Gabrielle’s smile looked tight—and perhaps a little forced—and she cleared her throat. “Of course. I just…I haven’t gotten much sleep for the past twonights.”
She’s upset…butwhy?
Puss must have sensed the emotion as well, for he left Angelique’s side and meandered up to Gabrielle’s chair. “Beat it,” he hissed at the orange cat before jumping onto his mistress’s lap. “Ugh—you smell like you’ve been cavorting with foxcubs.”
Gabrielle scooped him up into a tighthug.
Angelique wondered if the young lady would start crying, so she purposely looked away, casting her eyes across the dusty and dilapidatedhall.
Roland’s voice was gentle when he spoke. “It’s all right, Gabrielle. Angelique fixed me up quite nicely, even if her bedside manners arepoor.”
Hearing the obvious cue Roland had made to insert some humor into the tense moment, Angelique drawled, “Now I remember why Master Evariste and I always left youbehind.”
“How do you two know each other?” Gabrielle released Roland and slowly stood as if it made her bonesache.
Roland hopped onto the ground. “She was my originalmistress.”
Angelique thought she caught a flicker of dismay in the beautiful girl’s face.Does she think Roland means to part from her?Aloud, Angelique said, “Master Evariste—the Lord Enchanter to whom I serve as apprentice—gave him to me for my birthday many yearsago.”
“You were her pet?” Gabrielleasked.
“Assistant!” Roland snapped. “I was given to her because Angelique has the focus of a child being lured with asweet.”
“Magic cats of any age are hard to come by,” Angelique said, “but Master Evariste somehow found Roland…er…Puss when he was still a kitten. He was supposed to be a companion and a reference, as he is quite knowledgeable in casting magic—even charms that are beyond hisabilities.”
Gabrielle looked down at the magic feline. “You must have beenexpensive.”
“Yes, but that man squanders money on Angelique all the time.” Roland swatted at the orange cat when it ventured tooclose.
“I see,” Gabriellesaid.
Angelique tilted her head slightly as she studied the young hero.Did she sound…sad?
Roland didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he peered around the room. “Where have all the humans gone? I haven’t seen any scurrying about—mind you, Angelique and I blew through the city, so I shouldn’t besurprised.”
“They’re hiding,” Gabriellesaid.
Roland twitched his whiskers, and Angelique could almostseethe schemes of his brain coming tofruition.
She grinned. “Perhaps we should find them and inform them of their newmaster,”
“Their what?” Gabrielle asked, soundingconfused.
“Their new master. They have a right to know the despot-ogre was ousted and to be given a chance to follow you willingly,” Roland said. “Though, mark my words, if they refuse to acknowledge your leadership, they deserve to be chopped up into mincemeat!” He padded from the room, his glee apparent in the sway of his blacktail.
Gabrielle took a staggering step towards the wrecked doors. “Why would they followme?”
Angelique started after Roland but paused in the broken doorway long enough to offer the obviously confused Gabrielle what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Because you’re the new Marquise ofCarabas.”
“No, I’m not.” Gabrielle followed Angelique and Roland down the emptyhallway.
“Save your breath, Angelique. Gabrielle can be as stubborn as a mule,” Rolandadvised.
Angelique snorted, then tried to alter it into a more appropriate peal of laughter. “So you’ve met your match then? I can see how you enjoy yourself.” She opened a set of doors, and together they slippedoutside.
Roland’s voice was thick with satisfaction. “It has been a refreshingchange.”
Gabrielle hung back, holding the door so the orange cat could follow after them. “What made you two decide to part ways?” sheasked.
