Page 143 of Living Legend

"I had a feeling, but there isn't much either of us can do about it now."

"You're pretty optimistic about the way all of this will turn out."

She smiled that sparkling, white smile. "It's a trait I got from my mother. Maybe I just believe in you."

I gave her a small smile and a two-finger salute as I turned around to leave.

"I'll see you when you get back, Nicholas. Don't forget to focus on where you want to go in your portal this time. Stay focused."

I huffed out some form of okay, which made her chuckle, and left the room. I jogged down the steps and towards the door to the apothecary. Opening the door, I let the music of wind chimes fill my ears. I needed to tell Reese I was heading out, so I headed towards the last place I knew him to be. He was standing outside of the pub when I walked up.

"Are you leaving?" he asked the minute I stood in front of him.

"Yup, but I'll be back. Don't miss me too much, alright?"

Reese placed his hand over his heart, as if he was thoroughly gutted. "I miss you already."

I looked him up and down. "Did Natalia give you both new clothes?"

He nodded, dusting off the shoulder of his jean jacket. "I guess she didn't want us walking around in our old ones. I personally think she wanted to get my clothes off." He waggled his eyebrows.

I held in my laugh as I gave him a tight-lipped smile. "I bet. You’re pretty hard to resist."

He punched me in the shoulder and crossed his arms over his chest. "Get back in one piece, alright? Meet back here later today and we’ll head for The Skies."

"Correct. See you then." I ruffled his long blonde hair free of its hair tie, causing him to jerk back and away from me. I wanted to tell him what I knew, but I found myself deciding against it.

I started walking to the opening Natalia and I had come from when I caught sight of Elise through the trees, relaxing in a hammock. She had her head to the side, staring at me. Her face was expressionless, like she knew exactly what I was going to do—she had literally called me out on it— and didn't seem to care at this point. I raised my eyebrows at her in a silent question, maybe hoping she would take it as one more chance to open up, but she just looked away and up towards the trees.

Alright then.

I walked about halfway down the path and heard rustling. I stopped dead in my tracks and felt the muscles in my arms wanting to reach for my sword, but before I could obey, Zane came out from the brush. His long waves were pulled back in a low ponytail, which put his wide, broad shoulders on full display.

"Are you headed back?" he asked, his voice that gruff deep rumble.

I nodded.

He looked directly at me, as if he really wanted me to hear him. "You look just like him. Your father, I mean."

"I get that a lot,” I said after a minute.

He started walking away from me, as if that was it and he was done with this exchange. "Get home safe."

"Thanks," I said quietly, more to myself, in the most confused tone I could muster. I’d add that to the list of things I should probably ask my dad about.

Right now, I had one thing to do, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about it. Natalia and Elise were probably right, and I should just let things play out how they are, make it easier on myself. If I was being honest, though, things with Dani were never easy, so why should I start now?

Chapter Twenty-Two

DANI

“Something about me?” I asked him, watching as his eyes started to change from determined to hesitant.

“Mhmm.” His lips pressed tightly together.

I knew he went to Oculus partially for me, because of what I told him. I had told him not to worry about it, but Nicholas seemed like the type to bite off more than he could chew. Based on the way he looked, whatever he had to tell me wouldn’t be something I’d want to hear. I could just feel it.I narrowed my eyes, trying to somehow figure him out without hearing what he had to say.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled a long breath. “I went to Oculus to see Natalia about what you told me.”

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