I LED THEM THROUGH the castle, focusing my mind on anything but the woman walking with Stavrok. I pointed out all the changes I’d made and moved as if in a trance. The voices around me were muffled, like I was underwater.
After a while, Stavrok stepped out in front and led the way, talking loudly and asking question after question. He seemed keen to put as much space between me and his cousin as possible.
Cass herself was an enigma.
I could barely keep my eyes off her. She flitted through the hallways, her gaze wide and excited at every detail, every new discovery. Occasionally she stole a glance at me, and I looked away the moment our eyes met, glaring down at the floor.
I didn’t trust my dragon not to grab her if he had half the chance.
Her long dark hair tumbled around her shoulder
