Knox (Monsters of Veridia #1)

Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

Adrian’s heart raced as he pulled up to the mansion they all knew Caelen was hiding in. If he’d had any doubt about this being the right place, those were quieted at the sight of Caelen’s devoted followers swarming the lush grounds. They stood like sentries, their gazes fixed on the approaching car with nothing but hostility.

"Looks like they were expecting us," Lyrian murmured from the backseat. "We couldn’t break through this crowd before."

"Well, we’re going to break through them now," Adrian said with a confidence he didn’t feel. "We have to get Daniel out of there. And we have to stop Caelen."

Knox rested a hand on Adrian’s shoulder. "Don’t worry," he said. "I’ve never felt so powerful. Nothing can stop us now."

A wave of energy pulsed through their bond, and Adrian couldn’t help but be swept up in the intensity of it. Their connection was so new he wasn’t used to it yet, but it was so solid. And it assured him that Knox wasn’t lying.

There was a lot of power there.

Power that Adrian had given Knox.

What a strange thought.

Taking a steadying breath, Adrian pulled into the circular driveway.

He could do this.

They could do this.

Almost immediately, Caelen’s followers began to converge on the car, their shouts and jeers muffled by the glass. Hands slapped against the windows, making Adrian’s nerves spike.

Zev leaned forward from the backseat. "I hope you know what you’re doing," he said, eyeing the growing crowd warily.

Knox’s eyes slipped shut, his features smoothing into an expression of focus. "I do."

The world around them seemed to ripple and distort. Adrian blinked, and suddenly, the frenzied mob outside had frozen in place, their faces twisted into eerie masks of unmoving rage. Adrian stared at them, bewildered, until Knox spoke again.

"Caelen’s influence is a lot stronger than it has any right to be," the incubus murmured. "I can’t hold them for long. We have to make a break for it."

Adrian nodded.

He did not want to leave the car, but it was now or never.

"Let’s move," he urged, pulling the keys from the ignition.

The car doors opened in unison, and they stepped out, moving swiftly across the grass. The stillness of the trapped mob felt like walking through a surreal dream, but Adrian knew it was Knox’s magic holding the illusion steady.

He looked toward the mansion. There’d be more of Caelen’s followers inside. Not to mention, once the illusion wore off, the frozen mob outside would chase after them as well.

Lyrian and Zev seemed to exchange a look, coming to the same conclusion.

"You two go ahead," Zev urged. "We’ll keep them from going after you."

Adrian looked at the fae, not liking this plan at all. "You couldn’t defeat them before."

"We don’t need to defeat them," Lyrian threw in, using that overly careless tone of his. "We only need to distract them. Don’t worry about us."

Adrian opened his mouth to argue, but his words were caught in his throat as he noticed some of Caelen’s followers beginning to stir. Blinking, their eyes regained focus, and they started moving again.

"Get going," Zev prompted, stepping in front of Adrian to intercept a burly, angry-looking dude.

Knox grabbed Adrian’s arm, pulling him toward the mansion and away from the attacker. "We need to move now."

Adrian’s feet stumbled into motion, propelled by Knox’s grip. He didn’t want to leave his new friends behind, but what else was he supposed to do?

"They’ll be fine," Knox said.

Right. Adrian knew that, but he wasn’t an experienced adventurer. He was just a nerd who’d been ripped away from the comfort of his computer.

The doors to the mansion stood slightly ajar. Almost as if someone wanted them to come inside.

Adrian balked at this, but Knox’s hand remained firmly around Adrian’s arm, guiding him through the threshold.

They didn’t get much farther than this before more people awaited them, but these followers were different. They were armed with guns.

Guns that were aimed at him.

Before he could react, a deafening bang echoed through the hall. Time seemed to slow as he watched the muzzle flash. But Knox moved with lightning speed, shoving Adrian aside just as the bullet pierced through the air.

Adrian stumbled, hitting the ground hard. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Knox take the shot meant for him. The bullet tore through Knox’s shoulder, and dark blood oozed from the wound.

"Knox!" Adrian shouted, scrambling to his feet.

Knox’s face twisted in pain, but he didn’t falter. He extended his hand toward the gunmen, shadows erupting from his fingertips and enveloping their assailants in darkness.

The armed followers cried out in terror as Knox’s magic seized them, their weapons clattering to the floor.

Adrian rushed to Knox’s side, his eyes scanning the wound. "You’re bleeding," he said, his voice tight with panic.

"It’s just a scratch," Knox gritted out, though the pain was evident in his eyes. "I’ll heal."

