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

CHAPTER 3

“Kian and Alec.” Aticus stood, beckoning them to follow him. “I would like to see you in my chambers.”

All Kian wanted to do was go home and hold onto Alec. Hadn’t they been through enough? Then again, they owed Aticus. He’d been on their side from the beginning.

While they walked to his office, their friends were preparing a celebration for Kian and Alec. Touched at their thoughtfulness, he dreaded having to partake in a party. Was it wrong for him to just want to hide away with Alec for a day or two?

Aticus gestured to two chairs for them to sit on when they entered his office. He sat behind his desk opposite them. His office was very different from what Kian expected. He’d assumed the room would be opulent as was typical for a leader. Instead, the furniture was simple and functional.

The desk was made from stone, as was everything else in Tuklati. It was clean but smaller than the massive furniture in the main chamber; the chairs were comfortable, even cozy.

“I have to say I am very impressed with your courage,” Aticus admitted. A small frown pulled down on the corners of his mouth. “Although, I must apologize for all we have put you through since meeting Alec.” Aticus shrugged slightly. “Unfortunately, it had to be done.”

Turning his gaze on Alec for a moment, Aticus said regretfully, “To you, my boy, I also apologize. As much as I wish you could have known Kian was chosen for you, it was important you not know.”

Understanding started to dawn on Kian. Aticus had known all along, but how? Turning back to him, Aticus smiled. “You were not the only one to be visited by our first Danara.”

Surprise rippled through the room at his statement. “You never were in any danger of being killed by our hands, my dear. Danara told me the importance you brought to our kind but warned me not to tell anyone. You two had to do it on your own.”

“But you let the Council debate Kian’s death.” Alec practically vibrated with rage.

There was no apology in Aticus’ gaze. “As I said. I had to let things play out. I assure you, Kian was never in any real danger from the Council. I would not have allowed it.”

Kian wasn’t so sure that was true. Not to mention, the Council hadn’t been the only danger he’d face since coming to live in Tuklati.

Aticus opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out two books. Kian instantly recognized the covers. Danara’s other missing journals.

“How?” Kian was on alert. Danara had told him those journals were hidden by someone who wanted demons to return to the old ways. If Aticus had them did that mean… Kian looked up at Aticus, trying to judge if he was capable of what Danara had claimed.

Aticus actually smiled at Alec. “You know, he is as brave as our first Danara and Drakarn ever were.”

It was more of a statement then a question but Alec answered anyway, pride filling his voice. “Yes, I know.”

“Of course, it means he will be a handful.”

How dare he?

Alec chuckled a little. “You don’t have to tell me, sir.”

Whirling on Alec, Kian opened his mouth to tell Alec off but Aticus stopped him. “It was not meant as an insult so please do not take it as one.”

That was when he held out the journals for Kian to take. His hands shook as he reached out to take them. The moment his fingers closed over the leather, Kian felt a deep sense of peace flow through him. Clutching them close, Kian closed his eyes, knowing he’d done the right thing by becoming a demon.

“When I found out what you were up to in the archives, I had a search done of certain members of the Council.” Aticus held up his hand to stop Kian from asking the most obvious question. “Do not ask. I will not tell which member had them. Suffice it to say, the matter has been dealt with,” he assured.

“How did you know to look at one of the Council?” Alec asked.

The man seemed to always have a smile on his features as if he held the secret to happiness. “When one is in my position, it is important to know everything that goes on. Do you not agree?”

“So now what?” Kian was anxious to know how becoming a demon was supposed to change everything.

“Well, that is up to you. As I said, you are now a demon, so you will be allowed to live as we do, with a certain amount of freedom,” Aticus informed them.

“Danara said I would be the key to saving demons.” Kian didn’t really ask a question because he wasn’t sure what question to ask.

Standing, Aticus came around the desk, leaning back against it as he folded his arms across his chest. “Yes. That part is true. Knowing demons cannot live without humans will change everything.”

Sadness crept into Aticus’ expression and Kian went to him, hugging him as if that might make things better. When he pulled back, Aticus appeared grateful for the kindness.

“Each generation has been losing its humanity,” Aticus admitted. “Brant is the closest we have seen of our true demon selves. You have saved us, Kian. Without your sacrifice, we might never have known.”

The grief of what Brant had done was felt by them all. They would find Brant one day. But if things didn’t change, Brant was just the beginning.

As if shedding the depressing thoughts, Aticus pushed away from the desk and went to the door. With a broad smile and a twinkle in his eye, he opened it. “Now I understand there is to be a party in your honor and I, for one, do not want to miss it.”

