Page 55 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“Try not to think of him. It’s what he wants,” Bale murmured as he nuzzled Darius’s head. Darius basked in Bale’s touch, soothing some of his edges.

“I’m sorry,” Darius said. He had to do better, be better. He had to make sure Bale never got hurt. And fuck the yellow fucker for ruining his peace once more.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Bale stood on the edge of the community hall, uncomfortable and out of place. He was taller than most people, and his wings were jostled every time someone came near. If he sat down where Isaac and Adam were, people would complain. He didn’t need that added bit of stress. He was anxious enough.

Outwardly though, he projected a calm and collected presence as he surveyed the meeting hall. A growing group of cryptids cautiously peered into the open room nervously. Some humans waved and smiled at them.

Bale recognized a few others hanging along the walls, most notably one of the men who’d attempted to kidnap Adam. He was in the far corner of the room, a scowl permanently etched on his face.

Hakko had chosen a spot next to Adam and twisted his body to wave at Bale. He nodded his acknowledgement and felt a tiny bit better knowing his companions had someone right there with them. Hakko would protect Adam and Isaac with everything he had.

When people began to enter from the side door, the room became quiet. Some people glared at Bale while others took the long way around to avoid him. Most of the council were dressed in business casual clothes. It was the last person entering the room who shocked Bale the most.

Elijah.

Hastur’s possession of him had worsened since the museum incident. Elijah’s skin sagged in some spots, making his eyes droop while gathering at the base of his neck. In other places, his skin was so tight one could see the tendons and blood vessels in minute detail. Yet no one reacted.

“Good evening, friends. Gosh, it’s great to see everyone out on such a blustery night. I’m glad you could make it to this special session. As you know, I had taken some time off for health-related issues, and I was so sure I was on the mend.” There was a smattering of applause around the room. Irritation flitted across Elijah’s face, but he carried on. “However, that is not the case. I will have to step down as your mayor permanently. I don’t have the strength for such an arduous position. Going forward, I’ll explain my dream and how I plan to execute it. Once that’s been brought forward, I’ll share who the interim mayor shall be.”

Scattered murmurings grew louder as Elijah paused. Bale bit his thumb as he thought. This was a bit different than what he had expected. He didn’t think Elijah would have given Hastur up so easily.

“I aim to make this town as accessible as possible for everyone! I know we’ve been trying to find a middle ground between our peoples, and I think I’ve discovered a way to nurture that. More public spaces for everyone to gather on and commune with nature! I’ve already spoken with the Chamber of Commerce, and as soon as we can set a date, I’ll speak with the other owners about their swatches of green space.”

The audience shifted restlessly in their seats as Elijah paced the length of the dais. One man stepped out from the side and set himself out of the way. His gaze swept the room, and he smiled as he located Adam. Bale’s stomach curdled as he realized who it was. Sawyer.

Bale inhaled sharply as he zeroed in on Adam to see how he and Isaac reacted. Adam was utterly still while Hakko spoke in Isaac’s ear. Sawyer crossed his arms and continued to zero in on Adam. He only flicked his eyes up once to smirk at Bale. Bale’s fists clenched as rage boiled deep inside. If Sawyer wasn’t anywhere near a bunch of innocent people, Bale would have done whatever it took to remove him from the meeting hall.

“Steady there, Bale. Do not cause a scene. You’d only be playing into the mayor’s hands. Darius doesn’t need any more bad press. He’s alreadypersona non gratawith a lot of folks.” Bale glanced to the side at Hawk’s comments. He wore his red lenses to hide his unique eyes.

“I don’t care if Darius gets bad press. Sawyer almost fucking killed my friends. He deserves a scene,” Bale murmured bitterly as he watched Elijah sip some water.

“He’s reckless, and he’s destructive. And so prickly. He sneers at people or mocks them to their face.”

“Darius has never done any of that. Where are you getting this?” Bale asked bewildered.

Hawk pressed his lips together and shrugged. “It’s what people have mentioned, and others seem to agree. Elijah, despite his rider, has been good for the town. What has Darius done?”

“What about you? What did you do, Hawk? To help your fellow store owners? Think about it and get back to me.” Bale spoke softly but still with a bite. He shifted away from Hawk as he wasn’t sure if he could control his temper anymore.

Elijah resumed speaking as he rolled his shoulders. He patted the air for silence and smiled big and bright. “It’s exciting news! The first land we’re looking to acquire permanently is the public space called the River Walk. I know there’s been a lot of terrible things that happened recently, and I plan to clean that up and make it a place of happiness and peace once more.”

The applause was sparse, and Elijah’s pleasant mien began slipping. A scowl formed briefly before he caught himself.

“I’ve also spoken with the museum’s new manager, and we are working on a plan to make the grounds more exciting for visitors of all kinds. Already, our programming is a smash hit. Did you happen to see the Letters from Long Ago? It’s still happening right now.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Mayor. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have not spoken to the new manager or the new owner of the museum. And I will assure everyone in this room that the land the museum and its cemetery sit on belongs to me. I am the caretaker.”

Hakko’s statement sent a wave of power throughout the room, diminishing some of the hold Elijah had collected. Everyone gasped and turned to face Hakko as he stood up. Bale remained watching Elijah. The sheer anger on his face stripped away and revealed the nothingness of Hastur’s true appearance. Hastur wouldn’t speak, but it was obvious now that he was here, and he was in charge. Thank the Stars Darius was still at home.

“The land belongs to the people of Granite. What would you know to do with it?”

Bale shook his head at Hastur’s audacity. Hakko would never let that question remain unanswered. He huffed silently as he continued to hold his tongue. Only remembering Darius stopped him from doing anything stupid. But, Holy Stars, Hastur deserved every fucking bit of punishment Darius would inflict on him.

“The land granted me the privilege, Elijah. I am in constant contact with the land, forging a bond with them. And in fact, the Green Man also declared me caretaker. You don’t have the power or the right to say otherwise.”

Hastur laughed. “I do have that, though. The land is mine. It’s what the people want. I’ve heard them. I’ve listened to their wishes.”

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