Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 115

**KACIA**

“Are you asking if I’m hoping to overthrow my grandfather or something?” I ask bluntly. Tarish laughs, low and warm. 

“Well, I was aiming to be a little more subtle than that. But essentially, yes.” He answers. I sigh and glance back at Oz. He hasn’t sat down since we came in, he’s still standing just behind me, silent and tense, one hand resting lightly on my shoulder. When I meet his eyes, he squeezes gently, grounding me.

“All I want is for him to leave me alone. To be safe.” I answer honestly. Tarish gives a slow nod. 

“I understand… Are you aware that if he were to… Pass away… You would inherit his powers, title, lands, and his full authority? With your father nowhere to be found, you are the sole heir.” He points out, his speech slow and clear. I raise an eyebrow. 

“Why does it sound like you’re trying to convince me to kill my grandfather?” I demand. He shrugs, utterly unbothered. 

“I would never ask you to do such a thing. However… If you DID decide that you wanted to, I wouldn’t blame you or stop you. I would… Support your decision.” He explains. A bold statement from someone who can’t physically lie. I let out a shaky laugh. 

“Wow, you REALLY don’t like him, huh? Raylah did say that as far as she knows you haven’t had contact with my grandfather in a long time. Is there a particular reason?” I ask curiously. Raylah, perched a little too perfectly on the edge of a chair near the door, stiffens slightly at the mention of her name. She’s been hovering for a while now, pacing softly, fussing with the drinks, and glancing toward Tarish like she’s desperate for him to acknowledge her. He doesn’t. I almost feel bad for her at this point. Tarish hesitates slightly, then nods. 

“Yes… It was perhaps a year after I lost contact with your father. I went to visit Lord Alhwin. I was concerned about Kasian, and I wanted to ask if he had heard from him. If he had any idea at all where he might be. I had sent several messengers, but he never responded. I had my suspicions he was ignoring them intentionally… Which was confirmed when I was turned away at the gates. The message I was given was that I was no longer welcome, and that Kasian no longer resided there.” His tone sharpens, his composure cracking at the memory. 

“The message was… Not polite. He also said that I should just give up because Kasian would not be contacting me again.” He pauses, visibly forcing a slow, calming breath. 

“I… Suspect that your grandfather…” He trails off, his expression pained. 

“You think my grandfather killed him?” I whisper, my stomach twisting. Tarish nods gravely. 

“Yes. I can’t be sure. But it seems likely. The only thing that gives me doubt is you. If your father had passed, I can’t imagine he would have left this world without giving you his powers to inherit.” He explains. I bite my lip, staring down at the coffee. I still haven’t touched it since Raylah topped the drinks up. I take a small sip to steady myself. 

“Ah… Right.” My voice feels small, fragile. Oz’s hand tightens on my shoulder, then shifts upward, his fingers brushing through my damp hair slowly, gently, combing it back from my face. It’s a subtle, almost hesitant gesture, but the warmth of it makes my throat ache. His other hand rubs slow circles at the top of my back, steady and protective.

“Sadly, I don’t have the same faith in my father as you do. Based on everything I’ve heard… I’m pretty sure that he’s just dead.” I murmur. I’m not trying to be cruel, but I don’t see any point in this false hope. The words hang heavy in the air, pressing down until my chest feels hollow. Raylah glances down at her own hands, her fingers tightening in her lap. For once, she doesn’t look smug, just uneasy. I guess this conversation isn’t particularly comfortable for her either. And Oz… His hand slides comfortingly through my hair again, slow and sure, a quiet reassurance. A silent promise that no matter what I learn about my father, I won’t have to face any of this alone. The silence after my words stretches, heavy and suffocating. I stare into the steam curling up from the mug in front of me, as if it might hold the answers I can’t find. But sadly I am not going to get any mystical truths from a cup of coffee.

Tarish clears his throat softly, drawing my gaze back to him. His expression has shifted, it’s calmer now, steady, as though he’s deliberately smoothing the jagged edges of the conversation.

“Whether Kasian is alive or dead changes very little for you right now.” He says quietly. My chest tightens. 

“How can you say that? It changes everything.” I object. 

“No.” Tarish shakes his head, his tone kind but firm. 

“It only feels that way because you’ve been waiting all your life for him to walk through the door. But you are not a child anymore, Kacia. You are here. You are his daughter, yes, but you are also your own person. His fate, whatever it may be, does not define yours.” He says, his tone firm but not unkind. I sit very still, his words landing heavier than I expected.

“Your grandfather is the threat you face now.” Tarish continues. 

“Not Kasian’s absence. Not the mysteries of the past. The question is not what your father would do. The question is, what will you do?” He asks. My throat tightens, but Oz’s fingers continue to drift gently through my hair from behind my chair, steady and grounding.

“I just want to be left alone.” I whisper. Tarish’s mouth twists, a pained look crossing his features. 

“I am… Really not sure if that is possible.” He admits. My brow furrows. 

“Why not?” I demand. 

“Because being left alone is a power in itself. To be left alone, a person must be one of two things.” He starts.

“What two things?” I question. Tarish takes a deep breath. 

“A person but be either so insignificant that their existence does not affect, bother, or threaten anyone, or so powerful that they can CHOOSE not to engage with others. And you have never been insignificant, Kacia.” Tarish says softly. I sigh heavily. 

“Because of that damn prophecy.” I grumble. Tarish shrugs. 

“The prophecy merely told others how important you are. But your significance is part of you. You aren’t someone who could ever live a quiet life. You told me yourself you have a strong sense of justice. To be left alone, you would need to be the kind of person who can leave others alone. And from what I know of you…” His eyes warm faintly. 

“You are not that kind of person. You take after your father that way.” He adds, it seems like he’s trying to comfort me. I think back over the last few weeks. I want to argue, but the truth sits uncomfortably in my chest. I’M the one who dragged Oz out of that basement. I’M the one who stormed into the bar and pulled Angelo out. I’ve NEVER been able to just walk away when I know I could make a difference. Sure, I still don’t know how my grandfather discovered me. But if being left alone means turning my back on people I care about, people I could help… Then maybe I don’t want to be left alone quite that badly. Tarish watches me closely, and I know he can see it, that some kind of realisation has clicked into place.

“Have you decided, then?” He asks. I lift my chin. 

“Yes. I want to be able to take care of myself, and the people I care about. Even if it means giving up some of my peace.” I declare. Tarish smiles faintly, approving. 

“In that case, I think it’s time you learned some magic.” He announces dramatically. I blink, startled. 

“I don’t HAVE any magic.” I point out. 

“No.” He agrees calmly, casually getting to his feet as if he’s saying something as ordinary as the weather. 

“Because I haven’t given it to you yet.”