Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 102

**OZ**

Kacia is in my arms right now because it’s the only way I can be sure the damn fae doesn’t try to snatch her away. That’s it. Purely for her protection. No other reason. Of course, that would be a hell of a lot easier to remember if she wasn’t being so… Herself. The way she tilts her head against me, the brush of her lips on my cheek, the way she smells. I just know she’s doing it on purpose, testing me, tempting me, making it impossible to keep the distance I keep telling myself I need. Then again… She doesn’t really need to do anything. I manage to forget my own rules well enough without her help. At least having Kacia so close has one undeniable benefit, her scent cuts through the suffocating sweetness of the fae air. The whole place reeks of roses and honey, thick enough to choke on. But she carries her own notes, faint traces of that fae sweetness, yes, but sharpened with citrus, grounding, clean. It makes everything around me more bearable. Too bearable. I have to fight the impulse to bury my face in her hair and just breathe. Under the table, my tail completely betrays me, curling slyly around her ankle. Damn it. I should pull it away, pretend it didn’t happen, but at this point, what’s the point? Kacia already knows. She’s too sharp not to. And she’s already demonstrated more than once that she understands exactly what I want, exactly what I’m trying not to take. Her constant little temptations prove as much. And clearly, I’m not doing a good job of hiding it. Raylah’s laughter rings out, musical and cruel, far too delighted by my slip. 

“Hm…” She purrs. 

“I had heard rumours that Lorn Alhwin’s unwanted heir was besotted with a demon. Then I discovered her tucked up in bed alone while the demon sulked on the couch and I thought the stories must be exaggerated. A little disappointing, I admit. But now…” Her smile sharpens. 

“Now I see the distance was likely the only way the poor girl gets any rest at all.” She says with a smirk. My jaw drops. Besotted. She actually used the word besotted. Before I can even choke out a denial of some kind or say something to save face, Kacia snorts. Laughs, like she actually finds it funny.

“The sleeping arrangements weren’t my idea.” She comments dryly. My jaw drops even lower. 

“Kaci!” I object, scandalised. I’m not embarrassed, not exactly, but she was the one who used to go scarlet at the faintest hint of this kind of thing. When the hell did she flip the script on me? And how do I flip it back? Raylah’s grin widens, all teeth. 

“Is that so? I think I shall quite like you, little heir. I’ve been considering whose side I’d like to take in this whole situation. I’ve never had a particular quarrel with Lord Alhwin…” Her gaze glints, predatory. 

“But I’ve been bored lately. Perhaps it’s time to change things up.” She says pointedly. Kacia sits up straighter in my lap, every line of her body tensing. 

“Are you saying you want to… Help me?” She asks carefully.

“I am saying that I might be persuaded to. But first, I’ll need to get to know you.” Raylah drawls. Kacia frowns, unimpressed. 

“And how are you planning to do that? It’s not like we have all the time in the world.” She reminds her. Raylah smirks, and the expression makes the back of my neck prickle. It’s too devious, too self satisfied.

“Oh, don’t you worry about that. I have a plan.” She flicks her hair back with deliberate grace, the picture of smug confidence. I narrow my eyes. 

“Do I want to know what that plan is?” I ask flatly. 

“That depends.” Her smile turns wicked. 

“How do you feel about parties?”

Somehow, I let Raylah convince me to go along with her insane plan to participate in some party she’s hosting tonight. A party for fae. Just saying the words in my head makes my skin crawl. What surprises me most is Kacia. Oddly enough, she was almost enthusiastic about the idea. You’d think she would be terrified, half fae or not, walking into a room filled with creatures who would just as easily toy with her as help her should terrify anyone. But no. She’s excited. Curious. She wants to learn more about them, to finally see the world she’s technically part of. And, worse, her argument makes sense, at a party, the rules of fae hospitality apply. Which means the chances of her being assassinated or attacked are slim. But slim isn’t the same as none. Still, she uses that reasoning to convince me that it won’t be so bad after all, especially if it means she might win a few allies. I want to argue, but the way she looks at me when she talks about making her own path here… I can’t crush that spark. Even if every instinct in me screams to keep her far away from the vipers nest she’s about to step into. Personally, I’d prefer to skip the theatrics. If it were up to me, I’d track down her grandfather directly, look him in the eye, and watch him crumble as his carefully built walls shattered. Then maybe my claws would find his throat, and all of this would be finished. Brutal? Yes. But after everything he’s done, to me and to her, it would almost be merciful. Instead, here I am, listening to Kacia and Raylah discuss… Dresses. Dresses! This entire situation feels absurd. Like I’ve stepped into someone else’s life. And yet, watching them, I can see something shift. On the surface, they almost seem like… Friends. But I know better. I see the hint of caution in Kacia’s eyes, hear the wariness in her tone. She knows Raylah could turn on her as easily as help her. Still, she pushes forward anyway. She’s hoping for the latter, and she’s decided to fight for it, in the only way the fae respect. With her words, her wit and her smile. Oddly enough, she fits. Despite her human upbringing, despite all her denial of her fae blood, Kacia belongs in this kind of verbal sparring. She’s strong and confident enough in herself that their unkind truths won’t tear her down, quick enough to throw barbs back without hesitation. Which leaves me. Because the one who is going to be most out of place at this event… Is me. Not just because I’ll be the only one in the room without even a trace of fae blood, though that alone will paint a target on my back. But because where the fae use their glamour, their beauty, their magic to charm and entangle… My magic was designed to do the opposite. To repel. To terrify. And even bound and hidden as it is, that part of me doesn’t vanish. I might be charming enough in the right situations, or rather, with the right person, But I don’t belong in their glittering courts, and they’ll sense it the moment I step through the door. So yes. I’m dreading this. Every second of it. But Kacia wants to go, and if she’s stepping into the fire… Then I’m stepping in with her.

My patience starts to fade the moment Raylah sweeps Kacia out of the room and my temper spikes. I don’t like it. Not one damn bit. Leaving her alone with a fae whose loyalties shift with the wind makes my skin crawl. But apparently, Kacia has to be fitted for ‘appropriate attire,’ and I’ve been shoved off in the opposite direction with a brownie tugging insistently at my arm. I plant my heels and glare down at him. 

“I don’t care what you’ve got in that wardrobe. I’m not wasting time playing dress up. Give me something clean and I’ll put it on. Done.” I say firmly. The brownie stops dead, his mop of curly hair bouncing as he looks up at me like I’ve personally offended generations of his ancestors. His arms cross over his small chest, and he gives me a glare that’s surprisingly ferocious for someone barely reaching my waist.

“Lady Dian gave instructions, you are to look presentable.” He snaps, voice sharp and clipped. I bare my teeth. 

“I don’t give a damn. I’m not here to impress anyone. I’m here to make sure Kacia is safe.” I argue. He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even blink. Clearly this brownie has never been cowed the way Angelo was, he has a backbone of steel. 

“If you show up looking like a mess, it reflects poorly on her. Do you want your lady mocked before she’s even seated?” He demands. A growl rumbles low in my chest. 

“She’s not my-” I cut myself off, because arguing titles right now isn’t going to help, and Kacia’s scent is already faint with distance. I need to get back to her.

“Ugh, fine. Just make it quick.”