Page 65 of Fortune's Kiss
She opened her mouth to speak.
“Ah, you’ve already gathered.Wonderful.”Misterioso appeared between Lo and Rodrigo, breaking them up.Lo hadn’t even heard the elevator ding.“Ready or not, it’s time for the next round.”
Rodrigo rudely winked at Lo.She stared back at him.Slowly, she smiled—an expression that sent her message to him loud and clear.If you try anything, I will kill you.
The look seemed to catch him off guard.He startled.Satisfied, Lo took her seat.
The Banker took his spot at the center of the table.It seemed to be his turn to deal.His icy blue eyes honed in on Lo.“Did you enjoy your meal?”
He was messing with her.
“I did, actually.”She rested her chin in her hands.“Thank you.”
What other secrets did he carry with him?Lo would have to find out, but for now, she needed to focus on getting through this round.
“Let us begin!”Misterioso exclaimed.“This round will last only for five turns.You will be able to choose what you wager.”
Underneath the table, Lo snatched Mayté’s hand.It had worked.They had bent the house to their will.She did her best to keep a straight face.Everyone else around the table seemed equal parts pleased and relieved.Lo glanced at the Banker.He raised an eyebrow and locked eyes with her.He looked perplexed.Lo simply smiled at him, silently scolding him for underestimating her.
“We ended off the last round with María Teresa getting the first lotería of the game,” Misterioso explained.“Every time a player fills their board enough for a lotería, they may draw a special card.These cards do not pose a challenge or need a wager from you, but instead can be to your benefit.They can be used at any time.Anyone who has that card on their board may place a bean down as soon as the card is revealed.Please choose a card, María Teresa.”
The cards floated in front of the Banker face down.Mayté reached out, but then hesitated and studied the cards.
Lo prayed.Please let her pick a good card.
After what felt like an eternity, Mayté pressed her finger against one of the cards.It flipped over, revealing a silver shield.El Escudo.The card floated to Mayté’s hand.She grinned.
“Once activated, this card will defend the user from harm, or protect them from performing a challenge, one time,” Misterioso said.
Perfect!Lo thought.Having this in her back pocket was wonderful.
The Banker drew the first card.“El Cazo.”The card was simply a cooking pot.Soft clangs filled the air, followed by the scent of savory meats sizzling over chiles and other bold spices.It brought back memories of when she had been a child—sometimes she would sneak into the kitchen and watch the servants bustle around as they prepared dinner.
She and several others put down a bean.The next couple of cards were similarly surreal, yet ultimately uneventful.El Gallo brought about the crow of a rooster while El Conquistador summoned war cries, the clanging of swords, and screams of the innocent.Lo stole a glance at Don Zelaya, who looked around without even an ounce of remorse or guilt about his ancestors.
Lo’s board began to fill up nicely.So far, so good.Only two more turns left.
She snuck a peek at Mayté’s board.Only two more beans and she would get another lotería.La Sirena, the mermaid, was one of the cards Mayté needed.
Draw La Sirena next.Lo dug her fingers into the frills on her gown.
“La Sirena.”
Lo’s eyes snapped open.Amazing!It had worked again!
The Banker stared straight at her as he held up a familiar card with a mermaid.But this time the card glowed.
“Oh no,” someone whispered.
The vaquero,Rodrigo, whistled.“This should be good.”
Lo braced herself for what was to come.
A mermaid crawled out of the card.Her sopping black hair flopped over her bare chest.Her long red tail writhed behind her.Lo wasn’t sure if it was breathtaking or grotesque.La Sirena had a beautiful face.Sparkling blue eyes and full red lips accented by the peachy undertones of her skin.But Lo couldn’ttell if those lips of hers were upturned in playful mischief or pure malice.
“Unlike other special cards which present a challenge, La Sirena will simply predict the future of a chosen player.Whether that player heeds the prediction as fact or treats it as fiction is up to them.Now let’s see who she will choose.”There was a sinister note in Misterioso’s delighted tone.
“You.”La Sirena pointed a long red nail at Mayté.
