Page 56 of Living Legend

Jonah sighed. “It isn’t favoritism.”

Markus huffed. “You’ve kept an eye on him ever since he got here.” I pushed my head up a little and saw Markus wave his hands in Jonah’s direction.

“I don’t have to explain myself to you. The only person who will ever need an explanation is him. All in due time.” Jonah sounded tired. “Ariel and the others will be arriving shortly.” They shuffled around the room, the sound of moving chairs filling my ears.

Reese pressed his forehead to the floor, whispering, “Ariel and the others? We’re stuck here until they leave.”

Elise slid her hands under her cheek, attempting to sleep. I slid my eyes over to Nicholas, who faced forward, expressionless. He seemed content to wait until it was safe to leave.

I only had one thing to say to him. “Maybe it’s time to reevaluate your loyalties.”

Chapter Ten

NICK

Earlier

The sky was a deathly black as I soared through it, the lack of wind making me push forward with more effort. I was not eager to feel the tops of the trees on my hands or savor every bit of glow the stars showed. I had only one thought as I saw the buildings of my village appear. I used that thought alone to block out all the others wanting to make a home inside my already crowded mind. Information and ill spoken words were at the tip of my tongue, and I had to release them to someone.

My father would still be up, even as the hour grew late. He was always nocturnal, always reading old books by the fireplace or sitting in a chair outside to look at the stars. I wished I could simply sit back and enjoy the things around me, but the moment I decide to release the tension from my bones, something else comes out of the shadows to rile them up again. I needed a sounding board who wouldn’t think less of me but would also give unbiased advice.

I saw the flickering light of the fire from the window as I set my feet on the ground. The night had turned chilly, and I clutched my jacket around me. I rapped my knuckles on the door, sucking in a breath as I waited. I heard the shuffling footsteps before the door swung open and my father smiled up at me. His brow furrowed, but he smiled and motioned me inside quickly. I was pulled into a tight and warm hug before I could make my way to the couch, but my arms gripped just as tightly around him.

We settled back onto the couch after a few minutes of my father asking me without fail if I was hungry and not backing down until I agreed. I couldn’t lie and say the smell of his chili wasn’t enticing, so I nodded in agreement, knowing I would have lost this fight regardless. My food steamed in front of me as I watched the flames in the fireplace dancing around the logs.

“I have never questioned a visit before. The hour is late and if I know that look, you must have something on your mind,” He said, turning to face me while crossing his legs. “Would you care to share, or do you just intend to stay silent the entire night?”

I sighed, leaning over to grab the bowl. I gripped the spoon and stuffed chili in my mouth, letting the warmth consume me. I swallowed before responding. “I need you to promise me something first.”

Without looking, I knew he was thinking it over. My father was someone who wanted all the facts before deciding; he never promised something without knowing the other’s intentions. “Promise you what?”

“That you won’t ask questions or throw fatherly judgment until I’m done.”

He pressed his thin lips together. “Fatherly judgment?”

“You know what I mean. You, trying to impose your fatherly wisdom before you’ve heard the whole story. You’ve been known to do it—frequently.”

He let out a small laugh. “Alright then, for you, I promise.”

I swallowed another spoonful before setting it down on the table. I let my elbows rest on my thighs as I roughly ran my hands through my hair. I stared down at my legs as I said, “It wasn’t just Reese and me in Oculus.”I peeked to the side and noticed my father rubbing his mustache with the tip of his finger. He made no move to say anything.

“We went with two demons from Purgatory,” I continued. I assumed letting out the information piece by piece would be an easier pill to swallow. “They were summoned by Jonah to aid us in our mission.” I saw my father nod, but his face was unreadable.“We were to uncover how a demon slipped into Heaven’s Gate undetected and unaccompanied through a portal. That demon now lies in the Ethereal Bastille, awaiting whatever may come to it.” I sucked in a breath, holding it for longer than I had intended, letting it out in a long-winded exhale.

I opened my mouth again and everything came flooding out. Keegan and his disappearance, how Jonah gave the order for him to venture out to Oculus and Purgatory. My mouth moved nonstop as the words just kept coming.

I felt my father’s hand on my shoulder as I prattled on. “I spoke to Jonah in the Divine Library about everything, but I found myself omitting everything because my trust in him is dying. The demons are wanting me to act against him. How could he have missed so much?”

I felt my heart thud in my chest at the release of everything I harbored. The silence that surrounded us could have echoed back if it wanted to and I wouldn’t have believed them. The story sounded completely insane, and it wasn’t even finished. It hadn’t even reached its peak.

I noticed my father’s hand still on my shoulder. I felt him squeeze a small bit, a gesture I knew from growing up that meant I should give him my attention. I turned my head, raising my eyes to see a mix of sympathy and a bit of shock. I didn’t see the things I feared the most; no signs of distaste or distain. I saw no hint of disbelief in his eyes.

“Can I speak now?” he asked softly. I tilted my chin, letting him know it was alright. He patted my shoulder and removed his hand. “You can no longer trust Jonah?”

“That’s the thing. I don’tknowif I can. Maybe I’m overthinking things.”

“A demon slipping through a portal without anyone’s knowledge is a big deal, son.”

I let out a huff. “I’m aware. I just feel like I’m being disloyal in the harshest form.”

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