Page 71 of Knox
Adrian knew the incubus would do whatever needed to be done to fix this situation if it could be fixed.
Abruptly, the news channel switched to live footage of Caelen.
Adrian blinked.
What was the Shadow King doing on TV again?
Caelen sat across from a reporter in a lavish studio, glowing eyes fixed on the camera. The sight of him sent a chill down Adrian’s spine.
Where was Daniel now while Caelen was there?
"This is an exclusive interview with Caelen, the mysterious figure that appeared on Bay Bridge" the reporter announced, a bright smile on her face. She must have been delighted to have scored this opportunity. "Caelen, you said you have a very important message for the world."
"Indeed I do." He smiled into the camera, looking every part the charming savior instead of the villain he was. "I can banish the orcs and trolls that have been vexing you. All I require is for humanity to believe in me."
"That’s a bold statement indeed," the reporter said. "How exactly would you accomplish this?"
Caelen leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "I possess magical powers far beyond what humans of this world cancomprehend," he said smoothly. "With the proper support and resources, I can restore order and peace."
The reporter leaned forward, clearly skeptical but intrigued. "That’s quite a claim. Can you provide us with a demonstration of your powers?"
Adrian watched, wanting to curse. Knox moved closer to the screen as if he could reach through the glass and strangle Caelen with his bare hands.
But, of course, he couldn’t.
There was nothing Adrian or Knox could do while Caelen raised one hand, fingers splayed. A dark, swirling energy began to form around his hand, tendrils of shadow coiling and twisting in the air. The reporter gasped, and the camera zoomed in, capturing the spooky display.
"Watch," Caelen said. The next moment, objects around the set started to tremble, then lift off the ground. The reporter’s pen floated into the air, followed by her notepad and microphone. The studio lights flickered, casting erratic shadows that danced along the walls.
Caelen’s smirk deepened as he closed his hand into a fist. The floating objects started to spin, gaining speed. Papers fluttered like trapped birds, and the reporter clutched the edge of her seat, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Do you see now?" Caelen’s voice echoed, amplified by the supernatural energy he exuded. "This is but a fraction of my power. With your belief and support, I can banish the creatures that threaten your world."
Adrian’s stomach churned.
Knox growled low in his throat, his fists clenched at his sides. "He’s using this world’s misery to his advantage, to make people flock to him because they don’t know better."
"Could he be behind the orc attacks?" Adrian asked. "Did he orchestrate all of this to spread chaos?"
Leon shook his head. "He’s powerful, but not that powerful. He can’t rip portals into the fabric of reality."
"Leon’s correct," Knox confirmed. "Caelen would love to be the mastermind behind this, but he can’t be."
"But then, who is?" Adrian voiced the question that had to be on everyone’s mind. "Who made these portals?"
"Someone from Veridia," Knox mused. "No one here has magic, do they?"
"No," Adrian confirmed. "At least I don’t think anyone does."
"But who in Veridia has this kind of power?" Leon asked, clearly frustrated at not having an answer. "And why would they do this?"
"And how do we stop them?" Adrian added his own question to the mix.
"I don’t know," Knox said. "But we will stop them."
Adrian looked down. "You’re going to need more magic, won’t you?"
Knox wasn’t sure why there was so much dread in Adrian’s voice when he asked that question. Had he not enjoyed feeding Knox the last time?
