Page 89 of Live Like Legends

“Nicholas, I did once tell you that I can see your portal light, did I not?” The glitter at her cheeks sparkled.

Morgan scoffed. “Compassion for what? Disobedience? You brought back more problems, including a mutt.” She nodded towards Axel who growled deeply, snapping his teeth at her.

Ariel looked around him, his green eyes wide with annoyance. “What did I say! Seize them! Or will I have to do it myself!”

Reese was readying his bow while I pulled Dani closer to me, but then a rumbling against the ground had us all stopping.

“What the hell is that!?” Ariel asked, looking around him.

Elise started laughing, as her grey eyes fell to her pet. Axel’s fur was starting to shed and his floppy ears were decreasing in size becoming more pointed and short. Black eyes turned to bright red orbs and his nails grew longer as his body got bigger and bigger.

Alex cleared her throat. “Umm mom, aren’t you afraid of snakes?”

I brought my head away from Axel and looked to my other side, seeing the Beetee had shifted completely as well. Her black scales gleaming with their pink lining and her hot pink tongue peeking out. Her yellow eyes peered down at Ariel as if he could be her next meal.

Daya had her mouth open, but no words came out. My father patted me on the shoulder and went over to her, his mustache twitching as if he wanted to laugh at her frozen expression.

“You can take us Ariel, sure.Ifyou can get through a hellhound and a reptile queen?” Reese challenged, bringing his bow down. He went over to Axel, patting the side of the large hellhound

Smoke bellowed out of the creature's nose as he leaned towards the ground, ready to pounce.

Ariel regained his composure, swallowing hard. “This is notover, Mr. Cassial. These monstrosities are not allowed at The Skies.” His eyes flicked from Beetee to Axel. “Enchanters stay in Oculus and so do your demonic friends. Including this one.” He waved his hand over at Dani, but I held her closer.

“She stays with me and that’s it.”

“You are not in a position to make demands,” Ariel said through his teeth, but the rest of his sentence faltered when Beetee let out a loud hiss, moving her large reptilian body towards him.

“Fine.Fine! She can stay with you, in your room as before. The privilege of roaming is gone now, Soul Seether. Dying inwhatever prison they had you in would have been better than the lonely life you’ll lead here.” Ariel rubbed his hands down the lapels of his suit jacket and huffed. “I have a ceremony to postpone due to your selfish insolence. One that you will attend happily I might add, Mr. Cassial. I will work you so hard that whatever life you thought bringing her back to will be an afterthought.”

He turned his back to us and was gone. The sentries made themselves scarce and within minutes Axel had returned to his small form, falling into Reese’s arms and licking his face.

“That’s a good boy,” My best friend praised, rubbing the small dog's belly.

“Beetee, please change back before you give the woman a heart attack,” Elise commanded, rolling her eyes as she snickered over at Daya.

Garrett put his hands up. “Wait, she needs clothes first.”

Alex chimed in. “I have some, come on.”

Dani limped over to Beetee, sliding her hand over her scales. I came over to her, placing a hand on her arm. She flinched at my touch almost as if she hadn’t known it was me. Dani took a small step back, replacing my hand with her own, covering up what she could of the gashes Dimitri left along her arm.

“Are you okay?” I asked, knowing it was a question that probably didn’t have a clear answer.

“I will be.” She tucked one of her curls behind her ear, lifting on her toes so she could kiss my cheek.

She was the same person I was in love with but there was something missing. She fingered the wound on her arm again, looking down almost like she was lost in thought.

“Hey, I love you.”

Dani lifted one corner of her mouth. “I love you too.”

Elise took Dani by the arm and led her towards my house. I watched her walk away, furrowing my brow. I believed that Danicould do anything. She could fight anything or anyone and win. She didn’t need me, but for some reason she wanted me in her life. That’s where I would remain, until she told me to go away, but even then I probably wouldn’t.

Something told me that Dimitri somehow still lingered between us. If the way she hugged her arm was any indication, Iknewhe still did.

“Claim the light. Claim the dark. Claim it all.”

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