Page 8 of Legendary

Natalia lightly shoved Elise back. “Ariel, you need to think about this. They have been here for quite some time and haven’t been an issue. Besides, you have yet to address that the Soul Seether is not exactly what we presumed.”

I literally loathed being talked about like I wasn’t there, but I didn’t really have much to say. I knew what I was—what I was supposed to be—but I didn’t feel it. That light, that warmth was one thing, but actually entertaining the idea that it was supposed to be symbiotic with me was proving difficult, especially when the only side I’d ever known was so tempting and so very, very playful.

Ariel turned his back to us and walked towards what I assumed was Jonah’s desk, leaning his back against the wooden surface when he faced us again. “How could I forget that thrilling piece of information, hmm?” His green eyes scanned me, as if trying to find any trace of my halfing status. “I am truly sorry for what Lilith did, but that is no concern of mine. You choosing to fight against her instead of doing what she intended was commendable, but the history of what you are doesn’t sit well with me. I have no way of helping you, so frankly, we are back to my plan. I shouldn’t have let you stay as long as you have. It was a courtesy, really. Natalia can open the portal to send you on your way.”

“She saved your ass and you’re acting like a dick?” Nicholas shouted, cutting through the tension.

Ariel slowly turned his head as if he was making sure he heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”

Nicholas took a slow, deep breath. “We all worked our asses off to get out of that fight alive, but things would have gone differently if she hadn’t made the decision she did. You aren’t even giving them a chance.”

“Nicholas, I said what she did was commendable. I’m no liar. Would you like me to say thank you before I send them away? Very well then.” Hespoke to Nicholas like he was a child.

Nicholas looked towards one of the bookshelves on one of the far walls as if trying to keep his cool. “You really are a piece of work you know.”

“Nick,” Reese mumbled under his breath, leaning his head towards his best friend. He put his hand on his shoulder, but Nicholas just shrugged it off.

“I would watch my tone if I were you, Mr. Cassial.” Ariel commanded.

Nicholas clenched his fists as he walked over to Ariel, his long legs getting him in front of the red-headed angel in seconds. “I don’t think I have to. Jonah is dead, and right now, I don’t answer to you. So,noI don’t plan to help you. After what happened, I would rather help two demons than have anything to do with yourideas.” Nicholas pressed his finger into Ariel's chest. “Sending them back to Purgatory will only makeyouhappy and from what I remember Heaven’s Gate isn’t a dictatorship. Have you ever asked the people what they want? You ever think that maybe Dani being both angel and demon couldhelpus?”

Ariel glanced over at me and then back to Nicholas, a smirk playing at his lips. He grabbed Nicholas’s finger and moved it away from him. “Well said, Mr. Cassial, but the people don’t know what they want right now. They need someone to decide for them at the moment.” He looked at me again, but this time he did it a little too long which had me throwing up my middle finger. He scoffed and lightly pushed Nicholas back. “Maybe asking you to be a part of this was a mistake, seeing that you seem to be toocloseto the situation. Is that what Markus meant when he said you could use yourcharmto get her to torture that demon?” Ariel gave a feral smile that made me want to shove my fist down his throat.

“Fuck you.” Nicholas spat out.

“Oh fuck, pretty boy has claws.” Elise snarked. “About time.”

The last time I’d seen a feisty Nicholas was at our meeting with Jonah and I had to admit it turned me on…just a little.

Reese got between his best friend and Ariel, his hazel eyes wide and a little thrilled. “As much as I would love to see you two fight, I don’t think it would be fair seeing as it would be two on one.”

Ariel looked over at Reese in confusion. Reese shrugged, adjusting the collar of his shirt. “You can’t really believe I’d not be on Nick’s side. As much as I don’t really love having them here, you aren’t listening to reason. It sounds like you just like hearing yourself talk.Shocker.”

“Ariel, just listen to us for a moment, I’m sure we can all come up with a plan. In fact…” Natalia started, but Ariel motioned his hand towards her as if he didn’t give a flying fuck what she had to say. She closed her mouth and her chest rose and fell with practiced patience.

“I brought you all here as a courtesy. What I’m saying is happening, no matter your thoughts. Jonah always said you had a mind of your own, well I will have none of it.” Ariel blinked over to Nicholas with a noncommittal shrug. “You are your father's son, always choosing to make things difficult. Even more like your father to do it over a female.”

Reese had to hustle to make it over to Nicholas before he nearly launched himself at Ariel. Reese was using all his weight to keep his friend back, but that didn’t stop Nicholas from speaking. “Do not speak about my father!” He was fighting against Reese to get to Ariel, but the red headed angel simply laughed him off.

“I don’t have time for this. As I’ve said, Natalia, you will escort these two back…” Ariel started, but I let out a low whistle, halting his words. I was done with this, and I was done with him.

“This has all been really fucking great, and I’m so honored that you think you have a chance in Hell at telling me what I can and can’t do, but there is no need for you to ‘send us back’, you arrogant dick,” I snorted.

“Your meaning?” Ariel asked.

I gave Elise a short-lived side-eye. “We were headed back to Purgatory anyway. I didn’t know you had claimed yourself leader or I would have told you. Of course, you are just pretending while you’re in this office so, no hard feelings.”

Ariel moved around Nicholas to face me. “The sooner you are gone, the faster I can get this place back in line, especially these defiant boys. Do what you must.”

“I must say, being a bad boy is fun,” Reese said casually to no one in particular, Nicholas still seething behind Ariel. Our eyes locked as I looked around Ariel, and if I wasn’t still so upset with him, I would have melted at the way he looked at me.

Elise clucked her tongue. “Well it’s a fantastic thing we are taking your defiant boys off your hands, huh?”

“Elise…” Nicholas started, saying her name slowly as if he was proceeding with caution.

Ariel gave her an incredulous look. “What is she talking about? They are remaining here.” He looked around as if this was some big joke. His eyes settled on Natalia, and he turned his anger on her. “If you are doing this all because you want some kind of vengeance, I will not have it. I don’t carewhoyou are.” He was practically nose to nose with her, but she just stood there, unbothered and unshaken.

“I would take a few steps back if you wish to say anything more tome, Ariel. Despite what the others in this room say, Ispecificallydo not answer to you, therefore, I would move back quickly.” Her honey-colored eyes sparkled with a kind of glittering regality that was almost scary, but her voice made you want to straighten your spine on command.

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