Page 31 of Living Legend

I tilted my chin up at him, letting my eyes wash over him as I realized what he was asking. “Yes.”

“But you know you technically shouldn’t. I don’t love rules, but that’s one I support.”

I looked up at the ceiling, licking my upper lip. “You’re aware the rules you follow up here don’t apply down there, right?”

“Do you need it?”

“For what I do? Yes, it can come in handy on occasion.”

Reese looked around us, making sure no one was coming. “You and I both know Lilith is the only one capable of giving you those powers when she made you. Having you here is about as good as havingherhere.” He wasn’t wrong. Lilith’s compulsion powers were flawed, contrary to what everyone believed. She could only compel those who lived in Hell, those who graced us with their presence in Purgatory and stayed there forever. How she managed to keep that power after the war was a question I’d never gotten around to asking, although I assumed it had to do with the Enchanters she kept close and a lack of angelic supervision. My compulsion powers, though, resided in my dagger, and it only came out to play whenever I wielded and summoned it.

“That’s a big judge of character.”

He ignored my comment. “How many times have you used it?”

“I don’t know. I don’t keep a record of all the poor souls I got to do humiliating things to. I haven’t used it in a long time, if that’s what you are really asking. I found I don’t like using it as much as I thought.” I placed my hands on my hips.

He narrowed his piercing h eyes at me. “A demon with a conscience?”

“Not quite. I just find you can get anyone to do anything with the right motivation, and I can be very persuasive.” I cocked my head to the side, raising an eyebrow.

He was unamused, his face like stone. “I’m sure. I don’t know much about what you do down there, but you’re here now, so I suggest you start realizing it and…”

“And what?” I stopped him. “Comply? What if we don’t? You gonna throw us in the Ethereal Bastille with the other demon?” I challenged him, standing my ground. “I was brought here to do a job and frankly, I’ve been doing it. If you don’t like it, take it up with your boss.”

His face started to blotch red, and I could tell his breathing had changed. “I don’t understand why they need you here. Nick and I could do this all on our own.”

I pushed my lips out in a pout and nodded in fake understanding. “Yeah of course, like when you almost got attacked by an Enchanter and I saved your ass. Good times.”

He bared his teeth. “You want me to thank you for that, is that it?”

“Not at all, but a little respect would do. Some friendly hospitality, maybe.”

Reese let out a low, swift laugh. “You’ll be waiting a long fucking time for that.”

“I figured.” I slid to the door and leaned back against it. “Is there some deep reason as to why you resent us so much, or is that just something you learn in angel primary school?”

He started to tie his hair up again as he spoke. “No reason. I just don’t see anything good coming from your presence. This demon through the portal ordeal is just one step in a bad direction, and nowyou’rehere. It’s almost laughable how fucked up this is.”

“Maybe you should stop looking at the glass half full and start realizing we want the same thing.”

He nodded, almost in annoyance and hostility, turning to walk towards down the hallway. “Your plan sounded like you had a different idea of how you think this story will end.”

“So single minded, huh? I’m not saying I know anything. Why does everything have to be so black and white with you? I’m just saying I came here to help figure something out and I’m doing just that.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “You can’t tell me you aren’t dying to sneak around Jonah‘s office?” I rocked back and forth on my heels, waiting for the expected answer.

I could see him biting the inside of his cheek, considering my words. I surveyed him from head to toe and said one final thing I knew would end this. “You really can’t let Nicholas do this all alone, can you? We both know he’ll see things through with or without you.”

He pulled his head back a bit, taking me in. I knew their friendship was something he valued, that was obvious. He wouldn’t let his best friend complete this mission alone. He ran a hand down his face, a frustrated sigh tearing from his throat. “Fine, we’ll go with your stupid plan, but if nothing comes of it, you shut your mouth.”

I pulled my braid over my shoulder. “Of course. See? I don’t need compulsion.”

He raised a thick eyebrow at me.

I let a smile form on my face and unlocked the door behind my back. “You just agreed to do exactly what I wanted of your own free will.” I opened the door and backed up into the room.

“You really didn’t give me any other option.”

My head gently hit the side of the door, my fingers fiddling with the lock. “I didn’t have to. You and I both know Nicholas is going to see this plan through no matter what he thinks. You being the good friend that you are, you just can’t let him go it alone.” I smirked. “How’s that motivation tasting right about now?”

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