Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 40

**OZ**

Shit. This isn’t good. Someone is following us. I haven’t seen them. I haven’t heard or smelled anything either and that alone sets me on edge. I don’t know who it is or how they’re staying out of my senses, but I trust Kacia. She’s not jumpy. She doesn’t rattle easily, and she wouldn’t have slammed on the brakes like that unless something was seriously wrong. Besides. I already KNOW that someone is out to get her. There’s NO way this is a coincidence. It feels like the start of something. Suddenly, having our late lunch out in public sounds like a terrible idea. I suggest we head back to the library cafe instead. It’s familiar, neutral territory. Kacia agrees without hesitation, which tells me she’s just as uneasy as I am. When we reach the library gardens, Kacia slows, then steps off the path toward the herb beds where Taryn is tending a collection of spiralled mint and some aggressive looking lavender. I linger behind, letting her take the lead. Taryn’s expression flickers with recognition, and wariness, but Kacia is quick to reassure her.

“I just wanted to say thank you. For what you did before.” Her voice is gentle, sincere. 

“And to let you know I’m okay. Oz is… A friend.” Kacia says. I raise a brow, but don’t interrupt. That might be the closest she’s ever come to saying she trusts me out loud. I almost want to needle her and make a jake about being more than a friend, but I don’t. Not here. I’m not sure Taryn will understand the joke and I don’t want to make Kacia uncomfortable, not REALLY. Taryn studies me for a long moment. I let her. Eventually, her tension seems to ease. Her posture softens, and she reaches into her satchel, pulling out a slim, cloth wrapped book.

“Would you mind returning this to Vidar for me?” She asks, handing it to Kacia carefully. 

“He asks people to bring me things sometimes, books, scrolls, letters. I think he worries I’ll run out of things to do if he doesn’t.” She explains. Her smile is small, fond. Shy. Kacia smiles back, her tone warm. 

“Sure. I’m headed in that way.” She agrees easily. Taryn’s cheeks tint just slightly

“He’s… Really sweet, you know. Just quiet.” Taryn adds in a quick breath.

“I’ve noticed.” Kacia replies fondly, tucking the book under her arm. We say our goodbyes, then head inside the library. 

It’s a relief to be inside. Even though it’s broad daylight and there are plenty of humans around, the library feels safer somehow. It doesn’t hurt that I know there’s a gargoyle who keeps watch over everyone who walks through the front doors. We WERE planning to grab lunch first, but since Taryn gave us that book, it makes sense to check in with Vidar first. This time, we find him easily, tucked into his usual room. But this time, he’s not alone. A small man sits across from him, pale skinned and flame haired with a dusting of freckles and an absurdly bright smile. The two of them are chatting like old friends. Laughing, even. I hesitate on the threshold. I don’t want to interrupt something personal.

“Why are you just standing there?” A high pitched voice demands next to me. I nearly jump out of my skin. Isolde, the little ghost girl, stands at my elbow, hands on her hips, expression unimpressed. Before I can respond, she rolls her eyes dramatically and walks straight through me into the room. It feels like… Ice and static and cobwebs wrapped in fog. It’s not particularly pleasant. 

“Izzy!” Vidar says warmly. 

“Where’ve you been? You missed storytime last night.” A hint of concern in his tone. 

“I got distracted.” She replies vaguely, already looking through the books on the table and eyeing the red haired man with open curiosity. Kacia and I follow her in.

“Good afternoon.” Vidar greets, clearly pleased. 

“Two visits in one week. To what do I owe the honor?” He asks. I shrug, and Kacia holds up the cloth wrapped book. Vidar smiles, a little softer than usual. 

“She finished it? Good. I have another for her, would you mind giving it to her on your way out?” He asks, although this time it’s directed at me. I’m not sure why. I nod. Kacia’s gaze flicks to the redhead across from him, curiosity piqued. Vidar catches it and startles slightly, as if he forgot.

“My apologies. This is Finneas, a friend of mine.” He explains. Finneas gives a polite nod.

“My name is Ozraed.” I offer.

“And I’m Kacia, it’s nice to meet you.” She says brightly. I give Vidar a look, unsure how cautious we’re meant to be with newcomers, but he waves a hand dismissively. 

“You can speak freely. Finneas isn’t human, not really. He’s an oracle.” Vidar informs us. Kacia’s brows lift. 

“Really? You can see the future?” She asks Finneas. He shrugs

“Yes. But it’s not as helpful as you’d think.” He answers, his tone dry. 

“Huh?” She asks. Finneas sighs, as if he's explained this too many times.

