Arabella noticed the shift. She couldn't feel it from Ariel but she could feel it straight from Cassius. The way he had spoke had reverted to his usual crafty self, the skill he always used whenever facing a great enemy. But Ariel wasn't dangerous and she frowned while looking at him, wondering what was wrong with him and the use of his tone which could come off as accusing.
But knowing how many times he had helped her, she thought about giving him a chance though her eyes still lingered at him before going back to Ariel.
Her older sister seemed to look troubled, hesitant even, she had sighed softly and placed one hand over her cheek, "Madam Ursula had struck her."
Arabella's eyes widened, "Struck?"
"Starved and struck her," answered Ariel with her lips pursed, "I had planned to go down the room underneath the building to look for her but when I visited down the basement, I found it empty and then Madam Ursula told me that Courtez had ran away."
