Page 17 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“Darius, in his grief, opened the doors to the King in Yellow. He—”

“So help me, Typhon, if you fucking continue, I will hurt you,” Bale sneered.

“Don’t listen to him, Lord Typhon. Explain this shit. What the fuck does Darius have to do with His Majesty?” Trey shoved himself in front of Bale and waited.

“This is not your fight or your game, demon. You have no right to share information that’s not your business. Go back to your cavern and your altar and hide away. It’s what you’re good at. I have followed Darius, and I always will.” Bale drew himself up taller than Typhon, angered by the doubts Darius’s contemporaries had toward him.

“Except for when you didn’t and decided to work for His Majesty,” Trey added. Bale growled loudly enough for the frost on the trees to shake off. Trey cowered beautifully under Bale’s threat.

“He has a point, Bale. You almost killed young Trey here, and you allowed—” Hakko said in a way that told Bale he didn’t want to add to the conversation.

“You all know nothing and refuse to understand anything. So, fuck off. Get off this land now,” Bale demanded. His heart’s safety was threatened by those who pretended to support him. This wasn’t right.

“Balor, listen to reason. Darius needs to own up to this mess, and if he admits what happened and offers to take up the mantle, the people will be happy,” Typhon said almost desperately.

“That’s reason? Darius sharing with strangers that he caused all of this? Fuck you.” Bale fluffed his wings in agitation. If there had been enough room on the deck and they weren’t mid healed, he would have spread them wide to show his threat level to the assholes hurting Darius.

“Thank you for an illuminating conversation, Bale. Please tell Darius if he needs anything to pop by the museum. I will gladly speak with him.” Hakko dug his fingers into the sensitive flesh of Typhon’s arm and pulled him off the deck.

Bale dipped his head in acknowledgement. He remained where he was blocking the door from anyone entering the house, including Trey.

Trey threw his hands up when Bale refused to get out of the way. He went back to helping Isaac clean up.

When Bale felt safe enough to enter the house, he slipped in. The difference in warmth between the outside and inside was astronomical. Everything was peaceful and cozy, giving one a sense of relaxation. Caspian was playing with a deck of cards on the cleared kitchen table.

“Dare and Adam are still sleeping. Didn’t want to bother them. Also didn’t want to be outside for the show,” Caspian explained. His red hair was tied back in a loose knot as he glared hard at his game. “I heard your conversation with Lord Typhon. I agree. Dare is not the right person to be in forefront of the fight. He’s too fragile.”

“I know. This party only proved it. I was hoping to let him gain some strength and stamina before anything happened. I worry that if Elijah or his crew hit first, Dare will be there and taken out immediately.” Bale scrubbed a hand down his face.

“It seems everyone is waiting out the winter. My people have been watching to see if Whatshisface’s minions make a move. So far not yet. The asses who hurt my Isaac have been holed up in some abandoned house on the industrial side of town. But other than that, no sign of the mayor either.”

“Huh, I didn’t realize you were doing that,” Bale said as he sat, lost.

“Those assholes threatened Isaac and kidnapped Adam. Of course, I’m going to keep an eye on them. Just like you’re going to do the same with that headmaster ass. He’s one of the minions too. I don’t know where in the hierarchy though.”

“He was really pushing Dare’s buttons today.” Bale pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, exhausted by the day. “I kinda wish this would go away soon.”

“Yeah, but I kinda don’t too? It’s a bit messy, and it’s shaking shit up. People’s true characters are being revealed.” Caspian rested his head on a fist as he gave up on the game.

“We don’t need Darius for that part though.”

“What don’t you need me for?” Darius asked sleepily. Bale turned and smiled. Darius was fully reclined in his chair as he tried to peer into the dining room.

“Nothing much. Have a good nap?” Bale teased lightly. He filled a glass with water and brought it to Darius, who drank it greedily. Bale glanced at the couch where Adam still slept.

“It was nice. So, what did I miss?” Darius was a like a dog with a bone.

“The thing we’ve been avoiding. Making a game plan to rid the world of him forever.”

Darius wrinkled his nose as he dug his fingers into Master’s fur. “Oh that. I thought we had a bit more time.”

“People are getting antsy,” Caspian said. “I think that’s why you had this impromptu party. People wanted you to prove that you are better than him.”

“Well, that was dumb.” Darius scowled.

“Everyone is out of the backyard, and there is still a huge mess to clean up, but that’s a tomorrow problem,” Isaac announced as he came inside. Trey followed him silently. “Are we having a serious conversation now?”

“Not really. Just getting the puzzle pieces together. We were trying to figure out why this gathering happened.” Caspian lifted his head for a kiss from Isaac.

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