"All the books in the library," Joel says with a laugh. "You are serious." And perhaps he's making a joke of it now, of Caden's chosen currency with which to place a bet, but they both love that library more than nearly any other room in the house. Even as children, they both spent so much time there trying to climb the shelves to reach the books near the top, the ones their parents thought they were too young to read.

Books have always been there for both of them. Stories, history, even science. Joel reads it all, devours it like nothing else, and his brother has always been the same. So he teases, but Caden's choice still lends his assurances a certain level of sincerity.

And he wishes he could do something more for Caden. He knows how much it hurt his brother to have April decide she didn't want to be involved with this world. Sometimes Joel understands what she meant, all the rules, all the scrutiny and pressure. And even now he's afraid that even if things do work out, it may prove to be too much for Spencer, too. This life is a lot to take on, there's no denying that.

"You're too good a brother," he says, looking up and giving Caden a smile. "I don't deserve such kindness."