Knox (Monsters of Veridia #1)

Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Adrian pulled the rental car up to the curb outside his apartment, and he and Knox helped Leon out. Leon winced as he put weight on his injured leg, leaning on Adrian for support. "Sorry for the trouble," he said.

"You’re no trouble," Adrian assured him. "I’m just glad we got you away from there."

Evelyn met them at the door, her eyes widening when she saw Leon. "Oh dear, what happened to you?" she exclaimed, rushing over to take Leon’s other arm to help guide him inside.

"Long story," Leon muttered, grimacing as they helped him onto the couch. "But would you believe me if I said I got hurt in a troll attack?" He attempted a weak smile.

Evelyn’s eyes widened further, but then she nodded, her expression turning serious. "I saw all about that on TV," she said, bustling off to the kitchen. "Those creatures causing all sorts of havoc."

Adrian exchanged a glance with Knox, silently grateful for Evelyn’s ability to adapt to the bizarre situations that had become his new normal. He gently lowered Leon onto the couch, adjusting the cushions to make him more comfortable.

Evelyn returned with a bag of ice wrapped in a dish towel. "Here, put this on your leg," she instructed, handing it to Leon. "It should help with the swelling."

"Thanks," Leon said, pressing the ice against his leg and wincing again. "You’re Adrian’s grandmother, right?"

Evelyn smiled warmly. "That’s right. And who might you be? One of Adrian’s friends?"

"My name is Leon."

"Well, it’s very lovely to meet you, Leon."

"It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am."

"Oh, none of that. Please call me Evelyn."

Adrian smiled, watching the interaction. His grandmother had always had a way of making people feel at ease, even in the most unusual circumstances. He wished he’d inherited that talent instead of being as awkward around people as he often was.

If he wasn’t, maybe he could have the conversation he needed to have with Knox.

Worrying his lower lip, he moved to the TV, picking up the remote and turning it on. The screen flickered to life, immediately displaying news reports about the trolls and orcs. Footage of the chaos in Lancefield played, showing scenes of destruction and frightened citizens.

"Look at that," Evelyn said, shaking her head as she watched the screen. "Hard to believe, isn’t it?"

Leon nodded, but said nothing, his eyes fixed on the TV.

Adrian stood beside the couch, his mind racing with thoughts of what they needed to do next. He glanced at Knox, who was watching the screen with a determined expression.

Adrian knew the incubus would do whatever needed to be done to fix this situation if it could be fixed.

Abruptly, the news channel switched to live footage of Caelen.

Adrian blinked.

What was the Shadow King doing on TV again?

Caelen sat across from a reporter in a lavish studio, glowing eyes fixed on the camera. The sight of him sent a chill down Adrian’s spine.

Where was Daniel now while Caelen was there?

"This is an exclusive interview with Caelen, the mysterious figure that appeared on Bay Bridge" the reporter announced, a bright smile on her face. She must have been delighted to have scored this opportunity. "Caelen, you said you have a very important message for the world."

"Indeed I do." He smiled into the camera, looking every part the charming savior instead of the villain he was. "I can banish the orcs and trolls that have been vexing you. All I require is for humanity to believe in me."

"That’s a bold statement indeed," the reporter said. "How exactly would you accomplish this?"

Caelen leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "I possess magical powers far beyond what humans of this world can comprehend," he said smoothly. "With the proper support and resources, I can restore order and peace."

The reporter leaned forward, clearly skeptical but intrigued. "That’s quite a claim. Can you provide us with a demonstration of your powers?"

Adrian watched, wanting to curse. Knox moved closer to the screen as if he could reach through the glass and strangle Caelen with his bare hands.

But, of course, he couldn’t.

There was nothing Adrian or Knox could do while Caelen raised one hand, fingers splayed. A dark, swirling energy began to form around his hand, tendrils of shadow coiling and twisting in the air. The reporter gasped, and the camera zoomed in, capturing the spooky display.

