Page 62 of Knox
Zev took advantage of the momentary reprieve, slipping free from his attackers and moving to stand beside Knox. The night fae’s eyes gleamed with approval as he glanced at the incubus.
"Pretty hot," he said.
"Not nearly hot enough," Caelen claimed. "I have too much magic here for your little parlor tricks to stop me."
He raised his hands, shadows swirling around his fingers as he gathered his power. For a split second, Knox’s gaze flicked to Adrian, and Adrian understood immediately. Knox wanted him to seek shelter, to get out of the line of fire. He grabbed Daniel’s arm, tugging him back.
Daniel didn’t argue, and together they dived underneath a table laden with collectibles, pressing close to each other in the cramped space.
From their hiding spot, Adrian could see Caelen and Knox squaring off, the Shadow King’s face twisted in a malicious grin.
"You’ve been a thorn in my side for long enough." Caelen thrust his hands forward, a blast of dark energy surging toward Knox and Zev.
Knox reacted instantly, throwing up a shield of shadows that absorbed the brunt of the attack. But the force of it still sent him staggering back, his face contorted in effort.
Zev leapt forward, his sword materializing in his hand as he slashed at Caelen. The Shadow King dodged, his movements fluid and almost lazy as he evaded the night fae’s attacks.
Under the table, Adrian gripped Daniel’s hand tightly, his heart in his throat as he watched the battle unfold.
"Together," Knox called to Zev.
The night fae nodded, and in the next instant, they launched their attack. Knox’s shadows surged forward like living entities, while Zev moved with the speed and grace of a predator, his sword a blur of motion.
Caelen’s smile widened, and he met their assault head-on. Darkness clashed with darkness, shadows colliding in a spectacular display of raw power. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the hall, causing people to yell and run—and film with their smartphones.
Knox and Zev fought with a fluid, practiced synergy, their attacks complementing each other perfectly. Knox’s shadows twisted around Caelen and struck, creating openings that Zev exploited with lethal precision. But Caelen was no easy foe. He countered their every move and slipped their grasp as if he were made of shadow himself.
The way he fought was relentless. He laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Adrian’s spine, and pressed his advantage. For a moment, it seemed as if he might overwhelm them.
Then, with a sudden, decisive move, Knox broke through Caelen’s defenses. Shadows surged forward, wrapping around Caelen like a vice. Zev’s sword found its mark, slicing through Caelen’s defenses and drawing a cry of pain from the villain.
Caelen staggered, his smile faltering for the first time. He looked at Knox, his eyes narrowing. "This is impossible! Where do you draw your magic from, incubus?"
Knox’s expression was cold. "I’ll never tell you."
One of Caelen’s shadows snaked out, faster than Adrian could follow, and brushed against Knox’s arm. Knox flinched back, but Caelen had already gotten the information he needed; his gaze snapped to Adrian and Daniel.
"No," Adrian whispered, feeling his blood run cold.
Knox growled. "You had better keep your eyes focused onme."
Caelen turned back to Knox. "Jealous?"
Adrian’s hands tightened around Daniel’s, the pressure grounding him amidst the chaos. He wanted to shout, to do something, but his fear held him in place. He could feel the weight of Caelen’s malevolent energy, the dark power that seemed to seep into the very air around them.
"Adrian," Daniel whispered urgently, pulling him closer. "We need to move. If he comes for us?—"
But Adrian couldn’t tear his eyes away from the confrontation.
Knox’s shadows still held Caelen. Surely there was nothing the villain could do now.
Adrian’s heart seized as Knox moved in for the kill, magic swirling around his hands. This was it. The moment they won.
But before Knox could strike, a sudden commotion drew everyone’s attention. Adrian felt a rush of cold air as Daniel was yanked away from him, pulled out from under the table.
Adrian scrambled out after them, his eyes widening in horror.
A burly man with vacant eyes held a knife to Daniel’s throat. Daniel’s eyes were wide with fear as he stood frozen.
