Cole

By Monday morning, my life started to hit a new groove that felt good. Really good.

Ares was back to work. I was learning that his job as a leader meant weird hours. He'd go in for a standard workday sometimes, but more often it was extremely variable. It surprised me how okay I was with him being away at odd hours; it was actually kind of convenient. When Ares was available, I spent time with him. We were still getting to know each other, and I was enjoying sinking deeper and deeper into our relationship. The times Ares was unavailable were like a built-in space for me to enjoy the other important relationships in my life with my family and Lucia. I also had plenty of bonding time with Blaze, who was quickly becoming a treasured companion.

Today, I went to the café early in the morning to do my baking, and Ares joined me. He seemed content to watch me at work, and his company made the time pass so much faster than usual. He even tried one of my cookies despite not being big on sweets and said it was "delectable, but not as delectable as you." It was my favorite compliment my baking had ever received.

I stayed on for a morning shift working the front of the café with my dad while Ares went off to his office. I usually did this a couple times per week and had been slacking lately. We got through the early morning rush, when the line went all the way to the door no matter how fast we worked. Sometimes, the speed and chaos of it was fun, and today was one of those days.

By the time the line cleared, I leaned back against the counter and dramatically wiped the back of my hand across my forehead. Dad rolled his eyes, though he didn't hesitate to round the counter and take a seat in one of the stools on the customer's side.

"Have you ever considered bringing in another person to work the morning rush?" I asked.

"Nah," he said, smiling. "I think it's just as fun as you do. Besides, it's only an hour or so. No one wants a shift that short, and I don't want to be overstaffed for the rest of the morning."

"Yeah, good point."

The door chimed and I waved my dad back into his seat when he started standing.

"Hey, Cole!"

It was Gabriel, from the party the other night. What was he doing here? "Hi. What can I get for you?"

He slid into a stool two away from where my dad sat, settling in with elbows on the counter and hands propping up his chin. He smiled at me charmingly and said, "I'm actually here to see you. I'm helping to run a workshop at my favorite pottery studio today. Why don't you and your boyfriend come?"

Well, that was unexpected. Lucia must have told him I was seeing someone. It was a little funny to hear Ares referred to as my boyfriend. Even if we hadn't been together for very long, we were so much more than that.

"Oh, wow. That sounds really cool. What time?" Ares would only be able to go if it was in the evening. If he couldn't make it, maybe Lucia could join in.

"It's at one," Gabe said. He pulled a card from his wallet and slid it to me across the counter.

There was no way Ares or Lucia could make it, then. Darn. Trying new things was way more fun with company. I picked up the card and snorted as I read it. "Clay by Day. Cute."

Gabriel smiled at that. "Isn't it? The owner, Heather, is really proud of the name."

I realized that he looked really tired, like he should be in bed instead of sitting here chatting. "Are you sure I can't get you some coffee?" I asked dubiously.

Gabriel waved that off. "I don't react well to caffeine. Do you think you can come?"

I pocketed the card. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll be there. Do I need to sign up or anything?"

"No, I've got that handled. I'd better get going, but I'll see you later."

"Sure. I'll see you then." The bell over the door rang again as a group of four entered. Gabriel nodded politely to them on his way out.

Three hours later, I hugged my dad goodbye and headed for the pottery studio. It was close, thankfully, and I arrived right on time.

There were a few people already set up at pottery wheels when I arrived, with three still empty. Gabriel was writing something on a clipboard and chatting with the woman standing next to him when I walked in. He glanced up and smiled. "Hey, Cole, you made it!"

"Sure did." I looked around the studio. It was my first time in one, and I had to wonder why I hadn't done this sooner. Rows and rows of shelves displayed all kinds of things people must have made, ranging from candlestick holders to dishes to wind chimes. So many things, and in so many different styles, textures, and colors.

I was excited to try it.

Gabriel pointed to one of the empty wheels and said, "Take a seat here. We'll get you set up."

I eagerly obeyed, eyeing the pedals on the ground. It took real effort not to push them for the fun of it. Thankfully, I didn't need to wait long. One more person came in and was directed to a wheel. Then, Gabriel sat at the one next to me while the woman he'd been chatting to - who introduced herself as the owner, Heather - gave an introduction and basic instructions. She came around and gave everyone a lump of clay, and Gabriel demonstrated how to get the air bubbles out.

My hands were instantly messy, but there was something kind of freeing about that. Once the clay was ready, I slapped it onto the middle of the wheel and waited.

Then came the fun part: actually turning on the wheels and shaping the clay. My hand slipped and made a big indent in it, and when I tried to smooth it out, the whole thing went crooked. I grinned in delight.

It was handy having Gabriel next to me. He was helping to demonstrate Heather's instructions. He kept an eye on what I was doing and gave me feedback. I was happy to follow his advice, and was delighted to find that the bowl I shaped looked recognizable, if misshapen. Anyway, I was doing better than the guy whose clay went flying off his wheel.

The whole thing passed too quickly. After we had each put our creations onto boards to dry and cleaned up, Heather stopped by where I had wandered, looking at the treasures on the shelves again.

"You've got the bug," she said knowingly.

