The Four Protectors

Ten

Cassius 3rd person

It had been a week since Alex had disappeared. Catherine had reported the incident to Rafia who'd taken action immediately. The academy grounds were scoured and a three-mile radius was set up outside the academy to find the child.

There was still no sign of him.

Catherine clearly felt guilty. She'd spent two days in her room sorting through the mess trying to find clues. When she'd come up with nothing, she'd ended up punching a wall hard enough to break the bone in her ring finger.

Azriel had mended it.

Desmond had just been strangely absent over the past two days. He hadn't been in his room and he didn't reply to texts. They'd all been concerned but one of Desmond's friends, claimed that he tended to disappear off the face of the earth this time of year.

No one seemed to know why but Cassius intended to find out when Desmond came back.

"I really don't think Alex created that mess Catherine," Azriel said.

Cassius returned to the present. The three of them were in Azriel's room. Catherine paced, Azriel was lying on the bed and Cassius had propped himself up against the wall.

"There's no evidences of a break in and not many people knew, or even cared that Alex was staying with me. That rules out most sensible explanations," Catherine replied.

"Okay let's go over it again. The only people that really knew about him are Annabelle, Theo, Rafia, and us," Cassius started.

"Yeah and the teenagers left to stay with their parents for a bit and they haven't been back since, so unless you're implying that Rafia hired someone to create that mess and kidnap the kid," Catherine started.

"It is plausible," Azriel mused.

"Why would Rafia do that," Catherine asked.

Azriel just shrugged. Catherine resumed her pacing. Cassius was honestly too worried about Desmond to fully partake in the present conversation.

Desmond was antisocial but to disappear off the face of the earth like this so soon after Alex had disappeared didn't sit well with him.

"Guys have you tried Desmond," Cassius asked.

"45 times today Cass. He hasn't replied once," Azriel replied glumly.

"He's a big boy. He'll be fine," Catherine said.

But all three of them were worried. Desmond's friend had claimed that this was an annual thing but still, what if it wasn't? What if someone that had taken Alex had taken Desmond too?

Cassius knew his eyes were a brighter green than usual before Catherine even gestured for him to cool it.

Catherine went out around 7 to get dinner. Cassius tried Desmond's number again. This time, it went straight to voicemail.

He pocketed his phone with a frustrated groan.

"He's fine Cass. He'll be back soon," Azriel said.

Azriel pulled himself off the bed and took a seat next to Cassius against the wall. He gently placed a hand on Cassius' knee. Cassius reached out and intertwined their fingers together.

Azriel gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before putting his head on Cassius' shoulder.

"I can't help but worry," Cassius admitted.