Chapter 7
Intersecting Paths
Callie hadn’t needed to stop at the gates. The guards had seen her garb and immediately opened the gate even though she was still a long way from it. Callie had wondered how she was going to get through, especially as she had no money, but apparently the right dress was enough. Part of her thought that Caden may have paid them ahead of time. After all, he had made her breakfast and gotten her a horse and a dress, all without her realizing it.
Only after she realized just how much he had done did Callie realize that he either did it all shirtless, or he had removed his shirt when he climbed back in bed. Her cheeks turned bright red at the thought, and a part of her was jealous that other people would have gotten to see him without his shirt. It was something she was going to ask him later.
The time seemed to pass slowly as the horse trotted down the road. Callie wanted it to go faster, but she remembered that Caden was going on foot. He was certainly fast in his other form, but he had also been hurt recently, and as far as she could tell he hadn’t eaten anything since she had treated his injuries. Then there was the matter of her replacement. The village may have thought she was leaving on vacation, but she had no idea what state her place had been in when Proseus had arrived the next morning. The back door was completely smashed for a start, although he may not have noticed that yet since there was no reason for him to go through the house. Everything he needed was in the front. She also wanted to ask how the villagers had believed suddenly that she was leaving when the matter had never come up. While she thought it must have been something Caden did, her gut told her that magic of that nature was outside his ability—which only left Alexis.
She’s a mystic. It was a startling realization, but it made complete sense now that she thought about it. Alexis had known about Caden, had even mentioned him. Would she have done something like that? And why? Callie got the distinct impression that Alexis did not play by the rules or follow anyone’s instructions. So why would she go out of her way to change the minds of an entire village for someone she barely knew?
Callie’s head began to hurt, so she squeezed the bridge of her nose with a hand. When she pulled the hand away, the rock face was right in front of her. Immediately, she swung her leg over the other side of the horse and leaned forward. In response, the horse began to move faster, and Callie smiled as the wind blew past her. It was comforting in a way she had not appreciated in the last few years. She had rarely had a chance to move quickly on the horses when her fathers were around—they were very against it, constantly pointing out how dangerous it was. Since their death, she had no interest in doing most of the things they had been against, except for reading the fairy tales. Callie had never ridden this fast and it felt good. Closing her eyes, she smiled as her worries disappeared in the sensation of the moment.
It wasn’t too long after the rock face (at least she didn’t think it was long after it), a small village came into view. Callie slowed the horse and directed it down the fork toward the village. As she neared it, a young woman came running out of the woods. Tripping over her feet, the woman fell in road. Callie immediately stopped the horse.
“Are you alright?” She tried to hurry to help the young woman, but found it much harder to move with all of the fabric from her dress.
The young woman looked to be about Callie’s age. She started to back up, a terrified look on her face.
Realizing a little late that the young woman must have taken her as a noble, Callie said, “I’m not noble. I’m just an apothecary. There’s no reason to be afraid.”
The fear in the young woman’s startling lavender eyes caused Callie to pause. The red hair was tangled and full of twigs and leaves. Her skin was much fairer than an ordinary person’s, but her clothes were definitely that of a servant or worse. She was gorgeous but obviously undernourished. Her dress was ripped and there was a thin trickle of blood coming out of her knee.
Her voice was musical as she murmured, “Mystic. You’re a mystic!” She was backing up, her hands scrambling on the dirt.
“It’s… I’m not going to—”
Before Callie could stop her, the young woman stood up and fled into the woods. Callie wanted to run after her, but knowing that would just upset the young woman further, she bit her lip and looked after her.
A low, smooth voice startled her, “You didn’t need to say you weren’t a noblewoman, so what are you? Oh! I definitely haven’t been good in this life, so why am I getting so unbelievably lucky?” Callie stood up quickly. Too quickly. As she started to fall, a pair of arms caught her.
Caden was suddenly behind her. “Move along, Caspian. There is nothing here for you.”
Callie looked up into the beautiful yellow eyes, momentarily forgetting everything else. Then her mind snapped back to the moment. She turned and placed her hands on Caden’s chest. He looked surprised as she stared up at him.
