Page 75 of Knox

Eighteen

The car ride felt endless, and while he was driving, Adrian’s mind spun in circles. Knox sat beside him, a storm cloud of silence, radiating an intensity that Adrian couldn’t ignore. He kept glancing over, trying to read the incubus’s expression, but Knox’s face remained impassive, a mask of determination and something darker.

He’d never seen Knox like this, not even when they’d faced the trolls and orcs together. This wasn’t about a threat to the world; this felt intensely personal.

"What are you going to do?" Adrian finally asked, his voice breaking the tense silence.

"Whatever is necessary."

The response did nothing to quell Adrian’s anxiety. He wasn’t used to seeing Knox so… demonic. Sure, he’d always known that he was dealing with a demon, but there was a sharpness to him now that couldn’t be ignored.

It was as if Knox had reverted to thefirstchapters of his story, rather than the latter ones.

Adrian didn’t know how to feel about that.

He forced himself to focus on the road, but it wasn’t easy. Why was Knox so intent on confronting Chris? Was it really because of what Chris had done to him? The idea seemed almost too much to hope for. Adrian had always kept his pain hidden, tucked away where no one could reach it. He hadn’t expected Knox to care so much, to react so fiercely.

He couldn’t afford to let himself believe that Knox might genuinely care. That way led to more hurt, and he had enough scars already.

"You don’t have to do this," he said.

Knox finally turned to look at him. "Yes, I do."

Adrian swallowed hard. "Why?"

"Because you’re worth defending," Knox said, as if it were the simplest truth in the world.

The words hit Adrian like a punch to the gut. He didn’t know how to respond, so he didn’t. He just drove, heart pounding, thoughts a chaotic whirl.

When they finally pulled up in front of Chris’s house, Adrian parked the car and turned off the engine.

"We’re here."

Knox nodded, eyes fixed on the house ahead. "Let’s go."

Adrian followed Knox up the steps, each one feeling like a step closer to an inevitable explosion. Knox’s boots thudded against the wood, echoing in the still evening air. When they reached the door, Knox didn’t hesitate. He pounded on it with a force that made the whole frame rattle.

Chris opened the door, confusion etched on his face. His eyes widened when he saw Adrian. "Adrian? What are you doing here? And who’s this?"

Adrian’s stomach twisted at the sight of Chris. His ex looked the same—arrogant smirk, calculating eyes. Seeing him brought back a flood of memories he’d rather forget.

Knox didn’t waste time. "Is anyone else here?"

Chris’s brow furrowed. "Who the hell are you?"

"Answer the question," Knox growled, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Chris’s gaze shifted back to Adrian. "Did you come to see Grant?" His eyes narrowed. "He didn’t come home after the convention, and I haven’t heard from him. Did you two talk? What did you say to him?" There was an accusatory tone in his voice.

As if it was Adrian’s fault that Grant hadn’t texted Chris.

A hot and uncomfortable emotion crawled up Adrian’s spine. Once again, Chris was trying to pin everything on him. "I don’t know where Grant is, and I don’t care."

Chris opened his mouth to retort, but the words caught in his throat when he looked at Knox. The air around Knox seemed to darken, shadows swirling around him in a way that could not be explained without magic.

"Who are you?" Chris’s voice wavered.

Knox stepped forward, his eyes glowing. "I’m the one who’s going to make you pay for your actions."