Page 94 of Knox

"He had to do it," Adrian added quickly, as if he needed to explain, to justify Knox’s actions. "It was the only way to stop Caelen for good."

Stopping Caelen had been Knox’s mission for so long. Of course he’d had to act when he had the chance.

Daniel reached out, placing a hand on Adrian’s arm. "I’m sorry, man."

Adrian nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He busied himself with helping Daniel to his feet, grateful for the distraction.

"Did Caelen do anything to you?" he asked. "Are you okay?"

"I’m… fine," Daniel said. "Really, don’t worry about me."

Adrian noticed the way his friend didn’t answer his first question, but he decided not to push. Whatever had happened here, it must have been traumatic.

The Shadow King was involved, after all.

"He’ll come back to you," Daniel said. "You know that, right?"

Adrian forced a smile and made himself nod. He wanted to believe that so badly it hurt. But this was real life. Moreover, it washislife.

Could he hope for a happy ending?

"Come on," he said, steering Daniel toward the door where Lyrian waited. "Let’s get you out of here."

Adrian and Lyrian led Daniel down the stairs. As they reached the foyer, they found Zev herding a group of dazed-looking people toward the front door.

"Everyone, please remain calm," he said. "Caelen’s influence is gone now. You’re safe."

The crowd murmured, some looking relieved, others confused. "What are you?" one young man demanded to know.

Zev ignored him, turning instead to a ginger-haired woman with tear-stained cheeks who stepped forward to address him.

"Malik is still downstairs."

Zev’s brow furrowed. "Who’s Malik?"

The woman wrapped her arms around herself. "He owns this place. Caelen… Caelen tied him up in the basement." Her voice cracked. "Oh God."

Adrian’s stomach twisted. He’d been wondering whose house this was.

Zev’s expression hardened. He glanced at Lyrian. "Keep an eye on the humans. I’ll check the basement."

"I’m coming with you," Adrian said, not for the noblest reason. It was as if he needed to know every detail of Caelen’s crimes so he could reinforce for himself that Knox’s sacrifice had been necessary, had been unavoidable.

Zev hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Let’s go."

They made their way to a door that led to a flight of stairs going down.

The basement was nothing like Adrian had imagined. Instead of a dank, musty cellar, they stepped into what could only be described as a nerd’s paradise.

The first room they entered was clearly designed for playing Dungeons and Dragons. A large table dominated the center, surrounded by comfortable chairs. Miniature figurines were scattered across its surface, frozen mid-battle. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with rulebooks and story manuals.

"What is this?" Zev wondered, his eyes wandering the room.

"A sort of game."

"A game?"

"I’ll tell you about it another time."