Page 40 of The Fifth Soul

“Exactly alike.”

My brain and body pause at the information. How can that be true? What could I have in common with him?

“You’re probably wondering what it means.” He gives me a self-deprecating smile. “I have guesses, but nothing is certain.” He seems to wait for me to nod. “You seem set on earning the space you take in this world. Proving to everyone and anyone that you are worthy.”

His words make the spot in my chest feel tight. I can’t imagine a world where this incredibly confident and strong man feels he needs to earn anything from anyone. The way he walks and demands attention in a room by just existing is something I could never do.

“And you?” I look at him.

“I wake up daily wondering if the Fates choose the right person to lead—if I will live up to my title. After all, what makes me any more worthy of it?”

As his words sink in, so does the truth behind them. Brandon sees how much I want to prove I belong, and he goes to bed every night wondering if he is worth the space carved out for him. We’re different, yet the same. I see it as clearly as if I was looking in a mirror.

I should feel weird that a practical stranger knows something so intimate about me. Did I even know that’s how I felt? At least, I could never put it into words. I can't deny that there is a part inside my chest that feels glad about our connection.

“How’s your head?” His eyes are full of concern. “You aren’t invincible, Fifth, and that’s okay. You know that, right?”

I feel uncomfortable at how comforting his words feel.

“I’m not special?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

He pats my head in a patronizing way. “I am afraid you are far from it.”

I push his hand off as he chuckles at his own joke.

I stand first. “We should probably stick to shadows until we make it back to the castle.”

Despite how beaten I feel, his eyes show understanding and what looks to be respect. Brandon didn’t gloat that he was right. Instead, he leads the way back to the castle. He stays extra vigilant as we make our way from alleyway to alleyway. He silently points out cameras on corner buildings and shows how to hide our faces. Despite the slow pace, I am out of breath when we get a block away from the glass castle. The small but constant pulsing in my head has turned into a serious pounding.

With no choice but to use my gift, I turn it on once we reach a safe distance from the castle. Brandon doesn’t comment on my slower pace as we enter. He moves me to lean against him and even offers to carry me up the stairs, but I refuse. In my dizzy state, I focus all my energy on keeping my gift active.

The first thing to go is my sense of direction. It’s hard to think about what’s happening. I rely on Brandon to lead the way. I disconnect and simply go through the motions. The second thing to go is my sense of feeling. My face and arms go numb. I know I’m walking, but I can’t feel my legs take steps or the ground underneath.

Stay awake.

Stay awake.

I keep my breaths shallow. I realize we’re outside his quarters when I spot Alejandra in front of the double doors. Brandon tells me something, but I can’t hear him. I turn to face him and watch as his lips mouth the words ‘turn it off,’ but no noise makes it to my ears. The third and last thing to go.

CHAPTER 13

BIANCA

The first thing I notice when I come to my senses is how disgusting my mouth tastes. The pulsing in my head is back to a shallow pain. I grimace and attempt to get up and look around. Nothing in my surroundings looks familiar. I’m lying on a couch in a nice sitting room. Three sets of double doors are on three of the four walls around me.

A set of double doors opens and closes behind me. The noise makes me wince. Brandon exits a room, which I presume is his bedroom, making me realize this must be his suite.

“Headache?”

His eyes trace over my body. I nod in response. I currently don’t have it in me to articulate a response.

“Yeah, me too. I think I’d rather spend the morning in my room resting. You can stay on the couch if you like, I’m not going anywhere.”

That sounds like heaven. I don't hesitate to lie back down. Before I know it, my eyes are closed. I tell myself I’ll only rest my lids for a minute or two. The next thing I know, I am sound asleep.

“What is going on here?”

The loud question jolts me awake. A very confused Alejandra stands at the door. I realize her question isn't directed toward me as I observe her brow arching in expectation toward the man sitting in the armchair. Brandon is lazily sitting there with a book on his lap. He arches his brow in return, mocking her.

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