The Four Protectors

Eight

3rd person POV

About two hours into the journey, Desmond pulled into a hotel to stay at until sunset. They'd found a restaurant a while back to get food for everyone. Catherine still hadn't stirred and none of them could do much to heal her, but Azriel was slowly regaining his color.

His violet eyes slowly opened just as Cassius was about to pull him out of the car to put him over his shoulder once again.

"What's going on," Azriel asked blearily.

"We'll explain everything inside. Can you walk," Cassius asked softly.

Azriel nodded and swung his legs out before slowly rising to his feet. His knees immediately buckled and Cassius caught him easily. He put one of Azriel's arms over his shoulders before walking him towards the hotel.

"You're wounded," Azriel pointed out.

Before Cassius could protest, he felt Azriel's magic fill his body, healing the bite marks and the slight limp in his leg. Thankfully, Azriel didn't collapse this time. His magic however retreated as quickly as it had appeared and Cassius frowned.

"You need to stop doing that," Cassius chastised.

"Can't help it. I don't like seeing people hurt when I can do something about it," Azriel replied cheekily.

"You can't help anyone if you don't take care of yourself first, okay," Cassius snapped.

Azriel looked surprised as he stared up at him and Cassius immediately softened.

"I just, you had us all worried back there. And when you healed my leg only to faint right after I thought you were, and it was all my fault and," Cassius blabbered incoherently.

Azriel stopped walking, pulling Cassius to a stop as well. His violet eyes had suddenly turned serious. Cassius couldn't bear to look him in the eye as he tried to control the hurricane of emotions running through him.

Panic. Fear. Worry. Guilt. There was so much guilt festering in him over everything that had happened, everything that had gone wrong.

"Cassius look at me," Azriel demanded.

Slowly, Cassius glanced up, trying to control his trembling lower lip. His green eyes were wide and brimming with tears. Azriel's hand came up to gently cup his neck, thumb skimming along his jaw in a soothing gesture.

"I chose to save you knowing I had little to no energy left because I knew you were our best shot of getting out of there. I chose to take care of you over myself because I knew what needed to happen and I trusted you to get the job done. It was my choice and you cannot blame yourself for it, do you understand me," Azriel said firmly.

Cassius slowly nodded.

"I'm going to need verbal confirmation," Azriel teased.

Cassius rolled his eyes before slinging Azriel's arm around his shoulder once again to head into the hotel.

1st Person POV

I slowly wiggled my toes as familiar warmth receded from my body. I whined a bit, reaching a hand out like I could pocket that soothing touch and keep it forever. His low chuckle reached my ears.

I opened my eyes.

All three of them were sitting around my bed staring at me expectantly. I scanned Desmond and Cassius briefly before fixing on Azriel. I didn't think before throwing my arms around his neck and all but squeezing the life out of him.