Page 26 of A Demon’s Resolve (Demonic Tales and Adventures #3)

CHAPTER 26

“Good, you’re both awake.” Aticus stood just inside the closed door, hands tucked in his robes. “We need to talk.”

Alec swore, not bothering to keep his displeasure at being interrupted to himself. “I don’t remember inviting you into our room, Aticus.”

Kian had to bite his lip to stop from smiling when Aticus seemed completely oblivious to Alec’s irritation and brought a chair over to the bed and sat down as if he wasn’t interrupting anything. The thing was, Aticus wasn’t a stupid man. He knew they didn’t want him there but he also didn’t care.

Kian may have wished for a reprieve from reality at the moment but he also knew that wasn’t going to happen. From what Brant had told him, and what Kian had overheard from Tarak, Alec would need to answer for not only the destruction he’d caused searching for Kian, but for exposing demons to humans.

Apparently, Alec didn’t care. “Get out,” Alec ordered harshly. Aticus being the Council Leader didn’t care about Alec’s anger in the least.

Aticus didn’t even blink at Alec’s tone. “You and I both know this cannot wait.”

Alec sighed and Kian squeezed his hand. “Can you let us shower and change first?” he asked Aticus. “We’ll meet you in the living room in a few minutes.”

Aticus looked like he was going to deny the request at first. Then, he gave his own sigh and stood up. “Fine. Just don’t take too long. There isn’t a lot of time.”

When the door closed behind Aticus, Kian leaned into Alec and kissed him briefly. “Mind telling me just how much trouble we’re in?” he asked as he got off the bed and headed into the bathroom.

Alec didn’t answer, merely gave him a look that spoke volumes before reaching past Kian to turn on the shower. He couldn’t explain it but Alec’s silence made Kian more uneasy than if he’d simply told him the truth.

There was no doubt in his mind that Alec was trying to shield him, but Kian didn’t need protection. He could handle whatever it was that Alec didn’t want him to know. He should understand that by now.

It was time Kian made that perfectly clear. If only the tempting sight of water streaming down Alec’s naked body hadn’t taken away Kian’s ability to speak in that moment.

They might have just had sex, both of their bodies were apparently onboard for another round – or two. Not about to miss out on touching and feeling that heated skin against his own, Kian quickly took off his clothes and stepped under the spray. Too bad Aticus was waiting for them or Kian might have suggested they wash each other. But there was just no time.

To take his mind off more pleasurable pursuits, like how it felt to have that long, thick cock inside of him, Kian took several deep breaths and demanded more than asked, “What aren’t you telling me?”

Kian wasn’t sure what he’d expected from Alec but it wasn’t to be brushed off with, “Not now, Kian.”

That only pissed him off. He’d risked his life to become a demon, fought off Brant, and even helped to kill him. There was no way Kian was going to let Alec treat him like some kid without the ability to handle the tough stuff.

He also knew anger would only cause a fight, which wouldn’t do either of them any good. Needing to calm down, even if it were only a little, Kian stepped away and rinsed before grabbing a towel to dry off.

Once he was dressed, Kian felt ready for whatever battle they were about to confront. He wished it was easily ignored like Alec appeared to be doing. But one thing Kian had learned was that he might want the luxury of being able to bury his head in the sand but that wasn’t possible. Life had made sure of that. Growing up, it had either been face it, or stay curled up in a ball in that closet praying for someone to save him.

At six, he’d done exactly that, but no one had come. Instead, they’d stuck him in foster care where the horror of what he’d witnessed should have been the worst thing he’d ever have to face. It hadn’t been. No. If Kian wanted saving, he’d had to do it himself. That wasn’t going to change. Not completely anyway.

Alec might be there by his side, but not even he would always be able save Kian. Brant made sure to prove that. As true as all that was, Kian didn’t want to have to fight with Alec. He wanted them to be a team.

It was that thought that had him reach out and take Alec’s hand in his. “Aticus is waiting for us in the living room. Don’t make me hear it from him. Talk to me, Alec.”

A heavy sigh passed Alec’s lips. His shoulders dropped and he reached out to pull Kian against him, right where he belonged. “When Brant kidnapped you…” Alec’s voice faltered. It was obvious Alec didn’t want to continue but eventually he did. “I went a little crazy.”

He barked out a laugh and pushed Kian away as Alec said the last part. His fingers ran through his hair, yanking on the strands as if the sting would help him to cope.

Kian moved to go to him but Alec stopped him by thrusting out his arm. Another sigh. This one even more defeated than the others. His arm dropped and it almost appeared as if his entire body drooped. Like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

“I caused a lot of damage,” he whispered.

Kian knew that. What he didn’t understand was how severe it was. “What do they expect you to do about it? Brant kidnapped me. They have to know our bond is too strong for you to have been in control.”

A soft smile crossed Alec’s face as he closed the distance he’d put between them and cupped Kian’s face. “If only it were that simple.”

No. Kian wasn’t na?ve enough to believe anything was ever that easy, especially when it came to the blood thirsty demons. What he didn’t know was whether or not there was an infraction where they didn’t call for someone’s death. Still, he wasn’t about to let anyone hold Alec responsible for something they created.

Brant was their fault. They produced those like Brant by their idiotic policies. Kian wasn’t about to let them punish Alec without forcing them to accept their own involvement.

Soft lips pressed against his in a gentle, yet all too brief, kiss. “Kian, I caused a lot of damage around the world. The Sentinels tried to contain most of it but in doing so they were seen.”

Kian had known that too. But if demons needed humans to retain their humanity that was something that was going to happen anyway.

