Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 116

**KAICA**

I blink at Tarish, startled. 

“You haven’t… Given it to me?” I repeat. 

“What do you mean?” I demand. Tarish exhales slowly, leaning back in his chair. 

“Technically…” He starts, his tone careful. 

“It should be your father doing this. Giving you magic for the first time… Passing down that first spark.” His voice trails off, heavy with what isn’t there. I swallow, my heart thudding. 

“But he’s not here.” I say, stating what we all know. 

“No. He isn’t. And since he isn’t… I feel it falls to me. Someone has to.” Tarish’s expression softens just a fraction. I tilt my head, frowning. 

“Why you?” I ask. He hesitates, a rare flicker of discomfort passing across his face. His fingers drum lightly against his knee before he finally answers. 

“Because… If Kasian had raised you, the way he wanted to, I would have been there too. I would have been… A part of your life.” His lips twitch, the faintest hint of self consciousness breaking through his otherwise steady composure. 

“Almost like an uncle, I suppose. But since he isn’t here, I would like to give you at least a few of the experiences, and protections, that he would have wanted you to have. I feel it’s almost my… Responsibility to do this in his absence. Besides, I have no child of my own. I think I would enjoy being a sort of… Mentor… If you would have that?” He offers. There’s an awkwardness in the way he says it, like he isn’t entirely used to speaking about feelings in such plain terms. For all his calm, casual manner, this admission costs him something. He seems nervous about his offer.

“I would love it if you would help me. I really don’t know much about my fae side. I have a lot of questions.” I confess. Tarish smiles.

“I’m glad. I was worried you would take offense.” He says, clearly relieved and pleased with my answer. I bite my lip, my chest tightening strangely. An uncle. It’s not the same as a father, but it’s still something I’ve never had. And the way he says it, hesitant but genuine, makes me believe he means it. And unlike Raylah he didn’t ask for any tests or proof of anything. He just wants to help me because he cares, and because he loved my father. 

I wet my lips, my heart hammering. 

“Well… If you’re sure.” I say softly. I can’t keep the nerves out of my voice, but deep down I’m buzzing with excitement. For so long I’ve wondered what it would be like to use magic like other fae. Now, suddenly, it’s here. Within reach. Tarish gives me a small, wry smile. 

“Don’t be too excited just yet. I’m not planning to give you much. Just a little trick magic to start with. A child’s first spark, if you will.” He explains. My brow furrows. 

“What kind of trick?” I ask curiously. He settles back in his chair. 

“Illusionary magic. The sort we usually teach children when they’re first learning control. You’ll be able to make copies of objects, convincing, but not solid. The extent of what you can do will depend on your imagination, and your focus. You have to picture the object perfectly, every angle, every flaw. If you lose concentration, the illusion vanishes.” He adds. Behind me, Oz lets out a low, doubtful noise. 

“Kids’ magic?” He questions. Probably wondering why Tarish wouldn’t offer me something more useful for my current situation. Tarish’s eyes slide to him. 

“Yes. Because it’s harmless. Safe. And, most importantly, it teaches discipline. Concentration and control. I will not risk giving her anything more potent until I know she can handle even this without consequence.” His mouth quirks faintly. 

“Besides, it can be quite fun, once you get the hang of it.” He adds. I sit up straighter, smiling despite my nerves. 

“Honestly, I’d be thrilled to have anything.” I tell him honestly. Tarish nods once, satisfied. Then he closes his eyes. A soft flicker of light blossoms between his hands, pale and shimmering, before flowing toward me like a ribbon of warmth. I gasp, clutching at my chest as it seeps into me. It’s like swallowing fire and sunlight at once, glowing, hot and dizzying. My whole body feels too full, too bright. My stomach twists sharply, the world tilts, and I nearly slide out of my chair.

“Kaci!” Oz’s hands are on me instantly, one at my shoulder, the other steadying my head. His voice is tight, panicked. 

“What did you do to her?” He demands. 

“I should have warned you.” Tarish says quickly, his tone apologetic but steady. 

“All fae take time to adjust to housing magic for the first time. She will feel unwell until it settles. A day or so, no longer.” He promises. Oz growls low in his throat, furious.

“But the good news is once she adjusts, portal travel will no longer overwhelm her. It will still be unpleasant, at least until she has enough magic of her own to protect her from it completely, but it should not knock her senseless the way it has been.” Tarish adds calmly, clearly trying to reassure Oz. I groan, pressing a hand to my stomach. 

“Feels like I swallowed bees.” I mutter. Oz strokes a hand through my hair, steadying me as my head lolls against the back of the chair. His thumb brushes along my temple, soothing, grounding. 

“Breathe, Princess. Just breathe.” He says gently. I focus on him, his voice, his touch, while the sick heat in my chest slowly ebbs.

After the world stops spinning so much, Oz presses my mug into my hands and encourages me to sip slowly. He settles close beside me, reaching for his own drink like he needs something to calm down as much as I do. Honestly, I think me collapsing scared him badly. The drink must be helping though because he is starting to relax. His tail is wrapped securely around my leg now. Not flicking, not restless. That means he’s calming down. I lean into him a little. He’s been discouraging this kind of closeness, but right now I feel miserable and I know he won’t stop me. He knows I need the comfort. Sure enough, he immediately slides an arm around my shoulders and tucks me close. I sigh happily. Yep, exactly what I needed. Oz surprises me by pressing a light kiss to my hair. Then, before I can react, he sets his mug down, sweeps me up in one quick motion, and drops me into his lap, wrapping both arms around me snugly. I blink, twisting to glance back at him. 

“Oz? You alright?” I ask. He only smiles, warm and unbothered. 

“Of course I am. You should worry more about you.” He lectures warmly. I hesitate, still watching him carefully. I open my mouth to ask Tarish more about the magic, starting with how the hell I’m even supposed to use it, when I feel one of Oz’s hands slip up the back of my shirt, his touch warm as it slides gently over my lower back. 

“Oz?” My voice squeaks more than I want it to. 

“Not that I’m complaining… But what are you doing?” I ask. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tarish narrow his gaze suspiciously. Raylah, for once, doesn’t look smug, she looks tense. Oz just smiles again, untroubled. 

“I want to help you feel better. And I’ve missed touching you these last few days. It’s basically torture for me, being this close to you and trying to control myself all the time.” He confesses. My brow furrows hard. Okay. What? 

“That… That was your decision. Not mine.” I remind him, heat creeping up my face.

“Yes, I know.” He sighs, tightening his hold on me as he nuzzles into my hair. 

“I hate the idea of leaving you, though. I suspect it will be one of the hardest things I’ll ever do. I’ll likely regret it forever. But your safety is more important.” He says sincerely. His words should’ve melted me. And they do, but this isn’t right. The way he’s saying it, the way his hand keeps sneaking higher under my shirt, the way his tail has slithered up to my thigh, his lips brushing too deliberately against my neck, none of this is like Oz.

“While I appreciate the honesty… Now might not be the time, Oz. We can talk when we get back to our place?” I suggest nervously. He hums against my skin, his voice low. 

“I love when you call it our place. It makes me feel like I belong there. I’ve thought about it a lot, making a home here. If I didn’t have my nightmare magic, I would do it in a second.” He says. Okay, that’s it. Something is definitely wrong.

“Oz, you’re acting strangely. Is everything okay?” I ask again, sharper this time. He frowns down at me, confused and oblivious. 

“What do you mean?” He asks, clearly unaware of why I think he might be acting odd. Meanwhile, his tail tightens against my thigh, and his lips skim the line of my neck again. I clear my throat, my pulse spiking. 

“Tarish, something is wrong with Oz!”