Page 44 of The Fifth Soul

Learning my lesson from the previous day, I waste no time leading the way back to the glass castle.

“How would you have done it?” Jesse finally asks.

I’m not surprised by this question. The Lord of Wisdom is damned to be bothered that someone else knew more than him. This also helps me understand what Jesse’s power really does. It’s not so much that he knows absolutely everything, but once he learns it, it’s never forgotten, on top of being able to hear lies.

“Always haggle,” I say, starting my lecture on Surviving 101.

I’m glad he started the conversation because I wanted to say something about it. Being on the teaching side feels good after weeks of being a student.

“Always?”

I nod.

“Never count your money in front of them, do it under the coat. Pull out only what you need.” I pinch the stitching of his jacket. “Perhaps try wearing more common clothing.”

“I found this old and dirty coat.” He looks it over like it should be obvious.

“Might not be super clean, but these types of fabrics aren’t common in the lower classes. They make you stand out.”

I go over some things Matias and I would wear or do to blend in. The Lord of Wisdom might not know everything, but he is good at listening. He nods along to my stories and asks follow-up questions. When we make it back to the glass castle, I can drop the glamor, since we should be seen walking around the halls.

“You aren’t too bad, you know.” Jesse’s eyes bleed with the truth of his words.

“You could be worse, I guess.” I shrug, not letting the weight of his friendly words show.

Once we reach Brandon’s suite, I’m about to excuse myself to my room when Isabel walks in with food trays.

“There you two are!” She waves us over to the dining table at the side of the room. She pouches a small cart with two trays covered by a cloth. “Are you hungry?”

“Are we?” Jesse asks ironically before diving into one of the trays.

I look down at my hands. “I need to wash my hands.”

Jesse rolls his eyes. “You have to make me look bad?” He gestures with his head to the bathroom. “Go ahead.”

“They’re disgusting,” I say over my shoulder.

“They aren’t even that dirty,” he defends between bites.

“You’re disgusting.”

I see a glimpse of his shocked expression before I shut the door behind me. A small smile is on my lips when I look at the sink mirror. What a day.

CHAPTER 15

BIANCA

Today is departure day, and I’m more than glad about it. We’ve discussed more plans about the future stops in the past few nights and I’m finally privy to them. It’s not so much that they agree to discuss things with me that makes me feel better. My opinion isn’t asked unless it’s regarding whether I can do something. But not being in the dark feels so much better.

This morning, Alejandra grunted at me more than told me I would travel in the third car to the next stop. I don’t remember any of the cars being numbered, but I figured I would find it outside. I make my way there and try to look like I know where I’m going amongst the masses. A line of cars is already waiting at the curve. The cars toward the back of the line begin to fill with guards and helping staff. I walk up the curve side toward the front of the line. I find the third car in the line and open the door.

“Hey!” Isabel greets me from behind. She looks inside the car and then back at me. “You’re going to be in this car?”

Her question makes me hesitate. “Mm, yeah.”

Her soft smile makes me relax. For a second, I felt she would tell me I couldn’t.

“Could you please remind Lexi that she needs to rest her eyes after reading for longer than an hour?” She hands me a small paper bag. “If she gets nauseous, these gummies make her stomach feel better.”

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