Page 12 of The Fifth Soul

Two, her eyes make me think of my favorite night sky. The one I saw at my childhood summer home. Back when I could be a child. Before I spent all my time trying to measure up to the title I would one day inherit. That same night sky looks so much like the color stain that connects us.

Three, they sent her here to be sacrificed—unbeknownst to her. Whatever is inside that book is valuable, and there’s someone willing to trick two souls into obtaining it.

I clear my throat. “You all might be wondering why I have called you here today.”

Five unamused expressions stare back at me. I don’t blame them. In the beginning, I had imagined a different means of sharing the news, but I don’t have time to dwell on minor details.

The crown has a group of advisors—wise, mature individuals who map out the best decisions based on the situation. I possess one of those. I also have my leadership council. The group consists of men and women who hold leadership positions in the reign. They are the reason Puerto Quinn runs effortlessly and cautiously.

Then, there is my close circle. This group I consider family. They are the only ones willing to call me out and fight me at every turn. Some are blood-related to me, but not all. I trust each one of them with my life. Consulting with them when planning out sneaky or unsavory missions like this one has become customary. I do not require their permission, as much as their blessing and input.

Roman and Jesse are my brothers. Roman is The Royal Force General at thirty-five, a year older than Jesse, who works closely with me. He’s an advisor of sorts and a man of many trades. They often get confused as twins due to their physical similarities, but inside they’re night and day. Recently, Jesse’s shaved head and clean face has set him apart from Roman’s long hair and beard.

Alejandra is a tall, tan imposing presence in the Royal Force. Her uniform is part of her skin. Regardless of being off duty, she wears her hair in a long black braid down her back. Roman was her co-commander a few years back before he got promoted. Now, she oversees castle security. I heard the title was more of a demotion regardless of how respected the position is. I tried asking her about it, but she is too proud to let me intervene if something is going on. Alejandra has always been one to fight her own battles, and she is a great fighter. I would know. She would always put me on my back when we were children.

Sofia is Alejandra’s younger sister by almost a decade. She is the walking and talking image of Alejandra—if she let her hair free and laughed a little. At twenty-three, the young woman has the superpower to find out what anyone is saying about anything. It has nothing to do with magic or gifts; she is great at getting gossip. I’ve never heard of Sofia actually spreading gossip, but she’s great at being in the right place at the right time.

Santiago is a long-time friend. Unlike the rest of us, he didn’t grow up in the castle, being from a small town nearby. As a child, he used to sneak into the library and sit and read. He never actually snuck anywhere with no one knowing. His copper curls never went unnoticed and once he filled out and reached six feet, he was unmissable. But since he always seemed to respect the books he touched and kept quiet while he read, no one said anything. Now, that same library is his domain.

Last, it’s Lexi Blue. My living, breathing library for all magic purposes. She might not care much about anything we say in any meeting if it’s unrelated to magic books or spells, but Lexi Blue has always been a staple in any gathering. From a very young age, we knew she was special. Her never-ending encyclopedia of knowledge only helped solidify her spot in my reign. What ruler wouldn’t mind an endless amount of magic knowledge sitting next to them? She goes where I go, as an advisor would. I ask Lexi Blue about a complex spell at least once a day. I have to keep her memory sharp, after all.

“Where is the thief?” Roman demands.

I look out the window to the garden, currently bathed in the setting sun. My brother can be so single-minded at times, though he’s rarely quick to anger. I can see he’s still fuming about this morning’s incident.

Bianca has been sleeping for hours. She looked exhausted, and I’m sure her body needs rest to recover from her injury, but I wasn’t expecting her to sleep so long. I wanted to talk to her first and have her agree to my plans before telling everyone else, but I suppose the order in which they all find out doesn’t matter. It’s a perfect plan. No one will fight me. This, I am certain.

“Bianca Blanco has a very impressive ability.” I turn to my brother. “She can travel undetected. That is how she got inside the vault unnoticed. Glamor.”

“I never heard of such a gift.” Jesse crosses his arms, ruminating. “How does it work?” He asks, not able to help himself.

“I’m uncertain of all the details. I don’t think she even knows all the stretches. But she can also cover others.”

Jesse’s eyes narrow with a knowing glint. He knows my intentions, though I’m not surprised. We work together closely enough that my tells must be evident to him by now.

“Isabel saw her,” Alejandra says, cutting my thoughts.

“Isabel has her own gifts.” Roman shuts down that line of questioning.

The fact that he doesn’t continue tells me everything. Making our gifts and skills known to others is a form of armor—a strategy to prevent ourselves from being mistaken as weak. Sadly, that is not the case for Isabel. She only has a defensive ability that prevents others from using magic that might alter her mind and body. She can also project that gift and cover others. Some would call her a shield.

Roman fears Isabel will be in danger if it becomes common knowledge; they’ll make her shield soldiers on the front lines at the first sign of war. There is a certain degree of irony in the fact that the individual in command of the Royal Force will never make use of their finest defensive weapon. The Fate’s version of a joke.

“I want to use her,” I announce, cutting to the chase.

They all quiet instantly. Five confused faces turn to me in shock. Lexi seems to read a book, completely unperturbed by the tension coating the room. Her short hair doesn't even sway.

“That is the stupidest thing I ever heard.” Roman shakes his head.

“How can you trust a thief?” Santiago nearly shouts. “She’ll sell us out.”

“Use her for what?”

The question comes from the doorway. Isabel walks inside quietly, shutting it behind her. The last member of my unofficial advisory committee. I give her a glance and see she looks like her normal pale self. There is a rosy tint to her cheeks but that has to do with my brother. Her straight brown hair is perfectly in place. Roman wastes no time moving to her side. I roll my eyes at the action. She gives him a gentle smile that assures him she is alright before she turns back to me.

“Use her for what?” She asks again with a concerned edge on her expression.

This is Isabel, the voice of reason and care. Although the girl knocked her out, Isabel still cares if we harm her. She can be too nice. That is why I was glad to hear Roman knocked the thief unconscious in retribution.

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