Page 9 of The Healing Dragon (The Red Book #2)

My father’s eyes look up to watch me as I cross the room. He scans me from head to toe. I don’t think he is searching for injuries as much as assessing what he has in his hands.

“Janelle,” he says .

His disdain for my attire is conveyed in the tilt of his lips. I’m a far cry from the tailored dresses he always insisted I wore.

“Father,” I say, unclenching my tight jaw.

The silence that follows could be called uncomfortable for anyone who didn’t grow up in a family like mine. I’m used to pregnant pauses and moments of tension. Mostly when my father is contemplating his next steps. He’s a man who plans, after all.

He extends his hand to the chair in front of me.

The invitation comes as a relief to my mother, who’s still standing next to me.

I can almost hear her sigh as I take a seat.

This new concern for me and my father might come from the fact that she no longer has other children, or that she has not seen me in a while.

The most likely scenario is that she is here all alone with him . She has his focus and rage.

My brothers and I were never close. They were both much older than me.

Despite their best attempts, their magic abilities were never up to par with my father’s ambitions.

They spent most of their time avoiding my father’s plans.

They bailed whenever they could and just lazed around the rest of the time.

I look at my father and see so much of my brothers in him. They were walking portraits that depicted him, from the short curly red hair to the sprinkle of matching freckles over his nose and cheeks. His big nose and heavy brows always made him look upset at the world.

The more I grew in power and drew my father’s attention, the more they got away with. I was the distraction they needed to live their lives. The brotherly love the Oscuro brothers displayed was something I never had.

For a while, I resented them for their lack of interest in me.

As I got older and I realized who our father was, I couldn’t hate them.

They saw an out in me and I couldn’t begrudge them the opportunity.

Even now, I wish I had done more for them.

I had the Oscuro brothers, even if it was in secret.

My brothers were older than the boys and never found friendships that didn’t want something from them.

I look over my shoulder to where I sense Jesse standing. I always had him and, in part, he was all I needed to stay sane. The summer months were always my favorite.

A servant is at my side, dropping a plate of food in front of me. I hold back a gasp as I look down at my plate. The amount of food is something I’ve not seen in a while. Did I really used to eat like this? And why does it feel like that was years ago and not simply months ago?

“None of your brothers made it out of that castle alive, but you did. Took you long enough to find your way back.”

Not an ounce of remorse at the fact that his own ambition had two of his children dead.

His statement wasn’t a question, but I know he wants me to say something to acknowledge I’ve been paying attention. The reminder of my brothers hurts. The fact that their lives were sacrificed for the ambitious man sitting across from me makes me nauseous.

“Ray never returned.” My father leans back in his chair, done with his food. “For a while, I thought he had left with you, but the Oscuros would’ve never let him leave.”

“Ray is dead,” I say.

My words cut off whatever other rant he planned on delivering.

He doesn’t ask me how it happened, and I’m glad I don’t have to make up a lie.

Instead, he takes me in with new eyes. I can see the plans mapping out behind his eyes.

The roads on which my future might take me are being paved this very second.

I’m more open and freer for him to use than he expected. Or so he thinks .

“You have cost me much, Janelle, but I will overlook your shortcomings. Your time to make it up to your family will come. For now, you must earn your keep with labor. The maids would appreciate the extra set of hands.” He wipes his mouth with his napkin, then tosses it on the table.

“You’re used to a life of comfort, you've done nothing to earn it. That life is over.”

The irony of that statement is humorous.

“Sweetheart,” my mother gasps appalled at the request.

My father and mother have been together for so long that many forget it’s she who comes from royal blood, not him.

He seems to have forgotten about it, too.

My father was only an ambitious soldier with no name or title.

Being my mother’s soul bond was his only way in and has been her dismay ever since.

“Since you’re a common human now, you’ll have ordinary duties.

Prove that you can be trusted with more, and you’ll move up.

I have faith in you, Janelle. You were never just a pretty face.

” My father narrows his eyes on me. A cloud that I recognize comes over his eyes.

His voice lowers, and his tone darkens. “Don’t embarrass me again. ”

Referring to me losing my powers as an embarrassment is disgusting when my brothers lost their lives.

I swallow my pride and lean my head down.

Playing the submissive daughter is the only acceptable role under his roof.

I only have to do it long enough for me to find the Red Book.

This is not forever, but as I tell myself that, sweat covers the palms of my hands.

There’s a little part inside me that fears walking back in and getting trapped. I escaped him once. Could I truly do it again?

Jesse would never leave me here, would he?

I have to believe in myself. I’ll get myself out. The girl from months ago isn’t here. I’ve tasted freedom and therefore I’ll never be the same again.

“Yes, sir.” The words taste sour on my lips.

The nod and glint in his eyes tell me he is glad to hear it. He raises his wine glass. “To family being back.”

My mother quickly follows his example and gestures for me to do the same. I raise my water cup reluctantly.

“The Duelo Reign will come. A setback is not the end.” He pauses, then cheers, “To family!”

“Family,” my mother says with a pitiful smile.

My father walks to the door and knocks the wood three times before calling, “Oliver!”

A guard quickly opens the door soon thereafter. At the sight of him, my heart nearly stops. I didn’t expect to see him with my father in hiding. I make sure my eyes don’t linger on him. The value of our friendship has always been a secret I treasured.

“Janelle has returned.” My father gestures to me with a smirk. “I told you she would, didn’t I?”

Oliver nods, “You did, sir.”

“She will earn her keep by cleaning. Let her start on the cells. The maids keep complaining of the stench of the place.”

Oliver looks between me and my father. “Sir, that is no place for a lady.”

