Page 85 of Living Legend

I slowly moved my eyes over to him. “What?”

Reese shook his head, mustering up some courage. “What if Jonah planned this whole thing…like he wants you to figure it out for…I don’t know…malicious intent?”

“So, you think Jonah fucked up the portals, murdered Keegan, brought another demon into the fold, got that demon killed, and now what? He wanted Dani to torture that demon for…her benefit? What do Dani and Elise have to do with any of this? What’s the end goal?”

Reese let out a groan. “I know, okay. It sounds fucking stupid, but it’s plausible. He could have brought the demons here for his own undetermined reasons, seeing as he did say he was going to let them go and now he can’t. Jonah has been mute about his time during the war or after Lilith got trapped in Purgatory. Maybe there is more to that story than he’s letting on.”

I tried to process his ideas. His words ran through me like a sharp blade to my stomach. None of us really knew much about Jonah or his past. We just knew him as he was today and my father pretty much refused to really speak about him other than a few sentences here and there.

“Where would I come into all of this?”

Reese shrugged. “You told me he and Maurice don’t really speak anymore. Maybe that’s something to consider. Jonah has done a lot for us, but the past can really fuck people up.”

I’ve tried to press my father for answers, and he’s given me ones he finds suitable, ones that will appease me, but still leave me as if I never got a real answer at all. My father only held his friends in the highest regard, so for someone to fallout with him like that, it needed to be something bigger than just a petty squabble.“The executives only know what he’s telling them.”

“He is who he is; of course they do.”Blind loyalty, as my father put it. Was I no better?

“This meeting shouldn’t just be about Dani, then.” I stood up, nodding.

Reese pushed himself further up my bed, looking skeptical. “It shouldn’t?”

I turned around to face him completely. “No. This is one fucked up mess and if we are going to move ahead with anything, we deserve some information. This has been a give and take with a lot of taking and no giving on their part.”

“Well, we both know I’m all about the giving,” Reese said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes. “Jonah has to tell us something or I’m done.”

Reese widened his eyes. “You are gonna tell the highest executive that if he doesn’t tell you something solid right then and there, then he can fuck right off? What about the demons?”

“I don’t know.” I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

Reese extended his hand out, and I lifted him off the bed. He stretched, saying, “I like my stories with a little bit of mystery so that’s good enough for me, as long as they go somewhere far away when this is all over.” He was quick to question my decisions, but, in the end, equally as quick to stand by my side.

I gave a small smile, but it vanished quickly. That little place in my chest when I thought about Dani started to thump and I took a few small breaths to relieve it. Reese motioned his hand towards the bathroom.

“Take a shower, Nick. You stink.”

I practically counted every footstep until we were at the briefing room, one that a while ago would have made me feel bad for all the angels that would never get to see it. Most angels would only get up to the floor before the level with Jonah’s office. He had his own special briefing room, opulent and beautiful. Reese and I had knocked and been ushered inside by the sentries, the weapons strapped to our backs echoing throughout an otherwise quiet room. Reese had insisted we have them, “just in case.”

Jonah sat in the plush emerald chair that headed the long table. He stood up and motioned his hand towards the empty seats nearest him. It may have been a different briefing room, but the cast of characters were all the same. Ariel and Markus sat opposite us and gave us each a stark nod. Ariel was clearly annoyed, while Markus kept side-eyeing the other end of the table.

“Mr. Cassial, Mr. Diniel, please sit. We have much to discuss.” Jonah patted the table.

I gave a quick look to Reese, who raised his eyebrows slightly and made his way towards one of the chairs. I followed, both of us removing our weapons and setting them down. He took the seat closest to Jonah, which I didn’t mind. I could still get all my points across regardless of proximity. I moved behind him to take the chair next to Reese when I saw who graced the chair at the other end of the table.

Natalia.

Her black hair fell in waves around her shoulders, shoulders that remained poised and proper as she rested her clasped hands in her lap. Her dark skin seemed to glow, even though the light outside had dimmed due to the rain. She gave me a small, closed smile, which I returned, more confused than ever.I settled into my chair and almost melted into the velvet cushion. “What is she doing here?” I looked to Jonah, who casually nodded towards Natalia.

“She has been a vital piece in all of this, so why not have her as part of the discussion?”

Ariel cut in. “You seemed to think she was helpful enough when you made that unauthorized trip to Oculus.”

I cleared my throat and gripped the arms of the chair. “Dwelling on the past isn’t a good look on anyone.”

“The rules are for a reason -- just because you are given special assignments and certain instructions doesn’t mean you can do as you please.” The disdain in his voice was clear, but it wasn’t completely directed at me, but at anyone who fit that category.

“Gentleman, I would love to sit here and listen to you bicker, but I was brought here to speak of the current situation,” Natalia said, her voice as smooth as honey.

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