Page 85 of Knox

"Perhaps," Caelen replied, his tone dismissive. "But thanks to you, I know how to defeat them."

Daniel forced himself to meet Caelen’s gaze, trying to decipher the intent behind those dark eyes. "What do you plan to do when you defeat Knox?" he demanded, his voice steadier than he felt. "What’s your endgame?"

Caelen tilted his head, studying Daniel as if weighing how much to reveal. Silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the distant sounds of footsteps echoing through the corridors outside. Daniel held his breath, refusing to look away.

Finally, Caelen’s lips curled into a half-smile. "You’re a curious one, aren’t you? What do you think I want?"

"Chaos?" Daniel suggested.

"Chaos is a means to an end," Caelen said. "They call me Shadow King, but that’s an insult, not a title. Knox stole my real title from me, stole everything from me, and I intend to make him pay. Does that make me the bad guy?"

"You’re hurting more people than just Knox."

"Means to an end," Caelen repeated.

"You’re insane."

Caelen laughed, a sound that sent shivers down Daniel’s spine. "My followers would disagree."

Daniel’s pulse sped up as Caelen reached out, his fingers brushing against Daniel’s cheek.

"If I’m so insane," Caelen murmured, his eyes glinting with dark mischief, "why do you dream about me?"

Daniel’s breath hitched. The coldness that had permeated the room dissipated, replaced by a heat that seemed to radiate from Caelen himself.

"I don’t," Daniel lied.

Caelen’s smile only widened. "You and I are going to have so much fun when I’m done with Knox."

Daniel’s pulse sped up as Caelen’s hand came to rest on his forehead. He gritted his teeth, preparing for the familiar sensation of energy being drained from him.

It took only a second before he felt the pull. The room dimmed around him as Caelen began to siphon his energy.

Not again.

Daniel gritted his teeth.

He focused on resisting, fighting back with every ounce of strength he had left. His muscles tensed, and his mind sharpened, honing in on the flow of power leaving his body. He could almost see it—shadowy tendrils weaving their way out of him and into Caelen.

He latched on to them, letting a piece of his mind go with them.

Before Daniel could process what was going on, a strange sort of connection formed between them. It pulled him under, showing him something he had never wanted to see as his consciousness followed the flow of Caelen’s magic back to the root of his power.

There, at the core of Caelen’s shadows, Daniel heard the most gut-wrenching scream.

It was raw and pitiful and seemed to emanate from a small figure, hunched over himself. A trapped soul crying out to anyone who would listen.

Daniel’s eyes snapped open as he jerked back in shock. At the same moment, Caelen recoiled too, breaking their connection abruptly. They stared at each other.

"What was that?" Daniel demanded.

Caelen’s expression had shifted from smug satisfaction to confusion. He looked positively rattled. His brows knitted together as he regarded Daniel.

The moment didn’t last, though.

Before Daniel could ask again, Caelen turned on his heel and left the room without another word. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Daniel alone once more in his lavender-colored prison.

Chapter