Page 29 of Demon's Obsession

“Fuck, brother, you know how to create a shit storm,” Rahart muttered, rubbing at his temple. “I can feel his anger swarming in my mind.”

“You aren’t the only one.” Christa stomped on her heels to Dakata, her worry clouding her eyes. “What do you think he’ll do?”

Dakata shrugged at his inability to think of an answer when a sudden wave of fatigue hit him. “I….”

“You’re looking a little pale, brother,” Luka stated, coming closer and taking hold of Dakata’s arm to guide him to a chair.“Is it the run-in with Asmodeus or…” he grinned cheekily, “all the sexy time with your tree nymph?”

“None of your business,” Dakata said wearily, too tired to snap.What’s wrong with us?

We want Silas.

Was that all it was?

Dakata remained unconvinced as he eyed those all staring at him with varying degrees of concern.

“We need to talk about what happens now.” Berna took the seat next to Dakata. “Are you going to continue to run your record company? Manage the bands and shit like that?”

“Always about the money.” Christa glared at Berna, hands going to her hips. “Maybe if you weren’t so lazy you might offer to help Daks.”

“What about you? You do nothing but shop,” Berna pointed out quickly, getting a look that could sear the clothes from a body for daring to criticize her.

Dakata found it hard to lift his hand as he went to intervene.What the fuck?

“Stop,” he finally managed, his hand flopping back into his lap. He eyed it before looking back at his family, wondering if he was getting ill. Had Asmodeus cursed him, despite his claim to investigate further before doling out a punishment? Dakata was clueless and too tired to focus on more than one problem at a time. His family's worries were pressing on him, and he was concerned about Merihem.One problem at a time.

“The company will always require some of my attention… however, that does not mean one or more of you could not step up and assist to take some of my workload.” Warming to the idea of getting more time with Silas, he glanced at Luka. “You could take on managing the bands. Your love of music and knowing what the current music trends are up and coming would benefit us.”

Luka’s smile was genuine as he nodded. “I could do that.”

Shifting his attention to Christa. “You could take on sourcing and booking venues. You are great at wangling to get things at reduced costs.”

Her usual smooth brow wrinkled. “What would that actually involve?"

“I can get Scott to send you all the information you need.”

He didn’t wait for her to answer when his alarm grew at how his head felt too heavy for his shoulders when he attempted to glance in the direction of Rahart. “I’ll get Scott to look at each section of the company and send you all a brief resume of them. Choose which suits. But make no mistake, you are all going to answer directly to me,” he slurred.

His thoughts became cloudy. He attempted to reach into his pocket for his summoning stones to call for Scott and missed his pocket.

Was he dying?

There was a cry of alarm as he slid bonelessly against the back of the chair. His eyelids were too heavy to hold open, they closed against his will as he fought whatever was happening with what remaining energy he had.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Has Asmodeus cursed him?”

“Shit, he weighs a ton. Fucking help me before he slides to the floor and bashes his head.”

The voices came at him from a distance as his awareness wavered and hands clutched at his legs and arms, another under his head. Floating, he groaned when they placed—dumped him on the hard floor.

His last thoughts as he slipped into oblivion were of Silas.I’m sorry, my blissful one, for leaving you. If you can feel me, know that I will protect you from wherever I’m cast.

Chapter Nineteen

Silas

In the hour since Dakata had gotten yanked off somewhere, Silas had done his best to stay useful. He packed up the picnic Dakata had arranged for them, taking the furniture and leftovers back to his house. Silas had always prided himself on being a calm and relaxed person. It took a lot to upset him—like his sister being abducted, for example—but for the most part he was a live and let live type of individual who just stayed away from people or any beings with upsetting energies.