Allegiance (Causal Enchantment #3)(9)
“Evangeline?” A sharp edge to Sofie’s voice brought me back. I looked into her green eyes to see them narrowed suspiciously. “What’s wrong?”
Swallowing a lump of guilt, I shook my head fervently. “Nothing.” How much longer can I hide all this? Stop thinking about it, stupid! Stop! Think about something else! Kittens and clowns … kittens and clowns … Caden … anything …
Sofie cut into my mental mantra. “It’s strange … Ever since the Tribe’s magic touched you, I can’t read you in the same way.”
What? My heart stopped for just a second. “What … what do you mean? I’m not an open book to you anymore? Why didn’t you tell me?” A glimmer of hope sparked. Maybe I could keep these secrets hidden after all! I bit my bottom lip hard, trying not to look too excited by this news.
Sofie’s head cocked to the side as she studied me. “I can still sense your emotions, but they’re not translatable anymore. They’re all a jumbled, muted mess of constant nervousness, fear, guilt … I don’t know what’s going on inside you anymore except whatever it is, it feels like it’s tearing you apart.”
My shoulders dropped with relief. The rod of rigidity in my back eased free, leaving my body limber. Before I could stop myself, a relieved sigh escaped my lips. Sofie’s shrewd eyes remained glued on me, narrowing more.
“You’re hiding something,” she stated, stepping forward until she stood a foot away. “And you’re afraid I’ll dig it out of you.” Another statement.
I clenched my teeth to keep from talking so I had time to think. There was no point denying it. That would only make it worse, make her more suspicious. But what reasoning could I give for this tornado of emotion inside me? I focused on the rich dark hardwood flooring, nodding slowly, scrambling for an answer. Anything. A lie. A small truth. Anything but what I was truly hiding. Not one but two colossal secrets.
“You’re allowed to have secrets, Evangeline,” Sofie whispered softly, her hands landing once again on my shoulders. “Even from me. Just be wise about them. Ask yourself if you’re better off telling me, so I can protect you. If me knowing doesn’t matter, then you can keep them to yourself until you’re ready to talk.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded again. That was an easy answer. No, you’re definitely not better off knowing, Sofie. Far from it. The world is better off with you not knowing.
“Of course, with this much turmoil, it’d be better to get things off your chest,” she added casually.
I nodded but said nothing.
After an awkward moment, when Sofie realized I wouldn’t be spilling my guts, she gestured to the dresser. “I brought some things for you. Pajamas, a change of clothes, toiletries.” I looked over to see a tidy pile of newly purchased supplies. Or stolen, given it was eleven thirty and none of the stores Sofie dared enter would be open at this hour. Next to the clothes sat a silver tray with various dishes and cutlery. “A warm broth,” Sofie explained and I frowned, wondering how she had brought them in without my notice. “You should work your appetite back up to something heavier.” With that, she wrapped her arms around me, enveloping me in a nurturing, warm embrace. Without thought, I hugged her in return. I rested my chin on her shoulder, my face falling into her mane of red hair, silky against my skin. I inhaled, swirls of sugar and musk and a warm summer day tickling my senses. So comforting.
“I missed you so,” Sofie whispered, squeezing tighter.
I heard the doorknob click, setting loose wild butterflies in my stomach. Caden … I turned, unable to keep the grin from my face. When a giant snout greeted me instead, the grin wandered off. Max, with his giant maw on the lever doorknob, let himself in.
Sofie chuckled warmly, her arms sliding off me. “There’s my favorite beast.” Strolling over, she clasped her hands around his head and leaned down to give him a kiss. What a change from the early days when Sofie gave him nothing but poisonous glares.
At least someone appreciates me, Max grumbled, misreading my dismayed expression. I instantly felt guilty. I was happy to see my guardian. But I was dying to see Caden …
“Get some rest. You’re safe here,” Sofie said.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “People have been living here for years now, so it’s not like the old abandoned chateau on the hill has suspiciously come to life,” Sofie explained, walking over to the wall near one of the windows. “I have security on the perimeter and magical tripwires set. Everything we need for fair warning. And then, if someone does put two and two together and gets through …” Sofie’s hand coasted up to the wall beside her to touch a piece of molding. She pushed and I heard a click. A piece of wall swung into darkness. “If you ever need to escape, do what I just did. No one knows about it but you and me. And Max, now. Not even the staff knows.” Sofie pulled the door shut. “Mind you, you probably won’t want to venture in there unless you need to. It’s probably home to an army of eight-legged critters.”
I shuddered at the thought, earning a soft chuckle from Sofie.
“The duke who owned this home, before Nathan appropriated it, was a suspicious old bird. He had all these secret passages and tunnels built.” A giggle escaped her perfect lips. A sardonic little giggle. “Funny—that’s exactly where Nathan found him. Not much of a secret.” A far-off look skittered across her face and then she was back.