Page 69 of Live Like Legends

“I’ll tell you later. I promise.” I snatched the book from Reese and turned so that I was facing my dad. I didn’t know why I felt the need to tell him about this notebook as if it was a secret. Maybe because it was, but the only person that needed to not be aware of it was….

“We all thought you would be long gone by now, disobeying orders and such.” Ariel.

We all swung our heads to where his voice echoed from. He emerged a few feet from us, sentries surrounding him.

“Ariel?” My father sounded confused, as if he had no idea why the executive would be here. I forgot I hadn’t told him much about the sparring matches I’d gotten into with the red-headed angel.

Ariel gave him a little smile. “Ah, Maurice. I’m sure you are quite proud of your son. He is just like you. A spitting image in looks and idiotic choices.”

I swiftly moved the notebook so that it was behind my back. My fingers clenched around the leather as if my life depended on it. I felt a small tug and quickly looked over my shoulder to see Reese giving me a small nod as if he was silently confirming that regardless of understanding anything about this notebook, it was important. I let my fingers release it into his hold, right as Ariel started walking over to us.

“I think his choices are quite solid in the grand scheme of things,” my father said, trying to sound like the bigger man. When it came to personality and actual physical size, he was.

Ariel ran a hand down his lapels. “Youwouldthink that wouldn’t you. You made a choice to disobey Jonah’s father so long ago and letting your son inherit those bad habits, ugh, Maurice I would have hoped you learned. I would think you would want better for your own child.”

“Cause what you offer is better? This coming from a guy who treats all his subordinates like shit.” Elise rolled her eyes.

Ariel ignored her, though I could see his jaw working overtime from the way it tensed up.

I could hear commotion behind us, letting me know that the others were leaving the house. Natalia’s voice surrounded us like some kind of lyrically royal blanket. “Ariel? I didn’t know we had a meeting.”

The executive kept his eyes on me. Just me. “We don’t. I hate to intrude, truly. They were right where you’d said they’d be. Seethisis what a true leader, a true angel looks like.” He waved his hand over to the side and I pressed my lips together when Morgan walked up, glancing over at him proudly.

She stood as if she was waiting for some kind of medal or maybe she just liked to bask in the glow of thinking she did the right thing, when in reality she had just fucked us over.

“We aren’t going anywhere with you,” I finally said, keeping my eyes on him with as much intensity as he was giving me.

Ariel smirked, but Morgan opened her mouth before he could. “Where’s your adorable little girlfriend?” Her eyes searched around the area in faux concern. “I thought she was the entire reason you make so many bad decisions nowadays.”

My hands curled into fists, but I felt my father place a hand on my back. He didn’t rub circles or do any sort of movement to try to rectify my mood. He just settled his hand there, just simply being present. “She isn’t here.”

Ariel cocked his head to the side, intrigued. “And where did she go, Nicholas?”

Elise scoffed. “We don’t have time for this.”

The sentries started to surround us, but as they circled, the people who had my back started to surround me as well. Beetee and Garrett stood near my right, while Natalia and Zane were at my left. Reese and Elise flanked the immediate outside of me and my father. Ariel didn’t scare me and neither did his guards. He was an inconvenience at best.

“She was taken,” I answered. My voice was even and steady.

“By whom?”

“That part doesn’t matter. Whatmattersis getting her back.”

Ariel nodded as if he understood this completely. “Ah, that ripple in the sky I presume. Maybe this is all some miracle then, the darkness has taken what it wants. Whether she went willingly or not. Now instead of living in fear of her, the people can fully hone their skills and increase our chances of fighting back.”

“Fighting back…from Dani?” Beetee squeaked. Morgan shot her eyes over to her, giving her a less than friendly smile.

“From what I was told she has impressively found the balance of her hybrid abilities, but now she’s been taken. You can’t honestly expect me to believe that she isn’t just dying to show her filthy demon buddies her new skills,” Ariel said, incredulously. “I respect you immensely Natalia, but clearly your wards were not enough to keep a simple demon out after all the work you did. Or maybe you wanted her gone as well.”

“Ariel, that is absolutely absurd…” Natalia started, but Elise interrupted, her neck tattoo thrumming. “It was a Son of Hell, you shriveled dick piece of shit. Even with High Priestess magic, wards are nothing when it comes to determined Hell spawns. So for the love of fucking Satan can you move so we can go retrieve her, before I decapitate you and feed your head to my hellhound.”

The sentries made a move towards her, but Ariel stopped them. He clucked his tongue. “Retrieve her. Yes, of course that’s what you mean to do. Always the hero.” He pointed a finger at my father. “Idiotic choices like I said.Shedidn’t want to fight in the war, soyoudidn’t want to fight in the war.” I noticed my father press his tongue into his cheek. Ariel was talking about my mother. I knew by the way the inflection in his voice and the way my father’s shoulders tensed. The red-headed executivecontinued. “The Soul Seether travels to Hell, so Nicholas travels to Hell. Do you see the resemblance?”

“Let me get one thing clear, she doesn’t make me do anything. I’m going because…” I was speaking through my clenched teeth, trying to maintain my composure.

“You love her. Yes, Nick, we got that.” Morgan shook her head as if I was being ridiculous.

Ariel raised his hands, making it seem like whatever he was about to say had merit. “Letmeget one thing clear, Mr. Cassial. Whether the Soul Seether is here or not, you are coming back to The Skies and continuing to do your duty.”

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