Page 89 of The Fifth Soul

“He’s gone to Fierno to pick up our things and will be back in five days.” The words come out slowly between my clenched teeth.

Brandon’s arms loosen as he stretches to look down at the paper. “It doesn’t take five days to go and come back from The City of Sin.”

“I am going to kill that boy,” I say with a scowl.

I didn’t account for him not to listen. He’s always made plans with me. Why would things be different now? But they are. They’re very different. I’m not the same person I once was, and I was a fool to think Matias is.

He hasn’t been the same since he woke up. A deep fear in my chest is that he remembers his time in the book. He assured me he didn’t, but it would explain everything. Every agonizing moment must have left scars on his soul he doesn’t know how to live with. Gabriel said the soul can recall what the mind forgets.

A knock at the door takes my attention. Alejandra, Isabel, and Lexi Blue stand in the doorway. Balloons and gift boxes in their hands.

Alejandra enters the room and takes in the scene. It’s easy to conclude what happened. Brandon is hugging me while I hold a white letter. The room is empty of a special guest, and I’m certain I look capable of murder.

“He left,” Jesse says from the doorway. I didn’t see him standing behind the girls. He is also holding not one but two boxes in his hands. “This one is from Roman.” They all move inside the room and place the boxes on the bed.

“What’s this about?” I ask.

“A surprise,” Lexi Blue says, as if not obvious.

“Will he be back?” Isabel’s expression is tentative.

“Yes,” Brandon says with confidence. “In five days, he’s due to return.” His smile is meant to be reassuring. Under his breath, he adds, “After that, I’ll drag him here myself.”

CHAPTER 37

BRANDON

It’s odd to look at it outside the island. I touch the edge of the binding with the tips of my fingers. The cover is made of a red leather material I’ve never seen before. This book binds the magic of our world. It doesn’t look half as thick as some of the library books. I don’t pick it up from the stand it’s lying on for fear my bare hands will somehow damage it.

“Are you ready?” My grandfather asks.

I look behind me. He enters the room and moves beside me. “The first half will take place today, then we celebrate. The second half tomorrow.” His eyes focus on the book. “Everyone will know the book is in our possession once your new title is announced. By then, I will have it safely secured it in its new home.” His eyes move to me expectantly.

The first half of the ceremony is the actual coronation. I’ll be sworn in by the highest-earned title in the reign. That’s the guard general of the Royal Force, my brother Roman. I’ll pledge my life to the title and assume my responsibility as the chosen one. The second half of the ceremony is the spiritual vow. I will enter the Fate’s temple, speak to them, and after hearing their words of wisdom, I’ll trek up the mountain to the peak. The hike up is supposed to symbolize my commitment to the mission given to me, a time to reflect upon the words given by the Fates. None of that consumes my thoughts; I’ve always known this was something that would happen.

“I hope I can be the person I’m meant to be.” I sigh. “Did you ever wonder something like that?”

His eyes look confused at the words for a second. “I supposed I must have at one point, but I trust them. The Fates choose who will carry out the path they’ve paved. Trust their judgment. They know us better than we know ourselves. Whatever mistake we might make is one that was meant to be there.”

I stare at him. I can find much love in his words of wisdom. My grandfather’s soul stain looks so much different from mine. I always feared to say that out loud. We’re very different, and no matter how much I tried and learned and mimicked, hoping my color would turn like his, nothing made a difference. Today is the day, and as I look at him, his color is a deep green, like a forest on a rainy day.

“Don’t fret,” he says, “I’ll always be here as well.”

I smile at the reassuring promise. I’ve been preparing for this day for years, and now the time is here. We’ll figure it out. I tell myself to take a deep breath and not worry much about what will come.

Jesse and Roman quickly join us on our walk out. The halls on the way to the garden are empty. I see exactly why as we exit the castle walls and walk into the gardens. Every castle member, guard, staff, and Royal Force soldier lines the edges of the garden square. They stand side by side, watching. The middle of the square has the king’s group of advisors with expectant half-smiles on their faces. They’ll become my group of advisers in a couple of hours.

Roman stands between our grandpa and me. His palms are facing up, with the Red Book lying on them. He has a contagious, shit-eating grin. Jesse, Isabel, Lexi Blue, and Alejandra are standing amongst the advisors nearby. I can only conclude Bianca must be with Santiago and Sofia amongst the rest of the staff on the edges of the garden. My eyes seek hers, but I can’t find her among the sea of faces.

The sun is high in the sky, and hundreds of eyes watch us all at a distance. I feel the events happening like an out-of-body experience. I place my right palm on the book and my left to my heart. The pledge I make with my life to my mission. I repeat back promises and vows. I follow my grandfather’s lead every step of the way. Like a memory with blurry edges, everything happens quickly, yet in slow motion.

I lower my hand back to my side as the book is lowered. I am moved to face one side of the crowd gathered at the edges.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your new leader. King Brandon Oscuro.”

Grandfather takes my hand in his and raises it to the sky as the crowds erupt in cheers. We turn from side to side to face all the edges of the garden. The volume increases to a deafening level. It’s so loud I can’t hear my own thoughts until two words rise above the noise.

King

---