Rationally, Adrian knew there wasn’t much that could kill an incubus—and mundane bullets certainly weren’t on the list—but it was difficult to stay rational while the man he loved was bleeding from his chest.

He didn’t have time to calm down either.

Three more figures hurtled down the hallway, weapons raised and ready to attack. Adrian’s heart jumped into his throat, but Knox didn’t hesitate. His shadows surged forward and ensnared the attackers, their screams swallowed by the darkness that wrapped around them.

Adrian swallowed hard, feeling Knox’s fury. The peaceful illusions from earlier were absent now.

His incubus meant business.

He opened his mouth to say something, reminded himself of their mission, then shut it again. As long as Knox wasn’t inflicting permanent harm, maybe this was what was necessary.

Knox turned to the last remaining follower, catching him in a shadowy vine. The man struggled, but Knox’s magic held him firm. With a harsh tug, Knox pulled the man close, almost face-to-face.

"Where is Caelen hiding?" Knox demanded.

The man’s eyes were wide with terror, but his lips remained sealed. Knox shook him. "I asked you a question. Answer me."

Still, the man didn’t speak. Adrian stared at the scene, feeling a pit form in his stomach. Knox’s shadows twisted around his victim, and Adrian could see the strain on the man’s face intensify. The silence stretched, broken only by the faint echoes of the commotion still outside.

Knox’s voice hardened. "Last chance, or you’ll wish you never crossed paths with me."

The follower’s eyes darted around, but his mouth remained a tight line.

"Don’t," Adrian heard himself say. "He’s brainwashed. They’re all brainwashed."

Knox’s gaze narrowed. He heard Adrian, but was he going to listen?

Before Adrian could find out, a silky voice echoed through the corridor. "Now now. Is that any way to treat the inhabitants of the world you were stranded in?"

Adrian’s heart hammered in his chest as a figure materialized from the shadows at the end of the hall. Caelen.

At Adrian’s side, Knox tensed, ready for a fight.

Caelen’s gaze swept over them, lingering on Adrian for a moment too long. A smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Caelen said, spreading his arms in a mocking gesture of hospitality. "I’ve been expecting you."

"Where’s Daniel?" Adrian blurted out, surprising himself with his own boldness.

Caelen’s smirk widened. "Ah, yes. Your friend. He’s been quite… entertaining."

Adrian’s stomach churned at the implication in Caelen’s tone. Knox took a step forward, placing himself between Adrian and the Shadow King.

"This ends now, Caelen," Knox growled. "You’re not getting away from us this time."

Caelen laughed. "Why would I try to get away from you when you’ve delivered yourself right into my trap?" Caelen looked at Adrian, and Adrian felt the weight of his gaze like a physical thing. He wanted to shrink away, to hide, but he forced himself to stand tall. He wouldn’t let this monster intimidate him.

Knox’s eyes narrowed, shadows dancing at his fingertips. "Where does your power come from, Caelen?"

Caelen focused his attention back on Knox. "Now, why would I tell you?"

"I suppose I don’t have to know," Knox said. "All I have to do is stop you." He lunged forward, the shadows at his command surging toward Caelen. The two clashed in a whirlwind of dark energy that seemed to take up most of the space.

Adrian scrambled backward not to be caught up in it.

Knox had grown exceedingly powerful—but so had Caelen, and the Shadow King fought with a ferocity that was terrifying. His shadows lashed out like whips, striking at Knox with blinding speed.

Knox deflected each blow, his own shadows forming a shield around him, but Adrian could see the strain on his face. Caelen was relentless, his attacks coming faster and harder with each passing second.

For a moment, Adrian feared that Knox would be overwhelmed.

Through their bond, he could feel the incubus’s frustration, how hard he was drawing on his magic, drawing on Adrian too.

Adrian didn’t resist the pull; he wanted to give Knox everything he had.

Something shifted. Knox’s eyes began to glow, the golden light cutting through the darkness. His shadows seemed to grow, expanding and solidifying until they were like a physical force. With a roar, Knox pushed back against Caelen’s onslaught, his shadows slamming into the Shadow King and knocking him back.

Caelen stumbled. He tried to rally, to summon more shadows to his defense, but Knox’s magic was binding his arms to his sides and his legs together.

The smirk faded from Caelen’s face, replaced by a look of cold anger.

"You think this measly power of yours can defeat me?" he spat, his eyes darting between Knox and Adrian. "I know where you got this newfound strength from."

Knox tightened his grip, his gaze hardening. "I’ll never let you hurt him."

"Oh, but I don’t have to," Caelen replied.

Before Adrian could question the meaning behind his words, a door creaked open behind them.

