Page 46 of Living Legend

“Elise was taking her time in the bathroom, so hekindlyescorted me down here, told me towaitin what I assumed he thought was a harsh tone, then left again.” She shrugged, twirling around on her heels to face me again.

“How long ago was that?”

She bit her lower lip. “Like ten minutes ago. Don’t get your balls in a twist, alright?”

“My balls are just fine, thanks.”

Dani laughed, a sound I could’ve listened to on repeat. There was almost no darkness in it. It wasn’t high pitched, but it wasn’t a maniacal laugh. It had a softness to it that created dimples in her cheeks. “Good to know, though I think it's only fair I figure that out for myself.”

I rolled my eyes at her abruptness, but I felt my stomach knotting with nerves.

“Have you heard from Natalia today?” she inquired.

“Not yet. The day is coming to an end, so I doubt she’ll show up.”

“You don’t know that,” Dani said, walking over to the weapons rack.

I followed her, trying not to let my eyes take in her entire body from behind. “If I was her and had the information, I would have given it by now.”

She placed a hand on the hilt of a training sword and pivoted around to face me, causing me to snap my eyes up to her face rather than somewhere between her waist and the curve of her ass. “Well, what if she doesn’t have the information yet? She did say her locator magic takes time. 24 hours is a bit of a quick turnaround time. Are all angels so annoyingly fucking needy?”

“Excuse me?”

She tapped a finger on her chin. “I don’t believe I stuttered.”

“Needy is not the word I’d use. We like to get things done in a timely manner, that's all.”

“Now that I don’t believe. You have met your best friend, right? I don’t think he’s ever done anything in a timely manner.” She grabbed the sword and weighed it in her hand.

I circled her and walked down the line of swords, surveying them. “Fair point. Well, I personally like to get things done in a timely manner.”

“Ahh, so you don’t like totake…your...time, Nicholas?” She paused, enunciating every word. She lifted the sword, pointing it at me as her eyes glared down the silver blade.

I plucked a sword, raising it to swat her sword from my vision. “It’s situational.”

“Situational, huh?” She slashed the sword in one direction, then the other.

“You know, if you didn’t have your compulsion dagger and your endless torture skills, I’m sure you could really mind fuck someone with that flirting of yours.” I stopped her sword, pushing it and causing her to step a few paces back.

“I save that for the ones who really deserve it.” She winked at me and swung her sword downward toward my legs. I jumped back and met her silver blade with my own.

“I assume I should feel special then.” I pushed my sword against hers, her wrist twisting in an uncomfortable way. Her weapon hit the ground with a clang, rattling until it stilled.

Why did it sound like I was flirting back?

“Speaking of special—what did Markus want to talk to you about the other day?” She placed her hands on her hips. Her voice was low, but soft like her laugh, warm and inviting. It was something I hadn’t noticed until now.

“That was nothing,” I answered sharply.

She bent down to pick up her fallen sword. “So, we’re going to play this game?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Shit, alright Nicholas, alright. I’ll play along and pretend like you didn’t have a semi-serious conversation with an executive angel other than Jonah,” she joked sarcastically.

I looked towards the door, wondering what was taking Reese so long. “Glad you understand the rules of the game.”

“Too bad I’ve never been a fucking fan of rules.” Dani took a quick start towards me and swung her sword. The clash of metal echoed throughout the room.

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