Damon looked at Echo, her eyebrows twitched slightly. He knew that she would have several questions about what had just happened despite the poker face she had.
"Rose, this is Echo. She's the special Protector that everyone keeps talking about," Damon replied, glaring at Echo.
Rose stepped closer to Damon, "Why would you bring her here? She's supposed to be powerful… What if she destroys us?"
Damon gave out a stifled laugh, "Trust me! She's not as powerful as everyone thinks." He lifted the sword in his hands, and pointed it at Echo. His eyes were indifferent.
All Echo could do was stare at Damon. Her hands were not bound, but she chose not to do anything, but only thought to herself, 'He might just be going with the flow. But if he's not…'
"Let's go inside, and… get rid of her," Rose glanced at Echo like she was something disgusting.
Hunter rushed in through the front door, scaring Rose. Echo casually turned to meet the large blue eyes of the tiger staring right at her. Echo felt Hunter's heavy paws on her shoulder, and a low grumble alongside the tiger breath grazed her hair, disturbing it.
Two demons rushed in through the door behind Hunter. Hunter rushed behind Echo, and growled menacingly. It was evident that the demons were trying to capture Hunter. Their eyes were dark, and they had dart guns in their hands.
Rose hid behind Damon, "What is that?" She was shivering, as she stared at the terrifying beast.
"She's a friend, there's no need to hurt her," Damon walked towards the demons, who were not backing down.
Echo was ready to attack if necessary, but she waited for Damon to make the first move.
"It's a familiar! It shouldn't be here," one of the demons replied in a rough voice.
Damon's eyes turned dark, "I said leave her alone!" He was almost yelling the words.
The demons hesitated, they were Damon's guards, and they knew very well about his wrath. Slightly lowering their heads, they retreated out the door.
Damon turned to Hunter, "You better stay close to us." He gave the tiger a glare, and turned his gaze back to Rose. Swiftly walking to her, he held her arm, "Are you okay?"
Rose nodded, "Yes. I'm fine." She smiled sweetly. Damon's eyes turned back to normal, as he returned the smile.
'What is he thinking?' Echo thought to herself. 'Who is she? Why does he care so much about her?... This guy is so frustrating. He just cleared everything up about Kaia, and now he has another girl who he treats like a girlfriend… Jerk!'
Echo couldn't help but cross her arms, and turn away from Damon and Rose. She needed to clear her mind, and think straight. Being angry with Damon was not a good thing, especially for the time being. Thus, she walked over to Hunter, and ruffled her hair.
"You okay, little guy?" Echo asked. Hunter nodded, and dusted.
Rose turned her gaze to Echo, "Little guy? It's nowhere near little, and don't let it come near me!"
Echo glared at Rose, "S-H-E has a n-a-m-e!"
"Echo!" Damon called out. Echo glanced at Damon, and he continued, "You don't get to talk to her like that! Understood?"
Echo stared at Damon, 'Why is he being such a jerk? It's one thing to want to keep our cover, but right now he's just annoying me!' She nodded and immediately looked away.
Damon held his gaze on Echo, noticing the little difference in her demeanour. He then turned his gaze to Rose, "Let's go in, and get settled."
Echo glanced at Hunter, and followed Damon and Rose up the large stairs. The last time she was at the mansion, she was so caught up in the fighting that she did not get to admire the beauty of it. For a while, her thoughts calmed down. The mansion was so beautiful, it was hard to even imagine that it housed a demon.
The railing of the large stairs were glistening as the light from the chandelier reflected on it. The stairs were tiled with glossy white marble. The walls had a cream paint, with a few paintings decorating the main hall.
Once they were up the stairs, Echo glanced at a luxurious living area. They walked past it, to a large corridor, lined with several doors.
Echo glanced back at Hunter who was silently following her. She stopped behind Damon, as he turned to a door.
"This is your room. The two of you can stay here," Damon blurted, without sparing a single glance. He opened the door, and waited for Echo and Hunter to enter.
Echo glanced at him, and walked into the room. Once she stepped in she realised that it was the same room Damon brought her to previously. It was that room that had everything in purple. The door shut with a loud thud, causing Echo to turn around and stare at the door.
Hunter glanced at Echo, and then at the door. She sighed, "Is it just me, or is Damon acting weird?"
Echo turned her gaze to the tiger. She had an unreadable expression on her face, as she stepped forward. "We're here for a mission, Hunter. Don't skew your judgement by thinking too much!"
Hunter looked at Echo, who stopped walking and sighed. "You're worried aren't you?"
Echo turned to Hunter, "Let's just give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he doesn't want his cover to be compromised."
"Maybe… But that other girl. She seems to be close to him."
"And?"
Hunter paused as she saw Echo cross her arms. "And… nothing!" She walked over to the bed, and laid down.
Echo sighed and walked to the window, she stared at the pool. 'What are you doing Damon? Was I right about you from the beginning? Am I allowed to be worried that you'll switch sides? You aren't the same Damon you used to be. That Damon would never be a jerk like this.' Echo smiled as her thoughts made her doubt him.
'Why must you make me doubt you?'