Page 13 of The Fifth Soul

“Unknown to them, the thieves would have never taken off with the curse book. If she had touched it as her friend did, she would share his fate. And the book...”

“Would have its fifth and final soul,” Roman finishes for me.

Santiago paces. “The book would have laid there waiting to be recovered.”

He might be the only one who truly understands the gravity of this. He understands the amount of power used to seal the cursed book. And there is a person out there looking to unleash it.

“What hides inside the pages?” Santiago directs his question at Lexi Blue. Since the book is still missing one soul before it can open, that information will not be easy to find.

“We need intel, Lexi.” I prompt her attention back to us. “Can you research the origins of the cursed book?”

“Lexi Blue,” she says with narrow eyes. She truly hates being called anything but her full name. A quirk only she can get away with.

“I’m sorry. Lexi Blue,” I say.

Her nod is small, almost distracted, but I know she is on it.

I turn my attention back to the group. “I want to check other vaults.”

Jesse tilts his head. “You suspect royal families could be targets as well?”

“It’s a possibility.” I hold my brother's stare.

“We cannot trust her to tell us the truth. Why wouldn’t she collect the information and sell it to the highest payer?” Alejandra questions.

I want to tell her that the answer is simple. She wants something above it all, right next to how much she wants her friend back. She wants a safe place to call home. When I stumbled into the jail cells, I saw it clear as day. I didn’t have to look deep into her soul to see what she craved the most. I would have left her in that cell if I felt like she was a wild card I couldn’t handle.

I step closer and give her my best smile. “Then, it’s a good thing she can take people with her.”

“You are sending Alejandra with her?” Sofia asks, surprised.

As her sister, and only blood family, I understand her pause. By their expression, one would think Bianca was a rabid animal. The thought gives me pause. That is exactly what the jail keeper called her.

I open a desk drawer and pull out papers detailing the next eight weeks of my life. I’m expected to visit each of the five cities in Puerto Quinn in celebration of my upcoming coronation. We will be hosted by each city's representative royal family.

Am I looking forward to socializing with near-strangers for months? No, but it’s part of the position. I never called my title a job because it’s not. I get no days off, no free time. It consumes my entire being. I don’t have the privilege of turning it off. It’s who I am.

“I will take Alejandra as my head of security. Bianca will work under her as my new guard. During key events of high commotion, you two will alternate in accompanying Ms. Blanco.” I gesture between Jesse and Alejandra.

Neither looks particularly excited at the news, but neither argues either. They know better than to do so. It would be useless because, even as their disapproving frowns grow, I can tell my plan looks like the best option for them. They’ve never been the type to leave things in the dark. This is a new mystery we all want answers to.

“You have it all thought out.” Roman rolls his eyes. I know my brother hates being left out of the action, but he has Royal Force tryouts and training. His position carries responsibilities that even the crown prince cannot change.

Jesse slaps him on the back. “I promise not to burn anything down without you.”

“Say that to the Duelo dragons.”

Roman’s tone is playful, but I see Jesse’s smirk slightly fall at the mention of the Duelo family. They’re our third stop on the tour, known as the family of dragons for their power over fire. Janelle Duelo is especially infamous for her brutality and fighting skills. She is also a story Jesse has never opened up about. As far as I’m aware, no one else knows. I would have missed it, too, if I didn’t pay close attention growing up.

“Are we going over the plan tonight?” Alejandra asks, sensing the change in the air.

“Tomorrow,” Roman answers, looking at Isabel’s tired face.

“Tomorrow,” I say. “After all, I must get the thief-turned-spy onboard.”

“Thief, spy, I wonder what her next title might be.” Santiago muses, brushing his shoulder with Sofia’s.

Sofia gives him a playful shove as they move out of my wing. “Maybe she will do such a great job, she’ll stay as a royal guard.”

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