Page 57 of Living Legend

“Disloyal? You’re doing exactly as you’re told.”

I stood up as he finished, feeling my cheeks heat, displaying my utter frustration at the way this conversation was going. “Is itloyalto lie to your authority’s face and claim allegiance? Is itloyalto want to keep valuable information from someone who entrusted you with seeing this through? Tell me, is itloyalto want to side with those I’ve been told to hate?” I let the words out of my mouth before I was able to assess them. I was angry at myself, and I didn’t know what to do with the sudden rush of emotion.

My father grazed my hand with his own and nudged me back down to the couch. His face appeared the same, a content expression of worry and sympathy. A flicker of understanding seemed to follow, which made my beating heart change course and start to slow its rhythm.

“First off, I have never told you to hate demons. I have never taught you to hate anyone.” He rubbed his mustache. “Secondly, I think you misunderstand loyalty. That was something I was afraid would happen when you joined. I knew your skills would be sought after, but I also knew you would fall to the thin line between unbridled loyalty and blind following. You would blur the two, think you were wrong in something you had no reason to be wrong in. You don’t owe loyalty to someone just because they’re your higher-up; they have to deserve it, earn it.”

A corner of his mouth turned up at my confused expression. “Loyalty is a fiery support of someone or something you believe in. If you think in your heart that something is amiss, who’s to call it disloyalty? Asking questions and seeking out answers is neither disloyal nor cowardly. As your father, I would think less of you for not seeking the truth. If you were to do everything by the book, I would not think you were my son at all.” He smiled to himself as he said this, almost like it brought up a memory.

I leaned back at his words. “You want me to make up my own rules?”

He shook his head, bringing his feet to rest on the coffee table. “No and yes. I want you to do the right thing, but the right thing isn’t always what everyone else thinks it is, especially if something is not as it seems. You’d be doing a dishonor not bringing the truth to light.”

“You sound like you had the same thoughts when you were a sentry,” I asked, reaching for my food.

“Things were different then. I also wasn’t alone in my thoughts, and I shared my fears with others.”

“You mean Jonah?” I questioned, not knowing if I was moving into sensitive territory. He’d told me about his time with Jonah, his time at The Skies, some of the adventures they’d gotten into, but those stories were when I was younger, before I got entangled in it all.

My father went quiet, rubbing his hands on his thighs. “Jonah and I go far back. He was always set on rising high above the station we shared. I always knew his father, the high executive at the time, would pass that down to him. At the time, he was my brother; we fought together, ate meals together. He was one of the first to hold you as a baby, but people change, Nicholas. They grow apart, and that’s alright. There are some things we can’t change.”

As a baby? It baffled me that he’d never mentioned it. I had never been one to need the hand of favoritism thrown in my direction, but to not show any interest in our shared past struck me as odd.

“I know you aren’t exactly happy with me not telling you any of this,” I muttered.

My father shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m concerned, but I know why you kept it to yourself. As I said, when things weighed on me, I had people to talk to and it seems you do too.”

My father started to laugh at the astounded look on my face. “I raised you to know who you are and stick by that. You will always be an angel and they will always be demons, but that doesn’t mean everything surrounding us is plain and simple. You can always find common ground. You trust Reese and we both know that boy has gotten you into some serious trouble. Somehow, you would lay down your life for him and from what you say, this Dani and Elise have their own bond. Maybe it's time you forged a bigger one altogether. Lilith will have less to lose and more to gain this time around, so a stronger alliance may be worth it.”

“I would think after all the fighting you’ve done, you would be highly against demons, especially where Lilith is concerned. I’d think you would want them out as much as Reese does.”

He lifted his hand and laid it on my head, stroking my hair before resting it at the nape of my neck. “Reese is young and only sees what’s right in front of him. He hasn’t seen the world for what it is. Demons aren’t the only ones who can cause harm and destruction, they are just easier to blame.” He looked at me with eyes that held a story, one I hadn’t read.

“What if I’m wrong? Trusting them completely, I mean.” It was one of the many things I was afraid to say.

“We’ve all made mistakes and trusted people we shouldn’t. That doesn’t make us stupid and naïve. It just means that next time, we’re more vigilant. It also doesn’t mean that we shut off help when it is so clearly in front of us.” He removed his hand from my neck and gently tapped his hand against my forehead. “How did you and Reese get to look in that portal book anyway?”

I narrowed my eyes, tilting my head from side to side. “Let’s just say you have to bend the rules to get to the truth. Plus, Reese has a niche for active storytelling.”

My father laughed loudly, placing his hand over his face. A welcomed laugh came from my mouth as well. I set my hand on my chest, feeling the key around my neck. I forgot it was there for a moment. I let my fingers feel the stone underneath my shirt, all the ridges and points.

“What’s that?” my father asked, pointing at where my fingers now froze. I realized that was something I hadn’t mentioned.

“Natalia, the Enchanter we met, she gave me a portal key. I haven’t used it, but she wanted me to have one so I could go anywhere I desired if needed.”

“That is an awesome gift to hold. This Natalia has aided you quite a bit.”

“She has. Her mother was the High Priestess Moira. Natalia’s the one who spoke about mom.”

For a moment, something like a memory flashed over my father’s face. It was quick and gone before I had time to blink, but it was there. “Ah, well, has she spoken of her anymore since?” he asked without hesitation.

I shook my head. “I did see a picture of mom on Jonah’s desk, of you, Jonah, his wife, and mom. I wasn’t aware you wereallso close.”

“As I’ve said, we fought together. We both got married relatively young and he was there when you were a baby, of course our families were aligned in some way. That’s no secret. Just because we went in different directions does not mean he isn’t allowed to remember a happy past.” He said the last word with such finality, I knew the discussion was over for now. I was no closer to understanding my family tree than when I started. The fire had started to burn a little less bright, but the light still reflected on my fathers’ gray hairs, turning them silver.

“What’s your plan now, Nicholas?” he asked me, changing the subject.

“Personally, I’d like to figure out how a portal key got enchanted enough to break through Natalia’s magic. I saw a tapestry of who I assume was Moira and an angel in the Divine Library. Jonah spoke a bit about it, but I feel like that’s where I would find what we’re looking for. That’s the only place that seems to have a small piece of Enchanter left.”

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