“Caden, there was a young woman here just a moment ago, and she was terrified. She knew what I was and ran off. Please go after her and help her. She was bleeding and clearly in need of food. I know you can help her.” His eyes were wide with shock, but before he could refuse her, Callie’s fist balled up. “Please, Caden. I can’t just let her run off like that. She’ll die in two days if she doesn’t get decent food and water.”
Caden began to shake his head, but then the smooth voice cut in, “Quite the dilemma. You don’t want to tell her no, and she doesn’t want to give you an order. Whatever will you do?”
Callie looked over her shoulder. There was a low growl from Caden, but as soon as she placed her hands flat on his chest, the growl stopped. Callie saw a man leaning against her horse. The fear in the poor creature’s eyes was obvious, but it seemed to be trying not to breathe, let alone move. It was definitely the wrong reaction for a horse. The man’s sleek, black hair framed his face in a way that highlighted his sapphire-green eyes. They are the same color as Alexis’. The thought flashed through Callie’s mind, but she did not pay it any attention. Even the man’s incredibly firm body, which was obvious through his tight, three-piece outfit, and handsome face barely registered with her.
Turning her attention back to Caden, she was about to start begging when the man behind her spoke again. “You are about to protest because someone has to take care of this poor little lamb, and no one can do that like you. Not with an army of the Unwashed following her.” The way the man said Unwashed sounded more like he was spitting the words out of his mouth. A low growl escaped Caden at the words too, and Callie knew that neither man had a high opinion of the men tracking her down. The man bowed, “My name is Caspian, and your guardian and I go way back. And as someone who has known him for such a long, long time, I feel compelled to offer my services. I will take care of your mystic, and you can run off to help the poor helpless creature your mystic is worried about.”
Despite feeling a bit uncomfortable, Callie immediately began to nod her head. “Yes. See, Caden? Caspian can make sure I am alright. You go help her. Please.” Her eyes pleaded with him.
Caden closed his eyes for a second as he gritted his teeth. When he opened them again, they were as fierce as when they had been trapped inside her home. His voice was tense and he barely moved his mouth as he made his demands. “Take her to the last house, you know which one, and get her a meal. I will pay for yours as well once I get back.”
Caspian raised an eyebrow, “You think that I will keep her safe for the cost of a meal?”
“In your current state, a free meal is enough to buy your loyalty for a full day.”
Caspian burst out laughing, “How well you know me. We have a deal. Now run along before something happens to that poor little lamb running from the slaughter.”
“I dare say with you staying here, half of her problems are over.”
“Shows how little you know of the situation. Me staying here only solves about a fourth of her problems.”
Caden narrowed his eyes. “Just what have you gotten me into?”
Caspian strode forward, every movement like a hypnotic threat that lulled Callie into ignoring almost everything else. “You shall see. Now, hurry.”
Callie felt a hand on her upper arm turn her around. As soon as she was looking into Caden’s eyes she came crashing back into reality. His voice was low and soft. “Be careful. Don’t make any promises, and if you feel any pain, think of me. My name. Do you understand?”
Callie nodded.
Caden then looked at Caspian who now stood directly behind Callie. Gently pushing her toward the other man, Caden instructed him, “You will need to carry her to the house.”
“What? Why?” Caspian was frowning by the sudden turn in the conversation. His hands touched her, but he did not seem comfortable with her being so close.
“You felt it last night. That was her, and she is untrained.”
Caspian’s eyes widened and he looked at her. “Um, suddenly I remembered—”
“No, no, no.” There was both a warning tone and a hint of amusement in Caden’s voice. His arms went around Callie and she seemed to sway as Caspian took a step back. “The proposition was yours. You agreed to it.”
Caspian took another step back. “Yeah, but it isn’t something you really wanted to do. Okay, look, why don’t I go—”
“Because you will kill her outright instead of lifting a finger to help her.” Caden’s tone was matter-of-fact, and Callie felt certain that he knew what he was talking about.
