Page 32 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

Bale smiled as best he could, wanting to appear as though everything was under control. Adam returned it and pulled out a small jar, shaking it gently.

“So, you were a hero?” Adam asked as he sat on the edge of the coffee table. Caspian was still curled close to Bale, unwilling to move. “Isaac sounded shaky on the phone. We could hear… well I could hear Darius in the background, all fierce and growly.”

“I couldn’t let anything happen to these guys. I didn’t know if they’d stay inside, but I couldn’t risk it,” Bale confessed. Despite the pain, it was one of the best decisions he had made.

“Were they tall and thin?” Adam asked as he gestured for Bale to move off his chair.

With cracking bones, Bale knelt on the rug near the fire. “Did you have them too?”

“Uh-huh, Trey scared the life out of them. They refused to approach the balcony as he glared out the window. He can be so fierce.”

“They stuck to the shadows and dusted themselves once the sun was high enough in the sky.” Bale dropped his head and rolled it.

“Hmm, this isn’t going to work. I need access to your whole wingspan. Can you lie down in the open space?” Adam stood and helped Bale find a big enough spot to relax. Bale wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but Adam was insistent. And with gentle coaxing, he did as he was asked, and a pillow was pushed under his head for support. Multiple hands moved him as they kindly spread his wings out. Normally anyone touching his wings would be attacked, but Darius was there, and he trusted Darius with everything.

Someone applied some of the cool salve on his wings, quietly talking as he did so. The cadence was soothing, almost meditative.

“It’s not too bad. There is a lot of damage, but I think with careful stitching, we can fix the worst of the punctures.” Darius sat at Bale’s head and rubbed the horn stubs soothingly. “You’re a vital member of this family, Bale. You are absolutely not allowed to do stupid shit like that, okay?”

“Had to save Isaac. Had to make sure they weren’t hurt,” Bale slurred. He grasped the soft fabric of Darius’s pants and slept.

ChapterFourteen

Darius watched over Bale as Adam continued to work on Bale’s wings. He wondered absently if Bale was cold or uncomfortable. The rug, while close to the fireplace, wasn't exactly cozy. Caspian was still nearby, still hovering. He offered support in the way he understood, close connections.

Darius’s heart had almost stopped when he witnessed Bale getting swarmed. He was positive he had lost Bale to the mess. Thank God, the noodle people ceased to exist even under the weak morning sun.

Trey handed him a mug of coffee and stoked the already merry flames of Isaac’s fireplace. There was a disapproving squeak from the fire sprites.

“His wings are wrecked.” Trey’s first words were irritating.

“His wings are fine. Go sit in the kitchen if you can’t be nice,” Darius snapped. Bale would be fixed. It’d take time.

“Dude, are you seeing the same tears and rips I am? Because that ain’t fine.” Trey wasn’t going to back down, and Darius wasn’t willing to listen to Trey be a downer.

Bale loved his wings. Bale adored flying. It gave him peace to soar along the gorge. Darius was going to doeverythingin his power to make sure Bale’s wings healed and he still could fly.

“Trey.” Adam’s cautionary warning stopped Trey from pushing Darius’s buttons even further.

“I’m just saying…”

“And I’m saying stop.”

“Listen to the godling, darling. He has the right of it,” Darius sneered. He enjoyed the moment of "oh shit" in Trey’s eyes. “If I say Bale’s gonna fly, then Bale is going to take to the fucking skies. Your opinion is irrelevant.”

“Yes, Darius.”

Darius eyed Trey for minutes longer before brushing the soft strands of hair away from Bale’s forehead. He promised Bale silently that everything was going to be all right.

Seeing Bale leap on the first creature had terrified Darius. He had never actually witnessed Bale in protective beast mode, and watching him take on a group of enemies like he had was one of the worst sights Darius had ever seen.

Bale had one purpose in mind, and he wasn’t going to be deterred. Protecting Isaac overrode his own sense of safety. Bale had to start thinking of himself. He had to stop putting others ahead. And that included Darius.

“Dare?”

Darius lifted his head to glare at Isaac. “What?”

“I made some food for you. Come eat. Bale likes it when you consume actual nutrients.” Isaac offered his hand, and Darius groaned as he stood. “He’s here, sleeping. You can see him from the kitchen. Nothing’ll happen.”

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