Page 95 of Fortune's Kiss
“Everything comes at a price,” El Cotorro squawked.
Her lips pursed.
Mayté’s heart skipped.So many questions came to mind.Why was Lo doing this?What had happened?Were they still friends?Had Lo really killed Don Zelaya?
But she had to choose her question carefully.
Lo had been strange and cruel.Mayté needed to know that the Lo she loved was still there.That her heart was still beating.
“Lo, if there was a way to save everyone here, would you?”
Carlos sat up straighter.Dominic looked down.Lo stared blankly.
Yes, Mayté thought, you would save everyone.You would.Because you’re a good person.You’re my best friend.You’re—
“No,” Lo finally answered.
Mayté gripped the table.If she hadn’t, she might have fallen from her seat.
“Truth.”El Cotorro stayed on her shoulder.She had time for another question.
“Have you killed anyone?”
Lo jolted.Her wide eyes begged Mayté to take the question back.But she couldn’t.Even if she wanted to.
Carlos made a small noise, while Dominic kept his head down.
“Yes.”
“Who?”She blurted before El Cotorro flew off.
Lo’s face pinched.She looked down.“Don Zelaya and … my father.”The way she said that last part.It wasn’t an accident, was it?
Mayté couldn’t believe it.Didn’t want to.
But Lo didn’t want to save everyone …
And Lo had lied to her about her father.What else had she lied about?
Her best friend was a murderer.
El Cotorro flew around the room.
“Let’s get the game moving,” Lo muttered, voice cold.She held up the La Corona.She wouldn’t look at Mayté.“What does this one do?”
The Banker’s eyes darted all around and Misterioso gritted his teeth.Was that fear?
“I’m sure you recall, that’s the card that Don Zelaya received,” he replied.“How fitting.”
Lo scoffed.“Tell me what the card does.Now.”The card flashed and vanished into a million tiny lights that gathered atop Lo’s head and transformed into a crown.
Misterioso grunted as if pained.“The card allows you to order anyone to do your bidding and they will have to obey.”
When Xiomara first drew the card, Mayté thought it only would work on the other players.That they would have to obey the order or lose the wager, but she had been dead wrong.The card’s magic forced the commanded to obey.If the orders worked on Misterioso, would it work oneveryonein the house?
“Lo!”Mayté gasped.“Command Misterioso to free us all!”
Dominic coughed and Carlos stared between Mayté and Lo.Even the shopkeeper, who had looked groggy and grumpy, perked up.
