Page 61 of Living Legend

“Calm down; nothing’s happened.”

“That you know of.”

“It’s a weapon made specifically for Dani, andshetold me to keep a hold on it, so clearly she doesn’t plan to do any harm.” I explained, hoping to simmer him down.

Reese smacked his hand against his forehead and shook his head. “You dragged me to your room to basically prove you’re an idiot.”

“No, I brought you here to tell you something, so sit your ass down.” I pointed to my desk chair and watched him let out a huff before sitting down.

I sat on the edge of my bed so I could face him. I glanced over to where the dagger sat lifeless on my desk. There were no dark sounds, no whispers in my head like before. It just remained on the desk, a simple weapon.

“You remember my talk with Markus? The one he made me stay behind for?”Reese nodded. “He asked if I’d gotten anything off Dani or Elise when they arrived, if I had anything in my possession. He told me they wouldn’t be upset, but they needed it handed over.”

“Makes sense. That’s normally what happens, Nick.”

“It was weird, though, like he was looking for a particular answer. I asked him what they were looking for, and he shrugged it off, to let him know if anything comes up.”

Reese rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, you said you knew nothing, had nothing?”

“Pretty much. It’s like Dani was taken out of Purgatory for more than just the portals, like her dagger is somehow a part of it. They knew she would bring it with her.”

“Nick, come on—” Reese started to say, but I cut him off.

“Things have been so fucking weird ever since we found out about Keegan, so you can’t honestly tell me you’re one hundred percent decided about this.”

“Now you’re siding with the demons? You think Jonah and the other executives are behind this now? All because you’ve been paranoid by them wanting a prohibited item?” Reese released his hair from his top bun and his blonde hair tumbled down to his shoulders.

“It’s not about sides, Reese.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s about what’s right and what’s the truth. Dani told me her dagger was forged for her, that no one else could use it. Dark objects like that only end up destroying someone who isn’t the wielder. She hasn’t wanted it since she arrived, and she’s always known where it is; stop making her the enemy.”

“Who’s the enemy then, Nick? Enlighten me.”

I put my head in my hands, letting my frustration wash over me. “I don’t know, but I know we aren’t going to figure it out by playing sides.”

Reese looked over at the dagger. “What do you suggest, then? We just settle our differences, say fuck Jonah and everyone we’ve ever known, and sing a proud fight song with our two demon companions, one of whom can compel you to do whatever she wants?”

“I’m just saying, we’re never going to finish this unless we stop looking at each other likeothersand start being equals, as equal as we can get.”

“You’re asking a lot of me; you are aware of that, right? You want me to compromise my beliefs on your word alone.”

I snorted. “I think you can handle it. Besides, I’ve never steered you wrong.”

Reese rubbed his eyes with his palms. “You haven’t.”

I laughed a little, narrowing my eyes at him. “You know she can’t compel you, right?”

“She literally told me she can. Come on, Nick, I know I can be a shit listener sometimes, but I do pay attention on occasion.”

I waved my hand. “She has compulsion, yes, but she needs her dagger to conjure it. It’s a whole thing with Lilith, so you’ve been worried over nothing. As long as it’s in my possession, she can’t hurt you. Well, not with compulsion, at least.” I patted his knee.

“I haven’t been worried; I just don’t like being blindsided by all this demon nonsense. How do you know she isn’t lying?”

I narrowed my eyes and thought about it. Dani had given up the information willingly and I had accepted it as truth. It was like she wanted me to know things so I’d start to trust her, and I was leaning towards doing just that, but I didn’t want to make that leap alone.

“I just do. It may be hard for you to accept, but I don’t think they’re the bad guys here. Maybe Jonah and Markus aren’t the bad guys either, but for right now, I just don’t know.”

“So, you want my full support or something?”

“I already have my father’s, so yeah, yours would be appreciated. I would feel weird if you and I were on opposite sides of the issue.”

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