Page 9 of Demons Treasure Warlocks

Darius could have set Bale on fire with the fierceness of his glare. He opened his mouth to attack, but Adam coughed loudly.

“It’s not necessary, is it? We can discuss your issues later, okay?”

“I can’t trust him if he isn’t going to share all his information,” Darius snarled. He always seemed brighter when he fought. There wasn’t any listlessness in him.

“Listen, Pot,” Bale said deliberately. He grinned as he teased. Darius’s face grew dark as Bale poked at him. Seeing Darius’s reaction made the devil in him peek out. Bale could have continued in this vein for a while, bringing out Darius’s feistiness, but Adam’s impatience with the two of them started to be visible as plants in Darius’s house began to writhe and twist together.

“It’s Christmas, Winter Solstice, and the New Year. Stop fighting, dammit,” Isaac shouted over top of Darius and Bale’s heated bickering. Darius immediately halted and met Isaac’s eyes shamefacedly. “You wanted us here. We’re here. Behave.”

“Sorry, Isaac.”

Bale bowed his head but remained silent.

Adam cleared his throat and looked at Darius. “Winter spirits?”

“Yeah, you know how Isaac has all the frost sprites hanging around and then there’s the fairies by the river? It’s similar to them but bigger. Tree spirits could be considered, but they’re sleeping.” Darius’s tone softened as he shifted into teaching mode. He was always kind to the others when they sought knowledge. It was one of his more positive and attractive traits.

“Yeah, the Mother Tree is hibernating. Most everything is now, except for the more humanoid creatures.” Adam rolled his shoulders as he spoke. “I don’t know who else to suggest.”

“Well, we can always go back to Typhon. Haven’t asked Hakko yet. With this seasonal sprite thing, Hakko might be able to point us in a better direction.” Darius darted an unrepentant look in Bale’s direction. He had been telling Bale to do this, and Bale kept putting it off. It was awkward and uncomfortable asking someone about fixing his wings when they'd been destroyed for a punishment.

“You don’t think I tried?” Bale started, but multiples glares and a hand on his forearm stopped him from continuing. “Sorry.”

“Can we talk about something other than Bale? No offense, dude, but it’s been months, and I highly doubt you’re gonna get fixed. People in town are freaking out about what’ll happen next. I was talking with this guy at Hawk’s place, and fuck man. The shit he was spouting. Darius, you gotta step up and show the town you’re the good guy. People are starting to agree with…you know,” Trey said around a mouthful of bun. Bale’s skin prickled, and he inhaled sharply at Trey’s uncouth comments. They stung a lot.

Darius grew blanker the longer Trey spoke. The positive animation disappeared, and a storm cloud of anger and irritation descended.

“Someone get him to stop talking. He’s going to jam his whole leg in if he doesn’t,” Isaac piped up. Bale drifted closer to the bristling Darius.

“Hey, Dare? Did you invite anyone else to the party?” Trey asked as he glanced out the window.

“Why the fuck would I? I was trying to have a pleasant Christmas dinner,” Darius snarled before pressing his nose against the cold glass. Bale nudged him away, intent on protecting him. “Bale.”

“Darius. Let me,” Bale requested softly. Darius curled his lip and moved to the side.

Bale went to the back door and stepped out. He spread his wings in a show of offense and crossed his arms.

“Balor. You do not belong here. This is not your space.” A pink praying mantis creature stood at the barrier, their mandibles clicking in confusion. “Where is the owner of this domicile?”

“Unavailable to you. How can I not help you?” Bale stood taller. His wings stretched farther, and the ache in his bones revolted as he did so. The membrane tore a tiny bit, and Bale fought back a grunt of pain.

“We have nothing to say to you. You failed in your tasks. You were supposed to share your findings with our lord, and you did not,” the creature said as they leaned forward, looking for a weakness to Darius’s wards.

“I broke my contract with your lord, so I didn’t feel it necessary to do so,” Bale stated firmly.

“The contract is still in effect. Just because you returned the coin does not mean that Lord Hastur agreed. You are still bound to his lordship and are required to report back.”

Bale inhaled sharply as the creature clicked at him. No matter what anyone said, once a mercenary returned the coin paid to them for a contract, it was rendered null and void. Every part. “I am not. Please tell His Majesty that I am no longer in his employ, and therefore anything you say is moot.”

“Lord Hastur has discovered a salve to help with your wings. If you return with me, I can share it with you,” the praying mantis wheedled. Bale jolted, and he longed for that salve with everything he had in him.

A warm hand on his back made Bale keep his resolve as Darius offered his support. Despite the constant bickering and nitpicking, Darius understood him better than anyone else.

“I don’t care what his Yellow Dickishness is offering. We are not taking it. Nothing he could ever offer will be sufficient for the pain and suffering he caused. He can go back to his hovel and die,” Darius said fiercely as he slid in front of Bale, guarding him for once.

“You are the one I wish to speak with. Lord Hastur bids you to visit him in a neutral location to discuss the next steps. He would like to inform you of his future plans regarding this—”

“No,” Darius said firmly. He cocked his head to the side and crossed his arms. “You may tell him no.”

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