Page 20 of Living Legend

My father reached across the table, his palm up. He wanted me to take his hand, and after a minute, I did. “I’m aware of how promotions work, and I know you’ve made yourself scarce when it comes up. Hell, when I was your age, I probably would have done the same. You deserve more, you and I both know that. Jonah’s coddling you too much.”

“Just because you left doesn’t mean I plan too. Maybe I just so happen to like what I’m doing.” He raised an eyebrow, nodding and looking at the ground. He never spoke much about his time at The Skies, but I did know he left on his accord. When he lifted his head, a ghost of a smile graced his lips.

“They are clueless asses, the lot of them.”

I scoffed. “You sound like Reese.”

“I always liked that kid.” He squeezed my hand.

He looked down at my wrist poking out from under my jean jacket. The bruise from the vines at Oculus was still there, the purple still dark, the line thick. “What the hell is that?”

“Battle scars, for lack of better words.”

He traced his thumb over the line. I knew he could feel the indent it left in my skin.

“You and Reese get into a rope fight?” A valid question.

I pulled my arm away, shoving my sleeve down. “It wasn’t with Reese.”

His eyebrows raised. “Who was this fight with then? You’ve never been the type to get into a random scuffle.”

“We just ran into a little bit of trouble at Oculus, that’s all,” I said nonchalantly, picking a piece of imaginary lint from my pants.

“Oculus! Nicholas, what—” He stopped mid-sentence, collecting himself. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I let out a small laugh he didn’t seem to appreciate. “It happened a lot faster than you think, Dad. It isn’t as bad as you think, believe me. You just told me to use my skills more.”

“You went by yourself?”

I shook my head, biting my cheek. “No, I went with Reese and some others.” I’d almost told him about Dani and Elise but telling him would mean explaining. That was valuable information I couldn’t divulge. “We got caught up in a situation, but it was fine.”

“Jonah sent you on this mission?” He said each word slowly, as if testing them out on his tongue.

I nodded my response.

“Well, as long as you’re alright.” The corners of his mouth began to climb. “I don’t quite approve of an Oculus trip, but maybe those prissy pants are realizing your potential.”

I wanted to say something witty, but there was something else on my mind now. I got up from my chair, walking further to the wood burning fireplace surrounded by brick. “Thereisone thing I need to tell you.” I bit my lower lip so hard, I could almost taste blood. “We spoke to an Enchanter while we were there.” I let out a breath. “She mentioned Mom.”

The heat of the fire evaporated as the words left my lips. The room felt smaller and slightly colder. I only had a few valid memories of her, vague and blurry.

“What did this Enchanter say about her?” my father asked, his voice cautious. I could tell he wasn’t sitting down anymore, but he was keeping his distance from me.

“Nothing of real merit. She just said her mother spoke well of her.” I clasped my hands into fists at my side. “I mean, how would she even know her?”

My father let out a long, slow breath, coming up behind me to lay a hand on my shoulder. “Your mother was a kind woman. I don’t doubt Enchanters remember her. She had her secrets, but I don’t blame her for them. We are all entitled to a few.”

I met his eyes, remembering a time when I had to tilt my head back to meet those same eyes. “That may be true, but she left both of us so she could keep them.”

My father placed his calloused hand on my cheek, almost as if he was searching for something to say. Instead, he led me to the loveseat and patted the spot next to him as he sat. I fell into the cushions, almost forgetting how uncomfortable it was. I tried repositioning, but it was no use. “How about you tell me about training in The Skies? I promise I won’t butt in.”

I decided to sleep there at my father’s request. I’d said fine after his never-ending nagging ceased. I flew back earlier than he’d anticipated, but I told him I had business to attend to. He was a smart enough man to know that pushing me any further on any subject would just make matters worse. We hadn’t spoken any more of my mother -- not that there would have been much to say. I had made my position clear.I was back at The Skies. All previous conversations were a moot point for now.

The light was starting to creep through my window, one that gave me a perfect view from the second floor. I knew at any moment, I could be summoned to meet with Jonah, so there was no point to going back to sleep. I sat on the edge of my bed and reached for the handle of my desk drawer. Sliding it open, I pulled out a beautifully crafted piece of metal.

Dani’s dagger.

I let it sit in my palm, letting my fingers slide over the edge of the blade, lightly so as not to cut myself. It had weight, but it wasn’t too heavy. I narrowed my eyes at the engraving of her name, perfectly etched into the metal. I couldn’t believe I was admiring this weapon. I gazed at the hilt, how the leather seemed to have a glossy texture, how the tip curved to a seamless point.

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