Page 22 of A Demon’s Resolve (Demonic Tales and Adventures #3)
CHAPTER 22
Doubt wasn’t something Tarak had ever felt until the day he’d found Alec with Kian. It was in that moment that Tarak had known deep inside that nothing in his life would prepare him for the what was to come.
He’d known by the way Alec had looked at him, his son wouldn’t be able to stay away from the human, no matter their laws. Still, there had been no way to predict just how bad everything would turn out. He definitely wouldn’t have predicted Alec nearly destroying the world.
Yet, there he was doing his best to stop Alec from doing more damage as he saved the one person who had risked everything, not only for Alec, but for all of demonkind. It made Tarak wonder if he’d been right in taking Alec in all those years ago.
Maybe it hadn’t been the right choice to be Alec’s father. His heart broke with that thought. Not adopting Alec hadn’t been an option from the first moment he’d laid eyes on him. Those bright green eyes had stared at Tarak and he’d just known Alec had been meant to be his.
His wife hadn’t been able to carry a child full term, even though she’d tried. It had been her last attempt that had killed her. She’d bled out before the doctors could help her as she miscarried for the tenth time.
Tarak’s heart had been ripped out of his chest at the loss of his wife. If it hadn’t of been for his job as a Sentinel, he would have died of a broken heart, but he had vowed to the ancients to do everything within his power to keep demons safe, and he took that vow as seriously as his marriage vows.
Never had he believed he’d find another purpose, until Alec.
He hadn’t known anything about kids, but Tarak had thrown himself into his new role as a father with all the love he had thought he’d lost when his wife had died. Had he made a mistake?
Tarak let out a snort. It seemed like that’s all he’d done since forcing Alec to leave Kian and return to Tuklati. Would he have done things differently if he’d known Kian was destined for Alec?
Tarak wasn’t so sure. At that point, with their world in turmoil, Tarak wasn’t sure about anything. Such as how he was going to keep the humans from finding out they existed. Or even if it was possible.
Demons had already risked exposure to save millions from the tsunamis. It had been necessary but it also put them that much closer to a war that could wipe out all life on Earth, if the witches found them.
Tarak knew the others weren’t sure if the human witches still existed. Tarak not only knew they did but had kept an eye on several covens that were still intent on finding and destroying the other paranormal races. The only advantage demons and the other races had was their ability to hide. Something that might now be impossible.
If it hadn’t been bad enough that they were on film stopping the tsunami, Tarak could feel the cameras of the satellites above them watching everything as he, Trey, and Samson did their best to contain Alec’s fury as he fought Brant.
It took too much of their energy to stop even more destruction to be able to hide themselves from the humans. Tarak may not like the fact that the government was able to watch them, but he also couldn’t allow Brant and Alec to kill anyone else. It was a risk to expose themselves but Tarak would do whatever was necessary to protect his son.
Not that it was going to do much good if they didn’t get help soon. Alec was strong. Much stronger than anyone had ever guessed. Containing the results of his rage was draining Tarak quicker than he ever imagined. Tarak, Trey, and Samson had to absorb as much of the collateral damage as they could into themselves so it didn’t spread and all three of them were losing the battle.
It didn’t help that he was worried about Alec.
It wasn’t that he thought his son would lose. Brant was no match for Alec, but if anything happened to Kian… A shutter ripped through Tarak at the thought.
The wind whipping around the circle they’d formed was threatening to blow the fire into the trees beyond them. The three of them weren’t going to be able to hold on much longer. Tarak prayed he could hold on until the others, who were supposed to be nearby, could help.
Trey and Samson were close to collapsing so Tarak poured even more energy into containing the destruction from spreading. Just when he thought they wouldn’t be able to hold on any longer, three other Sentinels appeared. “Go take Trey and Samson’s place.”
Even more reinforcements showed up, giving Tarak an opportunity to go help his son. He ran into the center of chaos, exhaustion slowing him as the ground beneath him bucked and rolled.