“What if I promise—”
“We have a deal, but if you want out of it, we can always settle it the old-fashioned way.”
Caspian held up his hands, “Between you and the mystic, I choose the untrained mystic. At least if she kills me it is by accident. And probably not nearly so painful.” The distaste was obvious, but Caspian was clearly in a corner.
Caden wrapped his other arm around Callie, pulling her in close as he whispered in her ear, “Stay calm and it will be alright.”
“Why would he kill her?”
“We will talk about that later. Just relax because his kind does not do well when the people around them are tense. Their instincts kick in automatically. I will be back as soon as possible, and you know how to check on me if needed.”
Callie nodded and closed her eyes. She felt his voice rumble through his chest as he addressed Caspian, “Remember, you have to carry her and—”
“Yes, I got it. We will wait here for you, but I can’t do anything about the horse. I won’t be held responsible for her jumping off.”
Callie looked around and realized that at some point, the horse had taken off. Probably after Caspian had walked away from it.
Caden’s voice was level, “I will worry about that. You just make sure to protect her. Even if that is against your nature. If any harm comes to her, they won’t find any of your remains.”
Callie felt another pair of strong arms lift her up. When she looked to see Caden, she couldn't find him.
“Come on, little lamb. It looks like we are going to have a very long day.”
Callie looked at Caspian, the smile gone from his face as his eyes followed something in the distance. The way his eyes shifted was definitely not human, and the center of his eyes were slits, and she realized that the only difference between Caden’s eyes and Caspian’s was the color. “Are you a shifter, too?”
The beautiful eyes turned to her. They sparkled with interest, “Your guardian has not told you about me?”
Callie began to shake her head, “I only just met him a couple of days ago.”
Caspian’s mouth dropped open a little before he quickly closed it and started to shake his head. “Oh, dear gods, I knew that my luck couldn’t possibly have been as good as it looked. I swear, one damn artifact and this is what I get. It wasn’t even my idea, I was just—gods, never mind.” His eyes looked at Callie. “So, you are in love with your guardian, huh?”
“What?” Callie almost shouted the question. “No. Of course not!”
“Not that I needed the confirmation, but just for your own reference, if you don’t feel strongly about someone, you don’t get that worked up about them. You should be grateful that I didn’t bring it up in front of him because even that thick-skulled fool would have understood your lie. Well, perhaps I am over-estimating him.”
“What do you mean? I don’t—”
Caspian laughed. It was easily the most menacing laugh she had ever heard, and it made Callie understand how the horse felt. Trying to refrain from shivering, she watched Caspian’s face. “You both are emitting the pheromones that indicate how you feel. But I have to tell you, if you are interested in him, you are going to have to be the one to make the move because that man would never admit to any such inappropriate feelings. Up until you, I wouldn’t have believed he could feel anything inappropriate, but you can’t argue with the smell.”
“What are you talking about?” Callie felt that the man was perhaps talking to amuse himself more than converse with her. “He doesn’t think of me that way at all. We slept together last night and he wasn’t even flustered by me being beside him.”
Caspian’s eyes sparkled and he purred as he looked at her. “You two slept together? That is a development. Maybe his undoing has finally arrived.” Callie did not like the look in his eyes, but she tried to suppress her discomfort after Caden’s warning. Caspian watched her, then seemed to muse more to himself than attempt to converse with her. “Well, being an assassin, my sense of smell is more attuned than nearly any other animal you will meet. Even better than your little Caden’s there. And with the number of times I have used that smell to lure prey to their demise, it’s not something I’m going to miss. Especially around him. It is the smell of weakness.”
“I don’t understand what you are talking about.”
“No, I wouldn't expect someone who has basically no experience in our world to understand anything I am saying. I’m not really saying it for your benefit, now, am I? Oh, look, here we are.”
Caspian kicked the door open. A small family was standing in the living room, their eyes all swiveling to see who had barged into their home. The husband picked up the young child, grabbed the other kid’s hand and raced out of the room. The wife stepped forward. “You know you are not welcome here.” A small fire leapt into her hand, and the woman did not seem concerned that there were two people. “I will kill you before you get into my home. Especially if you plan on bringing your pet with you.”
