Page 15 of A Demon’s Resolve (Demonic Tales and Adventures #3)

CHAPTER 15

Alec wanted to roar out as he tried once more to reach out to Kian with no success. He’d felt his mate for the briefest of moments, he was sure of it. But it not only didn’t last, Alec feared Tarak had been right, it had only been his imagination.

No.

He refused to believe that. He’d felt Kian’s mind brush against his like the softest caress. More determined to reach out to him, Alec forced himself to relax and let the peace that Kian instilled in him since the moment they’d met to infuse him. Then he opened up his senses, stretching them out in all directions in search of his mate.

Nothing.

It was hard, but he refused to allow his frustration and anger take control. Instead, Alec remained where he was, letting his love for Kian push its way from deep within him and out into his surroundings.

He wasn’t sure how, but he knew what the village woman said was right. Love was the key. If he could channel his feelings for Kian, maybe Alec would be able to find him. Danara’s words came back to him, ‘You have to believe in him.’

That was easy. Kian was the strongest person he’d ever met. He had a will made of steel, though Alec knew his mate had never really thought so.

From the beginning, Kian had never backed down in his search for the truth. Even when Alec tried to intimidate his mate, Kian had stood toe-to-toe with him, refusing to give up.

There was never a doubt in his mind that if Kian was determined to kill Brant and come back to Alec, he would. What he didn’t know was how. Kian might have had the will of a warrior but he didn’t have the muscle or the knowledge of demon ways.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder. “We will find him,” Tarak vowed at his side.

Alek only nodded as he was too afraid to speak. He had to remain strong for Kian. He would find his mate. When he did, Brant would die. Alec believed that with all his heart.

For a brief moment, Alec had felt Kian. It didn’t last long but he knew what direction to begin looking and that would have to be a start for now. The four Sentinels headed further into the mountains, keeping an eye out for any sign of Brant.

“Alec.” Tarak’s voice low so the others wouldn’t hear him. “Calm down.”

It wasn’t easy to keep his abilities in check when his too vivid imagination wouldn’t give him a moment’s reprieve from what Brant might be doing to Kian. It was a living hell to not know if his mate was hurt or even alive.

Defeat caused his body to fold in on itself. “I’m not sure I can,” he told his father honestly.

Trey and Samson moved quickly to set up a perimeter in hopes of containing any damage Alec might unleash. No words were even needed. It was something they’d had to do at least a dozen times since leaving Tuklati seventy-two hours ago.

Refusing to let Brant win – again – Alec sank to his knees and breathed deeply. His short fingernails bit into the skin of his palms as he struggled to find his center. Without Kian alongside of him, Alec found it nearly impossible. It was as if there were a hole inside of him.

Small pebbles dug into his knees but he ignored the discomfort trying to feed from the earth instead of destroying it. The earth’s force is what gave the demons their strength and right now he knew he needed to find the peace the planet could give him.

Laying his palms flat against the surface, Alec called out to the planet to help him. A river of energy snaked up his arms - his tattoo pulsed with the power he drew upon. Closing his eyes, Alec poured all his love for Kian into the ground beneath him.

The flow of power exchanged between him and the element causing his heart to slow, his breathing to even out. Each time he inhaled, he drew more of the earth’s force within him. With every exhale, he let all his emotions leave his body to be absorbed by the surrounding terrain.

How long he sat there, Alec couldn’t be sure, for time no longer mattered as his soul eased. His limbs, torso, and thankfully, his heart, shed the heavy weight that had been dragging him into a pit of despair. He welcomed the blackness that enveloped him, letting himself sink further into the will of the planet.

Something shifted and Alec opened his eyes, blinking as he stared into the prettiest blue eyes he’d ever known. “Kian,” Alec whispered, afraid he would disappear.

His mate hadn’t heard him when he spoke. Kian’s body shook as sobs choked him. Reaching out to touch him, Alec’s hand passed right through him. Stunned, he stared at his hand, unable to believe what he just saw. “Kian,” he said louder this time.

Still, his mate hadn’t moved but his sobs quieted slightly. Lifting his head, Kian stared right at him, but Alec could tell he wasn’t actually seeing him. What the hell?

Wiping his eyes, Kian struggled to stand. Fire lit those blue orbs as his mate looked past him. Turning to see what he was looking at, Alec saw…A door.

Alec’s heart raced. This is where he is.

He didn’t know how this happened, nor did he care. Determined to figure out where his mate was, Alec walked to the door. He reached out to open it, but his hand went right through the latch.

What was going on? Alec no idea. But if he could pass through the door, that door, he might just find Kian. He stepped into the door only to end up walking right back into the room.

His gaze went to Kian. He had no idea how, but somehow he was being granted a reprieve from the agony of not knowing if Kian was hurt, or worse – dead. Alec might not be able talk to him or discover his location, but at least he knew his mate was alive.

He drank in every inch of that lithe body he’d come to love more than life itself. Alec willed his mate to hear him. “I will find you, Kian. I need you stay strong.”

As if Kian heard him, even though Alec knew he hadn’t, Kian lifted his hand and fire burst from the tips of his fingers, growing with every second. Alec’s heart skipped a beat with pride. He should have known his mate would never sit there cowering. Kian been practicing to use his powers.

Drinking him in one last time, Alec knew he had to get back to the others to tell them what happened. Before he left, Kian had extinguished the flames and he stared once more at the door.

His gaze flicked to the same piece of wood and his jaw dropped. Right in front of the door, dirt lifted from the ground to settle in the far corner of the room. What had been a sliver of light shining from under the door, now was beacon. Kian had created a hole in seconds.

He was learning how to wield his powers quickly, but Alec knew if he didn’t find his mate soon, it wouldn’t be enough. ‘Believe in him.’ It’s what Danara had said to him and Alec did. He also knew Brant was a vicious killer.

A dangerous grin appeared on Kian’s face. Just as quickly as Kian had created the hole, he replaced it, covering what he’d done. “I will be ready for you, Brant,” Kian vowed.

Pride filled Alec as the blackness returned. Disoriented, he found himself lying on the ground surrounded by Tarak, Trey and Samson. He hated leaving Kian, but Alec found himself smiling as he stared at the trio.

“Brant is going down.” There was no doubt in his mind any longer. He would find Kian and together they would kill Brant.

He just needed to locate his mate first.