Page 78 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“So, what do you want me to do?” Isaac asked, closing his eyes.

Darius hadn’t planned this far ahead. He had a vague notion as to what he wanted to happen, but he thought there would be a bit more time to massage the details into place.

“Bale?”

“We’re going to the place where it all began. You will take the portal that you opened, and we’ll go to the crack that we slipped through. We want you to entwine every bit of magic you have with the gatekeeper’s. Sort of like what this is.” Bale drew it out with his fingers on the table. “Your ice should be able to block that guy from attacking or sucking in, and I think Adam’s bandage is still there so play with that as well.”

“And what will you be doing?” Isaac wiped his damp eyes with the back of his wrist.

“I’ll be pouring everything I’ve got into the crack.” Darius smiled. And likely fighting Hastur at the same time. He didn’t want to share that with Isaac. He didn’t need that on his plate as well. “The crack is where this all began. And if I can close it, then we should be good.”

“Darius…”

“Hmm?” Darius met Isaac’s eyes and held them. He couldn’t speak. This might be the last time he’d see his best friend or his home. Darius sniffed as he ducked his head from view. He was such a fucking sap.

“When did you want to do this?” Isaac asked.

“Under the stars. It is a particularly clear night, and with the power of light to watch over me, I’ll get a boost of power.” Darius patted Bale’s hand as he said it. “We do it tonight.”

“But Darius… that’s not enough time,” Isaac gasped, his hand going to his chest.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Darius rubbed his face and pasted on a smile.

There wasn’t much else to do. Darius filled his stomach with more of Caspian’s food. His energy reserves had been depleted. Isaac ate what he could, but he never stopped staring at Darius. It was unnerving and sad at the same time.

He hoped he’d survive. He wanted to. He wanted that summer afternoon with Bale and the cats. It gave him hope that Bale had that same vision.

Darius’s expectations weren’t as positive. Once Hastur realized what they were up to, then it was going to be a shitshow. Hastur would do his utmost to stop Darius.

Bale tugged him to the front room where the fire sprites huddled. “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want to do?”

“No?” Darius rubbed a finger across his brow roughly. “But I don’t see any other way. He’s going to have the jump on us no matter what. And I’m tired, Bale, of constantly looking for enemies, of fighting with my friends.”

“I love you with everything.”

“I know.” Darius leaned up on his toes and kissed Bale hard on the mouth. “Let’s do this.”

They walked as a group across the soccer field where Isaac woke up the day after the Red Storm. It was frosty, and the grass crunched under their feet.

It was here that Caspian had first spotted Isaac and fell head over heels for the shy and nervous man. He eventually wore Isaac down with a slow and gentle courting.

It was here that the portal expelled Darius and Bale after Bale dragged Darius out from Hastur’s grip, saving his light.

The portal throbbed and pulsed menacingly as they approached it. Adam’s work still kept it locked tight.

“What do you want me to do?” Isaac asked as he blew warm air in his hands.

“Throw everything you’ve got at this, and I’ll be doing the same over there. You can see a shimmer beyond the fence row.” Darius waved a hand toward his destination. His heart thudded as he spoke. They were really going to do this.

Isaac hugged him hard and whispered something unintelligible before pushing Darius away. His eyes were red rimmed and damp. “Don’t you dare do anything stupid, you get me, Darius?”

“I promise, Isaac. I will come back.”

“Bale? Don’t let him… he’s my best friend. Please don’t.”

“I will take care of Darius and keep him intact.” Bale’s promise was vague, not giving any information to scare Isaac. Bale knew something was up, and he managed to hide it from Isaac.

Darius smiled and waved at Isaac before aiming himself at the crack. The most worrisome portal that people didn’t realize existed. It was the one that had returned him home. His first mistake. He should have closed it, but he hadn't known what he was doing when he arrived home.

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