"Watch," Caelen said. The next moment, objects around the set started to tremble, then lift off the ground. The reporter’s pen floated into the air, followed by her notepad and microphone. The studio lights flickered, casting erratic shadows that danced along the walls.

Caelen’s smirk deepened as he closed his hand into a fist. The floating objects started to spin, gaining speed. Papers fluttered like trapped birds, and the reporter clutched the edge of her seat, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Do you see now?" Caelen’s voice echoed, amplified by the supernatural energy he exuded. "This is but a fraction of my power. With your belief and support, I can banish the creatures that threaten your world."

Adrian’s stomach churned.

Knox growled low in his throat, his fists clenched at his sides. "He’s using this world’s misery to his advantage, to make people flock to him because they don’t know better."

"Could he be behind the orc attacks?" Adrian asked. "Did he orchestrate all of this to spread chaos?"

Leon shook his head. "He’s powerful, but not that powerful. He can’t rip portals into the fabric of reality."

"Leon’s correct," Knox confirmed. "Caelen would love to be the mastermind behind this, but he can’t be."

"But then, who is?" Adrian voiced the question that had to be on everyone’s mind. "Who made these portals?"

"Someone from Veridia," Knox mused. "No one here has magic, do they?"

"No," Adrian confirmed. "At least I don’t think anyone does."

"But who in Veridia has this kind of power?" Leon asked, clearly frustrated at not having an answer. "And why would they do this?"

"And how do we stop them?" Adrian added his own question to the mix.

"I don’t know," Knox said. "But we will stop them."

Adrian looked down. "You’re going to need more magic, won’t you?"

Knox wasn’t sure why there was so much dread in Adrian’s voice when he asked that question. Had he not enjoyed feeding Knox the last time?

No, that was out of the question.

Knox had sensed Adrian’s enjoyment, his satisfaction, keenly. It had been a near perfect night and the only reason it hadn’t been entirely perfect were Knox’s own conflicted feelings. He cared about Adrian—a little more than he reasonably should.

But at the end of all of this…

They were still from different worlds. Knox was still a demon and he did not belong in this world. He’d realized that while fighting the orcs and then the troll earlier. The magic of Veridia could cause nothing but harm here. This place wasn’t prepared to deal with magic and the creatures it brought to life.

Creatures like Knox and Caelen.

They had to close all the portals and go home.

Which would mean parting from Adrian and all that they could be together.

The mortal had a sharp mind; had he realized this too? Was that why he was acting so downcast?

"Could we speak in your room?" Knox asked.

Adrian licked his lips, then nodded. "Sure. Yeah." He straightened, then motioned for Knox to follow him.

When the door closed behind them, Adrian was the first to speak. "If you need magic, I can help you."

"But you don’t want to," Knox said. "I can sense that you’re conflicted." He could sense a whole lot of other emotions within Adrian as well. There was still desire there. Not as sharp and pressing now as it had been the night before, but it hadn’t gone away entirely. On a primitive level, Adrian wanted him, and that was reassuring.

The thought gave Knox pause.

He’d never been relieved that someone wanted him. He’d always taken it for granted that other people desired him, being what he was. This didn’t mean that there’d never been anyone who resisted him, but he didn’t usually care in the rare instances that it happened.

With Adrian, it mattered.

Why?

Because Adrian was his mate?

Because Adrian knew all that Knox had done and wanted him anyway?

"It’s not…" Adrian searched for words. "I mean, I loved what we did, but…"

"You’re already thinking about the ending," Knox concluded. "You tend to let your mind get in the way of what your heart wants, don’t you?"

The way the mortal glanced aside told Knox that he was right with his assumptions.

"Are you telling me I’m wrong?" Adrian asked.

"Not necessarily wrong," Knox said, taking a step closer. "Believe me, I understand what you’re going through."

"How so?" Adrian looked like he didn’t believe that at all. "You’re an incredibly sexy incubus. Why would you ever worry about anyone rejecting you? I’ve read all about your conquests in the story."

