Page 34 of Infinity Son (Infinity Cycle 1)

“It’s a good idea, but also an impossible task,” Atlas says. “Plus, some people are happy living in the past. But if we stop the Blood Casters, we can win back a lot of trust that way. One fight at a time. You got to let Emil know we’re not expecting him to save the world all on his own.”

“Maribelle needs to hear this too, man,” Wesley says.

“She went too hard on him,” Atlas agrees. “Brighton, if Emil helps us take down the Blood Casters, we’ll stop the prime source of violence that’s painting anyone with powers as villains.”

“We want your brother’s help,” Eva says. “But we understand what we’re asking of him.”

“I’ll talk to him. Emil isn’t going to want to hide for the rest of his life.”

I’ve been given my first mission from the Spell Walkers—purpose. I will do what it takes to protect my brother, and that means encouraging him to join this fight instead of waiting around for someone to track him down and kill him. Emil will know how to defend himself if the Spell Walkers coach him through his powers. Ideas are furiously spinning around my head.

“What time is the group therapy session?”

“Forty minutes,” Eva says.

“We’ll be there.”

I head back to our room.

Prudencia is in the hallway outside our door. She’s on the phone with her head hung low and one arm across her chest like she’s hugging herself.

“You better not throw away my stuff!” Prudencia is shaking. “Do you hear yourself? No one is threatening you. I’m taking care of a friend who needs me. No one is coming for you! I—” She looks at the phone and sinks against the locker. “She hung up. Why isn’t it easier to be happy that I don’t live with her anymore? It’s not like I ever thought I would keep in touch with her once I moved out.”

“She was the only family you had left after your parents died.”

Prudencia stares at our door. “I don’t know what Emil is feeling right now, but he was lucky to have grown up with a family that loved him so fiercely that he never suspected he was adopted. Is it horrible that I wish the same thing for myself instead of ending up with my aunt?”

“You deserved better,” I say. “We’ll take care of you.”

“It’s not about me. We should be more worried about Emil. He’s awake.”

We knock before entering, but still find Emil fully under the sheet. If it wasn’t for his phone screen shining through, I wouldn’t know if he was awake or not, because that’s how he sleeps and that’s how he hides from whatever is bothering him.

“Bro. You want to get up?”

“I’m trying to find info on how to break the cycle,” he says.

“Maribelle can get you Bautista and Sera’s notes on a potential cure,” I say.

“Only if I fight for them first. No. I got to figure out my own way to end infinity.”

“Let’s check the library,” I say. When he doesn’t budge, I pull the sheet off him. “Come on. You’re not going to escape this misery unless we do something about it.”

It takes a minute to get Emil out of bed, but in no time, I’m picking out a new shirt for him, shoving him into the bathroom to brush his teeth, and leading him to therapy. We’re walking side by side, saying nothing, like we’ve spent our entire lives talking and finally run out of things to say. The library is an absolute mess. I’m guessing there’s no librarian in here to stop everyone from completely disrespecting the books. It’s an elementary school library, so who knows how many texts they’re carrying that might actually spark an idea for how to free Emil from this cycle that Keon started, but I’m feeling doubtful right now judging by the Basilisks for Beginners picture book in the Prime Constellation section. Doesn’t matter. We’re not here for books.

“What’s going on here?” I point out the group of celestials sitting underneath a domed ceiling lamp that resembles the sun. “Come on.”

Emil doesn’t budge. “We should find the books.”

“We will after,” I say.

“Brighton, let’s do what we came to do,” Prudencia says.

“It’ll be quick,” I say.

I guide Emil by the shoulders. I know my brother better than he knows himself right now. This is the right choice, blood and bones. The younger celestials are excited as we approach, and they’re staring at Emil like he’s a god, but they have no idea how special he actually is. No idea how his first life is one of the reasons they’re all in hiding today.

“Morning,” Eva says. She’s the only Spell Walker present. “Come join us.”

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