Page 75 of Fortune's Kiss
Xiomara’s eyes widened.
Don Zelaya growled.If Xiomara forfeited, he would lose his possible gains if the potion turned out to be lucky.
Xiomara squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her hands atop the table.“O-okay.”She sniffed the bottle, then took the smallest and most cautious of sips.Her face scrunched, and she quickly lowered the bottle.“It’s so bitter.”
“Well, you already started, so just keep drinking,” Don Zelaya coaxed.When Xiomara hesitated, he took the bottleand gingerly grabbed her chin, so he could pour the drink into her mouth.It was such a gentle movement.Xiomara could have easily pushed him away, but she didn’t.“If you don’t finish it, you’ll die.”Her wide brown eyes watered, and liquid dribbled down her chin, staining her gown.As soon as the bottle emptied, she pulled away and coughed.Her head bobbed, and her eyelids drooped.
“Ah, it appears La Botella was filled with sueño dulce,” Misterioso announced in excitement.
Xiomara whimpered, blinking hard and trying to keep her eyes open.
“Shhh, it’s okay.”Don Zelaya stroked her cheek, grin bordering on malicious.“I’ll take care of you.”
Xiomara slurred and lowered her head until it rested on the table.
Lo’s stomach churned with both excitement and disgust.Her plan had worked, but now she wished she had figured out a way to get that slimy Don Zelaya to consume the sleeping potion instead.
Pearla drew the next card.“El Gorrito.”
“Ah, yet another repeat,” Misterioso said.“Remember, Maríana Montoya did not defeat the challenge.This card will remain in the deck until someone can best it.”
The card flashed and transformed into a bonnet.Lo squinted.This El Gorrito was different from the one that had slain Señora Montoya.She couldn’t remember what the previous one had looked like, but she swore it wasn’t silken white trimmed in gold and pearls.It had looked much plainer, hadn’t it?Drip drip drip.Drops of scarlet blood dripped slowly from the inside of the bonnet like a spout left on just enough for the smallest bit of water to seep through.Drip drip drip.
“El Gorrito, whom do you choose?”Misterioso asked.
“The heir of Las Cuatro,” El Gorrito groaned, voice thick and pained.
Lo’s blood ran cold.This voice was different than before.It was familiar, but from where—
Then she remembered.
Señora Montoya’s voice.
Did the cards all take something from those they defeated?
“The Castro boy,” Señora Montoya rasped.Her voice sent tingles across Lo’s skin.The sound of her sisters sobbing.The sound of her father stomping around upstairs.A noise that brought nothing but dread.
“Me?”Dominic pointed to himself, as if there were several other Castros in this game.
“Listen carefully,” Lo whispered.“You have to do whatever the card tells youexactlyhow it tells you.”For now, she would much rather keep Dominic around and get rid of Don Zelaya.“You can do it.”With an encouraging smile, she patted his arm.
“Dominic Castro, your life is on the line,” Misterioso said.“You must pass three of El Gorrito’s challenges in order to survive.”
One mistake and it would all be over.
“Can you accomplish what I could not?”The card—no, Señora Montoya—asked.“Put me on your head.”
Dominic practically tumbled out of his seat and snatched the bonnet from the air.He slammed it onto his head, but then winced.Thick blood oozed down the sides.He raised his arms, about to rip off the bonnet, but then froze, catching himself.
The blood was just another distraction, designed to make him fail.“Stay focused, Dom!”Lo cheered him on.
“Now kiss the cheek to the one to your left.”
Lo sat to his left, but he foolishly turned to Xiomara.No.No.No.“Dom,” Lo whispered.
Catching himself once again, he turned to her and leaned in, giving her a quick peck on the right cheek.
“One more task,” Señora Montoya growled.Lo could picture her milky face pinched and annoyed, lips curled with hatred.She wanted to drag Dominic to El Infierno with her.
