The Four Protectors

Twelve

3rd Person POV

Cassius waited impatiently outside Desmond's door until the man finally emerged with a scowl on his face. Azriel had texted saying that Catherine was just resting now but this was more of a two-person mission anyway. In fact, it was going to be hard enough sneaking just the two of them in.

"Is everything you own the color black," Cassius asked.

"Got a problem," Desmond snapped.

"No, it suits you," Cassius replied coolly.

Desmond narrowed his eyes, trying to discern whether it was a complement or not. Cassius quickly looked away before he said anything else embarrassing. They had a job to do.

"Follow me," Cassius said.

The two of them started down the path to Rafia's office. Instead of entering it however, Cassius pulled open the door to its right. Desmond looked unimpressed as he glanced around at the tiny supply closet with a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling.

"Watch this," Cassius said excitedly.

He pushed a shelf out of the way before kneeling on the dusty floor. Desmond followed suit with curiosity. Cassius batted the dust out of the way, revealing a trapdoor in the ground.

He looked up at Desmond with a triumphant grin.

"How do you know about this," Desmond asked.

Cassius' smile quickly dropped and he returned his attention to the trapdoor. Pulling on the lever with all his might, the creaky door finally swung open, emitting a high-pitched groan in the process. Desmond jumped up immediately, attentive eyes fixed on the door.

They waited with bated breath for a whole minute but no one came through the door.

"I think we're good," Cassius whispered.

Desmond nodded, still stiff with tension as he returned to Cassius' side. Cassius swung his legs through the hole the trapdoor had revealed. It was pitch black, with no bottom in sight.

Just as Cassius was about to jump, Desmond's hand clamped down hard on his shoulder.

"You can't even see what's down there," Desmond hissed.

"Just trust me on this okay," Cassius said.

Desmond glared at him before glancing down into the dark, then back to his face. Slowly, he released his hold on Cassius' shoulder and stood up. Cassius couldn't help the grin on his face. Desmond rarely looked rattled.

Then he jumped.

He landed in seconds and quickly rolled to absorb the impact. Before he'd gotten to his feet, Desmond was beside him. The two of them looked down the dark corridor before them lined with empty cells on either side.

"Why do I keep ending up in prison," Cassius joked.

Desmond abruptly grabbed his arm and shoved him against the wall, a hand on his mouth. A guard walked across the far end of the corridor. He didn't so much as glance up before he disappeared out of sight.

Desmond released him as abruptly as he'd grabbed him and stepped back.

Cassius smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt as he tried to calm down the rapid beat of his heart. He didn't let himself think of how close Desmond had been, close enough that he could smell the cologne on the man. Cassius took slight pleasure in the fact that Desmond appeared as shaken as he did.