Knox studied Adrian’s face, the way his eyes flicked away, the uncertainty etched in his furrowed brow. "I’m not worried about anyone rejecting me, Adrian. I’m worried about you rejecting me."

Adrian wasn’t convinced. "But why? You’re… you. You could have anyone you want. You will, once you’re back home."

Once you’re back home.

In Adrian’s mind, they were over before they’d begun. He was protecting himself that way. Knox knew that.

That didn’t make the situation easier to handle.

"I’ll help you defeat Caelen and whoever else is responsible for this," Adrian said. "But let’s not pretend it’s more than that. I’m a realist."

"Are you?"

"Of course I am."

Knox had his doubts about that. The way he saw Adrian, the man desperately wanted to be loved, but at the same time, he was terrified of being vulnerable. ‘Realism’ was just the shield he hid behind.

But why did he feel the need to hide so keenly?

"Tell me who hurt you."

Adrian’s eyes widened. Obviously, he hadn’t expected that request.

Knox needed to know, though. All the ways in which Adrian had been hurt. As long as he didn’t, he could not help him heal.

"It’s not like…" Adrian trailed off before he could finish that sentence and deny that he had been hurt by anyone. He exhaled audibly. "You wouldn’t understand."

Whatever had happened to Adrian, it cut so deep he was afraid of showing even the wound itself. Clearly, he was afraid that Knox might judge, that he would think Adrian was stupid for letting himself be hurt in the first place.

Knox would never think that, but he was starting to see that Adrian did.

He was judging himself all the time—and much more harshly than he’d judged even Knox’s worst crimes.

"Whatever happened," Knox said. "I’m sure it wasn’t your fault."

Immediately, he knew he’d hit the nail on the head—and that he’d hit a very sore spot while doing so. Adrian’s eyes narrowed and his usually well-managed temper flared. "You don’t know that!"

Knox took a step closer, close enough to touch, almost. He longed to touch Adrian and soothe him, but Adrian was like an angry kitten. If Knox touched him now, the claws would come out, and that would not help either of them. So Knox practiced restraint, for now. At least when it came to touching. He would get Adrian to talk to him. "Tell me," he insisted. "How am I wrong?"

Adrian’s eyes flashed hotly. There was pain there, raw and unhealed. "You think it’s not my fault? Everyone says that, but they don’t know the whole story."

"Then tell me the whole story."

Adrian had been carrying this anger inside himself, at himself, for too long. Knox refused to let him carry it any longer.

Adrian’s jaw tightened, his eyes darting away as if searching for an escape. "My ex… Chris… he cheated on me," he admitted, the words laced with bitterness and self-recrimination. "Everyone I tell that story to is quick to call him an asshole, but they lack context."

Knox fought the urge to call Chris exactly that. He knew it wouldn’t help right now. This wasn’t about Chris, not truly. "What’s the context?"

Adrian’s shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand through his hair, disheveling it. "Chris loved me," he said, the words almost a whisper. "But I was always disappointing him."

Knox wanted to go find Chris and punch him straight in the face—but that could wait. He suppressed his own emotions to focus on Adrian’s. "In what ways did you disappoint him?"

Adrian’s laugh was hollow, devoid of humor. "You’ve seen me naked. You know."

Knox’s resolve shattered the moment Adrian spoke those words. Closing the last bit of distance between them, Knox drew Adrian toward him. "Your appearance is not disappointing," he said firmly.

Adrian looked down at the floor beneath them. For a moment, he didn’t speak. Then he said, "For most people it is. I’m so small, I couldn’t… I can’t satisfy my partners when I’m on top. I couldn’t satisfy Chris." His voice sounded strained, as if he was fighting hard to keep his composure through the conversation.

What he said was painful to hear, but Knox knew he needed to get this out, all of it. He placed a hand on Adrian’s back, trying to anchor him. "Chris was a fool."

Adrian shook his head. "It’s not his fault that I’m like this. Or that I don’t enjoy being on the bottom. How fucked is that? I can’t top, and I don’t like bottoming. What do you do with a partner like that?" Adrian looked up at Knox, challenging him to respond.

