The Four Protectors

Sixteen

3rd Person POV

Cassius stepped out of the car with Desmond and Azriel at his heels. Again, glancing back, he was sorely reminded of her and it was like a harsh slap across the face. He knew he looked dead on the inside as he approached the receptionist for a hotel room.

They were on their way to Cassius' pack.

Sunrise however was just a few hours away. Demetrius pack lands were approximately five to six hours away from the academy. Considering the detour they'd made, it would take another two hours to reach.

Cassius could only hope the hotel was decrepit enough to not attract any more negative attention.

"So you're saying the only room you have available is a single," Desmond asked sharply.

Cassius returned his attention to the receptionist's desk. The petite brunette behind the counter looked terrified in the face of Desmond's glare. Azriel nudged Desmond away from the poor girl before fixing her with an easy smile.

Fear seemed to leech out of her instantly as she smiled back and Cassius couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Are you sure you've got no other rooms available? We'd be willing to pay extra Rose," he said.

The woman, Rose, flushed red.

"I'm so sorry sir. We really are completely booked. I could reduce the price on the room though," she said apologetically.

"That's all right dear. The single room will have to work," he said graciously.

She handed over the key and the three of them trudged up four flights of stairs with bags in hand. The room was tiny, barely fitting the bed and a nightstand. Cassius' head hit the roof and he had to bend down just to enter the room.

"This is ridiculous," Desmond commented.

He set his bag down on the small amount of space he managed to find before collapsing on the bed.

"Well at least she reduced the rate," Cassius replied.

"I'm going to go get us something to eat," Azriel announced.

He walked out, leaving Cassius and Desmond staring at the large bed with no small amount of apprehension.

Azriel returned with bagels and cream cheese, which they all devoured hastily before calling Rafia Hamilton. Even sitting, their knees were brushing against each other's as they sat around Desmond's phone.

"Did all of you get out alright? Catherine's call ended rather abruptly," she said.

Cassius couldn't bring himself to say the words.

"They got to her," Desmond said lowly.

There was a beat of silence before Rafia replied. Her voice was softer than they'd ever heard it. Her tone didn't imply that she cared about Catherine, but was merely offering her sympathies as an outsider.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Where are the three of you now," she asked.

"We're on our way to Demetrius Pack lands. We actually called you to ask if you could tell us anything about where they might have taken Catherine," Azriel explained.

"From what I've heard, those vials have been traded between individuals and larger packs. She could be anywhere. Boys you cannot go after her. She's probably already been exposed to the vial's contents. You need to keep yourselves' safe," she said.