Page 23 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Bale said as he swept the shards of glass into a pan.

“There was a magical connection. We all felt it,” Hawk murmured as he studied Darius, his antennae clicking.

“Possibly a pact was made with the land. I’m not sure. But it’s for me and them to sort out,” Bale said quietly. He bore no connection to Hastur anymore. The tiny thread from before had snapped finally. He was free to do as he wanted. His bond to his original realm was gone.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Hawk asked. “Darius is a lot more volatile and dangerous than we know. We might be backing the wrong horse.”

Bale inhaled sharply as he met Hawk’s red lenses. Where was this doubt coming from? Hawk had been a staunch ally, and yet here he was, wavering. It worried Bale to hear uncertainty in Hawk. Was this happening across Granite? “Darius has the town’s best interests at heart. It’s a lot more than I can say abouthim.”

“Yeah, but I don’t know, Bale. He hasn’t damaged property or hurt anyone, whereas Darius…” Hawk scratched his face lightly as he spoke.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Bale set the dustpan down and turned his back on Hawk before exiting. Things were shifting, and it wasn’t for the better.

Darius had moved at a fast clip. Bale prayed to his sun that Darius hadn’t gone back to the river park. This day had been a colossal pain in the ass, and Bale wished it was done.

Bale spotted Darius’s black toque first walking away from town and toward the outer edges of the business core. He had to expend energy to finally catch up.

“Where are you going?” Bale asked, out of breath when he finally did.

“Away. This is dumb and stupid. I don’t know why I bother,” Darius complained. His meanderings led them to a worn path behind people’s houses near the river. It was quiet and hushed.

A lot of the houses were small historical ones with yellow brick and large verandas. Smoke drifted lazily out of the chimneys and through the canopies of the old trees.

“What’s going on?” Bale asked, pinching the bridge of his nose. Trying to get answers from Darius was the worst.

“Something snapped.”

“When, Darius? Give me more detail, please.” Bale resisted the urge to sigh or do anything that would trigger Darius.

Darius lifted one shoulder as he paused at a particular backyard. He took a deep breath and faced the still river. “In the shop. When we were talking. The air popped. Like something went back to what it was supposed to be.”

“Ahh, that.”

“Yes, that. What the hell was that?” Darius paced the narrow space, his hands laced behind his head. Bale itched to offer comfort, but Darius obviously wasn’t ready for it.

“I’m not quite sure myself. I think you or the land created a true bond with me.” Bale gave him a short answer and hoped it would suffice.

“But why my words?” Darius flapped a hand in Bale’s direction. His movements were jerky as he spoke. Bale wished he’d vocalize his thoughts better.

“I don’t know, Dare. It’s magic. It’s funny magic. Can’t we celebrate that I’m truly one hundred percent no longer connected withhim?” Bale asked as he leaned against an old coniferous tree.

“I am happy for you. But…” He truly looked discombobulated by the experience, and Bale had to find a way for Darius to get past the hump.

Sniffing the air and smiling, Bale held out his hand for Darius to take and led him through the maze of fences and backyards until he found a small clearing.

The grove of trees was preternaturally quiet as they approached. Bale remembered only now that Adam mentioned the trees were sleeping for the winter. Everything here was at rest. He didn’t expect to see an expression of peace on Darius’s face though as he considered.

Darius stood in the centre of the empty space and spun around. The scowl lightened as he exhaled slowly. The crackle of magic that surrounded him shivered and smoothed itself out as Darius lifted his face to the sky.

Bale remained on the outer edges, unsure of what would disturb Darius in such a spiritual place. He had been hoping for insight for himself when he came here. He hadn’t expected it for Darius.

Eventually Darius opened his magic-appearing eyes and glared at Bale. Some of the anger that had been riding him since the tea shop disappeared and left behind the cranky man. “Don’t drag me around like that again. I don’t like not knowing where I’m going. It sucks.”

“Then stop doing magic that shouldn’t belong to you,” Bale returned. He took a chance and folded Darius into his arms. He needed the reassurance of comfort and closeness. Bale missed holding Darius. He missed being able to kiss him and soothe with a word or touch. In time, Darius might welcome him back, and they might court each other once more. It would require a little bit of patience.

“It’s not my fault.”

“Do you feel better though?” Bale asked, deliberately ignoring Darius’s whiny tone. Stars, he was tired of fighting Darius over everything.

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