Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 141

**OZ**

I didn’t plan on having such a heavy conversation as soon as we woke up. After the night we’d had, my plan was fairly simple. Make something to eat, let her decompress, then slowly figure out our next move. Instead, I woke to find Kacia already staring down the next battle, already deciding what comes next, and apparently worried that I won’t want to stand with her. Which is absolute crap. Honestly, if she told me we needed to jump off a cliff, I’d probably assume she had a plan and do it without question. I know that she doesn’t see me as some kind of a weapon or a shield. She loves me. I know that. Just like I know she knows that I love her. But she has no idea how deep that runs, how much I want to be here for her, even when I’m scared, even when I’m fighting my own instincts which basically tell me to stay the hell away from the fae guy who summoned me, trapped me here and keeps trying to kill the woman I love. But she is right that we can’t just wait around forever. I just wish that fixing things didn’t also mean bringing forward the day that I’ll have to leave Kacia. If there were any way to fix things, to make myself safe for her, I’d do it. In a heartbeat. If there was a switch I could flip, a bargain I could make, a piece of myself I could carve off to be what she needs, I’d do it without hesitation. But I’ve had no luck. Not a hint of a solution. Also I think she would be pissed if I were to do something like that. So I’ll be leaving. But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on her completely. I’ll keep searching back at home. But I can’t make promises that I might not be able to keep. Because what if it takes a year? Fine. But two? Three? Five? Ten? What if there’s no way? How long before hope turns into a chain around her neck, keeping her from living her life? So once she’s safe, I’m going to leave. I’ll keep searching, but I can’t ask her to wait for me while I chase something that might not even exist. That wouldn’t be fair. I AM worried about her plan for her grandfather, though. It’s vague. ‘Take the fight to him.’ How? When? Where exactly? And to do what? I want to know more about this supposed plan she has, but not right away. Right now, she needs space to breathe, and I need to keep my head clear. So I wait. We both get clean and dressed. By the time we’re ready, the sky outside is orange, shading into dusk. Our sleep cycles are already wrecked, up at night, crashed during the day, like we’re living in some upside down version of normal, but that’s the least of our problems. First, coffee. Then we’ll figure out how to start planning a war.

Kacia clears her throat, that purposeful little sound she makes when her mind has already sprinted three steps ahead of the conversation and is politely waiting for me to catch up. We’re fed, we’re dressed, we’re caffeinated.

“Well, time to go.” She says. 

“And where are we going, princess?” I ask, already toeing into my boots because there’s no universe in which I’m not going wherever she’s going. The nickname earns me a quick sideways glance, the kind with the tiniest ghost of a smile tucked in the corner. Good. I’ll take that.

“To see Mikey.” She answers, as if that’s the most obvious next move in the world.

“Huh. Okay. Any particular reason?” I keep my voice casual, but her posture is telling me the reason is strategy, not comfort. Her spine is long, her eyes alert, hands still. That’s Kacia in planning mode.

“Well, if I’m going to plot and plan properly, I need my best friend, don’t I?” She lifts her chin a fraction. 

“I mean, when you’re right, you’re right. Let’s go.” I say, helpless to the grin that escapes me. If nothing else, Mikey is the kind of steady that she needs right now. He’s also very good at spotting the cracks other people miss.

We pull up outside Mikey’s place and before Kacia has even turned off the engine the front door flies open. Sarah, phone tucked to her ear, hurries out onto the little veranda like she’s been posted there on watch since dawn.

“Honey? She’s here.” She says into the phone, eyes fixed on Kacia.

“Uh huh. Okay. I’ll tell her. Thanks. See you soon.” She hangs up and is already halfway down the steps.

“He’s on his way home now.” Sarah says in a rush. 

“He was going to stop by after he heard about the library, but he read the reports and figured you might be passed out. He wanted to stay home and wait for you today, but there was too much to do. I promised to call immediately if you showed up. Come inside, you two.” She insists. But even as she’s saying it, she’s already wrapping Kacia in a tight hug, making it impossible for us to actually go anywhere. Kacia leans into the embrace with a heavy sigh that’s half exhale, half surrender. 

“You’re going to be such a great mother.” She tells Sarah sincerely, voice soft but certain. When they finally pull back, both women look a little glassy eyed. Sarah blinks hard and then smiles, ushering us toward the door.

 “Let’s get inside. Angie will be thrilled to see you both.” She says gently, voice thick with affection. Sarah ushers us to the couch. The place is immaculate of course. Angelo has clearly been hard at work. He takes one look at Kacia and goes to make hot drinks. By the time we’re settled on the couch, Mikey arrives. The front door opens hard enough to bounce off the stopper. Stomping, keys, an affectionate swear word from the hall.

“Kaci!” Mikey barrels into the living room and doesn’t slow down until he’s dropped onto the couch on Kacia’s other side and hooked an arm across her shoulders. 

“Are you okay? I heard about the library. I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved it there.” He says sympathetically. Kacia goes, willingly, into his arms, her head tipping to his shoulder. 

“Yeah, I did.” she says into his shirt. Then after a moment, she pulls in a breath and steadies herself. 

“But the part I really loved is okay. No one got hurt… Well, that’s not true. I think Vidar is actually hurt pretty badly. Inside and out. I’m not sure how he’s going to cope now. But he’s alive. Everyone’s alive.” She says it like it’s a mantra. Something to keep her going. 

“Good.” Mikey says, quiet, sincere. He keeps his arm around her as he leans back, not letting go. 

“So. Are you going to tell me what happened? Because the official reports say electrical fault in an old building, and I’m not saying our city’s infrastructure isn’t a charming nightmare, but at that hour the majority of the people in that building are magical as hell, and I doubt they could convince a light switch to cooperate, let alone blow a fuse. Tell me the real version?” He prompts her. Kacia’s mouth twitches despite herself. She exhales, then she tells him. She keeps it brief, but doesn’t leave anything out. When she mentions her father, Mikey’s arm tightens almost imperceptibly. Sarah’s hand, resting on the back of the couch, tightens. Angelo, halfway through slicing a cake, stills the knife. I don’t interrupt. I just let her tell it all. I’ll be here if she needs help. 

“Okay, so now what?” Mikey says when she finishes, his voice gentle.

“Now, I have to do something about it.” Kacia says, and the word lands with the certainty of a decision already made.