Page 104 of The Healing Dragon
“Rory,” he says with a laugh. “We just met her at the gates to the underworld. She works there.”
“We found his cousins.” Santiago runs his hands through his hair.
The boys and I look at each other like we hit gold. We are a step closer to this person who has been at the center of it all.
Rory has a brother and his picture and name are stated beside her. The face of Ulysses stares back at me from the page. The young man I befriended against my will in the forest near my cabin. No wonder he was so intrigued by me. If his father is also a demon and mother a witch, he must have been able to tell that I’m a magic wielding creature living in hiding. His interest was out of curiosity.
“There are a total of four of them,” Santiago says, pointing at the page. “Klause, Ulysses, Rory and Leo.”
Klause is the only one whose mother appears in name and picture. The story of her arrival in the underworld is legendary. She is known as the only princess of the underworld. None of the others must’ve married their partners and moved to the underworld.
“You think Calaca will find him?” Matias asks me.
She has not returned yet, but I’m not worried.
“Calaca might be the only one who can and I can’t say Klause would be too happy about it,” I say.
After all, he has been in hiding for years now. Long enough to erase his kind from our common knowledge, but by Calaca finding him, his existence will once again come to light.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
JESSE
Ilook down at the map on Brandon’s desk. Much of what lies on the other side of Fierno is a mystery to us. We have old maps that describe the Human Lands, but there is only guessing on whether or not they are correct. After all, none of us have ever been there.
It has been only a day since we learned of the fate of the Red Book. Guards were sent to chase down different routes, but there is no way to find it when we have no idea how it's being transported. A needle in a haystack is the best analogy for how hard finding one book across border lines is.
“Once inside the Human Lands, we have no way of chasing it.” Roman crosses his arms. “Not for long, at least.”
The ban on magic beings inside Paz goes beyond being a mere preference. It’s a law of the land. Magic doesn’t function once a person crosses into their land. The power it takes to make that happen is impressive. But there are no records of how the human King shielded his land.
Janelle didn’t have magic in her body, which allowed her to remain inside the Human Lands. But when I visited, I knew mypresence was only allowed for a finite amount of time. How it happens is not common knowledge, but if I were to remain, my presence would’ve been made known to the authorities. It would’ve been a matter of days before I would’ve been chased out.
“Janelle could stay in the Human Lands because you took her magic,” I say, looking between my brothers. “Perhaps doing that again will be the only way to get men inside.”
The front door of the office opens and in walks a man I’ve never met before. The stride and swagger in which he enters the space speaks of confidence and far too much familiarity. I look over at Brandon, who is staring at the man with the same confused expression I’m wearing.
“I have come here to save your day.” The stranger gives us a brief nod and gestures for us to react in one way or another. At the lack of reaction, he clears his throat. “Let me start over. My name is Klause Pazduelo. I heard you have a book of mine and that you are missing a very important book of yours.”
At the mention of the name, we jump to attention. All we learned about Klause is fairly new. After all the things that have come to pass due to this man’s words, it’s hard to believe that he’s here in the flesh. He doesn’t look ancient or old at all. The man is tall and thin with curly brown hair and fair skin.
“What do you want?” Brandon asks with his king voice firmly in place.
Klause takes in my brother from head to toe. Sizing up the enemy is not the right way to describe it. It’s more like Klause is assessing if he’s the person whom he should bother with.
“King Oscuro,” I tell Klause, taking a step forward, “has asked you to state your purpose for being here.”
“Testy,” Klause says to me before turning back to my brother. “I have come to make you a deal. I will bring you theRed Book from wherever it may be and in return, I would like a favor.”
“A favor of what kind?” Bianca asks from the doorway.
She closes the door behind her and makes her way to Brandon’s side. She must’ve been listening in because she is looking at Klause with a similar disbelief to mine. It’s a little star-struck.
When Klause’s eyes land on her, his expression mirrors hers for a second before it quickly turns to a taunting mock. “A favor of any kind, cousin.” He turns back to Brandon. “I have no current plans to cash it, but I’m sure I’ll find something when the time comes.”
“You think you can get us the Red Book?” Brandon’s tone is distrustful.
“I know I can.” Klause smirks.
