Page 48 of The Healing Dragon (The Red Book #2)
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
JESSE
I look 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 my presence 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 the Red 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.
“We have reason to believe that it’s somewhere in the Human Lands,” Brandon says in a challenge.
Klause shrugs. “Close to my home.”
“You live in Paz?” I ask.
No wonder why his existence is something we’ve so easily been in the dark about.
Before he can reply I ask, “How can you bypass the magic that doesn’t allow those who wield magic to stay?”
“What magic do you think created such a shield for an entire reign?” He pauses and taps his lips. “I didn’t mean to say as much. Keep it to yourself.”
I’m stunned. My gaze finds Bianca and a smirk paints her face. This is not at all who we imagined Klause to be.
“How long would it take you to bring it back?” Brandon asks.
Klause assesses my brother’s question like a puzzle. His eyes look up at the sky like he is calculating something as his index finger taps his chin.
“Three months.”
Brandon turns to us, giving Klause his back. “There’s no time to call a meeting. What do you guys think?”
“I don’t see how this can affect us negatively. We can conduct our own research in case he fails,” Roman says.
“I do not fail,” Klause says as he inspects a bookshelf.
Bianca looks over her shoulder. “Mel said that about you.”
“Mel, the demon?” Klause nods. “Nice fellow.”
I’m now completely sure that Klause is insane.
“I think you might be the only person who would say something like that.” Brandon raises a brow. “Shows a lack of sanity.”
“How sane can I truly be after so many years of being alive?”
Bianca shrugs. “He is self-aware.”
My brother crosses the distance between them and extends his hand. “In three months, I want the Red Book, and you can have a favor in return within reason.” His eyes are determined.
Klause’s smile is wide and slightly scheming. “Deal. Now, where’s my journal?”