Page 57 of The Fifth Soul

They can’t extract Matias’ soul because they need it to open the book. A pull inside me tells me to run. Run as fast as I can and take that damn book. I’ll figure out how to return Matias’s soul and put it in his body. I’ll do it all by myself, if need be. Betrayal and hurt overflows my chest. I don’t know how long I’m looking at the floor processing this, but when my eyes meet Brandon’s, my heart stops. I see a plea to please trust in them.

“How is a demon general supposed to fix this?” I ask, vibrating with nerves.

“They collect souls. We need two.” He takes a step closer to me and whispers in my ear. “Breath. I made you a promise. I will not break it.”

“We wouldn’t let him break it,” Jesse says with humor. “How would that reflect on us?”

“We also wouldn’t sacrifice the soul of a young, naïve boy,” Alejandra says, as if everyone has forgotten the most important reason.

Thank the Fates for her moral compass. I want to correct her that Matias is not a child, but I fear my voice will break.

“The real question is: why would a demon, more over a general, do us a favor?” Alejandra asks.

“Everyone has a price.” Jesse shrugs, like the answer is obvious. “We just need to find something it wants.”

We just need to find something it wants.

I let those words run through my mind as I turn in for the night. I have an early morning shift tomorrow.

I know from my time in Fierno that souls are incredibly valuable to demons. I worry about the cost of finding something they value. No matter what it is, I’ll get it. I will steal it if I have to. There is no limit to what I would do to regain my only family—even if it means selling my soul.

CHAPTER 21

BIANCA

Anagging voice snags me out of my slumber. When I open one of my eyes, I realize it’s Alejandra. I try to focus on her voice, but it’s hard. When I realize she’s giving me a rundown of today’s schedule, I wonder how long she’s been going at it. I’m sure I missed almost everything she said.

“Can you wait for me to have some coffee?”

I’m still in bed, and my nest of hair is blocking my vision. I don’t have to see her face to know she already has a scowl.

“Go find Brandon and follow him to his meetings. Stay away from any of the Duelo assholes. And for the love of all the Fates, don’t allow any of their friends to drag you into an argument. They love to cause trouble; they’re instinctively shit stirrers. A lovely family trait deep in their veins.”

With that warning, she moves to the ensuite bathroom and disappears behind the door. I wait to hear the lock set in place before I throw the covers to the side and dress for my shift.

Brandon’s suite is in a separate building from the rest of the castle. Our room is in the same building as his, just outside his common area and with extra bedrooms. Like always, Isabel and Lexi Blue are staying close to him. Jesse is staying with his grandfather in the King’s wing.

I hear a movement inside Brandon’s room as I enter the common space. I’m supposed to stay out here until he is ready to go, but part of me craves a little time alone with him, away from prying eyes. The way his eyes take me in and his voice softens when we’re alone is like a drug. The fact that I don’t hesitate to find him shows how addicted I am.

I crack the door open and peek inside. It’s not what I was expecting to see.

“Can I help you find something?” I ask as I press my blade snugly against the stranger’s neck.

His breathing hitches, but he doesn’t move to leave. Slowly, his hands raise above his head. I don’t move my eyes from him for a second. There is a strange soft glow to his skin. Definitely not natural.

Before I can call for help, the suite’s front door opens and closes. Footsteps follow, and then Brandon stands in the doorway. His smirk is lazy and taunting at first. It quickly drops as he sees me.

“What are you doing?” Confusion is written all over his features.

I look at the man I’m holding. “Isn’t it obvious?”

The captive takes that moment to get me off him, only making my blade slide into his skin. A trickle of blood drops from my blame down the front of their shirt. Brandon realizes I’m not alone in his room as his eyes trail the movement of the blood. He gives me a questioning brow but doesn’t look alarmed.

“Call off your dog.” The man tries again to move off my grasp.

“I’m afraid Fifth does what she wants.” The crown prince gives him a tired sigh. “She can obviously see you through your glamor. You can drop it now.”

The glow on his skin disappears. “She cut me,” he cries.

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