[h2]Esme Stirling[/h2]

Esme looked over to the stairs behind Natalia when Annabeth suddenly appeared behind her. Esme instinctively reached around behind her and placed her hand on her gun, but didn’t draw it as she heard Annabeth’s words. She noticed Cason flinch and step back with the knife held out. She couldn’t blame him for acting in such a way after trying to be killed twice that night. She even saw Bobby react to Annabeth’s appearance. Esme rested her free hand on Sarah’s side to stop her growling, but never took her eyes off of Annabeth as she spoke to Cason, then asked what had happened. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bobby put the hammer back down on his gun and toss it on his desk as he muttered, she on the other hand, didn’t release her hold on her gun. She may have felt the calm coming from Annabeth, but that didn’t mean she was going to relax her hold on her gun, especially with how weak she felt at that moment. Esme listened as Natalia explained what had gone on to Annabeth and what was currently happening. When Natalia mentioned they were in a waiting game right now and wanted Dean and Mika to come down in a good place, she silently nodded in agreement. 

When it came to where she was going to sleep, she was still planning to go to a motel that was nearby. She didn’t think it was a good idea for her to try and spend the night here. Not to mention, a little space from everyone and their emotions would be nice. One question in her mind, though, was would Cason actually let her go to said motel without following her there to watch over her and hover? Only when the moment came up would she know for sure. Sighing softly as she felt her legs trying to give on her, she slowly slid down the side of Sarah to sit on the floor, then leaned against her. 

She finally released her hold on her gun and crossed her arms over her chest, as Sarah laid down and curled around her protectively. Esme tilted her head down and closed her eyes. She knew if anything happened, Sarah would alert her and would also jump into action.