Page 15 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“But—”

“It’s Darius’s wish. He said he wanted a week of peace and no

problems before he told them everything. I agreed. He deserves it,” Bale interrupted sternly. Typhon raised an eyebrow at Bale’s bold tone, and his demonic power swept over Bale, pressuring him to submit.

“If it’s one week, I don’t see why it’s such a problem.” Hakko saved Bale from Typhon’s unhappiness. “Lord Typhon, the townsfolk have been under such stress and worry over the past couple of years. The King in Yellow has done so much damage to the town’s morale. Seeing this sort of frivolity is nice. They need it.”

“All we’re doing is attracting the attention ofhim,” Lord Typhon insisted.

“Honestly, I’d like to figure out where we can beef up Dare’s wards or shore them. All this not knowing when the next hit’s going to happen is making me nervous,” Bale admitted. He glanced around the backyard and immediately located Darius with a tightness to his face and a rigid posture. Bale couldn’t see who he was talking to, but Darius was at his limit.

Typhon glared at him before huffing and rolling his eyes dramatically. “I think you’re asking for trouble if you keep doing this. We can’t let Darius blow this off anymore than he already has.”

“It’s one day, Ty. One bloody day. Give it up,” Bale said as he continued to watch Darius. The blank expression on his face was a fierce warning, but when the lights began to crackle and the small cryptids started hiding, Bale braced himself. “Excuse me. I have to rescue someone.”

“What? From who?” Typhon held on to Bale’s arm, stopping him.

“From Darius. I know that look. It’s not a good one.”

ChapterSeven

Darius thought he could make it through the day, playing nice with the visitors. When he said he didn’t mind a few guests popping by, he didn’t think the whole community was going to come and fucking stay.

His head throbbed by mid-afternoon as he chatted with a shit ton of strangers. Darius was ready to lay waste to anyone else who cornered him. His yard was trampled, and the pretty white snow was destroyed. None of the sprites who lived on the property were visible, and he was almost jealous. He also didn’t want to be here anymore.

He tried to make eye contact with anyone to rescue him, but no one was available. Isaac was talking with Rael while Adam and Trey were listening to some other people Darius didn’t recognize. Bale was on the deck with Lord Typhon, and their discussion seemed serious.

“Darius, listen to me. Stop ignoring this.” Headmaster Jenkins, one of Darius’s worst enemies, had trapped him by the back palisade. “You have clout in this town, obviously, so why aren’t you using it to better the atmosphere?”

“Because, Chuck, I don’t want to,” Darius sneered, deliberately using a nickname Jenkins abhorred. “Why are you even here? This is not your crowd.”

“You need guidance, Darius. You’ve been cast adrift among these… people, and I can steer you back to shore.” Jenkins bit down on a cookie, and crumbs sprinkled everywhere. “With the mayor on sick leave, this is the time for you to step up and show everyone how much strength you have.”

“What’s with all the sailing metaphors? Listen, Jenkins, politics isn’t my scene, and it never has been. Can you just—”

“Your father was on the town council for many years, Darius. He made a difference to the community. I would think you’d want to carry on his legacy,” Jenkins insisted. Darius tried to sidle away, but Jenkins had this innate ability to continuously block his efforts. If Darius didn’t get free, there would be hell to pay. He could feel the pressure of magic building up in his fingers.

“My father was on the town council because of blowhards like you.” Darius’s patience had worn thin. The throbbing in his head was painful, and he hated this man with every fibre of his being. “I have absolutely no desire to be on the town council because you’re all a bunch of pissy—”

“If you don’t follow my lead, the people you and your friends have tried to save will die. My lord and master does not appreciate your constant efforts to stop him from taking this world to a higher state of being. I suggest you listen to me now, Darius Warlock.”

The magic crackled under his fingers, and the urge to wipe everyone out from his backyard was real. Charles Jenkins was the last straw, and Darius knew one gesture would send the rotund man flying.

“Excuse me, Darius is needed elsewhere.” Bale’s hands settled on his shoulders, and he was steered back toward the house. People attempted to stop Bale, but his formidable wings were wrapped around them, blocking Darius’s view. Darius couldn’t hear the conversations as he was too focused on managing his urges. Goddamn fucking evil asshole.

His thoughts were pinballing everywhere, and he was a live wire with no outlet to release his anger.

“Go to your room. It’s at the front where no one is, right?” Bale ordered quietly when they were finally inside the house. “Pull up the blinds and drift away. Tune out the world. The guys and I will get rid of the guests.”

“That man better not ever come near me again or so help me, I will rip his insides out. What a—” Darius sneered. He could picture Jenkins there with his fake ass smile and his sanctimonious words. How dare he bring Darius’s father into the conversation? Fucking asshole.

“Dare.” Bale lifted his chin with a gentle touch, and Darius gazed into the fiery depths of Bale’s eyes. Bale leaned close, his spicy breath warming Darius. Even though Bale was trying to calm him down and bring him back to the present, Darius was tired of denying the truth. Maybe giving Bale a second chance was in the cards. He liked Bale and was getting used to his presence to the point of possibly wanting more than their standoff. Darius deserved something good, especially after not maiming Charles Fucking Jenkins.

He lifted onto his toes and pressed his mouth to Bale’s. Everything shifted as Darius kissed Bale, his demon, once again. The familiar taste of Bale with his smokiness and his gentleness filled Darius’s mind. This was good. This was worth it. Safety and peace rippled through Darius as he relaxed into the kiss. Why had he ever denied himself this? Bale was right and perfect. Darius continued to savour the moment, breathing in the essence that surrounded him, allowing Bale to angle their heads for a better connection.

Bale pulled away slightly and rested his forehead against Darius’s. His breathing was heavy, but he seemed as settled as Darius. “Go do something fun and indulgent.”

“I was,” Darius grumbled. He took a deep breath and released it as he rested against Bale’s firm body. “Thank you.”

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