Caspian’s smooth voice was cool and collected, “You must forgive us, dear madam. My mistress has been manipulated and is currently running from the Unwashed.”
The woman hissed at the name and the flame dimmed. “How was she manipulated?”
“Her parents left her for dead, and she was raised as a human all of this time. She didn’t even know of her powers until very recently. Now that her power has presented itself, they have found her. I intend to take her to her people, and you will never see her again. Surely, you cannot blame a child for what the parents did. Even you are not so cruel, Jade.”
The woman gritted her teeth. “You don’t look like a guardian.”
Caspian chuckled, “Looks can be deceiving, but as you can see, here I am tending to my charge, and if I don’t feed her soon, she may die. You see, she discovered her powers just last night when—”
The woman’s mouth opened. “That was you?” Her eyes were on Callie.
Nodding, Callie felt very self-conscious. She had not been able to completely follow the conversation because clearly the woman could tell what she was, but Callie had no idea who the woman was. “He was seriously injured, but didn’t tell me. One of the arrows was buried in his chest and would have killed him if I hadn’t—”
“Wait, you saved your guardian?” The woman’s hands dropped. “But why? Mystics don’t care. My first husband—are you two involved?”
Caspian gave her a demur smile, “That is a very definite possibility.”
Callie immediately responded with a sharp denial, “No! I would never do that to him!”
The woman’s eyes narrowed, but she moved to the kitchen. “Alright, I am convinced. I will feed both of you, but you must leave before the sun sets. Power like that will surely attract attention, and I do not need attention.”
Callie began to object that they wouldn’t need to be there that long, but Caspian gave her a little squeeze to keep her quiet. To the woman he said, “You have my word, we will be gone before nightfall.”
Callie’s stomach growled as the smell of food wafted through the room. Caspian sat down with her, placing her in his lap.
“Thank you, Caspian, but could you place me on my own seat?”
“But I am so comfortable this way.” He moved a hand up and down her back. Callie shuddered involuntarily, and to her surprise, she realized it was a shudder of pleasure.
“Please don’t do that.” Her voice was low so that the woman wouldn't hear her.
“You need to learn how to feel pleasure. If you go with your guardian, I seriously doubt you will ever understand what pleasure is. He is about as cold and unfeeling as they come.” His hand moved more slowly up her back.
“If you keep doing that—”
Suddenly the hand was off her back. Caspian’s voice was enticing as he looked at her. “If you find yourself wanting to feel life, I can pay you a visit wherever you are, whenever you like. There are few things that I love more than a powerful woman who doesn’t yet know her limitations.”
“Don’t wait for me. I trust Caden, and he was clearly uncomfortable with you.”
“Oh, he just took one of my hits personally. She wasn’t even his charge anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Callie looked at the man, whose attention seemed to be straying.
His eyes looked around the room as he spoke, “Obviously, you aren’t his first charge. You are, what, not yet 20? He’s over 125, quite an old age for a guardian.”
“He’s 125?” Callie was in shock. “He looks really good for 125.”
“Well, white tiger shifters tend to live to be about 400, so he is still quite young, but guardians are a uniquely stupid kind of creature. They allow themselves to die to protect women like you. Women who, if they live to old age, won’t be more than 80. Beautiful to the end, sure, but why would a creature that can live to be 400 give up that life for a creature that lives a tiny fraction of that? It’s not like mystics are particularly kind or generous. Yet there he is, choosing death over the much more logical and natural desire to stay alive. You are a particularly interesting wrench in his thinking, to be sure.” Caspian’s eyes moved over her. “And beauty alone isn’t enough for him. I mean, the woman I killed complained about how he wouldn’t touch her, not in any way she wanted, even when she commanded him to. It was why she fired him, leaving a much better opening for me. You see, her next guardian was much easier to manipulate and when she got frustrated with him, she was willing to sneak out to meet me. And she was beautiful on the outside.” There was a look in his eyes that Callie did not like. “I almost wanted to stuff her and mount her after taking her life. I doubted that it would be nearly as pleasurable as mounting her had been when she was alive.” He let out a laugh that caused Callie to shudder. “But it would have been nice to have that corpse for show later. She was a remarkable beauty.”
