Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 105

**KACIA**

I freeze in place, Raylah’s question hanging in the air like a blade. How do I want to be introduced? All my life, I’ve gone by my human last name, my mother’s name. Partly because I never knew my father’s. But mostly because hiding my fae blood felt safer than letting it show. Blending in was survival. But now… Now I know his name. I know mine. Wouldn’t it make a statement to use it here, in their halls? To stand tall and say ‘Alhwin’ without flinching. To show them I’m not afraid, that I can step into their world as if I belong. Yet the thought makes me feel sick to my stomach. Because claiming that name feels like pretending to be something I’m not. I’m NOT fae. Not fully. And I don’t want to put on a mask that erases the human half of me. So maybe Hunter, then. My mother’s name. The name I’ve always lived under. But would that look like weakness? Like fear? My throat tightens. Fae or human? Which half am I supposed to choose? The truth is, I’m both. I’ve always been both. Knowing who my father is doesn’t erase who I’ve always been, and carrying my mother’s name doesn’t erase the blood I was born with. I glance up at Raylah. 

“Question. Is my father… Reasonably well known? Would people recognise his name?” I ask curiously. Her eyebrows flick upward, though her face stays perfectly smooth. 

“He was rather well known. No one has seen him in years now, but his name… No, his name will not have been forgotten.” She concludes. The words hit like a stone dropped in my gut. So it isn’t just Mum who’s been cut off. He’s gone from all of them. From everything. And no one even knows why. That is definitely concerning. Oz inches closer behind me, heat radiating off him like a shield. He doesn’t say a word, but the brush of his presence steadies me enough to breathe. I want to ask more, where my father went, what happened, why he’s just a ghost as far as I’m concerned. But now isn’t the time. Raylah’s gaze is still fixed on me, cool, expectant. She’s waiting for my answer. I square my shoulders, forcing strength into my voice. 

“You can introduce me as Kacia Hunter. I don’t have a ‘human’ name and a ‘fae’ name. I just have my name. Kacia for my father Kasian, Hunter for my mother. Both.” I tell her stubbornly. Raylah’s lips curve slowly, a smile sharp as glass. 

“Interesting choice.” She responds slowly. For a moment, I almost breathe easier. Then she tilts her head, eyes glittering. 

“But interesting doesn’t always mean wise.” She adds. My chest tightens. She turns, sweeping ahead with a rustle of silks, clearly finished with the subject. But her words linger, clinging like cobwebs. Oz shifts closer, brushing my arm with his. I can feel his jaw tight, his silence screaming with the things he wants to say. But he doesn’t. Because Raylah’s voice echoes in my head like a warning, interesting doesn’t always mean wise. And I can’t shake the feeling that tonight, everyone will be waiting to see just how wise, or how foolish, I truly am. A shiver runs through me, though I can’t tell if it’s relief or dread. This feels like another test, and I don’t know if I’ve passed. Something tells me this one isn’t over yet.

“Well, enough dilly dallying. Let’s head in.” Raylah says cheerfully, her voice light as if she’s inviting us to a picnic instead of a nest of scheming fae. She starts forward, skirts whispering over the marble. I step after her, but Oz’s hand closes around my wrist, halting me. 

“Wait.” His tone is sharp, commanding. 

“You haven’t told us what this party is for, or who the other guests are. It would be cruel to throw us into the deep without at least telling us if there are sharks present.” He insists. Raylah glances back, eyes glittering, and lets out a peal of laughter. 

“That would be more entertaining. But, if you insist, I can give you a brief run down of what to expect.” She decides. I let out a quiet breath, relief flooding me. I should have asked that myself, but I was so tangled up in obsessing over figuring out my own damn name that it hadn’t even crossed my mind. Leave it to Oz to keep his head when mine is too cluttered. Raylah’s tone turns brisk as she walks, her words floating back toward us. 

“Most of the powerful families take turns hosting events like this. The official excuse is fostering communication, maintaining peace…” She waves a hand. 

“But realistically? They’re opportunities for political scheming. One must know one’s enemies just as well as one’s allies.” She recites like it’s been drummed into her since birth. Then she glances at me with a sly smile. 

“All twelve of the fae lords and ladies are expected to attend, or, at the very least, send a representative. There is only one who never attends…” She trails off. My stomach sinks even before I ask. 

“Let me guess…” I fall silent, not even needing to say a word. She nods. 

“Yes. Lord Alhwin. Your grandfather. Absent from every event for several years now. He always sends a reason, of course, but as he has named no official heir since your father, he has no representative to appear in his place. Which is why your presence tonight will cause such a scandal. A representative of the Alhwin family, here at last. If he weren’t so discourteous, he would attend in person. But since he won’t…” Her lips curl. 

“You will.” She says smugly. Well then… Now I know for sure that she is manipulating things somehow. Then again, what else was I expecting? Beside me, Oz raises an eyebrow. 

“Sorry, but my knowledge of fae politics is pretty limited. Twelve lords and ladies?” He asks. Thank goodness. I know bits and pieces from my reading, but nowhere near enough. And somehow it feels embarrassing to admit I don’t know, like I should have been born with this knowledge carved into my bones. Raylah sweeps on, her tone almost like that of a tutor. 

“Essentially, twelve families hold the majority of the power in the fae courts. My family is among them. Technically my grandmother is the lady, but she has grown tired of politics, so the mantle falls to me. Most call me ‘lady’ already, since I will inherit her title in time.” She glances at me again, her eyes sharp. 

“Your grandfather is another of the twelve. We are… The ruling class. There is no king or queen. Decisions of importance are debated among us. Each lord and lady oversees their family, and those without family swear allegiance to one of the twelve.” She explains. Oz folds his arms. 

“So… Twelve fae with more power and magic than everyone else, and they make the rules?” He says, his expression somewhat unimpressed. Raylah smiles faintly. 

“Essentially, yes. Though the system is more balanced than you think. Twelve keep each other in check. If one grows too greedy, the others conspire against them. It discourages anyone from ruling purely for themselves. Which is why your grandfather’s absence is so conspicuous. He’s been avoiding the table entirely. Failing to show unity. And so…” She spreads her hands, beaming at me. 

“What fun it will be to toss you into the mix, little heir.” Raylah’s smile widens, sharp and gleeful. A chill prickles across my skin.

“Right… So definitely a room full of sharks, then.” Oz mutters.

“Apparently.” I whisper back, my mouth dry. I had thought I was prepared for this, but suddenly the idea of walking into that hall of predators makes my chest tighten. Still, there’s no point stalling. I straighten my shoulders, summoning every ounce of confidence I can. 

“Well. No point delaying. Let’s do this.” I declare. Raylah claps her hands together in delight, as if I’ve agreed to join her for a game instead of political warfare.

“What fun. Let’s go!”