Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
brANDON
I stare at the cold food Bianca never got to touch. I’ve moved the tray to the side of the room, giving space for my guests. It serves as a reminder of who I have brought to my quarters. Like I’ve been able to think about anything else since my eyes landed on her.
I turn to her closed door. It has remained like that since I sent her to take a shower and change. After she didn’t return, I cracked it open to find her snoring, sprawled across the bed. She didn’t stir as I stepped inside and really looked at her. More specifically, when I looked at the black stain that colors her soul.
Soul reading is my gift. Very few know about it. From the surface, it looks like a color that changes from person to person. If I look deeper, many more things come to the surface. People have a unique color because their experiences, desires, and intentions are unique to them.
Hers looks so much like the one I see daily in the mirror. It’s not uncommon to find souls that look alike, but I have never seen one that looks like mine .
The revelation must be clouding my judgment because I am far too intrigued by the young thief. Much more than I should be. She is a thief from a rough city known as a no-man’s-land and filled with madness and sin, yet our souls look alike. That only entices my curiosity further. What can possibly make our souls so much alike?
Looking deeply into her soul while she sleeps would have been the best time, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It felt immoral. The only type of thief that would let sleep win in a situation like this one is the one who does the job out of necessity, not choice.
The second my eyes landed on her, I knew three things. One, I was not looking at a cold killer. She’s just a young woman trying to survive.
Two, her eyes make me think of my favorite night sky. The one I saw at my childhood summer home. Back when I could be a child. Before I spent all my time trying to measure up to the title I would one day inherit. That same night sky looks so much like the color stain that connects us.
Three, they sent her here to be sacrificed—unbeknownst to her. Whatever is inside that book is valuable, and there’s someone willing to trick two souls into obtaining it.
I clear my throat. “You all might be wondering why I have called you here today.”
Five unamused expressions stare back at me. I don’t blame them. In the beginning, I had imagined a different means of sharing the news, but I don’t have time to dwell on minor details.
The crown has a group of advisors—wise, mature individuals who map out the best decisions based on the situation. I possess one of those. I also have my leadership council. The group consists of men and women who hold leadership positions in the reign. They are the reason Puerto Quinn runs effortlessly and cautiously.
Then, there is my close circle. This group I consider family. They are the only ones willing to call me out and fight me at every turn. Some are blood-related to me, but not all. I trust each one of them with my life. Consulting with them when planning out sneaky or unsavory missions like this one has become customary. I do not require their permission, as much as their blessing and input.
Roman and Jesse are my brothers. Roman is The Royal Force General at thirty-five, a year older than Jesse, who works closely with me. He’s an advisor of sorts and a man of many trades. They often get confused as twins due to their physical similarities, but inside they’re night and day. Recently, Jesse’s shaved head and clean face has set him apart from Roman’s long hair and beard.
Alejandra is a tall, tan imposing presence in the Royal Force. Her uniform is part of her skin. Regardless of being off duty, she wears her hair in a long black braid down her back. Roman was her co-commander a few years back before he got promoted. Now, she oversees castle security. I heard the title was more of a demotion regardless of how respected the position is. I tried asking her about it, but she is too proud to let me intervene if something is going on. Alejandra has always been one to fight her own battles, and she is a great fighter. I would know. She would always put me on my back when we were children.
Sofia is Alejandra’s younger sister by almost a decade. She is the walking and talking image of Alejandra—if she let her hair free and laughed a little. At twenty-three, the young woman has the superpower to find out what anyone is saying about anything. It has nothing to do with magic or gifts; she is great at getting gossip. I’ve never heard of Sofia actually spreading gossip, but she’s great at being in the right place at the right time.
Santiago is a long-time friend. Unlike the rest of us, he didn’t grow up in the castle, being from a small town nearby. As a child, he used to sneak into the library and sit and read. He never actually snuck anywhere with no one knowing. His copper curls never went unnoticed and once he filled out and reached six feet, he was unmissable. But since he always seemed to respect the books he touched and kept quiet while he read, no one said anything. Now, that same library is his domain.
Last, it’s Lexi Blue. My living, breathing library for all magic purposes. She might not care much about anything we say in any meeting if it’s unrelated to magic books or spells, but Lexi Blue has always been a staple in any gathering. From a very young age, we knew she was special. Her never-ending encyclopedia of knowledge only helped solidify her spot in my reign. What ruler wouldn’t mind an endless amount of magic knowledge sitting next to them? She goes where I go, as an advisor would. I ask Lexi Blue about a complex spell at least once a day. I have to keep her memory sharp, after all.
“Where is the thief?” Roman demands.
