Page 46 of The Fifth Soul

“Every royal family chooses a specific place for safekeeping. Others create their own, like the vaults. The Pillard family uses the Island, since it’s already entrusted to them and highly protected.”

This is their version of a vault, got it. Instead of breaking into a vault, we’ll have to break into this island.

“Protected,” I repeat.

Alarm bells go off in my head. The image of that dark creature finding Brandon and me in the last vault comes to mind. The memory makes my skin crawl. I take the long sleeve of my shirt and lower it over my palms.

“What exactly are we talking about?” I look back at Brandon for answers.

Understanding crosses his eyes. It’s like he knows exactly what I am thinking about.

“Water imps.” His tone is flat.

He gestures to Lexi Blue, who hands me a book. The image of small, slim creatures makes my eyes widen. They are small but creepy. Are we going to be chased by these things? My heartbeat quickens. Their fingers are long and thin. The claw-like nails at the tip of each finger look sharp. Their hair is thin and spotty.

“We have to cross them?” I don’t mean for my voice to sound so shaky. But I can already say I’m not looking forward to meeting them.

“Not necessarily,” Jesse says, but his tone doesn’t sound too sure. “Does your gift work on water?”

I don’t understand why it wouldn’t; that’s the only reason I confidently nod yes.

Brandon claps his hands once. “Well, let’s get my cape.”

“You?” Alejandra puts her plate down. “Your day is fully booked with Lady Dorty.”

Jesse picks up Brandon’s schedule. The itinerary was given to him at his arrival. “A full day visiting sites and walking the shoreline. Sounds intimate.”

“Where she plans for me to make myself scarce so she can make out with her guard.”

“Really?” I ask half scandalized.

“I’ve known Dorty my whole life.”

“Dorty and James?” Alejandra asks, slow to process the new information. “He’s a whole foot shorter than her. How does he…” she trails off.

“So yes, me. I’m the only one who can retrieve the cape, anyway.” Brandon claps his hands. “This shall be fun.”

CHAPTER 16

BRANDON

“You need help with that?” Bianca asks me for the third time.

I’m about to tell her no for the third time when I catch the smirk on her lips. Instead, I give her an annoyed glare that I drop the second she looks away. She’s trying to get under my skin. Little does she know, she doesn’t have to try. Her presence has become easier and easier to tolerate. Like mold, she has grown on me.

She’s facing the island—now only about an hour away—paddling. The wind is wild this late in the day. A look at the murky sky full of overcast clouds and the chaotic sea is a sure signal that a storm is approaching. The salt in the breeze makes my nose itch. Yet, when the wind blows high, Bianca’s hair flies back behind her, giving me a beautiful sight to behold. I’m thankful for small favors. With her eyes closed and face tilted up to the skies, I can’t help but ask myself if this really was the dirty thief caught in the library weeks ago.

Bianca’s confidence lies in those strong, determined eyes, but there’s something about her body language. The tilt of her chin, the righteousness of her straight back. Even in that jail cell, I saw much more than a bloody, bruised woman with wary eyes.

“If you don’t need help, why are you breathing so heavily?”

I stop paddling and look at my hands. The wooden paddle is looking more and more like a potential weapon.

“You want to hit me with that paddle, don’t you?” A knowing smirk graces her face.

“Has anyone told you what a wretch you are to be around?”

Bianca says nothing, and instead, she lifts her nose and turns around in a sniff.

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