Knox didn’t struggle to come up with one. He held Adrian’s gaze while he spoke. "You love and cherish them and find different ways to enjoy each other. You work together to solve the problem. You don’t wander off and hurt them. That’s not love."

Adrian looked away, clearly struggling with the flood of emotions Knox’s words had stirred. "If I had been able to please him…"

"No."

"But—"

"No." Knox tightened his grip on Adrian’s back, his fingers pressing into the fabric of Adrian’s shirt. "Nothing you did or didn’t do forced Chris to fuck a stranger."

"It wasn’t a stranger," Adrian confessed, sounding more bitter than ever. "It was my little brother. They’re getting married in a month."

Knox’s mind raced, trying to process the betrayal. His hold on Adrian tightened instinctively, as if he could somehow shield him from the hurt that had already been inflicted.

"Your brother?" Knox repeated, struggling to keep the anger from bleeding into his tone. "And now they’re getting married?"

Adrian nodded, burying his face in Knox’s chest. "My parents keeps telling me to get over it, to be happy for them. But how can I?"

Everything in Knox drew tight. He understood betrayal, but this… this was a level of treachery that cut deeper than any he’d known. No wonder Adrian was so afraid of love, having been treated like shit by not one but two people who should have been loyal to him. "You have every right to feel hurt and angry. What they did to you is unforgivable."

"My grandmother agrees with you there. I didn’t tell her about the details, of course…"

"I’m sure she understands well enough. The details you shared with me don’t change anything." Knox tightened his embrace. The weight of the betrayal Adrian had endured pressed heavily on him, making Knox’s anger toward the mortal’s ex and brother simmer dangerously close to the surface.

Adrian’s lips trembled and Knox felt a surge of protectiveness. "You deserve better," he continued. "You deserve someone who sees your worth, who loves you for exactly who you are."

Adrian stiffened. "People only find that kind of love in books. Real people suck."

For a brief moment, Knox wondered if he counted as ‘real people’ to Adrian yet, or if he was still part of a story to the mortal.

Which camp did he fall into?

And anyway, could he be the one to give Adrian what he deserved? In his heart of hearts, he wished to be. He wanted to take all of Adrian’s pain and make it disappear, help him carry the hurt until it disappeared in the light of the future they created together.

He wanted to give Adrian a romance to rival the sappiest story any poet could spin.

For the longest time, he’d thought he’d been pulled into this world by chance or evil machinations, but what if he’d crashed into this building because the man in his arms had always been meant for him? What if taking care of Adrian was his real mission?

What if that was the way he would redeem himself? By freeing Adrian from the monsters that had invaded his world and becoming the only demon in his heart?

When he looked at things that way, what he needed to do became incredibly clear.

Unable to hold back any longer, he tilted Adrian’s chin up, gazed into those haunted hazel eyes, felt the pulse of desire between them, that need within Adrian that called out to him like a siren’s song, and giving in to his instincts, he pressed his lips against Adrian’s in a fervent kiss. The connection sparked, setting fire to their burgeoning bond, reconfirming for Knox what he had already suspected.

When he pulled away, his resolve was firm.

"Where does Chris live?"

Adrian blinked, confusion flickering across his features. "Why do you want to know where Chris lives?"

"It’s vital." A dark anger bubbled inside Knox. "Take me there."

Adrian’s brow furrowed. "But we have more important things to do. We need to find Caelen and stop these portals from opening."

Knox shook his head. "Nothing could be more important right now. This has to be done."

Adrian hesitated, clearly torn between his fear and the urgency in Knox’s eyes. "I guess we still have the car," he conceded. "But why…?"

"Take me there," Knox repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Adrian swallowed hard, then finally relented with a nod. "Alright. I’ll take you to Chris."

A grim satisfaction settled over Knox. He would make Chris regret what he had done, then he would claim his mate, and then he would defeat Caelen.

Everything else would fall into place after.