Page 27 of Legendary

“Do your worst, Soul Seether. You will always be hers no matter how much you try to push her out. You are just as strong as she wanted you to be, maybe even more. Pity how you don’t see how it’s your downfall.”

I pressed my dagger to her chest, clearly hearing her heartbeat. It was steady, no stutters, not a single beat off rhythm. “I’m not her pet. You are. It’s pathetic.” I pulled my dagger from her chest, turning my body slightly to stab her already wounded hand again. I twisted the blade into her skin, continuing until I knew it was pushed all the way through. She cried out in agony, and I could have squawked with laughter at the sound. Blood oozed from her hand, but I wanted more, I needed more.

You are so strong, my Soul Seether.

My head throbbed and felt my face twitch at the voice in my head again.

“You should be so happy I can’t kill you, you fucking bitch!” Isabel screamed as I twisted my dagger in more.

“Isabel, what the hell?” I heard Elise’s angry voice through my haze, but I was still lost in my own enraged temperament.

I wondered what an Enchanter's soul looked like. Would it have a color? Would it be wispy like a cloud or thick like gel? I wanted to find out.

Do it. Do what you’re meant to do.

My face was hot, and my limbs were on autopilot, but I was somehow still in total control. I wanted this. I needed this.

“Dani!” I blinked. Then I blinked again. There was a tug at my chest at the deep voice, but this tug wasn’t dark, it wasn’t lusting for chaos. No, this tug was like a much-needed stroke of comfort and affection...

Never forget who you are when you’re down there. The darkness is familiar but that doesn’t always mean it’s the right choice. Always remember who you are.

Natalia’s words wrapped around me in a chokehold.

This tug was lighter, and it distorted my vision, making things clearer. Ilooked up and to my right and saw Nicholas looking at me as if he wanted to help, but he halted, likely seeing how into my demonic side I’d gone. It was slithering away though. He looked down to where Isabel was writhing in pain as if seeing her for the first time, as if the veil that blinded him was gone. His eyes went back to mine and locked on in this way that had my breathing coming out in a more normal pace. He seemed to be taking steps towards me again as if the madness around him didn’t matter. The detour in my thoughts left an opening for Isabel to yank my dagger out of her hand and shoot me back with her heavy hitting magic.

Isabel shot a stream of magic at Elise, who was still up in the air, causing her to fall downward at a quickened pace. Isabel used some more magic, her fingertips glowing white and nearly sparkling to push Elise towards Reese and Nicholas. The blonde Enchanters’ eyes were flooded with colors of the rainbow as she used her magic. I wasn’t concerned about Elise running into the angels until I noticed her tail was out. She failed to get balance once she skidded to the ground and her tail whipped out and struck Nicholas in the stomach and again in the face. He groaned a loud, almost deafening cry, stumbling backwards towards a bundle of tree trunks before collapsing. Reese sprinted over to him dodging Elise’s tail in the process.

“Maybe I should just kill you and deal with the consequences,” Isabel threatened, the blood from her wounded hand slipping down her fingers.

I stood up from the ground and was prepared to continue to fight now that I had my senses back when I heard a hiss. Not the soft hiss of a garden snake simply minding its business, but the hiss of a rattlesnake that was preparing to make you its next meal. Isabel’s shoulders stiffened as we both looked over to where the biggest snake I’d ever seen sat a few feet in front of us.

Its eyes were a bright yellow with diamond pupils. Its scales were black but had iridescent sparkles along the edges. The tail shook and rattled the trees, creating a faux wind all by itself. It lashed out its tail at every demon that came in its direction, sending them flying. It brought its head down and gobbled up a few in its mouth. Reese was huddled over an unconscious Nicholas as Elise just stared at the large reptile in front of us, as if she had seen this before. She almost looked comfortable around it.

“What in the fuck is that?!” Reese shouted as he tried to use his body to protect his best friend.

Isabel sensibly shrank back as the snake locked its yellow eyes on her. The blonde Enchanters mouth gaped open as she looked from me to the snake and back again. She had the angriest expression on her face. “She is always watching you, Soul Seether. You are bonded.” She looked back at thesnake, who slithered closer to us, its eyes set on Isabel.

“I may be her pet, but you are hermonster,” Isabel said, letting a portal take her away before I could say anything else.

The fire from the trees was blazing, practically circling around us. The giant snake blinked over to me as I stood there speechless. I had never fought a reptile before, or really any giant non-human-like creature so this was new.

Something stopped me though. The snake stuck out its tongue, almost in a friendly gesture. Its tongue was pink. Hot pink.

Well fuck.

Dark, wispy smoke surrounded the reptile as it shrunk back away from me. Its body got smaller and less terrifying. I started to move closer to get a better look, my curiosity peaked. The smoke started to dissipate, revealing a very naked Beetee. She stood in all her glory as she smiled brightly at me. Her long hair covered only one of her breasts. She was no longer that beastly, but impressive creature. She was herself again. Those neon yellow eyes were gone and replaced with her pretty lilac ones.

I tentatively walked over to her, shrugging off my jacket and helping her put her arms through it, not before noticing the snake tattoo on her back, the rattlesnake tail meeting right at the middle of her shoulder blades, the head of the snake curling halfway up. Elise stepped to her other side, still scanning the perimeter. “We’ll be safe here, huh?” She raised one of her dark eyebrows, the firelight playing along her gray eyes.

Beetee blew out a breath and shook her head. She shushed Elise before tugging the jacket closer to her chest. Beetee leaned around me, looking over my shoulder. “Tour is cut short; we should get him back to the hostel. Make use of the recovery room.” She nodded her head to both of us as if she was in charge and strutted over to the boys—sans pants. If this whole mess wasn’t so mind altering, I would have laughed. Reese was going to have a field day with this. Laughing is the last thing I wanted to do though, I really didn’t deserve to.

I may be her pet, but you are hermonster.

It was more accurate than the hero.

NICK

My face hurt. My stomach also hurt.Fuck.

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