Page 35 of The Fifth Soul

“Come on.” Alejandra gestures for me to follow her. “We’re going to walk the grounds.”

I look at the stage again as another girl sings another solo. Instead of focusing on the Oscuro table, this performer gives the entire room her attention.

“The entertainment should last a few more songs. This is the best time for us to get acquainted with the security here.”

With one last look around, I follow Alejandra out of the room and into the dark hallways. I feel more than I see Brandon’s gaze following us as we exit the ballroom.

“Can you get us to the third level west wing undetected?” Alejandra asks me.

“You want me to guide you?” I ask, confused about the request.

She’s been here before, and I haven’t even laid eyes on a map.

She rolls her eyes. “I want you to turn on whatever you do to make yourself undetectable. Include me in that gift.”

Ah, she wants to test my abilities. See them in action. I nod and close my eyes. Not using my gift in weeks makes no difference. It comes so naturally that I instantly find that switch inside my head the second I look for it. I open my eyes, and the familiar feeling envelops me. I give her a nod to lead the way. Alejandra stays vigilant of our surroundings as we walk.

The first guard to pass by us without even a glance gives her pause. After the third, a small smile threatens to spread across her face.

“No one sees us.” Alejandra speaks more to herself than me. She stops walking to look at me. “That’s amazing. I believed Brandon when he told us about your gift, but watching it in person is unreal.” She shakes her head as we arrive at a door.

This is the first time she has given me any type of positive feedback.

This part of the castle is no longer glass and metal, but brick and wood materials similar to the temple. Only the front of the castle is fancy and new. The rest seems to be older than time. The late additions simply build on the front of the bones of its history.

Opening the door, I see Isabel and Lexi Blue chatting while sitting at a table with dinner in front of them. The space has a sitting area with a dining table and chairs connected to a couple bedrooms.

Isabel looks up from her food and gives us a small nod as we enter. Alejandra returns the greeting and then moves to a door on the side of the room and opens it. Her hand is still on the doorknob when Lexi Blue gasps. Her wide eyes are staring at the open door.

“Bianca, drop your glamor,” Isabel says, “It's just us, Lexi Blue.”

Alejandra eyes Isabel for a minute before turning back to the open room and gesturing for me to go in.

Inside, I find a simple room with two beds adjacent to each other. A nightstand sits in the middle and a desk off to the side. I spot my bags on one side of the room. Alejandra walks to the opposite bed and picks hers up. She opens it and looks through it until she grabs a journal.

“Here.” She hands me the journal on an open page. At first, I think it is a crossword puzzle. “This is where we will need to go. Memorize every line. If things go sideways, you must figure out how to get there from different directions.”

My throat suddenly feels parched and itchy. A knock at the door has us both turning.

Isabel sticks her head in and gives us both a small smile. “I rang for your food and it's here.” She walks in with Lexi Blue close behind. They carry two trays of food inside and leave them on the nightstand.

“Goodnight,” Lexi Blue says before shutting the door after them.

“I have to go back and walk with Brandon back to his quarters.” Alejandra points at me as she picks a piece of bread off a tray. “Memorize that. We’ll meet tonight at twelve at the end of this hall. Getting caught is not an option. Don’t put Brandon in a position where he needs to bargain for your life.”

CHAPTER 12

BIANCA

Ilook down the hall, checking to see if anyone is coming. Once I’m sure no one’s there, I turn my attention back to the paper in my hands. A simple map disguised as a crossword puzzle, in case it lands in the wrong hands. Keeping all spy material disguised makes sense, and this is creative. I read the words inside the crosswords for warnings, directions, and reminders. It’s also obvious the Oscuro clan distrusts me enough to keep me out of the loop regarding plans until absolutely necessary, but I don’t take it personally.

I know it shouldn’t be, but this is fun. I trace with my index finger the outline of the Hue’s Royal Library. Unlike the Oscuro family, this library is not inside the castle. It is actually across town, attached to a very well-known school of arts. Thankfully, no students should be on campus at the moment, but just like the Royal Castle, the library is made of glass. Thanks to my gift, we should be able to go in and out with no one knowing.

I touch my chest as a pang of loneliness hits me. This will be my first mission without my companion. Matias and I have gone on separate routes, but I could always count on him at the end of the day. If this all goes to shit, will Alejandra help me? If we get caught, will the crown prince even admit he knows me, or will they leave me at the mercy of the Hue family?

I hear a noise from behind, snapping me back to the present. I scratch my nose in confusion because it can’t be. I recognize that walk, and it doesn’t belong to Alejandra. How I recognize it is something I’m not yet ready to face. Brandon rounds the corner with a cocky grin.

“Hey Fifth, miss me?” He shoves me with his shoulder playfully.

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