks and Stones

Chapter Twenty-Five

Barely concealed behind a tall house plant, Sofia frowned at the scene before her. She didn't know what the witch had done, but when she moved her hands, Caspian's facial expression morphed into something completely different. It was like a cloud had washed over his eyes, his former intentions disappearing.

No longer did he care for the Crusader. His stern, demanding front was gone. He looked docile, almost. Like this was exactly where he was supposed to be. Like this was a fun day out instead of a serious mission.

"Better?" Lady Sara asked him. She looked expectant. Of course she did because she'd done something to him. She'd know what was wrong.

Caspian nodded enthusiastically. "Much better."

Then, like he knew his way around this enormous house, he walked off. Sara stared at the spot he'd just been standing in. Pleased, she turned and walked away.

What just happened?

And if that look on his face wasn't a dead giveaway that something was wrong, the fact that he left her stranded here did all the talking.

Caspian wouldn't leave her here on her own. She'd be his top concern. Something had to be wrong.

Against her will, she hung around for a solid twenty minutes, giving Lady Sara chance to go elsewhere.

After that, it was a game of luck, opening doors and hoping by some chance she'd stumble across him.

Each time she'd open one she took a breath of relief to find it empty. She had her crossbow at the ready in case of any trouble. Her heart was pounding a rapid beat in her chest.

She'd never done something like this alone. Caspian was supposed to be showing her what to do.

Sofia was scared.

She winced when she opened the next door, praying that by some miracle he'd be waiting for her in this room.

Crossbow held out before her, she nudged the door open.

And there he was. As casual as ever. Caspian sat on the end of a bed staring blankly at a wall, that cloudy look still fogging up his eyes.

"Oh God." She lowered her crossbow, dropping it to the floor. Caspian's head snapped up. The motion was almost mechanical as he turned to look at her. "Thank God it's you. I've been looking for you everywhere."

She scanned the room, looking for a reason he might be in here. Only it was a completely normal bedroom. A feminine one, perhaps, with a fluffy wheel chair in front of a vanity and potted flowers spread out around it.

Caspian answered automatically. "Why?"

"Because you wandered off." She closed the door behind her.  "I thought you're used to working in a team with your crew. You're supposed to let me know what you're doing before you completely disappear on me."

"Why?"

"So I know what I'm supposed to do in response."

"Why?"

"If you say why one more time I will beat you."

She checked him for injuries but didn't spot anything. He looked completely fine. Which meant there was something wrong with his head. Caspian wasn't like this. He just—he just wasn't. He was quicker on his feet and wittier. And damnit, he didn't have that empty look about his eyes like the life had been sucked out of him.

"You didn't have to come looking for me," He told her. "I'm fine where I am."

"How was I supposed to know that?"