Page 14 of The Fifth Soul

I don’t hear Santiago’s response as they all leave the room. Isabel says her goodbyes next and goes into the guest room next to mine with Lexi Blue.

The sisters live here as my assistant and advisor of rules and spells. Lexi Blue spends most of her time inside the small library. I have suggested we put a bed in there and make it a room for her. After all, every book there is hers, but Isabel likes to fuss over her.

I hear the bedroom door click shut, and the sisters talk in hushed tones. I think it’s in Isabel’s nature to be a caretaker. She takes care of Lexi Blue like their mother did, regardless of how capable Lexi is of doing it herself. She’s nearly twenty-five, but will forever be the one we all look out for. Some more than others.

“Brandon.”

I find Roman lingering by the door. His eyes look hesitant. My meager, stupid lovesick brother. I would pity him if I didn’t see this situation as something of his own making.

“Roman,” I say with a questioning eyebrow.

“Please don’t involve her.” His eyes are pleading with me.

“I have no plans to do so,” I say, peering over plans.

“I know you don’t, but she will go with you. Promise me that, no matter what, you will not ask her to involve herself in any of this. Promise me I won’t have to worry about her.”

“Does my promise truly have so much influence over your mind when she is out of sight?” I give him a sympathetic smile.

He shakes his head, confirming my assumption.

“What are you waiting for, brother?” I ask the question I’m sure many inside these castle walls are asking themselves.

His eyes travel to the closed door. “She isn’t ready,” he says, then sighs. The words sound like they pain him. Clearing his throat, he turns to me. “I can’t risk things going wrong.”

These words give me pause. Going wrong? His eyes don’t show hesitation, they show fear. The fear of heartbreak looms over this powerful man. Now, I truly do pity him. The fool doesn’t know the biggest gains come from the things we fear losing.

I have known my brother as the brave, powerful warrior who earned his own crown of bones and blood. No one in this land can dare say his last name or connection to the crown granted his position. He has fought, taken lives, and stared death in the eyes once or twice.

Perhaps the love of a quiet young woman who smiles at the cruel world with forgiveness in her eyes is the one thing he could not bear life without.

“General Oscuro knows no fear.” I grin at him.

He returns my smile with a shaky one. “There is no room for fear here.” He taps his chest.

Many years ago, a powerful witch spoke those enchanted words after being wed to a prince of hell. As she was about to walk across the gates of the underworld, someone asked her if she feared what she would find on the other side. The only princess of the underworld held her head high and told those watching she had no room for fear. The story goes on to tell that many heard the princess chant those words to herself as she made her descent, holding the hand of her prince, never to be seen again.

I put a hand on my brother’s shoulder. “I will always make sure she’s safe. Until you're ready to do it yourself.”

CHAPTER 4

BIANCA

Iglance to the side of the long line, sighing in frustration. Every time I look, it seems to get longer. Are people skipping the line? I clench my fists. We haven’t moved much in the past hour. Matias grunts in pain next to me and I pat his head. The only form of comfort I can give him without hurting him further. Sweat covers his forehead, making the dirt on my hands smear. I wipe my palms on my dirty pants.

We are a mess.

“How did our day end with us waiting in the clinic’s line?” I kneel to sit next to Matias.

He takes a break from his grunting to answer my question, but I stop him with a glare. I’m dirty, tired, and scared. I don’t know how much healing a broken arm can run for, but I’m sure I can’t afford it. The coins left in my pocket already feel like borrowed change. We just started doing jobs. We almost had enough to upgrade our current living situation, but this will set us back.

Climbing a boulder to try out a floating spell was not the brightest of our ideas. In my defense, I had no clue Matias bought it from the central market at Fierno. I could have warned him it wouldn't work. They never do. The central market is full of desperate fools and tricksters trying to make a quick coin.

“Perhaps I did it wrong.” The stupid boy beside me said between clenched teeth as soon as he hit the ground.

Matias is a fool. A hopeful fool, and despite my lack of trust in the world, I refuse to shut down his lingering optimism. He’s hopeful our situation will get better. I’m not. His hope is the only thing keeping me going sometimes. Other times, it takes us to the local clinic.

After hours of waiting, we finally make it inside.

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