He fell to the ground before he could get close enough to help his son. All he could do was watch in horror as swords clashed. The force of metal striking metal sent sparks flying.
Brant’s eyes glowed eerily as he taunted Alec with how he would force Alec to watch as he tore Kian apart piece by piece. The earth pitched violently underneath Brant’s feet, but he easily leapt into the air before it tossed him onto his ass.
When Tarak managed to grab Kian to drag him away from the danger of Alec and Brant, Tarak was sure all was lost. He should have known Kian wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Kian stood rooted to the spot as he watched Alec turn a battle into art in motion. He had the heart of a warrior and in battle he looked every bit the part. Swords clashed, ringing out their deadly song.
No matter how many times Brant tried to get close to Kian, Alec would block him. Alec made sure to keep Kian at his back, not giving his brother an opportunity to use him as a shield. How he did it, Kian couldn’t have said but it was poetry in motion to watch.
Kian’s hair whipped around wildly as the wind picked up in intensity. He was fairly certain it was Alec unleashing Mother Nature as he fought Brant with a single minded goal of defeating him.
For several minutes, Kian felt safe for the first time since Brant had taken him. All that changed when a line of fire erupted and headed straight for him. Without thinking, Kian jumped out of its path so it wouldn’t consume him.
When Tarak tried to drag Kian from the fight, he fought to get free. Fortunately, Tarak hadn’t expected it and Kian was able to dart away. It wasn’t until fingers grasped him around his neck, that he realized his mistake.
“Kian!” Alec screamed as the earth rolled beneath their feet as he saw that Brand held Kian.
But it was too late. Brant’s hand tightened. How had Kian ended right back where he was when Alec arrived, Kian had no clue, but he wasn’t about to stay there and let Brant win, especially since Alec stopped the fight in his tracks. Seeing the fear in those emerald eyes humbled Kian and he vowed to take Brant down if it was the last thing he did.
“Now that I know you have learned to use your powers, I won’t be stupid enough to let you go.” His breath was hot against Kian’s cheek. Revulsion snaked its way into him as Brant started dragging Kian away from Alec.
Kian locked eyes with Alec. It was when the fear in those emerald eyes turned to pure terror that Kian knew Danara had been right. Alec alone wouldn’t defeat Brant, not when the monster was willing to use whatever means possible to win. Alec was too afraid of hurting Kian to fight back. Good thing Kian didn’t have that same problem.
Physically, Kian wasn’t a match for Brant. But now that he knew how to use his abilities, Brant was going to go down.
That is why I made sure you were a demon before he took you, Danara said.
Concentrating on the voice in his head, Kian thought about everything Danara had said while he’d been held captive. The first queen said Alec couldn’t save Kian unless he fought. A fire burned within that emerald gaze and Kian remembered what Alec had told him about becoming the element, not just using it.
Brant turned his attention to Alec, which gave Kian time to dig deep within himself. Once more, he’d found the power that resided within, like a glowing light in his core. Unleashing it, Kian felt it encompass him, giving as much access as he needed to all it had to offer.
A spark ignited deep inside, spreading out like wildfire. He’d only practiced with his hands before but once he’d accessed it, Kian found it was just as easy to imagine every one of his cells was the flame. Brant screamed as his body burned against Kian’s.
The moment Brant jerked his arms away, Kian dropped to the ground. It was all the opportunity Alec needed. As if in slow motion, Kian watched Alec take a couple of steps toward them, his sword already swinging through the air.
Brant must have sensed the danger, for his eyes widened as they landed on Alec an instant before that sword sliced his head from his body. Kian winced at the gruesome scene even as he cheered.
Kian had known Brant had planned an even worse death for him, but that didn’t mean he’d been prepared to have to witness anyone’s demise.
If he went the rest of his life without having to see anyone else die, it would be too soon. Unfortunately, Kian was realistic. He was a demon now. A demon in love with a man whose job it was to track down and kill those who hurt others.
It hadn’t been the life he’d planned on having but the moment Alec’s arms pull Kian close, he knew there was nowhere in the world he’d rather be.