Page 70 of Knox

It was pathetic.

Leon, seemingly sensing Adrian’s turmoil, squeezed his hand. The small gesture grounded him, but it didn’t make the sinking feeling in his chest go away.

Adrian swallowed hard, forcing his fears aside. "We still need you here," he managed to say. "The Shadow King is still out there." He couldn’t bring himself to confess his real feelings, to tell Knox why he didn’t want him to leave.

Knox studied Adrian for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Adrian wondered if Knox had heard the words he didn’t manage to say, but if so, he gave no indication of it.

Finally, Knox nodded, stepping away from the portal. "I know," he said. "I won’t go anywhere before my business here is done."

Adrian let out a breath, though relief didn’t envelop him wholly. Knox wouldn’t leave yet.

But in the end, he would.

It figured.

No matter how ‘special’ Adrian was, he was never enough to make them stay.

Chapter

Seventeen

Adrian pulled the rental car up to the curb outside his apartment, and he and Knox helped Leon out. Leon winced as he put weight on his injured leg, leaning on Adrian for support. "Sorry for the trouble," he said.

"You’re no trouble," Adrian assured him. "I’m just glad we got you away from there."

Evelyn met them at the door, her eyes widening when she saw Leon. "Oh dear, what happened to you?" she exclaimed, rushing over to take Leon’s other arm to help guide him inside.

"Long story," Leon muttered, grimacing as they helped him onto the couch. "But would you believe me if I said I got hurt in a troll attack?" He attempted a weak smile.

Evelyn’s eyes widened further, but then she nodded, her expression turning serious. "I saw all about that on TV," she said, bustling off to the kitchen. "Those creatures causing all sorts of havoc."

Adrian exchanged a glance with Knox, silently grateful for Evelyn’s ability to adapt to the bizarre situations that hadbecome his new normal. He gently lowered Leon onto the couch, adjusting the cushions to make him more comfortable.

Evelyn returned with a bag of ice wrapped in a dish towel. "Here, put this on your leg," she instructed, handing it to Leon. "It should help with the swelling."

"Thanks," Leon said, pressing the ice against his leg and wincing again. "You’re Adrian’s grandmother, right?"

Evelyn smiled warmly. "That’s right. And who might you be? One of Adrian’s friends?"

"My name is Leon."

"Well, it’s very lovely to meet you, Leon."

"It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am."

"Oh, none of that. Please call me Evelyn."

Adrian smiled, watching the interaction. His grandmother had always had a way of making people feel at ease, even in the most unusual circumstances. He wished he’d inherited that talent instead of being as awkward around people as he often was.

If he wasn’t, maybe he could have the conversation he needed to have with Knox.

Worrying his lower lip, he moved to the TV, picking up the remote and turning it on. The screen flickered to life, immediately displaying news reports about the trolls and orcs. Footage of the chaos in Lancefield played, showing scenes of destruction and frightened citizens.

"Look at that," Evelyn said, shaking her head as she watched the screen. "Hard to believe, isn’t it?"

Leon nodded, but said nothing, his eyes fixed on the TV.

Adrian stood beside the couch, his mind racing with thoughts of what they needed to do next. He glanced at Knox, who was watching the screen with a determined expression.