Page 46 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“But it can’t be. If it were true, then why the fuck was I trapped and abused for so fucking long?” Darius burst out, irrationally angry now.

Poe’s eyes widened, and he stared at Hakko as though he would help. “I—I—I don’t know. I’m just making assumptions. I don’t know the situation.”

“Darius, calm down. Think about who you’re discussing and what he would do. I’m sure he’d do anything to win, including stepping in the way of pure magic.” Bale nuzzled the top of Darius’s head, soothing the ratcheting fear.

“I can’t believe Dare has a cousin. Gosh, you remind me of Dare’s mom. You have the same spirit.” Isaac confessed out of the blue as he stared at Poe. His gaze never left Poe as he spoke. He shook his head slowly. “Mrs. Dare was the best.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” Poe smiled sweetly. “How can we help them, Hakko?”

“Is this the bad thing, Dare? Because honestly, all I can see is good,” Isaac continued as he sat at the kitchen island. Darius stepped from the comfort of Bale, his emotions mostly controlled, and took in the moment. Hakko and Poe were staring at him as though he was on the attack, and Bale stood near, his wings at the ready to close around him.

“This is one of them. Poe and Hakko had an incident last night, involving Yellow Dick and Sawyer,” Darius explained.

“I bit off a man’s finger. It was disturbing,” Poe continued the story. “My sire was there as well. I’m not sure where he disappeared to, but the other guy shrank into a tight ball and popped out.”

“Are you—Is everyone okay?” Isaac asked, almost panicked.

“There was an issue, but it’s been resolved. We should concentrate on what he’s going to do, as well as the other vampire,” Hakko said, defusing Isaac’s worry.

Darius was glad that Hakko was here. He had a calm mind and easy way of approaching things. It was almost scholarly, which shifted the perspective. “I think we have to focus on the offensive. More action, less reaction. He’s been guiding our steps for so long that I feel he’s leading us somewhere.”

“That makes sense. How about Poe and I do some digging here? Poe has connections with the land as well as the other vampire. You get some rest. You look done in. I want you to be in top shape, so that means no more burying yourself in messes not of your making.”

“I’ll see to it.” Bale’s strong voice settled the matter, and it almost rankled. Having Isaac’s pleading eyes, Hakko’s knowing ones, and Bale’s determined gaze all focused on Darius made him subside. There might be truth to Hakko’s concern. “He has a stone circle that might help.”

Hakko dipped his head in acknowledgement. “That’d do a lot for Darius’s concentration. Maybe this is forward of me, but might Poe and I come over one evening? I find your home restful.”

Poe’s groan of dismay was covered by Isaac’s automatic yes. Darius couldn’t help but smirk at their similarities.

“I hope you gained some insight tonight, Darius.” Hakko draped an arm around Poe’s shoulders and smiled at Darius. Even if Darius hadn’t learned anything, it looked like Hakko had removed some weight off his shoulders.

“I think I did. It’s been eye-opening, that’s for sure.” Darius sipped the last of his hot chocolate Hakko had provided and stood up. “We’ll see you soon. Let me know of anything that you need or hear.”

“Of course.”

Darius took one last lingering look at Poe. The black hair, the facial structure. It was so eerily similar. He had family, living blood once more. “Nice meeting you, Poe.”

“You as well.”

Bale bundled Isaac into his vehicle before approaching Darius at his. “I’m sorry we barged in. Isaac was panicking a little. The night’s been tough on him. I thought it might be helpful.”

Darius glanced at the other car with Isaac sitting patiently. “I think it was. You saved me, like always. I know I don’t show you—”

“Shh, you’re good. I’ll meet you at home? I kinda wanna stick with Eye for a while.” Bale brushed his mouth against Darius’s almost hesitantly, and Darius returned the kiss, feeling the bubbles of excitement explode in his belly.

“No worries.”

ChapterTwenty

Bale sat awkwardly in the passenger side of Isaac’s car. It was a tight fit with his wings close around him. He wasn’t meant for these mechanical machines, but if the humans wanted to ride around in them, he was going to have to learn.

“It’s better in the summertime, I swear. Car roofs come off, and you have all the space to stretch out,” Isaac apologized. His eyes were on Bale’s wings rather than the road often. Bale was glad there wasn’t any traffic this late in the evening.

“I’m okay, Isaac. Don’t worry about me. I’ve found my peace with these conveyances,” Bale reassured Isaac. “I imagine Darius was happy to see us?”

“Yes. Extremely so. He’s never beelined to you like that,” Isaac answered immediately. “Whatever he and Hakko were talking about bothered him a lot. We reduced some of the pressure. Gosh, I can’t believe Poe is a relative of Dare’s. That’s some fortuitous happenings.”

Bale wasn’t sure if it was fortuitous as Isaac thought or someone playing with fate. Poe’s appearance did seem to be a good thing, and his ability to break Hastur’s connection was enlightening. “They both seemed kinda shocked at the revelation.”

---