Page 184 of Living Legend

Dani slowly came in last, giving me the coolest smile I've ever seen. I had never wanted to push somebody up against a wall and feel the heat of their body more than I did right then. Maybe I just wanted to take her face between my hands and look at her. Honestly, it could have gone either way.

I had told my father and Daya about Dani, about how I found out and the aftermath. Daya had seemed unsurprised at my words, as if that made sense to her. My father wasn't exactly happy with me when I had told him about how I basically told her that I couldn’t be with her or even try because of her refusal to choose. He was a little shocked when I told him I knew I was an idiot.

Daya had checked my wounds and gave me a small smile as I rested my head against my headboard. My dad had waited for her to leave before he wrapped his knuckles on my end table. “Don’t let your pride get in the way of something you want, Nicholas. Demon or angel, that girl made the choice to rally with you in the end, and that speaks volumes. Life is much more fun if you find a girl who keeps you on your toes.” He chuckled to himself as he looked at me to make sure I heard him. I bit the inside of my cheek as I nodded, watching him walk out of my room.

Dani gave Daya and my father a small wave as Elise raised her middle finger proudly at Reese, who narrowed his eyes at her. Alex, being the only one besides myself to see the gesture, stifled a laugh as she broke away pieces of her food.

Natalia cleared her throat as we all focused on her.

“To what do we owe the pleasure?” my father said finally. I had overheard him and Natalia speaking about her mother when Reese and I settled into our rooms earlier this month. The conversation was long and filled with laughter and few quiet moments. They had both, along with an annoying Ariel, gone around explaining the whole ordeal to the surrounding villages and filling in parents on the fates of their children.

"We have a plan, but it’s likely not one you'll be eager to assist with," Natalia answered, clasping her hands together.

"Of course, it won't be," Reese said sarcastically.

"If you're scared, just say so, Blondie," Elise said, leaning back as she sat down.

"Lilith is the main source of the problem and likely she is where Isabel has sought her refuge." Natalia's voice was disdainful as she said her ex-girlfriend's name.

“Okay, that tracks, but what does that mean for your plan?" I asked, looking from Natalia to Dani.

Dani sat on the edge of the couch, one of her long legs crossed over the other. She wore shorts that showed off the miles of brown skin I was itching to touch. She looked at me with calmness in her eyes, but calmness embedded with determination. "The plan is to go to Purgatory."

"What!?" Reese, my dad, Daya, Alex, and myself all shouted at the same time.

Natalia held up her hands. "I know, I said the same thing, but from what they tell me, not all demons are followers of Lilith. Some just want to live their lives as it is, so help could be gained. They may know things to help stop her."

"Lilith isn't coming here and waiting for her to try again is fucking torture, so I say we go straight to the source. I even know a place we can stay while we're there." Elise shrugged, as if this plan was the simplest in the world, as if the Queen of Hell wasn't angry with her.

"You want them to go to Purgatory?" my father asked, his meal planning forgotten.

Natalia turned around from her place on the couch to face my father, who had his hands braced on the back. "Yes. We have all details; everything has been thoroughly thought over. I will help in any way I can, I have people in Oculus who are as hurt by all of this as you are.”

"You think this will be simple? Just go to Purgatory and save the day?" Reese said.

Elise laughed. "No one said it would be easy. I honestly don’t think your angelic asses are ready for Purgatory.”

"Lilith won't just kill you all on sight once you step foot down there? Angels casually in Purgatory; I can’t see that going well," Alex asked, picking at pieces of her bagel.

"Potentially, but something tells me she has something planned. An instant kill isn't what she's after," Dani answered. She rubbed her hands along her thighs. “Angels or no angels, trouble is going to be found. Like Natalia said, we know people on our side, so we know where to go and where to avoid for now.”

I swallowed, Daya catching my attention. "You don't even have your weapons. I'd want special ones forged at the blacksmith if you plan to carry out this crazy idea."

I winced as Reese made a groaning noise in annoyance. He hadn’t been happy when they’d disposed of all the weapons found on the lawn. He had practically cried over his bow; it was hilariously heartbreaking.

"Are you open to this?" my dad asked, his eyes widened at his girlfriend.

"Come on, Maurice. Let's not pretend you wouldn't have jumped at the chance at his age."

My father scratched along his mustache and looked over at me from behind the couch. "You’re a grown man, Nicholas. You’ve seen what a fight can do to you. It’s your call. If it's what you want, if you feel confident, then so be it. I’ll be a nervous wreck, but I’ll back you."

This man owed me so many explanations, but they would come eventually. I hoped.

Elise clucked her tongue. "Oh, we love a supportive dad moment."

Natalia smoothed down her hair. "We’re telling you this because we want your help, but you don’t have to come if you don't want to." She gave me a reassuring nod.

I placed my hands in my pockets and rocked back on my heels. "What do you think?" I looked at my best friend. His hair was in waves around his face, his lips scrunched in contemplation. His face relaxed when he realized I was asking him instead of just deciding.

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