My father laughs with a sinister smile on his face. He looks back at me before departing with no other words. My mother promptly follows him, avoiding all eye contact as she passes by. Maids enter the room quickly after and pick up the dishes.

“I should take you there now,” Oliver says.

I nod and follow him. Completely forgetting that Jesse is somewhere behind us.

Oliver gives me a smile as soon as we are outside the dining room.

When we round the corner, he stops walking and looks me up and down.

In a swift move, he pulls me to his chest and hugs me tight.

I fight the tears that gather in my eyes.

The warmth that envelops me is the only warmth I knew inside the Duelo home.

As a young child, these were the only arms that ever comforted me from my father’s treatment.

There is no doubt in my mind that if Oliver could, he would have taken me away.

Sadly, he couldn’t, so instead he stood by me so I wouldn’t be alone.

Choosing to endure my father just to stay by my side is the biggest act of loyalty I’ve known.

His kindness towards me was never conditional.

Oliver is a big man with a protruding stomach and thick black mustache.

His black hair is cut short and his clothing is neat, always smelling of lavender.

He has never been like my father and I have known him for just as long.

Since my great grandfather’s time, he has been a member of the Duelo soldiers.

Time has changed a lot inside the Duelo home.

“You are good?” He asks with gentle concern. The wrinkles around his eyes have become much more noticeable since the last time I saw him.

“I’m good.” I assure him, stepping out of his reach.

“Why did you come now?” The mood is suddenly serious.

I look down the hall. “After my failure, I felt the need for some time to myself.”

“You were asked to do something ridiculous.” He glances down the hallway. “It was suicide. Yet you’re alive.”

“I am hard to kill.” I allow a smirk.

“You have always been a survivor, my girl.” He leans over and kisses my forehead. “Do not trust a soul inside these walls.”

“I can always trust you,” I say confidently.

“If I knew it would come to this, I would have stolen you away. You would’ve known true freedom away from your name. ”

The truth is, whatever the Fates have chosen for me will come to be. There’s no escaping what the stars have written for you.

A creak of a door opening has us both stepping back. The soldier I call dog steps into the hall and walks towards us with a slight smirk on his face. I want to slap it off. It’s instinctive.

“Right this way.” Oliver gestures to a door with a staircase leading down to a basement.

His tone is now stone cold and detached. The only tone he has ever used for me around guards. I don’t even flinch at the abrupt change.

I walk ahead of him down the stairs, leaving enough room for Jesse to quickly move in front of me.

The stench of body odor is the first thing to hit me as my eyes make up the shapes of the basement walls.

Long metal bars stretch the length of one side.

Dirty, disheveled men sit behind the metal bars.

A few of them look up as we walk inside. No one makes a move closer to the cell bars. As a matter of fact, each of them seems to move even closer to the opposite wall.

“Prisoners already?” I didn’t think my father had been hiding long enough to take on hostages. As I take a closer look, I notice something else. “They aren’t human.”

“The majority are from the City of Sin. Your father’s test subjects.”

My eyes move to one man who looks slightly familiar. In his dirt-covered face and downcast expression he doesn’t jump in my memories, but my heart rate picks up alerting me to this man’s presence.

“You know the young boy?” Oliver asks behind me. “He was found wandering in the woods near the Black Castle right after the attack. He is the only one from Puerto Quinn.”

I hold back my gasp because, at the very moment his eyes shift to mine, the gaze that holds mine is no longer filled with happiness and wonder.

The warmth that once held a gentle smile is gone.

The boy that taught me basic hunting skills and shared words of wisdom that saved my life more than once is looking not at me, but through me.

He is now a mere shell of the boy I once briefly met in the woods.

I want to scream until my voice breaks. The fury that drives through my veins feels dangerous. It’s seething through my body. His freedom has been seized by the very same individuals who took mine.

All the prisoners are worse to wear, but he is specifically beaten and dirty. There are holes in his clothes and parts of his skin are black and blue.

“What was his crime?” I ask between clenched teeth because I know the answer.

He never committed one. My father doesn’t need a reason to do gruesome things to innocent people.

“His crime was being at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Oliver says and shakes his head. “He is a survivor. The book hasn't killed him yet. I can't say the same for the ones before him.”

“The book?” I turn to Oliver and away from the boy at the mention of the Red Book.

“Your father has the book. He used it on the boy. It didn't kill him like it did the others but he isn’t cooperating so it's unclear what happened.”

A stomp and knock on the door at the top of the stairs has us both turning towards the noise.

“I am needed.” Oliver points at a door at the end of the room. “That is a closet with cleaning supplies. Do your best. I will come help you as soon as I can.”

Before I can say anything, he is climbing up the stairs. A second later, Jesse unwraps the cloth from his body and steps closer to the cell bars. His eyes are looking at the man inside in disbelief.

“Matias.” Jesse gasps then tries to wave in an attempt to catch the boy’s attention, but he is lost in space.

“Where do you know him from?” I take a step closer to Jesse.

His eyes pour into mine, trying to read my interest. “He is family to Bianca. Meaning he is family to me.” His eyes move back to the boy.

“The boy with the soul lost to the curse book.” I recall the story Jesse told me in secrecy.

It feels like a lifetime away since he would confide in me that way.

“You recognized him.” Jesse’s tone is accusatory. But I don’t bother getting offended.

“I met him the day of my exile in the woods. He saved my life.”

The truth of these words resonates when spoken aloud. I’m here getting a second chance, thanks to the boy behind bars. My mind and heart decide on a course of action as I gaze at him. I turn to Jesse and look him in the eyes. I need him to understand how serious I am about what I’m about to say.

“We will not leave this place without him.” I turn to face Matias. “At least I am not,” I vow.