Page 87 of Knox

"They’ll be fine," Knox said.

Right. Adrian knew that, but he wasn’t an experienced adventurer. He was just a nerd who’d been ripped away from the comfort of his computer.

The doors to the mansion stood slightly ajar. Almost as if someone wanted them to come inside.

Adrian balked at this, but Knox’s hand remained firmly around Adrian’s arm, guiding him through the threshold.

They didn’t get much farther than this before more people awaited them, but these followers were different. They were armed with guns.

Guns that were aimed at him.

Before he could react, a deafening bang echoed through the hall. Time seemed to slow as he watched the muzzle flash. But Knox moved with lightning speed, shoving Adrian aside just as the bullet pierced through the air.

Adrian stumbled, hitting the ground hard. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Knox take the shot meant for him. The bullet tore through Knox’s shoulder, and dark blood oozed from the wound.

"Knox!" Adrian shouted, scrambling to his feet.

Knox’s face twisted in pain, but he didn’t falter. He extended his hand toward the gunmen, shadows erupting from his fingertips and enveloping their assailants in darkness.

The armed followers cried out in terror as Knox’s magic seized them, their weapons clattering to the floor.

Adrian rushed to Knox’s side, his eyes scanning the wound. "You’re bleeding," he said, his voice tight with panic.

"It’s just a scratch," Knox gritted out, though the pain was evident in his eyes. "I’ll heal."

Rationally, Adrian knew there wasn’t much that could kill an incubus—and mundane bullets certainly weren’t on the list—but it was difficult to stay rational while the man he loved was bleeding from his chest.

He didn’t have time to calm down either.

Three more figures hurtled down the hallway, weapons raised and ready to attack. Adrian’s heart jumped into his throat, but Knox didn’t hesitate. His shadows surged forward and ensnared the attackers, their screams swallowed by the darkness that wrapped around them.

Adrian swallowed hard, feeling Knox’s fury. The peaceful illusions from earlier were absent now.

His incubus meant business.

He opened his mouth to say something, reminded himself of their mission, then shut it again. As long as Knox wasn’t inflicting permanent harm, maybe this was what was necessary.

Knox turned to the last remaining follower, catching him in a shadowy vine. The man struggled, but Knox’s magic held him firm. With a harsh tug, Knox pulled the man close, almost face-to-face.

"Where is Caelen hiding?" Knox demanded.

The man’s eyes were wide with terror, but his lips remained sealed. Knox shook him. "I asked you a question. Answer me."

Still, the man didn’t speak. Adrian stared at the scene, feeling a pit form in his stomach. Knox’s shadows twisted aroundhis victim, and Adrian could see the strain on the man’s face intensify. The silence stretched, broken only by the faint echoes of the commotion still outside.

Knox’s voice hardened. "Last chance, or you’ll wish you never crossed paths with me."

The follower’s eyes darted around, but his mouth remained a tight line.

"Don’t," Adrian heard himself say. "He’s brainwashed. They’re all brainwashed."

Knox’s gaze narrowed. He heard Adrian, but was he going to listen?

Before Adrian could find out, a silky voice echoed through the corridor. "Now now. Is that any way to treat the inhabitants of the world you were stranded in?"

Adrian’s heart hammered in his chest as a figure materialized from the shadows at the end of the hall. Caelen.

At Adrian’s side, Knox tensed, ready for a fight.