I look out the window to the garden, currently bathed in the setting sun. My brother can be so single-minded at times, though he’s rarely quick to anger. I can see he’s still fuming about this morning’s incident.
Bianca has been sleeping for hours. She looked exhausted, and I’m sure her body needs rest to recover from her injury, but I wasn’t expecting her to sleep so long. I wanted to talk to her first and have her agree to my plans before telling everyone else, but I suppose the order in which they all find out doesn’t matter. It’s a perfect plan. No one will fight me. This, I am certain.
“Bianca Blanco has a very impressive ability.” I turn to my brother. “She can travel undetected. That is how she got inside the vault unnoticed. Glamor.”
“I never heard of such a gift.” Jesse crosses his arms, ruminating. “How does it work?” He asks, not able to help himself.
“I’m uncertain of all the details. I don’t think she even knows all the stretches. But she can also cover others.”
Jesse’s eyes narrow with a knowing glint. He knows my intentions, though I’m not surprised. We work together closely enough that my tells must be evident to him by now.
“Isabel saw her,” Alejandra says, cutting my thoughts.
“Isabel has her own gifts.” Roman shuts down that line of questioning.
The fact that he doesn’t continue tells me everything. Making our gifts and skills known to others is a form of armor—a strategy to prevent ourselves from being mistaken as weak. Sadly, that is not the case for Isabel. She only has a defensive ability that prevents others from using magic that might alter her mind and body. She can also project that gift and cover others. Some would call her a shield.
Roman fears Isabel will be in danger if it becomes common knowledge; they’ll make her shield soldiers on the front lines at the first sign of war. There is a certain degree of irony in the fact that the individual in command of the Royal Force will never make use of their finest defensive weapon. The Fate’s version of a joke.
“I want to use her,” I announce, cutting to the chase.
They all quiet instantly. Five confused faces turn to me in shock. Lexi seems to read a book, completely unperturbed by the tension coating the room. Her short hair doesn't even sway.
“That is the stupidest thing I ever heard.” Roman shakes his head .
“How can you trust a thief?” Santiago nearly shouts. “She’ll sell us out.”
“Use her for what?”
The question comes from the doorway. Isabel walks inside quietly, shutting it behind her. The last member of my unofficial advisory committee. I give her a glance and see she looks like her normal pale self. There is a rosy tint to her cheeks but that has to do with my brother. Her straight brown hair is perfectly in place. Roman wastes no time moving to her side. I roll my eyes at the action. She gives him a gentle smile that assures him she is alright before she turns back to me.
“Use her for what?” She asks again with a concerned edge on her expression.
This is Isabel, the voice of reason and care. Although the girl knocked her out, Isabel still cares if we harm her. She can be too nice. That is why I was glad to hear Roman knocked the thief unconscious in retribution.
“Unknown to them, the thieves would have never taken off with the curse book. If she had touched it as her friend did, she would share his fate. And the book...”
“Would have its fifth and final soul,” Roman finishes for me.
Santiago paces. “The book would have laid there waiting to be recovered.”
He might be the only one who truly understands the gravity of this. He understands the amount of power used to seal the cursed book. And there is a person out there looking to unleash it.
“What hides inside the pages?” Santiago directs his question at Lexi Blue. Since the book is still missing one soul before it can open, that information will not be easy to find.
“We need intel, Lexi.” I prompt her attention back to us. “Can you research the origins of the cursed book? ”
“Lexi Blue,” she says with narrow eyes. She truly hates being called anything but her full name. A quirk only she can get away with.
“I’m sorry. Lexi Blue,” I say.
Her nod is small, almost distracted, but I know she is on it.
I turn my attention back to the group. “I want to check other vaults.”
Jesse tilts his head. “You suspect royal families could be targets as well?”
“It’s a possibility.” I hold my brother's stare.
“We cannot trust her to tell us the truth. Why wouldn’t she collect the information and sell it to the highest payer?” Alejandra questions.
I want to tell her that the answer is simple. She wants something above it all, right next to how much she wants her friend back. She wants a safe place to call home. When I stumbled into the jail cells, I saw it clear as day. I didn’t have to look deep into her soul to see what she craved the most. I would have left her in that cell if I felt like she was a wild card I couldn’t handle.
I step closer and give her my best smile. “Then, it’s a good thing she can take people with her.”
“You are sending Alejandra with her?” Sofia asks, surprised.
As her sister, and only blood family, I understand her pause. By their expression, one would think Bianca was a rabid animal. The thought gives me pause. That is exactly what the jail keeper called her.