Looking toward the kitchen, Callie wished the woman was done. Clearly Caspian was just going to hint at things without giving context or details. His conversation was pretty one-sided.
Without any other topic, Callie asked, “How long do you think it will take him?”
“Knowing Caden, he’ll treat her like a mystic instead of what she is, and that is going to cause some serious trouble down the road. And I would love to be a spectator at that.”
“So how long do you think it will take?”
“Maybe a few days.”
“What?”
Caspian shrugged, “You were the one to beg him to take care of her. Oh,” a wicked grin spread across his face, “are you jealous? Are you imagining her riding him to safety?”
The way he asked let Callie know that what he meant was something different than what it sounded like. “No, I am not jealous. I want her to be taken care of.”
“Yes, and when you learn better, you will mean that in a way that is more similar to my line of work.”
“She was a poor, helpless creature who—”
“Oh please, she is a seer. Mystics and seers get along about as well as guardians and assassins, although you are much less honest about it.”
“I have nothing against seers. The stories about them in the book always seemed more like propaganda than anything. I always thought the mystics and seers should have sat down and talked.”
“Stories? Is that why this bag is so heavy?” Caspian pulled a bag seemingly out of nowhere.
Callie quickly recognized it as the bag with the only items she had taken from her home. She tried to snatch it from his hands, something that should have been easy considering she was in his lap. When she ended up leaning over him to try to grab the bag from his hand, Callie realized that she had pressed her breasts into his face. Pulling away from him, her face burning red, she was about to reprimand him when the sound of someone clearing her throat interrupted them.
“I realize that these kinds of things happen, but please not in my home. Keep your urges to yourself because I have children here.” She set the food down in front of them.
Callie struggled to take a seat away from Caspian. The woman came around. “No, no, dear. With as much magic as you used last night, you should be dead. That more than anything else tells me that you two really care for each other, so there is no need to move away from him on my account. And you probably need the support in your current condition. I don’t mind you being close, just don’t take it any further than that. If you ride him to the next town, you should make it before the gates close. Or I’m sure he can pay them to get in.”
“Did you hear that? All you have to do is say yes.” Caspian’s hand ran up her back, causing her to shudder.
“Thank you, madam,” Callie tried to ignore the assassin.
“Jade, dear. My name is Jade.”
“Thank you, Jade. I promise we will behave,” she gave Caspian a meaningful look, “and as soon as we are done eating, we will get out of your way. I really appreciate everything you have done.”
Jade patted her hand, “I really hope you make it onto the council. Growing up away from them has certainly made you a much better person, although I suppose that is not really what they want.”
She left the room. Callie ate everything on her plate, her stomach full only after she finished a second glass of water. It was only as she set her plate down that she realized Caspian was focused on his own meal. Unlike her, he was eating slowly, savoring every bite as if it were his last.
“I wouldn't have taken you for someone who is a slow eater.”
His eyes looked at her before going back to his plate. “When you get regular meals you wouldn’t understand what it is to appreciate a good meal when the opportunity arises.”
“Certainly all you need to do is get your own… whatever it is you protect.”
The fork in his hand stopped on the way to his mouth. “Are you trying to be funny? Do you think you are clever saying things like that just because I have a deal with your guardian? Believe me, I could be a long way from here before—”
Callie shook her head, “Mystics have guardians. Seers have champions. They are cat shifters. Certainly, you are meant to have someone you protect. Isn’t that the point of cat shifters?”