“I have left us exposed.” Alec refused to look at Kian during his admission. His shame evident on his face. “People died. There is no way the humans won’t retaliate.”

Kian had no idea how to make him feel better. He knew Alec hadn’t been able to control what had happened.

“Excuse me.” Startled at the sound, they jerked their heads in the direction of the voice. Aticus stood there, again. “I know I said I would wait but I could not help but hearing what you were saying in here. Before you jump to conclusions, I really think we should talk first.”

“Do you ever knock?” Alec’s spat. His frustration at the Council Leader’s interruption was in every word.

Amused at the question, Aticus answered simply. “No.”

Shaking his head at the scene he found himself in, Kian decided it was time to get this over with. He gestured for Aticus to proceed them out the door.

Once the three of them were seated in the living room, Aticus got right to the point. Kian sat on the couch with Alec, their hands entwined. His grip was a bit hard, but Kian didn’t complain. He knew Alec needed the physical connection.

Aticus sat across from them in one of the chairs. “Obviously, I am here because we have a problem.”

Kian stiffened at his words, not willing to let Alec be punished for something that wasn’t his fault. “There is no way I’m allowing you and that two bit Council to blame Alec.” Pointing his finger to the door, Kian said, “You can go tell your precious Council they need to change their minds.”

The man had the audacity to smile, not just any smile but a huge, highly amused smile. Turning to Alec, he said, “How you got lucky enough with this one, I will never understand.”

“I don’t either,” Alec murmured, smiling at Kian.

He couldn’t help the bubbles of happiness that erupted through his body at the way Alec looked at him, like Kian was the only person in the world as far as he was concerned. Embarrassed, Kian rolled his eyes and said, “Stop talking like I’m not sitting right here. You know I’m in the room, right?”

Leaning over, Alec kissed him quickly on the lips. “We know, sweetheart.”

“Not to worry, Kian, I have already warned the rest of the Council to not harm either of you.” Aticus’s eyes held the hard edge of steel in their depths at this statement. The first time Kian met him, he knew the demon leader was cunning but…A small shiver escaped down his spine. This was the first time he understood why Aticus was the Council Leader. He wasn’t a man to cross.

Alec’s grip on his hand tightened as he felt Kian’s reaction to Aticus’s words. “Thank you, sir. We appreciate what you have done, but may I ask why?” Alec asked.

His smile was sincere as Aticus answered the question. “I told you before, Danara told me you two would save us. I, for one, trust the Queen who accomplished the impossible task of changing demons from nothing more than animals to nearly human.”

Kian knew what he said was true. Not that he’d believed Danara just because of the things she’d done but something in her voice had compelled Kian to trust her. The first queen hadn’t been wrong yet. “So, why are you here?”

“Because Alec’s actions have still caused us a lot of trouble and we need to figure out how to fix it.” Apparently, Aticus didn’t believe in pulling his punches.

Kian felt Alec’s shoulders slump at the words. Indignation at his being blamed for saving Kian caused him to rise from the couch towering above the man who dared to make Alec feel bad. “What he did was because you people let Brant escape. Hell, the very reason he was evil was because of your stupid laws. Brant would have torn me apart to make Alec suffer. How can you sit there and blame him for loving me?”

Kian’s fists were clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms in an effort to maintain some sort of control over the fury rising within him. It wasn’t helping. The need to unleash his newly acquired powers rose.

For a moment, Kian almost gave in until he felt Alec’s hand touch his. Voice low, pleading, Alec said, “Kian, please don’t.”

The frustration of not being able to use his powers had Kian pacing. Breathing deeply, he muttered under his breath about the stupidity of demons. Kian didn’t pay Alec or Aticus any attention until he began to feel more normal.

Well, normal might be the wrong word since none of this was exactly something he was used to. Calmer might have been a better term, although he wasn’t sure that would be a great description either as he still wanted to tear apart every demon who thought any of this was Alec’s fault.

Turning back to them, Kian found both men watching him. Aticus had the look of awe. Alec appeared proud but it was the depth of his love in his eyes that took Kian’s breath away.

More than a little unnerved by the scrutiny both were giving him, Kian blurted, “What?”

Neither man spoke at first. They glanced at each other, then back at Kian. Finally, Alec sighed, “Kian, you were glowing. Not just glowing, but electricity actually flowed around you.”

Not quite understanding what he was saying, Kian had no clue what to say.

Aticus said, “I’ve been alive for almost 1000 years and I have never seen anything even close to that display. There used to be rumors about our first Danara and Drakarn having that ability, but I’d always assumed it was nothing more than an exaggerated story.”

Kian’s mouth opened slightly in shock. “Is it a problem?” Maybe he had been too hasty with the blood ritual. Damn it. Kian should have done more research, but nooo, he listened to a voice in his head claiming to be some long dead queen instead. Kian should have known he was just crazy.

Alec was by Kian’s side in two quick strides stopping the pacing. “Kian, it isn’t bad. It attests to how much power you have.”

“What?” How could that be? He’d only just became a demon. It wasn’t possible to be that powerful. Right?

“Even though this is an interesting turn of events,” Aticus admitted, “we need to get back to the other situation first.” Aticus held up his hand to stop him when Kian opened his mouth to argue. “I promise to look into how this happened, but for now, the more pressing problem is the humans.”

It pained Kian to admit that was something they needed to deal with. Sure, the humans eventually would have found out about demons, but Alec hadn’t helped the situation by causing mass destruction, not to mention the deaths of so many.

“Fine,” Kian said, sitting back down next to Alec. “What do we need to do?”

Once again, Aticus grinned gleefully, “I have a plan.”