**Chapter 13: Kael's Descent**

The silence that followed Alessandro's outburst still lingered in the air, a heavy reminder of the tension that had been building within the poly. Kael's eyes were cast downward, his shoulders slumped in a posture of submission, but Alessandro could see the storm brewing within him. The toxic demon switch's behavior was a ticking time bomb, and Alessandro knew it was only a matter of time before he lashed out again. As the hours ticked by, Kael's agitation grew, his eyes flashing with anger and resentment. He paced back and forth across the room, his movements jerky and unpredictable. Ryder and Elijah exchanged worried glances, their faces etched with concern. "Kael, calm down," Ryder said, his voice firm but gentle. "You're going to hurt yourself." Kael's laughter was cold and mirthless. "You think I care about hurting myself?" he spat, his eyes flashing with venom. "You think I care about any of you?" Elijah's eyes welled up with tears, his face pale. "Kael, please," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Don't say things you don't mean." Kael's gaze landed on Elijah, his eyes burning with a malevolent intensity. "I mean every word," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "I'm sick of being controlled, sick of being told what to do. I'm the one who's really in charge here." Alessandro's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. He could see the demon's influence growing within Kael, tempting him with dark thoughts and desires. He knew that he had to intervene, to stop Kael's descent into madness. "Kael, stop," Alessandro said, his voice firm and commanding. "You're not thinking clearly. You're letting the demon consume you." Kael's laughter was cold and mirthless. "You think you can stop me?" he spat, his eyes flashing with defiance. "You think you're in control?" Alessandro's eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his cool, his voice steady and calm. "I am in control," he said, his voice dripping with authority. "And I won't let you hurt anyone else." As he spoke, Alessandro's associate walked into the room, his eyes fixed on Kael. "It's done, boss," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Kael's behavior will be... addressed." Kael's eyes widened, his face pale. He knew that he was in trouble, that Alessandro had finally lost patience with him. The toxic demon switch's eyes flashed with anger and resentment, but he knew that he was no match for Alessandro's wrath. The air was thick with tension as Kael's associate led him away, his eyes fixed on the floor. The toxic demon switch's behavior had finally reached a boiling point, and Alessandro knew that he had to take drastic measures to protect the poly. As the door closed behind Kael, the room fell silent, the only sound Elijah's quiet sobbing. Ryder wrapped his arms around him, holding him close. "Hey, it's okay," Ryder whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "We've got you." Alessandro's eyes softened, his expression gentling. He moved to Elijah's side, wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulders. "We'll get through this," he whispered, his voice low and reassuring. "Together." The poly stood there, a silent understanding between them. Kael's toxic behavior would not be tolerated, not when Alessandro was around to put him in his place. And as they stood there, a sense of hope emerged, a chance for redemption and growth in the shadows of the demon king's dominion. But for now, the darkness closed in around Kael, threatening to consume him whole. The toxic demon switch's descent into madness had begun, and Alessandro knew that he had to act fast to save him. The question was, could he be saved, or would the demon's influence consume him completely?