Page 60 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

Darius’s face shuttered, and he stiffened. Every single worry and fear poured out of Bale as he spoke. “I can’t lose you because of this, Dare. It will destroy me if you continue down this path. You’re not… Please, think about what this could do to you.”

“I appreciate your concern, and I will take it into consideration.” Darius slipped back over the fence and wobbled briefly before walking away. He never turned around as he stuck his hands in his coat pockets. Bale groaned and punched the metal post.

“That was dumb.”

“I know.”

“But he’s gotta stop being all Lone Ranger and stuff. I mean, it’s not a good look on him, and people are already extremely leery. We should just let him do his own thing. Figure out a real way to stop the bad guys.” Trey’s comment left a bad taste in Bale’s mouth.

“You mean a back-up plan, right?” Bale questioned sharply.

“Right, that’s it.” Trey’s eyes darted around as he shifted on his feet. His pale skin darkened a tiny bit. “I’m gonna see Adam. Let him know you guys are in town.”

“Listen, Trey. Darius knows what he’s doing. He understands the situation, but he has to let the ideas simmer before sharing what his ideas.” Bale crossed his arms. He had to get this point across to Trey.

“I getcha. I really do. But this involves the whole town. And Darius’s plans tend to be a bit sketchy. We need something solid. I’m pretty sure there are people like Hakko and Hawk who can be less volatile?”

“I’m sure there are , but don’t leave Dare out or do anything without running it by the guys at least, okay?”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll talk to Adam and see what he says. He’s pretty smart.”

While chasing after Darius, Bale used his wings to help balance himself on the slick path. Darius’s ability to walk like it was a summer’s day was a skill Bale hoped to emulate eventually. He finally caught up to Darius under the canopy of cedar trees.

There was a hushed feel to the space as though secrets were shared and wishes were spoken aloud. It was sacred.

“Darius.”

“The magic is too strong for His Majesty to take over this park. This could be a good hiding spot if necessary,” Darius murmured as he lifted his head to the trees. A brief look of peace and acceptance danced across his face before it went blank.

“Darius. Come on.”

“Town’s not safe for a lot of people. I hope when shit happens, they stay home and lock the doors. Or head here and then off to the fox den place. Where does Caspian go? He said he crosses dimensional pathways when he visits his family.” Darius scratched the back of his head as he thought out loud. Bale ached to hold him and apologize for his terrified yelling.

Seeing Darius chatting with Hastur had made his stomach drop. Fear drenched every part of him as Darius and Hastur spoke casually about the future. Bale didn’t want one with that monster in it.

The glare Darius gave him could have levelled cities. It burned brightly as Darius continued to plan. Even Darius’s hair crackled with angry energy. Bale had to keep trying to get through to Darius and let him know he was on his side.

“I’m sorry, Darius. I didn’t mean to get all protective like that. Seeing you and him together with the portal right there? It devastated me,” Bale confessed, praying this would penetrate Darius’s stubborn nature.

“Jassa and Lya’s place across the river is also near a green space. I’m sure they’d offer rooms for displaced people in case shit happens,” Darius murmured. “Avoid the museum for now. It’s too big of a target for the asshole.”

“It might be a place where the event might happen? Revenge and stuff?” Bale suggested. Better to go with Darius’s flow than to interrupt it. “What about the Mushroom Kingdom?”

“Trying to hike there is a bloody crapshoot. And if the vampire knows how to find it, then so does he.” Darius wrinkled his nose as he spoke. “I’m not even sure if MushMush would allow non-mushrooms in anymore. He’s been so defense-oriented since the summer.”

“Having his family die like that must have sealed the deal with him,” Bale said hoarsely. “It had to have been so hard to lose everything in one fell swoop, that he’d do anything to not let it happen again.”

“True. Poor guy.” Darius moved on to a different fork on the trail, and Bale followed, unsure of his footing with this Darius.

“Where are we going now?” Bale asked hesitantly.

“This leads up to the main part of town again, behind the town hall where the politicians play. Caspian told me he walked this trail all the time when he first courted Isaac,” Darius said. “I want to see if the assholes are using this as well. We don’t know what to expect from this angle.”

“Do you think Elijah does? Use it?” Bale asked as they came upon a parking lot. The proximity of Elijah’s offices to the sacred cedar grove worried Bale.

“Doubt it. I just want to confirm my theories. That’s all any of this is. Just checking things out and making sure it’s safe for everyone. Finding the danger zones and understanding how the enemy will use them.”

“And you believe…”

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