Page 11 of Living Legend

“Tough nuts.”

I kneaded the heels of my hands into my eyes. “Lilith isn’t going to care.”

They’d mentioned Lilith at that meeting, and it didn’t sit well with me now, just like it didn’t then. Lilith was the Queen of Purgatory; she created a blood bath of pain and depression long before I arrived down there. She was one of the main reasons demons had such a horrendous reputation. I understood each and every demon's feelings towards her. Some hated her, some loved her, but most of them feared her. I didn’t fit into any of those categories. She just existed in my eyes. Lilith had given me my dagger and all the power that comes with it. She taught me how weapons weren’t always needed when you had dark power to rely on: the black smoke I can command to come out and play.

She’d been the one to dub me the “Soul Seether,” and it stuck. I’d learned how to enjoy provoking pain from the most deluded victim, how to soak up the joy it brought to those around me. All from her.

That feeling of praise and those bloodthirsty cries leaked into my mind, and I could feel my skin going hot. I blinked a few times, tearing my hands from my face, breathing in and out.

In and out.

Elise let out a loud “ha” before responding. “You’re delusional if you think she won’t care, and even more insane if you think she won’t notice.”

I shrugged. “It’s not like she can come scoop me up.” That was the truth.

Elise’s gray eyes darkened. “You have no idea what she’s capable of.”

It was my turn to let out a laugh. “I’m not scared of Lilith, and you shouldn’t be either. Every other demon in Purgatory goes running for the hills when they see her—”

“For good reason.” Elise caught my eyes. “Look, I’m not saying go running scared like a little bitch. I’m just saying, make sure you’re prepared when the time comes to explain yourself.”

I smirked. “She isn’t my mother.”

“She’s everyone’s mother, or at least she likes to think so. Whether you like it or not, you wouldn’t be here without her,” Elise countered, punching my ankle and getting off the bed.

That comment cut me the most.Souls meant for Purgatory and Hell don’t need help finding their way, but Lilith gets to decide who she keeps. If she doesn’t see you fitting her standards, then off you go to the fiery pits of Hell, where Lucifer makes Lilith look like a fucking cake walk. With the souls she does keep, she plucks just a few for her inner circle.

I didn’t have time to mull over my feelings for Lilith or what would happen when she found out we were gone. She favored me in a way that makes you feel special, but also makes you wonderwhy, though she always found a way to skate around the question. I’d deal with her and her wrath back in Purgatory.

“Also, don’t think I didn’t notice,” Elise teased.

I raised one of my eyebrows at her, dropping my head back against the headboard.

“The pretty one with the dark hair. The one who just so happens to be playing keep away with your dagger.” She was scary with how much she paid attention to everything.

“No idea what you’re talking about.” I side-glanced over at her as she untied her boots on the edge of her bed. “I’ll get the dagger back; that’s a non-starter.”

She threw her shoe at me, which I caught seconds before it hit my face. “Fucking around with angels is not the plan.”

“No one is fucking around. A bit of fun and flirting never hurt anyone,” I shrugged.

Elise swiped her tongue over her bottom lip before unlacing her other shoe. “Good, but I wouldn’t stop you if you did. I’m sure Blondie would hate that his pretty friend got up close and personal with theenemy.”

I moaned in annoyance. “Elise, no. As much as you would love to blow up their lives, I would like to make it out of Oculus in one piece. I’ll stick to shameless flirting.”

“Ha,theyshould be worried about Oculus. Not us.”

I tapped my index finger on my chin. “Um, I’m sorry, but I’m pretty sure demons are obnoxiously low on the friendship meter, last time I checked.”

Elise stripped off her shirt, throwing it on the ground. In only her bra and shorts, she sauntered over to the dresser. “We’re higher than those ethereal asshats on their nice list, so that’s all that matters. I can already tell you those angels think weapons are gonna save them. What a fucking joke.”

“We’re there to make sure they don’t die. Remember that.”

She turned around before reaching for the handles to the dresser, giving me a pointed look. “Actually,youare.I’mhere becauseyourequested it. Therefore,Ihave no obligation.”

“A lifetime in Purgatory and still have a heart of ice, I see,” I responded, laughing.

She stuck out her tongue and pulled the dresser open. “Is this a joke?”

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