Pacing, it turned out, might be great for letting out extra energy, but it did nothing to quiet my mind. It did do wonders for distracting me from what was important, though. Like the fact we were about to have visitors. If it wasn't for Charlotte's sudden rise in anxiety, I would have been caught completely flat footed. As it was, I barely had time to spin and lunge for the door before it opened and closed again, a large tray of food slid inside in record time before the way out was resealed against us.
Though my stomach ached with hunger, I refused to eat, not trusting what the sorcerers might have done to the food. That didn't stop Owen and Trill from helping themselves. To avoid temptation, I crossed to Charlotte and sat next to her, one hand on her shoulder. She seemed to calm under my touch as I fingered the crystal in my pocket.
And shook myself. "Owen," I held up the rock, glowing blue in the light, "can you free Charlotte with this?"