Chapter 259: Old Company
Cas’s sudden presence had eased the hearts of everyone when he looked fine and well, but ten times more angrier than he would on a normal day. The way he had slammed Abbot to the ground startled Madeline who wasn’t even aware of the approaching attack, and when another ghostly apparition descended to where she stood, Cassian swiftly moved away from Abbot, the twin sword Elijah gave to him materialized in his grip, and he slashed the apparition from the waist, slicing it in two.
Osvaldo didn’t hesitate to make a force field around all four of them, keeping them trapped in his shield of protection. Noticing they were safe for the meantime, Madeline couldn’t stop herself from hugging Cassian who returned her hug as one of his free arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. The relief in his eyes and expression to see he didn’t arrive late reflected in Madeline’s dark orbs.
"Are you fine?" He asked Madeline after pulling back from the hug, his voice was gentle as always, and his presence comforted her greatly. She nodded assuringly before showing him the tall hill that stood unnoticed at the end of the mountain, except it was surrounded by ghostly apparitions that made it difficult for her to get close to it. The fear in her heart hadn’t subsided yet, but nevertheless, she had to get it done today, else they all die.
"I.... I need get up there." She said, despite noticing it would be impossible to reach, but that was until she heard Cassian say.
"I’ll get you there." He assured her, whilst his calculative gaze was fixed on the ghostly apparition as he tried to think of an action that would create an opening for them, but his mind got distracted when Madeline grabbed his arm, and she turned him around so he would notice her serious demeanor.
"You won’t do any of that." She disagreed firmly, "I need you to stay human, remember?" She reminded Cassian with a desperate look in her eyes, meanwhile, the young lad had actually forgotten about the deal. Hiding his own anxiety, he looked at his worried sister with an assuring gaze before returning his attention to Madeline, holding her hand.
"I can handle it. I just need to buy you time to create barrier spell." He said before returning his determined gaze to the ghostly apparition that waited for the force field to drop so they could strike. "No matter what happens out there, I need you to stay close to me, okay?"
Madeline took a deep breath and nodded her head. He glanced at his sister who was presently glaring at him. "I swear if you fucking die..."
"I don’t think I will, I still need to punish you for using that tone with me." Cassian cut her off, obviously taken aback by his sister’s unruly word but he knew she was saying it to stir him up. Offering her a slight smile, his crimson eyes shifted to Osvaldo as he signaled for him that they were ready, and the force field eventually weared off.
Cassian’s grip tightened around the hilt of the twin blade, and he moved first, whilst Madeline followed behind him, trying to keep up. To Madeline’s astonishment, Elian and Orson moved ahead of Cassian, their presence startling her. She couldn’t ask where they came from cause she was still too shocked to ask them anything, but at the same time, she felt more brave having them around to protect her.
"Cover me." Cassian signaled to the both of them, and Elian grinned like he had been waiting for this day all his life. "With pleasure."