Caspian let out a low growl, his eyes dangerously narrowed for a moment. Finally, he put his fork down and ran a hand over his mouth. “No, you don’t know because neither mystics nor seers would talk about assassins. We are seen as beneath the other cat shifters. We aren’t strong like tigers, and we certainly aren’t as confrontational as jaguars. In a head-on challenge, we will almost always lose. Panthers have agility and stealth. We rely on it to survive, and as a result are seen as little better than scavengers. Druids do hire us from time to time, but we are not coupled like other shifters. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to finish enjoying my meal. If I can find any enjoyment in it now.”
Callie frowned at him, “But why? Agility is not something to scoff at. One of the most valued people in our village was incredibly dexterous and agile. He wasn’t the best worker in the field, and he couldn’t take on bandits, but he could do things to repair people’s homes and tools that no one else could. The way he climbs around is…” Her voice faded as she realized she would never see him again.
Caspian remind silent for a while. When he spoke, it brought her out of her reverie and memories of the past. “Well, in my world, that won’t get you anything.
“What if I hire you?” Callie looked him directly in the eyes.
Caspian looked at her for a moment, his eyes clearly trying to figure out if she was serious. In the end, he laughed at her response. “Even if you were willing to pay me with the only thing you have—which isn’t money, by the way,” the look in his eyes was unsettling as he emphasized her current state, “you won’t be hiring me to kill. You don’t need an assassin to fix your latest dress or saddle.”
There was a knock at the door. Jade walked through, her eyes on the pair sitting there. “Did you tell someone else to come here?”
Caspian stood up quickly with Callie in his arms. “He should not be back for several more hours.” The handsome assassin sighed. “I guess that means it’s time we get moving.”
Jade frowned at him, “I take it you are running from someone and that is the person at my door.”
As soon as the door opened, Callie let out a little squeal. Caden stood in the door. “Hello, Jade. I believe you have my charge.”
“Caden? What are you doing here?” Jade turned to look at the pair. “I take it he isn’t a guardian, then.”
“No, but for the moment, he is not a bad guy.” Caden brought out a small purse, picked up her hand, and placed the purse in it. “This is for your hospitality. I would ask you to be hospitable with him until he finishes his meal, which will likely be another hour or two.” His eyes looked between Caspian and Callie, and she noticed a slight flash in them as he looked on. He quickly shifted his gaze to Jade as she replied.
“For you, Caden, I promise to do as you ask. But you owe me.”
“Actually, I know exactly how to pay you back. My charge there had to leave her village with no warming. As problematic as she is, Alexis affected their minds, and they believe that she is on vacation. While gone, she will fall in love and get married.”
Jade’s eyes looked hopeful, “So they are in need of an apothecary?”
“Yes, and if Callie is alright with it, I would like to extend the offer to you to take over. I can draw you a map if you two agree.” His eyes flicked back to Callie for a second, but he looked away nearly as quickly.
Callie looked at Jade, “I would love to have you take over. The back door will need to be repaired, and I would ask that you keep Proseus as your apprentice, but the village where I grew up would greatly benefit from a woman like you. I wouldn’t recommend using magic in front of anyone, though, unless you are saving a life. They are somewhat traditional in the way they think. I am sorry that you are losing your village.”
Jade smiled, “It’s okay. Most of them moved after a few noblemen had taken to hunting too close. The area has some unusual prey, and they ended up killing a couple of children by accident. It wasn’t something I had to worry about because my children are too young to leave home, but the other parents were understandably concerned. When the stream dried up, that convinced most others it was time to take their chances elsewhere, especially after someone started talking about a curse. There are only four other occupied huts here.”
Callie looked at Caden as if she needed something from him. He tilted his head to the side, not sure what to say. Biting her lip, Callie asked, “What will happen to those who remain?”
Jade shrugged, “The village has already been noticed, but they have nowhere to go. There are some elderly people and two other families with young children, so how could they leave?”
“What if he helped?” Callie indicated Caspian. He looked at her like she was insane, the food halfway to his mouth. Caden’s eyes were wide at the suggestion, but whatever he was thinking he kept to himself. “You could all move to my village. There are a couple of unoccupied huts there. They may need to share until a new home can be constructed, but I’m sure the town would welcome them. And as payment, you could feed him three meals a day until the move is complete.”
