Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 57

**OZ**

I am stuck somewhere between numb with shock and high on adrenaline. One moment, I’m half arguing with Vidar, trying to bribe him with breakfast in exchange for advice on how to crawl my way back into Kacia’s good graces, and the next, I’m kneeling over her broken, bleeding body in the library parking lot, absolutely convinced she’s about to die in my arms.

And now? Now I’m wandering around the library like a lost puppy, trying to figure out how the hell to get us home because… Apparently she doesn’t hate me anymore? No yelling. No telling me to leave her alone forever. No punishment or banishment or dagger to the ribs. Just… Forgiveness. Or something close to it.

I hope she means it. She seems a little out of it, kind of like she’s drunk or something. It might be because of those strange concoctions Clarence made her drink. Or just the shock. I didn’t even need to grovel like I had been planning. Although I still might do that later… Just to be sure I’m really forgiven.

But right now, I’m too busy panicking about how to get us back to her place without dropping her in the street. Because as excited as I was to rush off and organise a ride, I neglected to consider one small problem, I have no idea how to do that.

Vidar can’t leave the library grounds. Clarence would probably just laugh in my face and tell me to figure it out myself. I could try to call a taxi, but… Well… Calling them involves using a phone, and we all know how well that usually goes for me. Yesterday, after Kacia kicked me out, I wandered aimlessly down the main street for nearly half an hour until I spotted a taxi idling by a bakery. Pure luck. I don’t think I could replicate that today if I tried.

So I stalk through the library until I spot the front information desk. Perfect. I’ll just ask whoever’s working there to call one for me. Easy. Except… As I approach, the human girl sitting there takes one look at me and squeaks like a startled mouse before disappearing behind a closed door.

Shit. I bet it’s the same girl I tried to get directions from last time when Kacia was paralysed. This time I carried her in all beaten and bloody. No wonder she’s too scared to talk to me. I contemplate ringing the little brass bell, hoping she’ll take pity on me. But before I can, a familiar voice calls out behind me.

“Oz?”

I whirl around so fast my tail nearly knocks over a cart of returned books. Dave and Amy are standing there, staring at me with wide eyes. Dave’s eyebrows shoot up at the sight of me, and Amy looks like she’s trying to decide between concern and polite horror.

“Dave! What are you doing here?” I blurt out, relief flooding through me.

“Uh… Well, there aren’t many magic friendly places I can take Amy to show her around, so I figured… The library.” He says, scratching awkwardly at the back of his neck.

“During the day for now. Maybe she can come at night one day though…” He trails off, staring into the middle distance thoughtfully. Amy pats his arm, smiling up at him with quiet affection despite the lingering nervousness in her gaze. Guess facing a troll together didn’t scare her off after all. I smile faintly.

“I take it your stalker’s been arrested?” I ask.

Amy nods shyly. “Yeah. Your cop friend called a few hours ago and said they picked Jerry up.” She confirms.

“That’s great news.” I tell her honestly. I bet Tracey’s going to get a call tonight about starting his very own dhampire rehab program. He is going to hate it. The thought almost makes me grin.

Dave frowns, eyes narrowing as he looks me up and down. “So… Do I want to know?” He asks dryly.

I blink. “Huh?”

He gestures at my chest. I glance down and realise that not only is my shirt scorched in places, it’s smeared with Kacia’s blood. Oh. Right. That probably looks… Bad.

“Ah… Yeah. Well, there was another attack. On Kacia.” My voice tightens around her name. I swallow hard. “She’s okay-ish. Or… She will be. But she needs to get home and rest. I was just… Trying to find us a ride.”

Dave raises an eyebrow. “Does that mean you guys made up? Because she was super upset yesterday.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah… I think so, at least. We’re gonna talk it out a little more when she’s not… You know… Bleeding out everywhere.”

Dave hums thoughtfully. “Hmm. Right.” Then he glances at Amy. “Well… I suppose I could drive you. If Amy doesn’t mind…”

He trails off. Amy waves a hand at him dismissively, though her eyes are still wide with concern. “Go. Drop off your friends. I’ll go check out the fiction section. Or… Maybe some of it should be in non-fiction… Huh. This is confusing.” She mutters to herself.

I chuckle despite myself. “Thanks. I really appreciate it. I’ll go grab Kacia and be right back.”

As I rush off down the hallway, my chest feels lighter than it has in days. She wants to come home with me. She still wants me around. For now, that’s enough to keep me going.

The ride with Dave is quick, but it feels like an eternity to me. I spend most of it rambling about the wraith attack, half to process it out loud and half to keep my hands busy so I don’t hover over Kacia like an anxious parent.

She hates it when I fuss over her injuries, so I keep my voice casual as I talk, though inside I’m vibrating with tension. She sits next to me, leaning lightly against my side despite her stubborn insistence that she’s fine. Every time the car hits a bump, her breath catches, and I have to clench my fists to keep from scooping her up and demanding Dave drive faster.

When we finally pull into her driveway, Kacia immediately tries to unbuckle her seatbelt and stand up like she’s perfectly fine. I narrow my eyes at her, and after a long moment of glaring at each other in silence, she sighs dramatically and slips her arm around mine for support.

“Thanks, Dave. You get back to your library date.” I say as we step out.

“No problem.” He gives me a small nod before his gaze shifts to Kacia. “If she gets mad and kicks you out again, you can crash on the couch at my parents’ place. I’ve gone home now that it’s safe.”

I blink at him, thrown. Is that… Sweet? Or insulting? Probably sweet. Dave doesn’t seem capable of malice. He’s just… Dave. Solid. Honest. Weirdly endearing for someone who could potentially be a very dangerous person if he chose to be.

I help Kacia up the front steps, letting her lean heavily against me despite her muttered protests under her breath about ‘not needing help.’ She fumbles with her keys, her fingers trembling slightly, before finally unlocking the door.

I brace myself for whatever disaster is waiting inside, because with the way the past few days have gone, it feels inevitable. What I’m not expecting is to be greeted the moment the door swings open.

“Kaci! You’re back! Oh, and you brought Oz too. Hello Oz!”

A bright voice exclaims. My eyes flick up and I stare in absolute confusion. Angelo is standing in the middle of the living room, barefoot, holding a glass of milk. His clothes are clean, actually clean, not the grimy ‘I’ve been scrubbing tables all day and wiped my hands on my pants’ clean, but freshly washed and soft looking. His hair is combed back, and he looks… Calm. Relaxed. Happy, even.

The difference is so stark that for a second, I honestly don’t recognise him.

“Angelo? What… When did you get here?” I blurt out.

He shrugs, like it’s the most unremarkable thing in the world. “Kacia came and got me last night.” He says simply, taking a sip of his milk with both hands.

I turn my gaze to Kacia, utterly floored. She just shrugs like it’s nothing, like she didn’t go rescue a brownie from magical servitude and undergo a complete transformation that left her looking more like herself and more like a stranger all at once.

I stare at her, at Angelo, back to her. My chest tightens with something complicated and raw. Admiration, affection, regret, protectiveness, it all tangles up until I can’t tell them apart.

Seriously. I was gone ONE night. One damn night, and she’s rebuilt half the world around her. What else has changed?