The Four Protectors

Thirty Three

3rd Person POV

Three days after Laura had figured out what the chemicals actually did, Rafia called Cassius and Desmond into her office. They'd informed her of the true power of the chemicals earlier and she'd turned pale when she'd heard, but she hadn't said much else as she'd ushered them out. They hadn't seen her since.

Rafia's office was crowded once again when they got there. Eight people, apart from Cassius and Desmond, stood in the room. Cassius knew what they were doing before she'd informed all of them.

After invading two grey compounds, the fear and trepidation had worn off.

They'd started off at nightfall, executed the same attack plan they'd used before, and of course, every cell was empty. This time, there wasn't even a note. The car ride back to the Academy was silent.

The Academy however seemed to be up in flames when they got there.

A huge crowd of people stood outside the Academy, whispering and shouting, forming an almost impenetrable crowd. Cassius and Desmond couldn't hope to shove through. Cassius finally tapped on a boy's shoulder for an explanation.

"The alarms started ringing so we rushed out of the building. Nobody really knows what happened," the boy explained.

Cassius turned towards Desmond. He appeared to be sinking with dread as he turned towards Jasmine, a shapeshifter. Over the loudness of the crowd, Cassius couldn't make out the words they exchanged before Jasmine turned into a bird and flew towards the building.

She returned a few minutes later and shifted back, falling to her knees with a groan. Cassius quickly took of his shirt and covered her body with it. He'd almost forgotten how powerful Catherine was until he saw the pain contorting Jasmine's features as she gasped for breath after a five-minute transformation.

Catherine, Catherine was probably still in there.

"Jasmine what's going on," Desmond asked.

He crouched in front of her to hear her words, strained as she gasped for air.

"There were bodies, everywhere. Some teachers were fighting the people who were injected. I think someone opened all the cells," she explained.

Cassius' blood ran cold. Catherine's words, the promise he'd made her, came echoing back. She would hate him if she woke up after all of this was over to find blood on her hands.

"They aren't killing them right, the people that have been injected," Desmond, asked urgently.

Jasmine's eyes turned round at the evident concern in Desmond's tone. She hesitated with her reply. Her hands nervously played the edge of her shirt as she looked between Desmond and Cassius.

"There were a few bodies but I mean you can't blame them. If it comes down to their life against those that were infected, you can't blame people for saving themselves," she said unsurely.

Desmond shot up and away from Jasmine, like if he could get far enough away, her words wouldn't affect him. Cassius tried to hold it together and stepped in front of Desmond, grabbing his shoulders in his hands. Desmond looked completely out of focus even as his eyes fixed on Cassius.

"She's fine Desmond. She was strong to begin, practically invincible with the chemicals. She'll be fine," Cassius breathed.

He didn't know if he was trying to convince Desmond or himself.