Adrian’s breath caught in his throat as Grant stepped through the door.

How…?

What…?

Had Caelen kidnapped Grant? Was he brainwashed, or worse, had he willingly become one of the Shadow King’s followers?

"Hi, Adrian," Grant said casually.

Adrian ignored him, his eyes fixed on Caelen. "What did you do to him?"

Caelen smirked. "Isn’t it more important to talk about what Grant did to you? Oh yes, I know all about that. Oh, the betrayal."

Caelen’s laugh echoed through the hall, a chilling sound that froze Adrian’s blood, and Adrian’s skin prickled with unease just before Knox’s shadows surged forward, dark tendrils wrapping around Caelen’s mouth and silencing him.

But it was too late. The damage was done. The stinging pain in Adrian’s chest had already flared up, a searing reminder of the night he had found Grant in bed with his boyfriend. He couldn’t suppress the memories that came flooding back—Grant’s betrayal, the look of guilt and defiance in his eyes, the utter devastation that had shattered Adrian’s world.

"You always pick the wrong guy, don’t you?" Grant mocked, a sneer twisting his features. "Or maybe they always pick wrong when they choose you. Chris just knew when he found something better. That’s not my fault, nor is it his."

That was such bullshit.

All of it.

Adrian knew that, and yet…

His brother’s words made him feel like his heart was made of glass, like it was breaking and all the sharp edges were digging into his chest.

"Adrian!" Knox’s voice sounded urgent, but before Adrian could even look at him, Caelen freed himself from the incubus’s grip and launched another attack.

Grant’s laugh cut through the chaos. "This is on you, you know," he said. "Your weakness makes him weak. Isn’t that hilarious? How do you always drag down the people you’re with?"

Adrian’s breath hitched. Was it true? He whirled around to look at Knox, whose fierce battle with Caelen had resumed. Knox’s movements seemed slower now, his attacks less precise.

Was Adrian’s emotional pain weakening Knox?

The thought struck him like a physical blow, making his knees buckle.

Knox’s eyes met his for a fleeting second—golden, glowing, filled with resolve and something else Adrian couldn’t quite place.

The moment of distraction cost him. Caelen’s shadows struck with brutal force, knocking Knox back. He staggered but quickly regained his footing, his eyes never leaving his opponent.

Adrian’s mind raced. Was his weakness the reason Knox hadn’t been able to maintain his grip on Caelen? Had Knox made a mistake in choosing him?

On some level, Adrian had always known he wasn’t special.

But this was worse than not being special.

He was letting Knox down because he couldn’t let go of his past trauma.

"You’ve always been weak," Grant continued, taking a step closer. "Always a burden on your lovers."

Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to scream at Grant to shut up, to leave him alone. But the words stuck in his throat—held there by all the shame that overwhelmed him whenever he saw his brother.

Why couldn’t he get past that?

Why couldn’t he?—

Suddenly, movement caught his eye.

One of Caelen’s minions lunged at him from the shadows, blade drawn.

Before the attack could connect, though, Knox shoved him aside. The force sent Adrian sprawling to the ground, and he looked up just in time to see Caelen take advantage of Knox’s momentary distraction.

Fuck.

"Knox!" Adrian shouted as panic took over.

Caelen’s shadowy tendrils rushed toward Knox. Adrian didn’t think—he moved. His body acted on instinct, placing himself between Knox and Caelen’s attack.

"No!" Knox’s voice was raw with emotion as he rolled them around, using his body as a shield once more. The world spun around Adrian until he found himself on the floor again, Knox above him.

And even as Caelen’s attack hit, Knox looked down at him, eyes glowing with an intensity that took Adrian’s breath away. "I did not make the wrong choice in you."

Adrian wanted to cry.

How could Knox say that?

Adrian’s lips parted, but before he could say anything, Knox’s love enveloped him like a warm light, pushing back the darkness that had threatened to consume him.

It only lasted for a moment, that was all they had before the fight had to resume, but when Knox jumped up and faced Caelen again, Adrian knew one thing for sure.

He needed to be the man Knox thought he was. Not whatever pathetic creature Grant wanted him to be.

His eyes narrowed in determination.

Grant wasn’t aware of the shift in him, though. He tried to get another dig in. "You know, I bet Knox will leave you too. Once he realizes how pitiful?—"

Adrian whirled on his brother, anger flaring hot in his chest. "Shut up, Grant. You want to talk about pathetic? Look in the mirror. You fell for Chris’s act, hook, line, and sinker. He’ll cheat on you before you’re married for a year, and if you can’t see that, I’m sorry for you. No, scratch that. I’m not sorry for you. You’re getting exactly what you deserve."

