Page 49 of Fortune's Kiss
But before she could stammer out something that wasn’t nonsensical, Misterioso spoke over her.“Now, then, if you will spare me a few more moments, I will formally introduce you to our contestants.”He waved his hand, and the air next to him shimmered and changed.
Mayté leaned closer to get a better look.Back when they had been kids, she and Lo used to pretend they saw mirages in the fountain garden, visions conjured up from nothing.This was exactly that, except that this wasn’t make-believe: it was completely real.
An image of an altar covered in orange marigolds and candles appeared.The centerpiece was a large black and white photograph of Señora Montoya.Mayté’s stomach churned.
The woman’s light eyes stared straight on.Aside from her hair, her smirking lips were the darkest part of the photo.Thin, with razor-sharp points forming a Cupid’s bow.She was the embodiment of hubris.
“It isn’t every day that a contestant goes for broke so early in the game.”Misterioso chuckled.“Maríana Montoya wanted to go first, and she certainly got her wish.Dios rest her soul.”
Mayté gulped down bile and stared hard at the altar.Perfume bottles sat next to Señora Montoya’s photo, along with a hand fan and her cigarette holder.Jewelry encrusted in alabaster pearls and iridescent opals dangled off the edges of the altar.A pure white calavera wearing an extravagant scarlet hat covered in colorful flowers and feathers sat next to the photo as well—though, on closer inspection, the calavera truly wasn’t white: brownish cracks and decay were just below the surface.A beetle-like insect darted from one eyehole to the next.The calavera was painted with red around the lips and blue and black around the eyes, mimicking makeup, but it looked uncanny.Like an animated corpse masquerading as the living.
“But no need to worry, we have respectfully cremated Maríanna.”Misterioso sounded cheerful as always.Did he show any other emotions, aside from playful joy?Mayté couldn’t imagine the man angry, let alone sorrowful.
A chill settled over her.An urn sat next to the skull, ivory and trimmed in gold.
“Please take a moment to remember Maríanna.”Misterioso snapped his fingers—and, in a puff of smoke, Señora Montoya appeared in the empty seat between the shopkeeper and Carmen.
Dominic gasped.Everyone at the table stared.Señora Montoya stared back, a demure smile on her lips.
Alejandro sharply cleared his throat.Mayté turned to him.He stared straight at her very deeply and intensely.
A sickening slice filled the air.Someone screamed.From her peripheral vision, she saw Dominic flinch.
Mayté forced herself to stare into Alejandro’s hazel eyes.They are so beautiful.The most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.She told herself that over and over again.Anything to keep her distracted.
It felt like an agonizing eternity, but soon Misterioso began introducing the surviving contestants one by one.Mayté could hardly focus.Where was Lo?She kept glancing toward the elevators.
Dominic elbowed her.With a smile, he nodded toward Misterioso.
“—Teresa Robles, who happens to be the sister of Carlos Robles.But don’t be mistaken.They aren’t twins.”
Wait.He was introducing her likethat?She didn’t want to be known as Carlos’s sister.This was the place where her family lineage wasn’t supposed to matter.
“However, unlike her brother, her ambitions are not to restore her family’s fortune and reputation, but for herself.She dreams of becoming a world-famous artiste.”
¡Dios mío!When Misterioso put it like that, it made her sound like a selfish ass—and her brother a righteous martyr!
Misterioso continued.“Last, but most certainly not least, is Lorena de León.”He gestured toward the table, but his smile faltered.“Lorena?Where is Lorena?”
Mayté began to sweat.
“Has sheforfeited?”Misterioso dramatically asked.He knew the answer, but by the way he grinned, Mayté couldn’t tell if the answer was good or bad.
Letting her go off was a terrible mistake.Mayté couldn’t breathe.If she had to go through Fortune’s Kiss alone …
Please, please, please.Bring Lo in here.Now.Please.She clasped her hands together until her knuckles throbbed.
A ding sounded.Every single person in the room turned toward the elevator as the doors opened and out stepped Lo.
She stumbled, eyes wide and darting.
Something was wrong.Dread rushed through Mayté.She gripped the seat cushion.
“There she is!”Misterioso gasped.“Lorena de León.Heir of the Cuatro Grandes.The most beautiful bachelorette in Milagro.Perhaps even in San Solera, hmm?”
One of the croupiers whistled, and some others cheered.
“She has her pick of any suitor she desires, yet she has decided to come here and gamble.”
