Page 100 of The Fifth Soul

“I’m free!” I scream out loud. My heart thumps so fast I can feel it in my throat. “I will say it over and over again until I believe it to be true.”

“Not a day on your own, and you are already talking to yourself?”

The mocking remark comes from one of my father’s men. I’ve seen him a few times. No top dog, but a pet all the same. I don’t know his name and don’t care to know it.

I grab the knife and hoist it to my waist. “What do you want, dog?” I use the same voice I would speak to someone beneath me.

Men like him have always hated me, for several reasons. The biggest one is that I was untouchable to their hands. He frowns at the name but doesn’t argue with me.

“Your father sent me.”

I don’t let the fear show on my face at the mention of him. “Yeah, I’m guessing he has plenty to say after his plan failed.”

“He doesn’t entirely blame you.”

I laugh at the absurd comment. His plan failed, but my father would find a way to pin the mistakes on someone else. Blaming me for not winning his beloved war sounds like him. At least to save face. Even my father is smart enough to know it’ll take a lot more than one powerful person to take down the Oscuro’s reign. Not when even the Fates align on their side every time.

“I don’t care anymore. I’m done. Have you not heard? I’m an exile with no power.”

The dog laughs. “Oh, we heard, princess. But your father will forgive the shame you have brought on your family if you seek him and ask for forgiveness.”

“Seek him?” I shake my head. “I have no intention of doing that. After all, isn’t Brandon chasing after him as we speak?”

“He’s gone into hiding, you’re correct. You’ll find him in his safe house.”

I turn in the direction I plan on walking. I won’t spare him a glance as I place the bag over my shoulder. “If that is all, you can go now.”

“The invitation stands. You might not have magic anymore, but your father will surely find a use for you in his cause.”

“After I pay my penance, he will find a way to use me to his advantage.”

That is what he truly means.

“Better than being alone.” His eyes run over the forest.

“That is where you’re wrong.” I move away from him. “I’m better off alone.” His lips are set in a straight line and an impatient frown. My father probably told him I would jump to the idea of being returned to him. “If you follow me, I’ll try to kill you, dog. I heard what you said. Now, let me go. This is my last warning to you.”

“If you change your mind.”

“Yeah, I will crawl back to the pit of hell and find him.” I wave my hand over my head and keep walking.

He will follow me for a few miles, but I do not mind. Once the Forest grows dark, he will realize I’m not bluffing.

Irealize this might be harder than I thought. I’m hungry, and catching fish has turned out to be harder than expected. My skills are not translating without magic. I need to decode my brain from attempting to use magic. My hand darts into the water slower than I’m used to. I had no idea how much magic I incorporated into my every move; it became second nature. Another fish swims right by hand.

A movement to my left alerts me that I am not alone. I spotted the young boy walking. I hoped he would make a note of my presence and leave me be, but instead, he slowly made his way to me. Now, he is up on a tree watching me humiliate myself.

“Who are you?” I ask.

I eye the boy suspiciously. His golden hair is loose and curly. Bright, deep blue eyes and a playful smile that age him backward. He’s only a few years younger than me, but he looks like a child from here.

“You need to learn to catch fish,” he says, like I didn’t already know that. “I once needed to catch fish to survive. I might never need to know how to again. Let me leave the skill with you. Then, you can pass it on.”

“Pass it on?” I ask because it sounds like a catchphrase people know about. I’ve never heard of it.

“Good deeds.” The boy closes the distance between us. “Today is for you, tomorrow for me.”

“You aren’t traveling with me.”

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