Jade gave Caspian an appraising look. “I suppose if he is willing to help.”
Callie turned to Caspian with a smile, “You can appreciate three square meals for at least a week.”
His brilliant eyes looked into hers, his thoughts unknowable. Finally, a smile flickered over this face and he tilted his head back. “Alright. I will help, but I would request not to be used as a babysitter. I don’t much like children.” His hand brushed some of her hair back as he looked at Callie. “If it will make you happy, then I agree to it.” Callie stared into his eyes, vaguely aware of a low growling sound.
Jade frowned but still nodded her head. “Alright. We can notify them once you are done eating. We will need a couple of days to prepare.”
Caspian smiled, his eyes fixed on Callie’s. “Don’t rush on my part.” He pulled her down so that her ear was near his mouth as he whispered, “I can certainly see why he likes you. Remember, I am here for you should you desire excitement.”
Caden moved over and picked up Callie from Caspian’s lap. Callie let out a slight gasp at the way he nearly yanked her away. Her eyes turned to his, but Caden’s eyes were on Caspian. “Thank you very much for tending to her. I believe we are more than even, so don’t try to follow.”
Callie whispered in his ear, “Can you give them some money for a horse and cart?”
Caden looked down at her. There was a flash in his eyes and he gritted his teeth for a second, but finally he nodded. “Here.” He pulled a small purse out of his coat and handed it to Caspian. “I will leave getting the cart and horse to you.”
Caspian’s smile was pure enjoyment. “I am being rewarded?”
Caden’s voice was stern as he reminded Caspian of the money’s purpose. “Don’t even think about running off with it.”
“I don’t run from a week of good meals. I was thinking more about what you are putting the horse through. You realize what that will do to the horse’s lifespan.”
“You could always pull the cart.”
Caspian shook his head, “No, no. I’ll be careful. And don’t forget this.” He proffered Callie’s bag as Caden prepared to leave. Almost snatching it from Caspian’s hands, Caden turned away from the assassin.
Caden strode toward the door. They exchanged farewells with Jade, then Caden opened the door. Callie turned toward Caspian and said, “Thank you very much. I wish you better luck after the move. Perhaps it will dispel whatever misfortune you are currently experiencing.”
A strange look crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced with a smile. “Thank you.” Caden pulled the door open and they had stepped through when the silky voice caught their attention. “Oh, and sweetheart,” Caspian’s eyes were penetrating as he looked at Callie, “since you have been so kind, I feel compelled to help you with your problem. You had best try it if you want it to go anywhere. He will never do it himself. If not…” He gave her an alluring smile, and she felt a rumble in Caden’s chest. Caspian’s smile didn’t move as he turned his attention back to his food.
Jade leaned over toward Callie and Caden. “He’s an assassin, isn’t he?”
Callie watched Jade’s hospitality start to sour as soon as she knew what Caspian was. “You promised to be hospitable with him. Please do, because he isn’t the person you think he is. He is willing to help you and the remaining villagers move.”
Both Jade and Caden gave her looks of surprise, although Jade looked like she was also disgusted with the reminder. “I will not turn away his help, but it will not change my distaste at having to rely on him. An assassin in my house.” The last sentence was muttered.
Callie looked back at Caspian, who seemed completely oblivious to the conversation. She said, “He is better than an Unwashed.”
Jade shivered. “Obviously, but he makes me uncomfortable.”
“Only now that you know what he is. You were perfectly fine with him before.”
Caden cut in, “Thank you, Jade. I will send more information, including a map. Come, Callie, we need to move.”
Several minutes later, Callie and Caden were on their way to the nearest town. Callie had so many questions, but afraid that she would sound jealous, she kept them to herself. Caden seemed equally lost in his own thoughts. Finally he spoke up, “I am going to shift because it will go faster. Despite a large head start, if we keep up at a human pace, they will catch us.”
Callie nodded. Once the transformation was done, she gently climbed on his back and rested against his fur. The steady movements combined with her full stomach soon had her drifting off to sleep soon after they left the village.