Page 80 of Live Like Legends

Maurice grabbed his son and tucked him into his arms. “We will deal with Ariel when you get back.” His father whispered something to him that had Nick squinting as if he was trying not to cry.

Reese nodded over Nick’s shoulder when they stood in front of each other. Zane stalked over to us, handing Nick his sword. He gave him a short nod before taking his place at the side of his High Priestess.

Nick adjusted his sword at his back then grabbed his portal key. His brown eyes locked on my grey ones as he tossed the key over to me. A small knowing smile played at his lips, but there was something in his eyes that told me he would follow my lead. His priority was Dani, so long as I took him to Dani, he didn’t care what I chose to do.

Reese waved towards the space in front of me. “Lead the way, little one.”

Irecognized Purgatory the minute we stepped out of the portal. No, I didn’t just recognize Purgatory, it was The Hearth that caught my attention. Beetee’s hostel.

Why the fuck were we here?

Beetee nearly squealed the moment she took in her large establishment. Everything about my time here flooded into my mind. The images that passed by were good, bad and downright traumatic, but they were things that would always stay with me. There was something about each of them that led me to where I was right now and I didn’t regret them. Would I have done things a little differently? Probably, but that wasn’t something to ponder on anymore.

The door to the hostel opened and Beetee’s moms barreled out, running towards their daughter. They were all talking at once and it was like everything they’d left out about her life didn’t matter right now. The pink-haired demon wiped under her eyes, removing some of the tears she let fall.

“I’m so happy you’re alright.” Beetee placed her hands at each of their cheeks.

The red head with the pixie cut, Louise, I think, smiled at her daughter. “We are just fine. We kept this place running while you were gone. We were a mess when you didn’t come back, but you’re a fighter my love. Always have been.”

Reese asked the question on my mind. “I am very much loving this reunion right now, but there was a plan in place here, yes?” He looked over at Elise, who had my portal key dangling from her fingertips.

“Yes, Blondie. It’s just a pit stop. Next stop Dani,okay?”

Garrett hummed. “Let me guess you plan to leave Beetee here with her moms, while we go find Dani?”

Elise turned her eyebrows inward in frustration.

Beetee whipped around, her pink hair flying over her shoulder. “Ellie!”

Elise rolled her eyes. “Listen, just hang out with your moms. We’ll come back for you when we have pretty boy’s girlfriend back. It’s not up for discussion. It is happening and that’s that. End of story.”

I let out a short laugh, which surprised me since I was already on edge knowing that in some way Dani was so close. I leaned into Beetee, knocking my shoulder against her. “She cares, but don’t let her know you know.”

That made her giggle a little. Elise bared her teeth. “Do you really want to get on my bad side right now, Nicholas?”

“You have a good side?” Reese quipped, smirking at her.

Elise held out my portal key, making another circle that would ultimately lead us to Hell, or at least a prison in Hell. Beetee touched her wrist. “Youarecoming back for me. That’s that.” Her lilac eyes were wide and innocent. Something about her had me thinking that it wouldn’t take much for her light to come to fruition. Beetee was so inherently good that it was hardfor me to consider she could shift into a menacing snake until it was happening.

“I’ll think about it.” Elise winked at her, then focused her eyes on the rest of us. “Hustle people.”

I nodded over to Garrett. “You don’t want to go find your family? I promise we’ll come back for everyone.” I side-eyed Elise, but she just glared at me.

He looked up at the trees and the sky that looked like a sunset, but it was always like that. Always an orange-red color that never changed unless it was the dead of night. “They aren’t here.”

“And you know this how?” Reese asked.

A ghost of a smile haunted his lips. “Leah and I are bonded. It’s special in marriages for Enchanters. It’s not a requirement but we wanted to do it for ourselves. I can sense her, feel her aura and presence. I don’t feel that here.”

I nodded, not knowing what to say. It was kind of beautiful when I thought about it. It wasn’t something they needed, but something they wanted. That kind of love floored me. I wondered if that was how my father felt about my mother. I let that thought morph into one that had me considering that my current love for Dani could become even bigger than it already was.

“We good?” Elise asked, bringing me back from my thoughts.

“Yeah.” My father’s whispered words to me earlier settled in my head.

We are so similar, yes, but you are also your mother’s son. You have her heart.

“Good. Now let’s go get your girl.”

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