I open a desk drawer and pull out papers detailing the next eight weeks of my life. I’m expected to visit each of the five cities in Puerto Quinn in celebration of my upcoming coronation. We will be hosted by each city's representative royal family .
Am I looking forward to socializing with near-strangers for months? No, but it’s part of the position. I never called my title a job because it’s not. I get no days off, no free time. It consumes my entire being. I don’t have the privilege of turning it off. It’s who I am.
“I will take Alejandra as my head of security. Bianca will work under her as my new guard. During key events of high commotion, you two will alternate in accompanying Ms. Blanco.” I gesture between Jesse and Alejandra.
Neither looks particularly excited at the news, but neither argues either. They know better than to do so. It would be useless because, even as their disapproving frowns grow, I can tell my plan looks like the best option for them. They’ve never been the type to leave things in the dark. This is a new mystery we all want answers to.
“You have it all thought out.” Roman rolls his eyes. I know my brother hates being left out of the action, but he has Royal Force tryouts and training. His position carries responsibilities that even the crown prince cannot change.
Jesse slaps him on the back. “I promise not to burn anything down without you.”
“Say that to the Duelo dragons.”
Roman’s tone is playful, but I see Jesse’s smirk slightly fall at the mention of the Duelo family. They’re our third stop on the tour, known as the family of dragons for their power over fire. Janelle Duelo is especially infamous for her brutality and fighting skills. She is also a story Jesse has never opened up about. As far as I’m aware, no one else knows. I would have missed it, too, if I didn’t pay close attention growing up.
“Are we going over the plan tonight?” Alejandra asks, sensing the change in the air.
“Tomorrow,” Roman answers, looking at Isabel’s tired face .
“Tomorrow,” I say. “After all, I must get the thief-turned-spy onboard.”
“Thief, spy, I wonder what her next title might be.” Santiago muses, brushing his shoulder with Sofia’s.
Sofia gives him a playful shove as they move out of my wing. “Maybe she will do such a great job, she’ll stay as a royal guard.”
I don’t hear Santiago’s response as they all leave the room. Isabel says her goodbyes next and goes into the guest room next to mine with Lexi Blue.
The sisters live here as my assistant and advisor of rules and spells. Lexi Blue spends most of her time inside the small library. I have suggested we put a bed in there and make it a room for her. After all, every book there is hers, but Isabel likes to fuss over her.
I hear the bedroom door click shut, and the sisters talk in hushed tones. I think it’s in Isabel’s nature to be a caretaker. She takes care of Lexi Blue like their mother did, regardless of how capable Lexi is of doing it herself. She’s nearly twenty-five, but will forever be the one we all look out for. Some more than others.
“Brandon.”
I find Roman lingering by the door. His eyes look hesitant. My meager, stupid lovesick brother. I would pity him if I didn’t see this situation as something of his own making.
“Roman,” I say with a questioning eyebrow.
“Please don’t involve her.” His eyes are pleading with me.
“I have no plans to do so,” I say, peering over plans.
“I know you don’t, but she will go with you. Promise me that, no matter what, you will not ask her to involve herself in any of this. Promise me I won’t have to worry about her.”
“Does my promise truly have so much influence over your mind when she is out of sight?” I give him a sympathetic smile.
He shakes his head, confirming my assumption.
“What are you waiting for, brother?” I ask the question I’m sure many inside these castle walls are asking themselves.
His eyes travel to the closed door. “She isn’t ready,” he says, then sighs. The words sound like they pain him. Clearing his throat, he turns to me. “I can’t risk things going wrong.”
These words give me pause. Going wrong? His eyes don’t show hesitation, they show fear. The fear of heartbreak looms over this powerful man. Now, I truly do pity him. The fool doesn’t know the biggest gains come from the things we fear losing.
I have known my brother as the brave, powerful warrior who earned his own crown of bones and blood. No one in this land can dare say his last name or connection to the crown granted his position. He has fought, taken lives, and stared death in the eyes once or twice.
Perhaps the love of a quiet young woman who smiles at the cruel world with forgiveness in her eyes is the one thing he could not bear life without.
“General Oscuro knows no fear.” I grin at him.
He returns my smile with a shaky one. “There is no room for fear here.” He taps his chest.
Many years ago, a powerful witch spoke those enchanted words after being wed to a prince of hell. As she was about to walk across the gates of the underworld, someone asked her if she feared what she would find on the other side. The only princess of the underworld held her head high and told those watching she had no room for fear. The story goes on to tell that many heard the princess chant those words to herself as she made her descent, holding the hand of her prince, never to be seen again.
I put a hand on my brother’s shoulder. “I will always make sure she’s safe. Until you're ready to do it yourself.”