Grant’s mouth fell open, shock written across his face. For once, he was speechless.

Of course he was. Adrian could hardly believe it himself. Finally, he’d been able to say all the things he’d wanted to hurl at his brother for so long.

God that felt great.

But he didn’t have time to bask in the feeling, not while the man he loved was still locked in battle.

Adrian turned back to Knox, his heart clenching as he saw the incubus take another hit. Knox stumbled, barely dodging Caelen’s next attack.

No. Adrian refused to let this happen. He wouldn’t be the reason Knox lost this fight.

Closing his eyes, Adrian focused on their bond. He thought of Knox’s touch, his smile, the way he looked at Adrian like he was the most precious thing in the world. He poured every ounce of love he felt into their connection.

If Adrian’s doubts could weaken Knox, then surely his confidence, his determination could make him stronger.

You can do this, Knox.

I love you.

Adrian felt the bond between them pulse, growing brighter and warmer. He heard Caelen scream in rage, the sound filled with frustration and disbelief.

When Adrian opened his eyes, he gasped. Knox stood tall. He was no longer engulfed by shadows. Instead, his magic glowed the same color as his eyes; a brilliant gold.

"No!" Caelen’s face twisted in anger as he unleashed a barrage of shadows, but they dissipated harmlessly against Knox’s radiant aura.

Knox advanced on him, unbothered. The Shadow King’s attacks grew more frantic, more desperate, but nothing seemed to reach the incubus.

"This is impossible," Caelen snarled. "Where is this power coming from?"

Knox didn’t answer. Instead, he raised his hand, and a stream of golden energy shot forth, striking Caelen squarely in the chest. The Shadow King staggered backward, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Caelen wasn’t finished, though. With a roar of fury, he summoned a massive wave of darkness, larger than anything he’d conjured before. It loomed over them, threatening to engulf everything.

Adrian’s breath caught in his throat. These were the actions of a desperate man. Worse, the actions of a desperate sorcerer.

But Knox stood his ground as the wave of darkness crashed toward them. At the last second, he thrust both hands forward, golden light erupting from his palms. The two forces collided in a spectacular explosion of light and shadow.

Adrian shielded his eyes from the blinding flash. When he looked again, Knox stood upright, the magic around him glowing even brighter. And Caelen…

The Shadow King was on his knees, his power visibly draining away.

Knox looked down on him. "It’s over, Caelen."

Knox stood over the defeated Caelen, a mixture of relief and triumph coursing through him. Finally, the threat was neutralized. Adrian was safe. This world was safe. He reached for the shadows, ready to bind Caelen and put an end to this once and for all.

But Caelen wasn’t finished. His face contorted with rage as he spat, "I will not be defeated! Not by you!"

Before Knox could react, Caelen produced a glowing orb from within his robes. It pulsed with a dark, malevolent energy that made Knox’s skin crawl.

Knox didn’t know what that was, but it had to be the source of Caelen’s new-found power. Some sort of artifact that shouldn’t be in the Shadow King’s possession.

"Where did you get that?" Knox demanded, his mind racing. "Whatever magic that is, you don’t have the power to control it now."

Caelen’s lips curled into a twisted smile. "I don’t need to control it."

"No!" Knox lunged forward, realizing what Caelen was about to do, but it was too late. With a manic laugh, Caelen smashed the artifact against the ground. The impact reverberated through the air, and Knox felt the world shift beneath his feet.

This was madness.

Utter madness.

Everyone knew you didn’t go around smashing powerful magic artifacts.

Caelen, it seemed, did not care. He was still laughing as the ground began to shake violently. Knox struggled to maintain his balance as the tremors intensified. A sound like tearing fabric filled the air, and his stomach dropped as he realized what was happening.

One by one, massive portals began to open around them. Knox watched in horror as creatures from Veridia—all of them monsters—began pouring through. Trolls, orcs, and similar beasts—some of them with tentacles— spilled into this world, their roars and screeches filling the air.

Knox cursed. He’d defeated Caelen, but he had not stopped him from unleashing chaos onto Adrian’s world.

"Knox!"

Knox whirled around at Adrian’s panicked cry, his heart leaping into his throat. An orc, its grotesque features twisted in a snarl, was bearing down on Adrian with a massive club raised high. Knox didn’t hesitate. He summoned his magic, golden light erupting from his palms and slamming into the orc. The creature flew backward, crashing into a wall with a sickening crunch.

Adrian rushed to Knox’s side, clinging to him. "What are we going to do?"

