Page 52 of Fortune's Kiss
Carlos nodded blankly and fell back in his seat, nearly toppling over.He grabbed a handful of beans and fumbled around, barely able to put one in the right spot.How could he have gotten so intoxicated in such a short amount of time?The booze must have been infused with magic: it was the only explanation.
With shaky fingers, Mayté put a bean down.Only one more until she got lotería.She chewed her lip and glanced at Carlos.What would happen if he vomited?Would he die too?
Alejandro called out the next card.“El Cantarito.”The card showed an ornate clay pitcher painted orange with white patterns.
“Damn it,” Mayté whispered.That space wasn’t on her board.She tried not to watch the others put down their beans.
A flurry of waitresses rushed to the table.Each wore off-the-shoulder gowns that hugged their torsos and hips like gloves.The gowns and their matching floppy feathered hats were all in different jewel tones.Ruby red, sapphire blue, amethyst purple … Stark white calavera masks obscured their faces.All at once, they set clay cups in front of every contestant.
The liquid began to bubble inside the cups.Next ice cubes appeared, followed by a slice of grapefruit.The rims glittered as salt formed.
No one made a move to take a drink.
“Oh, come, now.”Misterioso chuckled.“It’s quite delicious, if I do say so myself.”
Carlos gagged and slapped a hand over his mouth.His chest heaved.
No, no, no.Mayté grabbed Lo’s hand.
Lo squeezed back.“Hum, Carlos!”she called out and hummed an aimless tune.
Carlos furrowed his eyebrows, but he hummed too.At first it sounded strained and off-key, but he soon matched Lo’s tune.The panic in his eyes softened.Could something so simple chase away nausea?He flashed a grateful look at Lo.Mayté quickly looked away, blinking back tears.She took a shaky sip of El Cantarito.It was shockingly sweet, but it burned on the way down.Everyone else drank too, some sipping, while others chugged it down.That seemed to satisfy Misterioso, who nodded at Alejandro.
“El Soldado.”The card showed a man clad in San Solera’s orange-and-yellow military uniform.He stood stiff as a board, rifle at his side.But suddenly he marched out of the card and pointed his rifle straight at Carmen, who flinched and whimpered.
Lo gasped.
“El Soldado has chosen you, Carmen.He commands that you wager the land your abuelo plans to leave you after his passing.”A slip of paper appeared and slowly descended to the middle of the table.
“It’s …” Dominic craned his neck to get a good look.“It’s a deed.”
Carmen wrung her trembling hands.
“Answer three of my questions correctly,” El Soldado barked.“One: How many floors are in the salon?”
“Th-thirteen.”
“Correct,” El Soldado said.“Second question: What is the name of the croupier dealing to you?”
Carmen’s eyes widened, and the others looked to each other, unsure.Mayté normally wasn’t the best with names.She found it easier to remember people by their faces.Unusual eyes or an intriguing birthmark caught her attention better than just a name.And yet, she remembered Alejandro’s name.It was ingrained in her mind.
Lo knew his name too.She stiffened and stared at Carmen, frantic.
“Uh …” Carmen looked around.Beads of sweat formed at her brow.“G-Gerardo?”
Mayté winced.Alejandro raised an eyebrow, as if offended by the name.
“Wrong,” El Soldado said.
“I’m afraid you’ve lost this wager,” Misterioso nodded at the table.The deed combusted into flames, quickly crumbling into ash.
“No.”Carmen covered her mouth.
“You’ll have to keep wagering until you pass the card’s challenge.Next will be your abuela’s wedding ring.”
Carmen held out her hand.A golden band sat snug on her ring finger.Her lips quivered.The land was likely worth more coins than the ring, but it was clear that the ring meant more to her.Mayté completely understood.She would never forgive her father for selling off her grandmother’s ring and squandering away the money.
“The croupier’s name.What is it?”El Soldado demanded.
