Runaway Rogue

Chapter Twenty Seven: Caspian's POV

Caspian could see the war in her mind. Indigo stiffened, her body freezing all motion. She could still run to the car; he was far enough from her that he wouldn't catch her before she got in the vehicle and she knew it. But the old warlock was in the house. And, according to Bentley's trackers, Indigo had definitely gone to visit the old man when she left.

It had been a gamble, but Caspian thought that she might have too much heart to abandon someone.

Caspian decided a while ago that he would not chase her, though. If being with him wasn't what she wanted, wasn't enough to make her stay, then he would deal with it. He would not force her and he could not bear a lifetime of knowing she resented him.

"Where is Albert?" Indigo asked, the question directed at Forest, but her eyes locked on Caspian.

"He's inside, but don't feel too obligated to stay. I've learned more than a few tactics to get people to talk over the years," Forest assured. "In fact, I have some new ones I want to try out too."

It was all a bluff and Caspian knew that. He had gone with Forest to pick up the old warlock and had found him hunched over his alchemy table, silver strewn about. Forest had been gentle, but firm with him. Albert had only put up a little bit of a fight, but even that expired as soon as Forest said that it was about Indigo. The worst thing the man had to endure so far was an awkward car ride and Forest's sad attempt at conversation.

"Don't hurt him," Indigo pleaded.

"I won't have to if you give us the answers we're looking for," Forest pressed.

Caspian wanted to call him off. Indigo was already trembling, straining her neck in an attempt to look through a window, to catch a glimpse of the man. Tears were welling in her amber eyes. Caspian hated that he was doing that to her, that he was letting his alpha rob her of her peace.

But the same eyes that cried now were the ones that shone in the wedding photo.

"Just come inside and talk with us for a bit," Caspian murmured. "If you want to go after that, you won't have to resort to stealing cars."

"You won't hurt him if I come and talk to you for a bit?" Indigo pressed.

"The chances are greatly reduced, but you have to be honest and forthcoming. I will get the answers I want, one way or another," Forest warned. "And I'm very good at sniffing out lies."

Caspian resisted the urge to snarl at his own alpha, but the pressure worked because Indigo stepped away from the car and moved towards them. Caspian followed closely behind her.

"Oh Albert," she gasped when they entered the home.

The old warlock was sitting on the couch, eating some treats that Anabelle had set out. He was utterly unscathed, behaving as if this were his own home. Still, Indigo added, "Are you hurt? Have they done anything to you?"

The sharp and strong woman squatted before the old man, studying him.

"Well, this carrot cake is dreadfully dry, but—"

He was cut off by the clattering of dishes, no doubt Anabelle about to come tearing around the corner from the kitchen to bite into him. Forest was there for a moment, capturing her around the waist. "Sweetheart, perhaps you should leave us. You know how dark these things can get," he murmured.

Caspian almost burst out laughing. Dark was something that Anabelle did far better than Forest. She was the one in the relationship who walked around after the slaughter, able to stomach the gore and cries while Forest had been devastated by a glimpse at bloodied clothing. And really, it was a front. Forest needed her out of the house and needed to keep Indigo compliant.