Page 76 of The Fifth Soul

I direct my question to Mel, but I don’t miss the stillness of Gabriel at my question.

Mel rolls his eyes, as if this conversation is boring him already. “No whispers carry this far. We will simply have to wait and see it in the rise or fall of your reign.”

“Since it’s in your best interest, I live to see another day.” Bianca jumps in, getting to her feet with a strong scowl firmly in place. “I see it prudent for you to let us know if you hear anything.” Her words warm me inside.

Mel nods with respect.

“Are you ready?” She asks Gabriel, who nods in return.

We make our way back to the gates without encountering a single individual. It has to be Mel’s influence. Perhaps everyone here already knows that no one is to bother him when his brother comes. Regardless, I’m glad my one experience here wasn’t of the nightmare kind. I’ve heard enough about the underworld to know what we have seen so far isn’t normal. At least not common to everyone who visits.

We find the gates soon enough and cross without a problem. The brothers say one last goodbye before parting. I couldn’t imagine only being able to see or hear either Roman or Jesse once a year. I would go crazy. Without a word to us, Mel turns and heads for the gates. His head is down, and his shoulders seem lower. Gabriel watches after him.

I can almost see the second Bianca lowers her gift. His eyes search around, lost for a second, before realizing why Mel has gone out of sight.

CHAPTER 29

BIANCA

The journey back to the tour passes quickly, yet I dread every second. We have so much information to share, but I don’t think I’m ready to go back yet.

I touch the emerald in my hands, and a sliver of guilt weighs on my heart. Delaying our return will also delay Matias’s return, and I can’t believe the thought crossed my mind. Brandon explained earlier that Matias’s spell needed a few more items. Jesse and Alejandra were instructed to find them at the next stop. For all I know, they have them. Within the next two weeks, I’ll have my friend back; I’ll be able to talk to him again.

We’ve been gone for one day, which wasn’t long, but we missed the first day of meetings and ceremonies. By the time we enter the City of Nahla, it’s late in the night. We can’t see much of the city as we skip the route that would take us through downtown.

Once we reach the gates of the castle, we exit the car and proceed to sneak in. Having a break during the car ride allows me to turn my gift back on without trouble. Thankfully, Brandon has been here before and is quick to guide us to the wing of the castle his stuff must be in. He stops walking when we reach the back window of the second floor.

“What?” I look over his shoulder, but all I see is an empty parking lot. “There’s nothing there.”

“Exactly,” he says, gesturing at the lot. “The cars are gone. They must have left for some reason.”

“Where do you think they went?” I step back.

Brandon simply shrugs. We walk past a few guards checking perimeters, but no one stands outside the suite doors. The loud chatter from guards walking the halls is unusual. If anything, they are talking louder and freer than they would if they knew a royal was nearby. This little detail confirms everyone must be gone for some event.

The suite is identical to the others we have stopped at in the other royal houses. The floor-to-ceiling aquarium in the sitting area is the one thing that sets it apart.

“Is that normal?” I ask. Hundreds of fish of all colors and sizes swim on the wall. I can’t help but think of Mel’s office and the fish in his jar. I tap the glass with my finger and watch as they completely ignore me.

Small, yet unmistakable items around the suite reassure me we are in the right place. Isabel’s journal with white embroidery is on the dining table next to twenty books that must belong to Lexi Blue. Jesse’s boots are thrown off to the side of the door. Half a dozen snack wrappers overflow the trash bin, which is new, but must certainly be an indication of Roman’s presence.

“How are you feeling?” Brandon asks as he pulls me into his arms. I don’t answer him; instead, I choose to make whatever time we have left together worthwhile before everyone else shows up. I pull him down to me, and we meet in the middle for a kiss. “Come on.” He pulls my hands and walks back, leading us to his room. He opens the double doors and walks backward into the room.

“Ew.” A voice grunts in the dark. “Please stop.”

“Surprise!” An urgent shout echoes in the room, making me jump away from Brandon.

“I told you guys this was a bad idea,” the unmistakable voice of Alejandra says.

“No, it’s not,” Isabel responds. “Help me, Lexi Blue.”

That is when I spot the group at the bedroom’s far end, gathered next to the only window in the room. The dim candlelight above a cake flickers on. It slightly illuminates the faces of Jesse, Roman, Isabel, Alejandra, and Lexi Blue. A mixture of emotions shows on their faces before they begin singing Happy Birthday.

I turn to Brandon, ready to scold him for not telling me about his birthday. I find him looking at me like I hang the sky, the moon, and every star. Then, he sings too.

It’s my birthday, and I forgot. With so much happening, I can’t believe I forgot. I’ve never forgotten.

The group pushes closer to me as the song concludes, and they shove the cake right to my face as it ends. It’s time for me to make a wish. I look at the flame above the candle, how it flows and burns so smoothly. It dances as I conclude another year on this earth. The dance is mocking, as it reminds me of how little I know about the world. Tears fall down my face. I think of every candle I’ve made a wish upon. Every time I blew the flames that burned for another birthday, my only true friend held it.

---