The Four Protectors

Twenty Two

3rd Person POV

Cassius woke up wishing he could feel rejuvenated but he just wanted to go back to bed. They'd spent the last two night pouring over the trade contracts that had been drawn up between Demetrius Pack and the operation regarding the exchange of resources for protection. They'd hoped there would be some clues regarding a location or perhaps a name but so far they'd found nothing.

Cassius doubted the operation would get caught that way anyway.

He showered and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. Despite the cold shower, he was still practically dead on his feet. He was trying to rub the sleep from his eyes when he entered the room.

"Surprise!"

"Holy shit," Cassius wheezed, clutching his heart on instinct.

The cacophony of sound combined with the plethora of colors the dining hall was bathed in was enough to snap Cassius awake. It took him a minute to realize that he'd lost track of the date with this mess. He was surprised though that his family had actually remembered.

"Happy Birthday brother," Raphael said warmly.

Raphael hugged him tight. Azriel and Catherine followed pressing a kiss to his cheek each. Laura squealed at that and quickly snapped a picture.

"I would've gotten you something but Raphael didn't tell us it was your birthday until yesterday night so we barely had time to plan the party," Catherine explained.

"There's a party," Cassius asked.

"Of course there's a party, mostly planned by yours truly," Azriel said, twirling in place.

"Guys I don't know in the middle of everything that's happening, don't you think that's unnecessary," Cassius argued.

"Cassius everyone deserves to take some time off for themselves, regardless of how extenuating the circumstances may be," Azriel reasoned.

Catherine pressed herself close to him, peering up at him with wide Bambi-like eyes.

"Please it'll be fun," she said.

There was no way he could resist the collective charm of Catherine and Azriel. He slowly nodded and a smile crept across the little devil's face. She turned to Azriel with an elfish smile and high-fived him.

Cassius rolled his eyes, mind already drifting elsewhere as his eyes scanned the room.

"Where's Desmond," Cassius asked.

"Sleeping. The world could literally be ending and Desmond would still sleep in till noon," Catherine said.

Cassius wasn't offended. He'd forgotten his own birthday. He didn't expect Desmond to be up at nine to celebrate it.

But his smile wasn't as bright as before as Laura came forward to hug him, and Azriel noticed.

Cassius knew he could do nothing to prevent Azriel's lavish taste from shining through in the form of this birthday party. He'd given the warlock free reign to do as he pleased. He probably should have thought twice before being so generous.

He barely recognized the open clearing Azriel had chosen for the festivities.

The man had summoned four large, red billowing tents to form a square outline around the central area. Fairy lights glittered in the air, winding around each of the tents. The central area had been transformed into a dance floor of sorts and Cassius spotted Raphael and Laura dancing together as he approached.