Page 84 of Knox

Someone would come and rescue him, right?

Voices drifted through the walls, the sound of footsteps. Daniel heard them every now and then. People strolling about. Caelen’s followers.

There seemed to be more and more of them.

What was Caelen planning to do with the army he was building?

If the Shadow King deigned to spend more time with him, Daniel was sure he could get the answer out of him. Yes, that was the only reason Daniel wanted the sorcerer to step back into the room.

Oh, who was he kidding?

No one, not even himself.

He just didn’t want to be ignored, damn it.

He clanked the metal on his wrists together, making as much noise as he could, again and again.

He shook his head, feeling the sting of his own idiocy. What was he trying to accomplish, really? Making a racket wasn’t going to free him from these cuffs.

The thought barely had time to settle before a movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned his head sharply, and there he was—Caelen, standing silently by the closed door. Daniel’s heart skipped a beat. How long had he been standing there?

"Did you miss me?"

Daniel straightened, narrowing his eyes at the sorcerer. "Why would I?"

Caelen stepped closer, the air seeming to chill with his approach. "Because you think I’m hot. I’ve been in your head, I know."

Daniel’s cheeks flushed, a mix of anger and embarrassment heating his face. He clenched his jaw, trying to push down the feelings Caelen’s words stirred up. "What’s in my head is none of your business."

Caelen smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Oh, but it’s so interesting in there," he said, stopping just a foot away from the bed. "All those fantasies and desires. You can’t hide them from me."

Daniel’s mind raced, searching for a retort that would pierce through Caelen’s smug demeanor. "Knox will obliterate you for violating me."

"Oh, is that what you think?" Caelen drew closer still. "You know, I’ve seen other things in your head as well. For one, I know that you are not the one Knox desires. That’s your friend, Adrian, isn’t it?"

Daniel’s breath caught in his throat. Damn it. Caelen knew everything. How did Daniel ever think he wouldn’t be found out?

"If you know that, you know I’m of no use to you," Daniel said, forcing the words past the tightness in his chest. "You don’t have to keep me anymore."

"Ah," Caelen said, his voice dripping with amusement. "That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve been very useful to me. I got so much information from you."

Daniel’s mind spun, grasping at the implications of Caelen’s words. What had he given away without even realizing it?

Could this have been avoided if he’d fought harder when Caelen drew energy from him?

No, he couldn’t blame himself for this. It was all Caelen’s fault.

"You fucking bastard," Daniel spat, trying to mask his fear with anger. "What do you want from me now?"

Caelen’s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction. "Oh, I think you’ll find out soon enough. You see, there’s more to this game than just power. There’s influence, control, and the pleasure of watching your enemies crumble."

Daniel felt a shiver run down his spine. He had to get out of here, had to warn the others. But how could he escape this place?

"Don’t look so grim," Caelen said, almost mockingly. "I have no intention of killing you. You’re far too entertaining for that."

Daniel glared at him. He was not a toy.

"You’ll regret this," Daniel said. "Knox and Adrian, they’ll come for me. Whatever you plan to do, they won’t let you get away with it."