The Four Protectors

Fifteen

3rd Person POV

Desmond strode ahead of Cassius and Azriel, clearly still annoyed about the argument in the car. It had been evident enough when he'd chosen to leave Catherine behind. Cassius was surprised that the woman didn't argue but then again, she'd been pretty spooked out.

Cassius didn't like this place either as they started climbing up the spiraling staircase to the second floor.

At the top of the staircase was a long corridor with doors lining one side and large paintings on the other side. A series of low crystal chandeliers lit up the hallway while lush carpet covered the floor. As they walked past, they peaked into each bedroom. Each one turned out to be empty.

"Guys maybe we should get out of here," Cassius suggested.

Catherine's agitation now clung to him. Azriel took his hand in his but Cassius still couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. He didn't like the fact that Catherine was alone either, even it she could probably hold her own just fine.

"Cassius!"

Cassius whirled around at the girl's voice. Desmond moved faster than Cassius had ever seen him and he was at his side in seconds. Azriel put out a hand to stop Desmond from lunging at the kids.

"Theo. Annabelle. We were calling your name for like the last ten minutes," Cassius said.

"I apologize. This place is huge and our rooms are on the third floor," Annabelle said.

"Where are your parents," Desmond asked.

"Oh they had some urgent business. They'll be back tomorrow morning," Annabelle said smoothly.

"We're very sorry for intruding. We're hoping that it's not too much of an inconvenience if we stayed with you for a couple of days. I think Ms. Hamilton called ahead," Azriel said politely.

He moved away from them then to exchange more pleasantries with the two teenagers. Annabelle animatedly pointed out various paintings on the wall. Cassius noted that while she seemed to be perfectly normal, Theo was more nervous than usual as he stood, fidgeting with his shirt, at his sister's side.

Cassius didn't think too much of it.

He glanced at Desmond then who was staring at his phone with an unreadable expression.

"Looking at a meme," Cassius joked.

Desmond passed him the phone wordlessly. It was a message from Rafia Hamilton telling them that Annabelle and Theo couldn't be trusted. Cassius didn't know what to make of it as he glanced up at the two teenagers.

"They seem perfectly harmless to me," Cassius pointed out.

"Theo's acting weird. Just call Catherine," Desmond said.

Cassius pulled a little away from the group and dialed Catherine's number. His heart raced as the phone kept ringing. Why did they always leave her alone?

"She's not answering," Cassius said.

"I'll go get her. You stay here with Azriel," Desmond said.

Cassius held fast to his arm to keep him from moving. Desmond turned to him with a scowl. Cassius didn't loosen his grip.

"We're not splitting up even further," Cassius argued.