Even though he wanted to go home with Alec instead of going to a party, Kian graciously went along. That didn’t mean he was going to forgo the desire to be held by his mate. Thankfully, even though there was lively music playing, Alec seemed just as content as Kian to move slowly. Their friends could gyrate to the beat but Kian was exactly where he belonged, in Alec’s arms. Even with all the noise, he would swear it was just the two of them there holding each other close.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my entire life,” Kian told him. He couldn’t help but smile when Alec’s lips brushed against the top of Kian’s head and tucked him in even tighter.

“Me too.” There was truth in his words, but Kian could still hear the hitch in his voice.

He pulled back enough to look up into those emerald eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“We still haven’t found Brant.” Worry filled Alec’s gaze with a healthy dose of stark fear.

Kian couldn’t blame him for his feelings. But he’d learned a lot about himself since meeting Alec, moving to a strange place, and going through hell to become a demon. Kian was strong. Much stronger than he’d ever imagined. Yes, Brant could try to kill him, but he wasn’t about to make it easy for the bully.

Kian placed a hand around the back of Alec’s neck and pulled him down until their lips just touched. “I know. But I’ve been to hell and back so I could love you, Alec. I’m not about to let Brant take that away from me.”

There was a flash of frustration in his eyes. “That’s just it, Kian.” Alec pressed their forehead’s together as he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “Did you even once think what it would have done to me if you had died?”

There was so much misery in his voice that Kian felt guilty. He’d put Alec through a lot on a chance. It had to have killed him to know Kian might not survive as he went through the change.

Gently, Kian pressed their lips together. “Danara told me we were out of time. I’m not sure what she meant but the panic in her voice was real.” His voice pleaded with Alec to understand. “I did what I thought I had to do.”

Alec’s grip on him tightened, plastering Kian to him. Their mouths met in a heated kiss.

“Ah-em.”

They both groaned in dismay at the sound. They both turned to find Aticus standing next to them, his eyes on Kian.

A part of Kian wanted to smack the smug look he wore as he offered his hand. “Would you do me the honor?”

It was the last thing Kian had wanted to do at the moment, but he took it and gave Alec a look of regret. It took effort, but he finally managed to tear his gaze away from Alec. Annoyed at being interrupted, Kian glared at Aticus, who was grinning from ear to ear. “I do apologize for taking you away.”

Kian didn’t believe him for a moment. He might not know Aticus that well but Kian was learning he was an instigator. Resigned to his fate, he said, “I’m happy to dance with you, Aticus.”

“Liar.” Aticus chuckled. “There has been something about that boy since his birth. It is very unusual for a Sentinel to take in one of the children they find. That it had been Tarak, their leader, made it even more unusual.”

“Why?” Kian wasn’t sure why Aticus was saying any of this but he had to admit he was curious.

Shrugging slightly, Aticus said, “Honestly, I have no idea. I assumed it was difficult for them to choose one over the other.” When Aticus’ gaze landed on Tarak, who had gone to talk with Alec, he said, “But not for Tarak. He came back with Alec and demanded the right to take him in.”

Kian had no clue what Aticus was trying to say. “So why did Tarak want Alec?”

There was a twinkle in Aticus’ eyes. “He never said. It was as if fate put Alec in the care of a Sentinel. Not just any Sentinel but the one that would be able to stand beside him.”

Kian’s steps faltered but Aticus kept him moving to the soft beat. “You think fate put Alec with Tarak so when he fell in love with me, Tarak would refuse to kill him or me.”

Nodding, Aticus was silent for several moments. The song ended and he placed Kian’s hand in the crook of his arm leading him back to Alec. Leaning down slightly, he whispered, “What you have done for us was courageous, but what you have done for Alec is so much more.”

They were nearly to Alec’s side. Feeling happy at his words, he said, “Maybe, but he has done so much more for me.”

Aticus slowed down his steps causing Kian to look up at him. His expression was solemn and full of regret. “For all you have sacrificed, you deserve to have your happily ever after but...” His eyes flicked from Kian to Alec and back again.

Waiting for the words he knew Aticus would say but didn’t want to, Kian held his breath. “You are the key, the chosen one. You have saved us from losing our humanity but more is to come sooner than you think.”

Bowing over Kian’s hand, Aticus kissed the back of it before handing him over to Alec. Seeing his expression, Alec was concerned. “Kian, what’s wrong?”

He shook his head, refusing to give into the fear that Aticus’s words had caused. Kian gave Alec a brilliant smile. “Nothing. Aticus was just regaling me with some of your childhood exploits.”

That launched Tarak into a series of stories from when Alec was growing up. Kian felt a twinge of guilt at lying to Alec but whatever was to transpire would happen whether they worried about it or not. Right now, he was determined to enjoy the time they had together.

The future could wait. Right now, Kian was right where he wanted to be. In Alec’s arms. That was all that mattered.