The Four Protectors

Thirty

3rd Person POV

Cassius sat on Azriel's bed, with the sleeping warlock firmly tucked into his side as he scrolled through his phone. Raphael had checked in with Laura. They were still no closer to finding a cure.

He'd tried to hide how crushing that felt but his brother had seen right through him; promising things would get better before he'd left the room.

The door opened and Catherine stormed in with Desmond in tow. She seemed deep in thought until she realized that Azriel was still out cold. She clambered onto the bed and pressed a hand to his cheek.

"Desmond you said everyone was fine," she argued.

"He is fine. He's just regaining his energy," Desmond replied.

Desmond shrugged off his coat before beginning to explain everything that had happened since Cassius had last seen him. He still couldn't wipe the look Desmond had given him from his mind, that haunting moment when Desmond had realized he'd almost drained the boy of his life.

It had seemed like Desmond was seeing a ghost as he'd stared at the pale, drained boy before him.

Whatever he'd felt then however was brushed aside by the impending problem. Desmond was convinced Rafia wasn't going to look through anyone's memories. Catherine was unsure as she sat next to Cassius biting her nails.

Cassius didn't know what to think but he still hoped.

Azriel stirred then before slowly opening his eyes. Cassius removed his hold so Azriel could sit up. He looked surprised as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes before a lazy smile appeared on his face.

"It's nice, waking up like this," he commented.

Cassius smiled and looked away. Azriel clambered over the side of the bed and headed into the bathroom. A few seconds later, the three of them heard the shower turn on and shifted back to the conversation they'd been having before.

"If we tell him what we told Rafia he'll want to look through the memories himself," Desmond said.

"Shouldn't he have a choice in the matter," Cassius argued feebly.

"He won't feel like he has a choice if we explain everything to him. You know how he is," Catherine argued.

The three of them lapsed into silence, sitting shoulder to shoulder on Azriel's bed, trying to figure out the right thing to do. In Cassius's mind, the right decision was clear. Azriel should be informed.

Their debate was solved when Azriel came out of the shower, looking far more refreshed and focused. All three of them glanced away nervously as he pulled an olive green shirt over his naked torso. If he noticed, he didn't tease as they turned back.

"I need to look through that man's memories, the vampire we captured. It might lead us to a compound," Azriel said firmly.

He moved toward the door like he hadn't just informed them that he was making a life-threatening decision. Desmond moved quickly and shut the door before Azriel could walk through. Azriel looked up at him with a frown covering his features.

It was tame compared to the fury on Desmond's face.

"Do you not remember what almost happened the last time you looked through someone's memories," Desmond asked heatedly.

"Darling I know you're worried," Azriel started.

"Don't do that. Don't try being all understanding when you're not even considering what I'm saying," Desmond snapped.