Knox’s jaw clenched. He wanted to reassure Adrian, to tell him that everything would be alright, but the truth was, he didn’t know. The situation was spiraling out of control faster than he could process. More and more creatures from Veridia were pouring through the portals, filling the room with their roars and screeches. Knox had never seen anything like this before, never imagined he’d have to face such chaos.

But he didn’t have time to dwell on his uncertainty. A troll lumbered toward them, its massive fists raised.

Knox pushed Adrian behind him and summoned another blast of golden energy, knocking the troll off its feet.

At the same time, though, the building shook violently as another troll smashed through the outer wall.

Shit.

The situation was officially not contained anymore.

Caelen’s laughter rang louder.

But above it all, through the gaping hole in the wall, Knox could hear Lyrian’s singing. A small relief washed over him. His friends were out there, fighting. He had to trust them to handle the monsters that escaped him.

Gritting his teeth, Knox focused his remaining energy. He wrapped an arm around Adrian, keeping him close as he summoned a barrier of golden light around them. The shield flickered as monsters pounded against it, but they couldn’t break it.

Knox was too powerful for them right now.

But was he powerful enough to clear up this mess?

He turned his attention to the portals. They pulsed with dark energy, spewing more enemies into the room. Knox reached out with his magic, trying to grasp the edges of the nearest portal. It was like trying to hold smoke, but he persisted, his face contorted with effort as he attempted to seal the rift.

Light had to cancel out shadow, right?

It had to.

With every ounce of strength, he willed his magic to counter the portal’s darkness. It was agonizingly slow work, each inch of progress draining more of his power, but finally, the portal began to shrink.

Yes!

Knox felt a surge of triumph as the first one sealed shut with a crackling hiss. But his victory was short-lived as he turned to face the next one.

There were so many of them left.

Still, there was nothing for it. He had to close them all.

"Knox?" By his side, Adrian sounded worried.

"I’ll be okay," Knox assured him. "We’ll be okay." Adrian had given him this power, and Knox would not waste it.

One by one, he forced the portals closed, the edges knitting together under the relentless pressure of Knox’s magic. But each portal took more out of him than the last. His limbs felt heavy, his vision blurring at the edges.

By the time there was only one portal left, Knox was leaning on Adrian. His breath came in ragged gasps, his muscles trembling with exertion. But he couldn’t stop now. Not when they were so close.

He focused on the last portal, his magic flickering and sputtering as he tried to force it closed. It was like trying to light a candle in a hurricane, but he refused to give up.

Just a little more…

The portal was almost closed, the edges nearly touching. Knox poured the last of his magic into it, his vision going black at the edges.

And then, just when he was about done, he sensed magic rushing at him.

Too late, he realized his mistake. In his focus on the portals, he had let his barrier around himself and Adrian weaken.

Caelen, despite his defeat, had been waiting for just such an opportunity. With another crazed laugh, the Shadow King hurled the last of his own magic at the barrier.

It shattered like glass, the shards dissipating into nothing.

No!

Knox staggered, his knees buckling under the sudden loss of his shield.

"You’re going down with me!" Caelen’s voice rang out. Two hulking orcs lumbered toward Knox and Adrian, their eyes filled with bloodlust.

Knox’s muscles screamed in protest as he tried to muster the strength to fend them off. He felt Adrian tense beside him, ready to fight but hopelessly outmatched.

Before the orcs could strike, a blur of motion sliced through the air. Zev appeared, his sword gleaming as he felled both creatures with a single, powerful strike. The orcs fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

Zev’s eyes locked onto Knox’s. "Do what you have to do," he hissed.

Knox nodded, feeling a surge of determination. There really was only one thing left to do—to save this world and Adrian. Gathering every ounce of strength he had left, Knox lunged for Caelen.

The Shadow King shrieked as Knox’s hands closed around him. Caelen struggled fiercely, but, physically Knox was stronger, and he held firm, his grip unyielding despite the strain.

With a guttural roar, Knox dragged Caelen toward the still-open portal. Though it had become small, the rift still pulsed, threatening to pull them both in—threatening to take them back where they belonged.

Caelen’s eyes widened in realization as they neared the portal’s edge. "You won’t push me in," he insisted, digging in his heels.

"No, I’ll personally make sure you won’t come back here."

Caelen stilled at that, and then a slow smile spread over his face. "How noble of you."

Knox knew exactly why Caelen was smiling. The Shadow King was happy to see Knox suffer, no matter the circumstances, and Knox would suffer, stepping through that portal.

Knox turned back to Adrian. "This isn’t?—"

He wanted to say more than that, but he never got to. He stumbled backward and into the portal as Caelen dragged him with him.