The entity's dormancy was ending earlier than expected.
Adrian felt it first—a wrongness in reality, a hunger that shouldn't exist yet. He woke gasping, the sensation overwhelming.
"It's waking," Adrian said. "Too soon. It's waking too soon."
Kieran immediately alerted the Congress. Emergency meetings were called. Forces mobilized. But everyone was worried—they'd expected centuries before the entity returned, not years.
"Cain's life force should have sustained it longer," Elena said grimly. "Something's accelerating its awakening."
"Asmodeus," Adrian guessed. "His agents have been destabilizing reality's barriers. They're helping it wake faster."
The confirmation came within days—demon activity had been deliberately weakening the seals that kept the entity dormant. Asmodeus's revenge from exile was forcing them to face the entity again, unprepared.
"We need to strengthen the defenses," Adrian said. "Now, before it fully manifests."
The work was exhausting. Adrian spent days coordinating, nights reinforcing magical barriers, what little free time remained collapsed in exhaustion.
"You need to rest," Kieran insisted after watching Adrian nearly fall asleep standing up.
"Can't. Too much to do."
"Then I'm forcing you to rest."
Kieran carried Adrian to bed despite his protests. "Sleep. I'll handle coordination for a few hours."
"But—"
"Sleep. That's an order from your mate."
Adrian wanted to argue, but his body betrayed him. The moment his head hit the pillow, he was unconscious.
He woke hours later to Kieran's hands on him, gentle and arousing.
"What are you doing?" Adrian murmured.
"Reminding you that rest includes pleasure. You've been so stressed, so worried. Let me help you relax."
Kieran's mouth traveled down Adrian's body, his touch reverent. He took his time, building pleasure slowly, making Adrian forget about the entity, about responsibilities, about everything except how good Kieran made him feel.
When Kieran finally brought Adrian to orgasm, it was gentle, rolling, perfect. Adrian's body relaxed completely, tension draining away.
"Better?" Kieran asked.
"Much better. Thank you."
They made love properly after, slow and intimate, reconnecting after days of crisis mode. It reminded Adrian why they were fighting—for this, for their love, for their future together.
"We'll stop it," Adrian said afterward. "The entity, Asmodeus's plans, all of it. We'll survive."
"Together," Kieran agreed.
"Always together."