Entrancing

Summary: When Sofia, Amber, and Calista all appear to be under the spell of an enchanting guitarist, Cedric, Desmond, and Angel team up to break the musical enchantment. However, things aren't always what they seem.

Disclaimer: I only own Angel. Any other OC that appears in this story belongs to MarionetteJ2X.

A/N: Well, if you've wanted to see Cedric flip out a bit, you're in for a treat. Lol. Like Angel and Desmond, he's not in the least bit happy with the situation going on with Sofia, and let's just say that Wormwood isn't making things any better. Bahahaha!

Chapter 4: Sofia's Dilemma

Unlike the other two, Sofia had lingered in Cedric's workshop a while, and she was currently slumped over his worktable with quite possibly the silliest grin he'd ever seen plastered on her face. She was clearly out of it, humming some song and drawing patterns on the wooden surface with her fingers.

"I've never seen her like this," Wormwood admitted as he perched on Cedric's shoulder. He'd just returned from his daily flight, and needless to say, he'd certainly come back to quite an interesting spectacle. "What did you do to her?"

"I like how you automatically assume that I had something to do with this," Cedric grumbled before folding his arms. "She, Calista, and Princess Amber are all acting much the same way. They came in babbling about some strange musician and how 'dreamy and handsome' he is. Bah." He rolled his eyes as Wormwood lifted off his shoulder and flew to his perch instead. "It's not like Sofia to act so ridiculous over some musician she's only just met."

"Of course not," Wormwood added, a leer on his visage as Cedric looked toward him with a pointed expression. "Everyone knows that Princess Sofia reserves all her affection and encouragement for Mr. Cedric. If that were to change, well… That would be preposterous!" He yelped as a book sailed past his head. He glared at his master. "Don't get angry at me just because you're jealous that the princess seems to be redirecting her attention to someone else for a change!"

Cedric growled in annoyance, slamming his hands onto his table and startling Sofia into mild alertness. "I'm not jealous! I'm concerned!" He gestured toward his partner, who was now sitting up and smiling dazedly at him. "Sofia doesn't act like this. She doesn't become enamored or fascinated by the first person she sees."

"May I remind you how you two met? 'GAAAASP! Mr. CEEDRIC! Oh, you're the best! I've always wanted to meet a real sorcerer! Ahh!' Are you sure you didn't put her under a spell? Oh, that's right. That wasn't exactly your strong suit." Wormwood smirked and dodged another book. "Oh, for—stop that!"

"Mr. Cedric?"

Cedric put down the next book he'd picked up and turned to his friend, sitting down across from her and placing his hands over hers. "Sofia, are you all right?"

She smiled with a small giggle. "I'm better than all right… I can still hear the guitarist's music in my mind, and it just…" She sighed. "It's so beautiful… I don't think anything is better than his music."

"Oh, really?" Cedric removed his hands, folding his arms underneath him as he stared at her imploringly. "Do tell. What exactly fascinates you so much about his music?"

"Everything," she responded simply, propping her head into her hands. "The gentle strumming and humming… It's like he was speaking to my soul."

"I think you mean singing to your soul, Princess," Wormwood corrected, snickering as Cedric tossed him another glare. "I'm just trying to help."

"No, you're not! You're antagonizing!"

"Yes—you! Clearly, she isn't bothered by this. You're the one who seems to be taking issue with this."

"Doesn't it seem strange to you? Sofia is so much more reasonable and straightforward than those who get carried away with feelings. Not even that! This whole being smitten at first sight thing is so unlike her."

Wormwood flew over to Sofia and alighted onto her shoulder, using the back of his wing to feel her forehead and her left cheek.

Cedric deadpanned at the bird. "What are you doing?"

"Diagnosing," he responded, giving the sorcerer a cheeky smirk. "Conclusion: lovesickness."

"That's impossible."

"Might I remind you that you've also suffered something similar?" He gestured emphatically with his other wing. "I seem to remember a nuisance by the name of Sascha." He cackled as Cedric growled and picked up the previously discarded book, only to set it down when he realized that he couldn't throw it at the raven without possibly hitting Sofia in the process. "You snapped out of your weird infatuation after a while. Sofia will do the same." He frowned. "And hopefully the other two will as well, or else that's going to get rather complicated. Especially since one of them is engaged."

Cedric groaned and raked his hands through his hair as he glanced toward Sofia, who had her eyes closed and was humming a soft song, a smile on her face. "Maybe I'm overreacting, and maybe I'm not. But like you mentioned, it's not just Sofia who came in here looking entranced. Princess Amber and Calista did the same, and this just has trouble written all over it." He clasped his hands together on top of the worktable. "I must get to the bottom of this. First thing in the morning, I'll take Prince Desmond and Angel with me to locate this musician, and we'll figure it out."

"Oh, goody. An investigation." Wormwood laughed. "I'll get my detective hat and join you."

"No, you're staying here and monitoring the girls."

"Me?!"

Cedric smirked. "It's punishment for your little commentary earlier."

Wormwood glared at his master. "Fine." He huffed and flew over to his perch again. "Make one little remark, and all of a sudden you're left babysitting a bunch of infatuated females." He rolled his eyes and tucked his head, sighing as he began the process of going to sleep.

The sorcerer stood and walked around the table, pulling Sofia to her feet. "Come along, my dear. It's getting late, and you need your sleep."

Sofia sighed happily as she leaned a bit against her best friend, walking with him as he led her along the path to her bedroom. "You're right, Mr. Cedric… Because the sooner I get to sleep, the sooner I can dream…" She giggled quietly. "And I'll hear his music again."

A look of exasperation crossed his features, but he disregarded it for the time being. What he needed to focus on was getting the girls back to normal, and he could only do so if he had a clear mind. Finally, he stopped at the princess's door and opened it, guiding her inside. "Here we are. Now, I will see you in the morning. Make sure you get plenty of rest."

The princess smiled sleepily up at her partner. "Okay… Mr. Cedric, why don't you play the guitar?"

He rolled his eyes before gently ushering her toward her bed, drawing the sheets and comforter over her. "No more silly questions, Sofia. Good night." He turned and left, shutting the door behind him and sighing as he leaned against it. "We need to get to the bottom of this…" As he walked along, he was a bit startled to find Angel asleep against the wall outside of his niece's bedroom. "Angel…" It then hit him. He must have been guarding her somehow… Sighing, he leaned down and gently shook the boy by his shoulder. "Angel, wake up."

Gasping, the Native boy awoke and blinked at Cedric. "Mr. Cedric?" He yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I am sorry. I must have…fallen asleep."

"Come along. You can't remain here tonight. As long as Calista's in her room, then she'll be all right. I know of an empty room where you can spend the night if you wish." Seeing him nod, the sorcerer helped him to his feet and led him onward. "Did you have any luck with Calista, by the way?"

He shook his head. "I am afraid I was unsuccessful. Did you have any better results with the princess?"

"Not exactly… I guess we'll have to reconvene and figure things out in the morning." He frowned in concern. "Hopefully, luck is on our side."

To be continued…

Next chapter: Meeting of the Minds