“It’s the curse of my abilities. I know things. But only about situations I can’t influence. And if I try to tell anyone what I know, it comes out all wrong. In vague, confusing riddles. Half poems. Useless, really. At least until it’s already too late.” He gives a heavy sigh. That must be incredibly frustrating. Vidar pats him gently on the shoulder. 

“It’s not all bad. Sometimes people can figure them out in time.” He offers. Finneas doesn't look convinced. Kacia leans forward slightly, eyes bright with curiosity. 

“Do you know anything about my future? Or maybe about who’s following me?” She asks hopefully. I’m not sure if I want to hear the answer.

Finneas hesitates, then takes a deep breath and speaks.

*“The Witness does not warn. She remembers too much.* 

*She does not turn the wheel, only watches it spin.* 

*She watches the end of every story, but never writes a word.* 

*She claims no side, but walks beside whoever bleeds the most.* 

*Stone will shatter, and the Witness will not flinch.* 

*She never needed saving, but learned what it meant from the one who tried.* 

*Some protectors are chosen, but in the ruins, she may choose.* 

*For though she needs no shield, she may keep one anyway.”*

His tone is passionate, and there’s an unmistakable emphasis on the word ‘witness,’like it’s not just a title, but a name.

“Huh…” Kacia says slowly, frowning. 

“The Witness... Is that a person? Maybe someone who has a grudge against me?” She wonders. Finneas only shrugs helplessly. I narrow my eyes. He said she. The fae who sent me after Kacia was definitely male. Something doesn’t add up.

“Are you sure the person who’s after Kacia is this Witness?” I ask cautiously. Finneas lets out a breath that sounds a lot like relief.

*“The ignoble lord must prune the tree to save the roots, but she is not a branch. She is the axe.*

*She’ll learn too late that she never had a blade at her back. The weapon meant for her chest was buried in his heart instead.*

*One day, the nightmare will become your lullaby.*

*Hidden eyes will meet the monster's gaze, and not flinch. They will see what is buried beneath ash and claw, and smile anyway.*

*The words that bound him were not hers but the ones that free him will be.*

*Stone cracks. Shadows break. But vines and vows only ease for love, and for the one who kneels to it.*

*Only then will the dealbreaker become the vowkeeper.”*

He looks equally between Kacia and I as he says this, I have a feeling it’s meant for both of us. Kacia furrows her brow.

“This one talks about a he AND a she, and no mention of the Witness. Hmm. I’m going to have to spend some time figuring this out.” She says contemplatively. Finneas nods, then hesitates.

“Sure, but… Maybe don’t mention it to Clarence.” He suggests delicately. Kacia frowns. 

“Why not? He’s probably good at solving this kind of thing.” She reasons. Finneas sighs. 

“He doesn’t like me very much. I tried to give him a prophecy and he… Didn’t take it well. It came out a little clearer than most, but he refuses to believe it. Swears I’m a fake.” He sounds genuinely offended. I raise a curious eyebrow.

“Can I ask what you told him?” I ask nosily. Finneas shrugs.

*“What he built will burn. What he is will not.*

*The shelves will fall, but the spines he steadied will rise for him.*

*The stories he tended will carry him to safety.”*

He says it softly, a touch of sadness in his voice. Kacia’s expression turns serious.

“That IS a lot more straightforward, isn’t it? Shelves falling, what he built burning… That has to be about the library. No wonder he doesn’t want to believe it.” She says, her tone full of worry. She pauses. 

“It’s shorter, too. Was there more to it?” She asks. Finneas glances at Vidar, who straightens slightly.

“There was.” Vidar confirms. 

“But the second part was given to me, not Clarence. It’s okay, you can tell them.” He says gently. With approval given, Finnease speaks again.

*“The shield will fail, stone will burn, but in the ashes, his heart will bloom.*

*What he could not guard, he will grieve.*

*He will mourn without sound, and kneel without pride.*

*But the heart he never dared want will guide him home.”*

Finneas goes quiet, giving Vidar a long, sympathetic look. Even Kacia is stunned into silence.

“That… Doesn’t sound too good…” I say, trailing off. Vidar shrugs. 

“Doesn’t sound all bad, either. It depends how you interpret it. And since I won’t know what it means until it happens, I’m not going to worry about it.” He says calmly as he gives Finneas a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Finneas looks quietly grateful.

“That’s a positive way of looking at it.” Kacia agrees. 

“I think I’m with you. It’s nice to know, hopefully it’ll give me some kind of clue or warning when I need it… But I won’t count on it.” She says firmly, then she brightens a little. 

“Although… Would you mind writing them down, Finneas? Both of the ones you gave us? They’re kind of long. I’ll definitely forget.” Kacia says this with a joking smile and the moment softens, just enough. I don’t know if these prophecies will be helpful or not, but surely a little extra warning can’t hurt.