I grinned at her. "That was amazing. Do you do these often? What would you recommend for the next step?"

"I teach beginner classes Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings."

I signed up for Tuesday evenings on the spot. By the time I was finished, the others had left. Gabriel was done with his cleanup work and joined me by the register. Heather nodded at us and disappeared into the back, leaving us alone.

"Thanks for inviting me," I said. "I'm really happy I came."

He smiled. "I'm glad. Really, I am. But I was also hoping to talk with you, if you have a little time?"

My smile faded. "What about?"

Gabriel rubbed at the back of his neck, and I noticed all over again how deep the purple smudges under his eyes were. He didn't look well. Was his skin always this pallid? That wasn't a word I'd normally use, but it was the one that came to mind, looking at him.

After seeming to struggle for words, Gabriel sighed. "Cole, I'm a demon."

I blinked several times. "What?"

"I'm a demon. How much do you know about our kind?"

I shook my head. This didn't make any sense. "Why are you talking about this with me?"

"I know that you are a werewolf mated to the Kah. And I'm here to plead my case. I need help," Gabriel explained. Only, it wasn't really an explanation. It didn't help me understand where he was going with this or how he knew the things he did.

"I think I should leave," I said. "Thanks again for the invite."

I took three steps toward the door before Gabriel's hand wrapped around my upper arm. "Please. I'm only asking you to listen."

He looked... desperate. But still, I wasn't the right person to be having this conversation. "I'm not involved in Ares' job. I'm only his mate. I don't know anything about what's going on in his world. I've never even seen his office. I have no power over whatever you need from him. You should talk to Ares, not me."

But Gabriel only shook his head, still holding my arm. It was a gentle hold, but I was nervous about what would happen if I tried to pull away. "He won't listen."

"Why not?" Not that I'd believe Gabriel's answer. But I was curious to know where he was going with this.

"My people have been trying to get him to listen since he came to power ten years ago. And now, he's only allowing us one final chance until next year," Gabriel said.

I could feel all the blood drain from my face. "You're one of the Darong," I whispered. I regretted the words as soon as they were out. If he was from the opposing demonic faction, then I could be in real danger from him. It was best for me if he thought I was truly clueless.

"Yes."

Did I dare try to pull my arm away and bolt for the door? It wouldn't achieve anything other than possibly riling him up. If he was a demon, then he could teleport like Ares. It didn't matter how fast I ran or how far I got, he could find me.

"Listen to me," Gabriel said, releasing my arm and holding his hands up as if to show me he wasn't a threat. "Please, just listen. That's all I ask." He began talking before I could get another word in. "There's another realm called the Hinterlands. As Kah, Ares is its keeper.

I studied his expression, taking in the seriousness of Gabriel's expression and the worry in his tired eyes.

He kept going. "Demons are deeply connected to it. It is the seat of our magic. Because my people have turned away from Ares as our ruler, we are denied access to our homeland. There is a part of ourselves, of our magic, that we cannot access. You may have seen the destructive power of a demon. Rending, we call it. But we are creatures of balance. In our true state, we can also mend. This is the power the Darong have lost. At first, it was like losing a limb. It hurt and we always felt what we were missing, but we could survive and function. But now, my people are falling ill. I am ill. We are fading. The magic of the Hinterlands sustains us. Our balance is gone."

I looked him over again with new eyes. Not tired, but sick. Maybe dying. That's what I had been seeing.

"Why does Ares keep you out?" Was it just a power play? Trying to make everyone fall under his rule again? I didn't like the idea. No, he had to have a good reason.

"He sees us as traitors," Gabriel said. "We were. We are. We don't look at it that way, but I can't blame the people who do. Even so, is death a just punishment for us?"

I shook my head, though it wasn't in answer to him - it was because of the sudden influx of information and confusion. No, Ares wouldn't want people dead just because they refused to accept him as their ruler. He couldn't. I didn't know anything about him as a leader, but I was starting to understand him as a person and that didn't fit into the caring, measured person I knew.

So, either Gabriel was lying or there was some reasoning here I was missing.

Gabriel was still watching me, and I realized I hadn't answered. "What are you asking me to do?" I asked.

"Can you talk with Ares? Speak on our behalf? Even if you can't or won't sway him to allow us entry to the Hinterlands, perhaps you can gain us more time to meet with him and come to an agreement?"

Asking Ares to give them more time seemed harmless enough, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something here I didn't understand. I trusted Ares' character more than I trusted Gabriel's explanations. "I'm going to ask Ares some questions. I won't promise you anything beyond that."

Gabriel seemed to deflate at that, but he nodded. "Okay." He sank down onto one of the nearby stools and rubbed his face. "Okay," he repeated. "Can I give you my phone number in case you have any other questions for me?"

My gut reaction was no. It felt like a betrayal, and I knew Ares wouldn't like it. But Gabriel had only been kind to me, and he wasn't asking for my phone number. He just wanted to give me his. "Fine."

I typed the number into my phone as Gabriel recited it, then announced, "I'm going to go now. Take care, Gabriel."

"You, too." The words sounded sad.

The whole way home, my mind replayed our conversation. I felt off-balance, and I knew there was no fixing it until I talked with Ares.