Page 50 of Live Like Legends

“Is everything alright?” One of the men in the back of the group said.

Ariel hummed. “Yes, just angels without discipline, that’s all. Easily dealt with.”

“Does this have anything to do with the ripple in the sky?”

The red-headed angel laughed as if nothing was wrong. “I can assure you that that issue will be taken care of. I have someone who is an expert in that matter fixing it.”

“The Soul Seether, right?” The woman from before asked.

Ariel licked his lips, clearly through with his line of questioning. “Yes. Unlike my predecessor, who seemed to think she was trusted to do whatever she wanted; I know she will do as she’s told. We have a very solid agreement. It seems as if she has much more control over her actions then some angels. Funny, how that works out.”

Ariel motioned for them to follow him. “We will look at the exterior of the building and then we can move to the Ethereal Bastille. I have a feeling I’ll be needing it quite soon.” The others scurried after him. We ducked our heads down, moving away from the railing when a few of them looked up in our direction.

The moment the door shut, Nick patted his pants pocket to make sure he still had Jonah’s book and we ran downstairs.

“According to Ariel, I am much more disciplined than you.” I joked, punching his shoulder as we turned the corner down the hallway to his room. It was quiet enough at The Skies but with the way Ariel had spoken, I had assumed we would be ambushed by sentries by now.

I had told Nick I wanted to change and then we could go. I could have fought in this dress if I really had to, but it wasn’t my first choice.

“You do follow directions nicely.” He winked over at me.

“You’re out of your funk I see.”

He grabbed my hand when we were at his door, pushing my back against it. “Mmhmm. Like I’ve always said I want to be a team with you and I can’t help my girlfriend fightherdemons if I’m overthinking. Dimitri and Lilith were able to sniff out my bad spots before and I won’t let that happen again. Satisfied?”

I kissed him, pulling back only when he wanted to keep going. “Very.” I kept him close to me so he wouldn’t immediately pull away. “Girlfriend?”

“Is that okay?”

I turned the knob to his bedroom, and we tumbled inside. “I’ve never been someone’s girlfriend, but I’m more than okay with being yours.” He leaned down and kissed me. I went over to the dresser, yanking out the first pieces of clothing I saw.

Nick snapped his fingers as if he remembered something and pointed towards his door. “I have to stop over at Reese’s room to grab something for him before we go.”

“Isn’t that down the hall?”

“Yeah.”

“Why are you acting like it's miles away? Go ahead, I’ll be here, ready to go when you get back.” I shooed him away as he opened the door, stepping into the hallway.

I grabbed the clothes and went into the bathroom. In the mirror, I looked back at myself and let the memories of how I got here replay in my mind. It was hard for me to think about Purgatory and consider that place somewhere to go back to and live happily. It would always hold a place in my soul, or whatever I had, but it didn’t own me anymore.

I finished getting my other boot on when I heard a thump. I opened the bathroom door, ready to leave. “Well, that was quick…”

My words were cut short when I saw who was standing in the middle of the room. My breath caught in my throat at the intrusion. “What are you doing here?” It was all I could muster.

“Well hello to you too, sweetheart. Death really does look good on you.” Dimitri smirked over at me as if he had every right to be here. His button-down shirt looked expertly tailored as if he had made sure he looked perfect for this reunion. One of his sleeves was rolled up tightly to conceal the place where his other hand should be. There were tiny scar lines on the side of his face where Nick had struck him with his light.

His eyes pierced into mine as if he was waiting for me to respond.

“No need to be rude. You could at least say that it’s nice to see me.”

I suddenly found my words. “How did you get here?”

Dimitri released a full smile in my direction. “That did take some time, this realm is quite tricky to get into, especially with those silly little wards these people drew up as a show of protection. Laughable, really. I was going to save the intrusion for a later date, but well, then you came back to life.” He shrugged as if this all made sense. “You were always so attractivewhen you were mislabeled as just a demon, but now with what I know you can do, oh, you are just exquisite.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, but then Elise’s words hit me like a punch to the stomach.

What if you creating that much of a frenzy turned into some kind of unwanted calling card? Just enough power to alert, but not enough to retain itself. It will eventually disperse, but not quick enough to go unnoticed.

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