Page 67 of The Healing Dragon
“The book wishes for you to retrieve the other half to be reunited. That is the only way for it to leave Matias’ body.” Santiago’s tone is mocking.
They’ve been trying to get the Red Book for months now, yet somehow the stakes just tripled.
Brandon looks at his brothers, then out the window, digesting all the information we brought up.
“There is a part of the book living inside him,” Brandon says.
It’s not a question, but Santiago and I nod, nonetheless.
“I need to speak to Bianca,” Brandon says.
At the mention of her, Matias finally looks up. Sensing his refusal, Brandon raises a hand.
“She has to know what is going on,” Brandon tells him with a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
The King of Puerto Quinn misses nothing. Regardless, Matia’s objection is fruitless, because as much as he wants things to be different, she is going to find out.
“I’m sure Bianca will love to hear her little brother is possessed by an ancient magic book.” Roman drops to a chair. “Her favorite part will be how he told Janelle before anyone else.”
“Technically, he told Santiago and I at the same time,” I clarify.
“What do you think?” Brandon asks Jesse.
“They aren't lying,” he says with a sour expression on his face.
“I didn’t ask if you heard a lie in their words. I’m asking what you think about all this?”
Jesse doesn't react.
Brandon throws his arms in the air, a gesture nothing like the King he has been embodying lately. This is the old Brandon. The one who would join Jesse and me on our summer adventures.
“I used to always turn to you on any occasion and ask for your point of view. Bounce ideas back and forth. She is here. Can I get you back too?”
“What is going on?” Bianca asks from the doorway.
Her eyes look to Brandon but quickly after finds Matias. She walks to his side first. He shifts uncomfortably at her invasion of his space.
“Hey,” she says carefully.
In one breath Matias turns to Bianca and says, “Lord Duelo used the book to uncap my magic, and while doing so, thebook sealed a part inside me to protect itself from being destroyed.” He taps his temple with trembling hands. “The Red Book talks to me here because it lives inside me.”
“Attaboy,” Roman barks out a laugh. “Rip it like a sticker.”
“A sticker?” Jesse rounds on his brother.
Bianca’s shock is momentary. She takes a step closer to Matias and continues talking to him in a soft voice.
“You know.” Roman mimics with his hand the gesture of removing a bandaid. “Like that.”
“That’s not what it’s called.” Jesse looks around as if in confirmation this is truly happening.
The anxiety previously flooding the room takes a break and allows us all to breathe just a little lighter at the idiocy taking place.
“What‘s it called then?” Roman’s tone carries disbelief.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought Jesse was making this up.
“I refuse to tell you.” Jesse mimics his brother.
