Page 20 of Legendary

Dani hummed as she adjusted the collar of the black leather jacket that she wore. “It’s quite fascinating Reese. Nicknames are usually reserved for people who are really close,” Dani tapped her chin, pressing her lips together as if she was in contemplation. “Like afriend. But we both know you don’t do friends, isn’t that right,Ellie?”

Elise stuck her tongue in her cheek but remained quiet as she looked over at her. Beetee cast a look of confusion in Dani’s direction. “Doesn’tdofriends? Okay, I mean Ellie is a hard sell when it comes to friendship but believe me, she doesn’t give half a mind towards people she doesn’t consider a friend and you, Soul Seether was all she talked…ow!” Elise roughly tugged on the demon’s long pink hair.

“I came here—we came here—for a place to stay, Beetee. Can you provide that or not?”

Beetee gave a bright smile full of white teeth. “Oh my god! Of course! It’s been a bit slow with patrons as of lately. I’m not surprised though seeing as you’ve turned the realm upside down Soul Seether.” She winked over at Dani as she placed her hands on her hips, her nails were each painted a different color.

I grabbed the strap pressed against my chest with both my hands, bringing my sword closer towards my neck as it slung across my back. The cold metal cooling my heating skin at the slightly awkward encounter in front of us. “You’re aware of everything going on?”

“Everyone is. Pretty juicy gossip even if some of the details are likelymuddled.”

“So, you know why we’re here? Were youexpectingus?” I leaned forward a bit, prepared to listen to her answer carefully. Elise hadn’t made it seem like wherever we were going was prepared for what we were doing. The dark-haired demon just looked annoyed at our entire conversation if I was being honest.

Beetee stuck her tongue out, licking her lips. “I wasn’t expecting you of course. Ellie usually comes alone or with some wayward demons that need assistance. I don’t really think twice when she’s at my doorstep asking for help.” Her eyes seemed to slide to the window behind me, as if she was momentarily caught in a quick memory. “The ones that you find in this side of Purgatory aren’t fond of Lilith, not to say that her little followers aren’t around. You might not believe it, but there are some Enchanters who regret siding with her in your little war a while ago.”

“Our little war?Wait, you know what we are?” I pointed towards myself and then to Reese.

Beetee snorted, wrinkling her freckled nose, as if what I said was ridiculous. “Oh please, if you didn’t smell like angels, your whole demeanor would give you away. It’s adorable that you both think you can move around here unnoticed…as if you haven’t already been noticed anyway.”

“Hmm, alright, so you don’t mind us being here, despite what that would mean with Lilith.” She opened her mouth to answer but was quickly cut off by a sound to my left.

Reese huffed, ripping his bow and quiver over his head, holding them tight in his grip. “Fucking great! This place already gives me the creeps to begin with. I knew this was a bad fucking idea.” He lifted his head towards the ceiling, shaking his head.

Dani chuckled, having moved over to the wooden counter. She slid her index finger over the top as if she was inspecting for dust. “Calm yourself with your whiny dramatics. What Beetee is trying to explain is that we are fine here, everyone here wants the same thing as us, so they won’t get in our way, angel or not. Not everyone is as immediately discriminating as you, you know.” She raised her eyebrows at Reese, who leveled his hazel eyes at her, but said nothing. “Besides, they should know not to get in my way.” Translucent shadows emanated from her fingertips as she spoke.

Beetee cleared her throat. “To answer your question, you curious angelic thing, I don’t mind at all. I don’t mind a leader being in charge, but Lilith treats her reign like tyranny and throws out the demons that don’t suit her. There are plenty of places like my little hostel riddled throughout Purgatory. She doesn’t come around here because she simply doesn’t care for whatdoesn’t get in her way. I love bloodshed as much as the next demon, but sometimes there is a stopping point, you know?” She turned her head at footsteps coming down the stairs.

A large male demon with scars over his face and down one of his arms towards his wrists, steered her attention away from us. His other arm had scales of varying shades of gray overlapping that overtook his shoulder all the way to his fingertips. He glanced over to us, settling on Reese and me for a long moment before looking away. His eyes were curious and aware but not threatening. I could nearly feel the tension radiating off of my best friend as he kept his eyes trained on the demon before us. Beetee and the man exchanged words in low voices, and she patted his shoulder when they looked like they were done. He nodded and snuck a look over her shoulder at Dani. His eyes widened just like the girl across the street. He dipped his head down and let out a muffled, “Soul Seether” before retreating back up the stairs.

She really was like royalty in this place.

“Fuck, hope your head doesn’t get too big while we’re here,” Elise taunted, tilting her head to the side.

“I came here for a reason and getting gawked over isn’t one of them.” Dani tapped her foot against the wood floor. She turned towards Beetee. “So, rooms?”

“Shouldn’t we make some sort of legit plan now that we’re here? We have an end goal but the path to get there is not even somewhat formed,” I questioned, feeling anxiety start to settle into my bones. “Besides we left Oculus at like ten in the morning, you can’t really be wanting us to go to sleep right now.”

Dani leaned against the counter. The leggings she wore hugged her hips and thighs just right and I tried my hardest to keep my eyes from wandering anywhere they weren’t supposed to. “If you must know it’s like mid-day right now and I admire you wanting to just jump right in and believe me, I want to do the same, but you both need to settle into Purgatory for a night, release some of that angelic bravado in a probably mediocre night’s sleep or a nap. Fuck, I would settle for some food right about now. Then we can set this path you want. You are in my world, so we play by my rules.” She ruffled her hand through her hair, the curls bouncing around as they settled wherever they wanted. “You can do that, can’t youNicholas?” She caught her tongue between her teeth as she stared at me. Her brown eyes danced with amusement.

For the love of all that was ethereal she was the hottest thing I had ever laid my eyes on; she knew that I wanted her. I respected and admired her, butI couldn’t help admitting that I wanted her in the most disrespectful way, and I thought about that often, all the ways I wanted to have her. All to myself. If she just said the word, I would have my face between her legs before she even had time to blink. That wasn’t enough for her, though.

And I understood that. Genuinely, I did.

Beetee looked from me to Dani and then back again. “Is this your guys’ version of a weird staring contest or is there something I should know?”

Elise snickered. “You’ll get used to it.”

Beetee plastered on her sunshine smile again and gave me a meaningful look. “Well, Nicholas…I can call you Nicholas, right? You are safe to get some sleep here, I promise. Feel free to call me Beatrice if you like, but don’t get offended if I don’t immediately answer, I’ve just gotten so used to Beetee. You must know that Lilith already knows you’ve stepped foot in Purgatory so it’s better that you get your bearings. You leave and come back covered in someone else’s blood and I got you! I’m your girl!” Despite her words, she had this purposeful look on her face. She wanted me to heed her words and wholeheartedly trust her. Her eyes were a lilac purple, throwing me off guard, yet I felt like I wanted to trust her.

Thiswasabout trust, wasn’t it?

I nodded, rubbing my hands down the front of my jacket and dipping them into my pants pockets. “Fine, we’ll settle. Then tomorrow we make a solid plan or a form of one.” I gave our host what I hoped was a charming smile. “Nick is fine and that’s Reese.” Reese gave a short wave.

“I prefer winging it, but whatever you fuckers want to do.” Elise waved her hand in my direction, clearly annoyed.

“So, one room for girls, one room for boys? Then maybe some food and a small, but safe tour when you’re all settled,” Beetee offered looking around at us. Her purple eyes twinkled with delight.

Dani shook her head fiercely. “No. Fuck no. No, thank you. She can keep her room and I’ll have one of my own if that’s okay.”

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