Page 20 of Knox
The absurdity of it all hit him in waves. The reality that Knox—a creature from his favorite series—was here in flesh and bone, complicated by the fact he needed to regain his magic by visiting an establishment Adrian had never dared enter, felt like something straight out of an unpublished fanfic.
Ahead, Adrian finally spotted Knox’s tall figure, head bent over Evelyn’s hand-drawn map. Adrian slowed his pace, catching his breath while watching Knox tilt the paper this way and that.
Knox’s brow furrowed in frustration as he traced lines with his finger. "This makes no sense," he muttered.
Adrian stepped up next to him. "You’re lost already?" His voice came out steadier than he felt.
Knox glanced at him. "Your grandmother’s cartography skills leave much to be desired."
Adrian couldn’t help but chuckle despite the situation’s absurdity. "Let me see." He took the map from Knox’s hands, smoothing out the crumpled paper. "Here," Adrian pointed, "We need to turn left here, past Lenny’s Liquor Emporium. Then we follow Oak Lane."
Knox made a point of taking in the concrete cityscape around them. "There’s an Oak Lane here?"
"These days it’s less trees and more bars and coffee shops," Adrian admitted. He looked around too. They were drawing stares from the passersby, and no wonder; Knox was wearing pajamas and horns and he still managed to look ridiculously handsome somehow.
He wouldn’t need to enter a brothel to find what he was looking for.
Someone snapped a picture.
Adrian took a deep breath.
Knox had to be noticing the attention he was attracting too, but for some reason, he seemed oblivious to it all. "Left down that road?" he asked, pointing ahead.
"Yes." Adrian didn’t know what else to say, what else to do. The incubus was on a quest now, and he wouldn’t be dissuaded.
Adrian could do nothing but follow.
Finally, they reached the establishment Evelyn had pointed them to, its modest exterior betraying nothing of the world within. The sign read "Serenity Now," elegant letters promising discretion and indulgence. Adrian’s steps slowed as they neared the door, a heavy realization sinking in.
"Wait a second," Adrian blurted, grabbing Knox’s arm before he could push open the door. "How are you planning to… you know… pay for… services?"
Knox turned to him. "Pay?"
Adrian sighed, feeling a headache forming between his temples. "Yeah, you usually have to pay for… these kinds of services. Money."
Knox’s brows knit together. "In my world, I never have to pay."
"Well, it’s not like that here," Adrian explained, his voice dropping to a whisper as a couple walked past them, casting curious glances. "The people of this club expect compensation."
Knox seemed to mull this over, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to dissect an unfamiliar concept. Finally, he turned to Adrian with a resigned expression. "I see. Would you be able to provide me with money?"
Adrian’s thoughts spiraled out of control.
Had Knox really asked him that?
Was he going to pay for Knox to have sex with someone else? Was he insane?
It should be me he takes his power from, but it can’t be. I can’t… He glanced at Knox, who stood there patiently waiting, oblivious to the turmoil raging in Adrian’s head. God, he was beautiful.
Impossible and beautiful.
Adrian’s heart twisted in his chest as he weighed his options.
It was the fate of the world at stake here, wasn’t it?
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his wallet and handed over some bills. His hand trembled slightly.
"Here," he muttered, feeling a strange mix of relief and jealousy wash over him.
