Page 54 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

“It’s fine, darling. Just not happy at being a poking stick for Whatshisface,” Darius assured Caspian with an almost real smile.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Bale sighed. “Anyway, since Dare isn’t attending the meeting, maybe I should? So, I can report back?”

“I could come with? Tell you what to expect and stuff?” Isaac suggested slowly. Caspian mewed in despair. “Like people have the opportunity to stand and share their support or the opposite. We should find out who’s on their side.”

“If this is a special session, they won’t allow that. But I agree, we should probably have a show of force there.” Darius pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, unhappy with the way the day had gone. He didn’t want Isaac to be singled out or even going if it made him uncomfortable. He should be there instead, but he understood both Bale and Isaac’s logic. Needing space from the discussion, he left the kitchen and went to the front room where the air felt less stagnant. Caspian followed him and paused at the wide entryway.

“Yes, Cas?”

“You seem off, more off than normal. Are you okay?” Caspian came farther into the room, perching on the couch’s arm, stroking Bossy Cat’s two tails.

“Of course, I’m fine. Nothing to be worried about. I have my constant bodyguard at my beck and call. My magic is working wonderfully. I am perfectly pleased,” Darius said brightly. How like Caspian to understand the undercurrents in the room.

“Dare…” Caspian pursed his lips and waited. He was getting to be too much like Isaac at times.

“What do you want me to do, Cas?” Darius exploded quietly. He peered into the kitchen and caught Bale’s concerned gaze. “We’re in that hurry up and wait stage, and it’s fucking irritating. Bale has opinions on shit, and it’s the exact opposite of what I want to do.”

“Maybe you need some time apart? Or time together? Like together-together?” Caspian waggled his eyebrows at him. Darius stared at him until he subsided. “Sorry. Maybe go visit friends who aren’t in your pocket constantly. Hawk and the library guy have been asking after you. Show them you still exist and are working hard to win.”

“Bale thinks going to town is bad for me. He’s suggested—” Darius started, but Caspian’s guffaw stopped him in his tracks.

“Since when do you actually listen to anyone?”

“Since Bale has been—”

“Darius, that’s not you,” Caspian interrupted him again. “You’re no-holds-barred. You damn the torpedoes. Fuck the world. Show your pride. Don’t let some asshole dim your light. And I don’t mean Bale because he’s actually terrified. I can smell it.”

“Why would he be scared?” Darius cocked his head as he tried to parse through what Caspian was saying.

“I am not terrified. I’m a little concerned,” Bale said as he leaned on the doorjamb with his arms crossed. Isaac saluted them with his mug as he blatantly listened. Caspian squeezed a tail too tight, making Bossy hiss.

“Yeah, well, you stink of it,” Caspian mumbled as he cuddled Bossy in apology.

“Caspian,” Isaac groaned. “Anyway, are we moving the party over there?”

“No, I’m coming back,” Darius said as he slithered past Bale. He gently bumped into him before sitting down.

“So, Bale and I for sure are going to the meeting. I’ll text Adam to let him know. I’m sure he’ll want to be there as well. Dare can visit friends and show the world he still exists. We have to prove we aren’t licking our wounds like Elijah is. The people who are rooting for Elijah must see that we aren’t lying about or giving up.” Isaac ticked off each point.

“That makes sense to me.” Darius sighed as he gave in. He wanted to go and create havoc, but figuring out what exactly Elijah and Hastur were up to.

“Thank you for understanding. I mean, you could go but then people would expect a pissing match or something, and we wouldn’t gain any insight.” Isaac glanced at the clock and winced. “Shit, we were going to go visit people. We’re going to be late, Caspian.”

Once they had left the cottage, a restlessness descended on Darius. He couldn’t settle down. Bale kept darting glances up the stairs, and the cats hovered on the bottom steps waiting. It was obvious what they wanted, but Darius had to move.

“Dare?”

“What?”

“Come to bed. Have a nap,” Bale said quietly. “I won’t push you or bother you again about anything.”

“I don’t need a nap. What I said to Cas has nothing to do with this.” Darius took a rag and began wiping the countertop. “You are not the problem or a problem. There’s something else, and I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Do you want to try the circle again? It might give you something,” Bale paused before continuing. “You’d tell me if it was me?”

Bale’s lack of confidence shamed Darius a tiny bit. His stomach dived and rolled as he tried to scramble to reassure Bale. He swallowed hard as he tried to recover from the hard truth staring at him. He hadn’t realized his attitude was wearing on Bale. He had to do better.

“It’s definitely not you. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” Darius stepped into Bale’s arms and hugged him tight. Bale returned the embrace as he relaxed in Darius’s arms. “This thing with Whathisface is just making me batty.”

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