Page 77 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

They had to win this battle, if only to show Darius there was more to life than hiding away in books. He had so much to give Bale now that he had the opportunity to do so. They deserved every shot at happiness. And Darius was going to do whatever it took to make sure Bale lived a joyous and full life.

ChapterThirty-Three

Adistinct drumming on the glass had everyone pausing. The small discs of ice and fire disappeared in a haze of mist as Darius focused his attention on the front of his house. Who would touch the glass? Everyone Darius knew usually knocked on the door or barged right in.

“Dare, don’t.” Bale’s quiet order was ignored as Darius peered into the living room. The fire sprites were quiet as they stared at the picture window. “Dammit Darius. Stop looking.”

Darius faced the big glass, and his heart stopped in his chest. The dark noodle people with yellow eyes and big grins were gathered outside and peering in. Their gaping mouths showed off rows of sharp teeth, and they twisted their heads around as though searching for someone, likely him.

He swallowed and kept still as thoughts raced through his head. The wards he had placed were broken if they managed to get this close to the house without alarms sounding.

A sharp fingernail dragged down the glass, creating a mark deep into it. The sound it emitted was deafening and caused Darius shudder. Another mark and then another. All the while the creature stared at Darius.

The cats were hissing loudly, and Isaac was attempting to soothe them, but they weren’t having it as they growled subvocally. He wished he could assure them, but he didn’t dare leave the front vulnerable.

“Darius…”

Darius flooded the front of the house with protective magic, hoping it would stop the noodle people and send them packing like before.

“Not gonna help you, Darius. You’re too weak. Too soft.”

The words slithered deep into his bones. Darius didn’t want to believe them, but they hit every note he’d been telling himself when he practiced. The chance of them winning a battle with Hastur was slim to none. But it was imperative he did.

If he could stop Hastur, their world would return to normal. No one would be afraid for their lives. People could find peace once more.

“Darius has no support, no help. He’s all alone. Lost in a web of lies he created.”The whispers taunted him, reminding him of the doubts he hid in his heart. Bale loved him, but could he handle the darkness as well as the light? Isaac loved him, but did he trust him with his life?

“I don’t care what you say, hellspawn. There is nothing you can do to stop me. Tell your fucking wannabe god that he’s fucked with the wrong person. He’s not gonna win.” Darius cursed as he sent every bit of magic he had against the noodle people. The electricity outdoors popped and crackled, shining over 100 watts down on the darkness, illuminating their blank forms.

The creatures hissed and scattered as light touched on them. Darius dropped to his knees, exhausted and drained. Bale was there, surrounding him.

“Dammit, Darius. Are you fucking nuts? You can’t just…” Bale kissed Darius lightly on the head while cuddling him.

“I couldn’t let them in. They’d ruin everything,” Darius gasped. Bale dragged him back to the chair and settled him down.

“Darius?” Isaac asked fretfully. “What the hell?”

“Not sure. But not a good sign.” Darius took a deep breath and then another. His head swam from using too much, and he realized that this was the moment. Hastur thought that he’d sent them running, but it was the opposite. Darius was ready to return that asshole back to the hellscape where he belonged. “We have to do it now.”

“Do what now?” Isaac asked darting looks back and forth between Bale and Darius. “Do what now, Darius? Explain!”

“We have to take him down. He won’t expect it.” Darius swallowed and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to see the fear in Isaac’s eyes or the resignation in Bale’s. Bale had to have known this moment was coming.

“What? No! We can’t. You’re exhausted, Darius. You’ve been using magic all day, and you just threw everything out there to get rid of those things. You can’t risk doing anything else.” Isaac shook his head rapidly as he spoke.

“But Isaac, it’s the only way I have a chance. I have to do it when he’s all cocky about scaring me,” Darius explained. His heart broke as Isaac’s eyes filled with tears.

“You’re going to kill yourself, Darius. Do you know what that means?” Isaac slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone.

“I do. But it will be worth it if you and Caspian can be together forever,” Darius said roughly. Bale hadn’t said anything, and Darius didn’t dare look in his direction. He feared what he’d see in Bale’s face. Bale meant so much to him, and this was going to be painful. God, he wished he didn’t have to wreck himself to save his Granite.

“You won’t be here.”

“Darius and I each saw a similar future where we were here at the cottage with a houseful of cats and happiness radiating outward. You were on the deck with Caspian barbequing and laughing. There was so much laughter. If we both witnessed it, then it must be true?” Bale’s hands dropped on Darius’s shoulders, squeezing lightly.

“Really?”

“Really, really.” Darius reached out and held his hand for Isaac to take. His best friend deserved this. “I will do everything in my power to make that future real. You are my oldest and dearest person, Isaac. I will not let you down.”

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