Chapter 27 Esmeralda
Esmeralda
“Hey, kid.”
Esmeralda’s head snapped up. She was sitting near the siren enclosure, dangling her feet over the impossibly blue waters while writing out ideas on how to stand out during the next challenge.
The page was empty, though. Her mind was too busy spinning in circles about everything that had happened last night with the Sánchezes and this morning with Ignacio.
She clamped the notebook shut and scooted around to face the ringmaster.
“How is Pilar?” she asked. She hadn’t had the guts to visit the sisters since the train stopped in Nuevo Campos. How could she when they’d both nearly died and all she cared about was if she could use the aerialist’s hoop for her act?
The ringmaster took off his top hat and scratched his thick brown hair. Bits of gray had begun to pepper his temples. She’d never noticed that before. And he was rather young to be so gray. She supposed stress could do such a thing.
“Camila is up and moving about, but I don’t know about Pilar,” he said. “The healer and physician are meeting right now.”
He plopped down beside her, nodding at the performers dressed as sirens who were swimming about in the pool to work in their new fins. They had once been opera singers, but when they couldn’t get their big break anywhere else, they joined the carnival.
The ringmaster’s face turned forlorn. “I don’t know if they told you yet, but, unfortunately, I had to disqualify the girls. They’re no longer fit for the challenge.”
Esmeralda stiffened. She didn’t think the sisters could continue on in the Running, obviously, but she also didn’t think he’d disqualify them before Pilar even woke.
“Such a pity,” he said. “They had great potential.” His focus went to the journal in Esmeralda’s lap. “What are you working on?” he asked.
“Oh…um…” Esmeralda shrugged. How was she supposed to answer such a thing when he’d just told her that?
He nudged her shoulder with his. “Come now. I’m not the kind to judge.”
“I was coming up with ideas for the next challenge.”
“Is that so? You are thinking of such things even after what happened to the Sánchezes?”
Her eyes widened. “Is that horrible of me?”
“No. That is circus of you.” He winked. “Only those with true sparkle in their veins understand that the show must carry on.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. And for the first time she noticed that he’d powdered his face. “You are more like me than I ever realized.”
“Really?” She scooted closer. “How so?”
“You are a performer through and through. You want to feel the spotlight on your skin. To be loved and adored by all. And you have spunk, kid. Did you see how many people held signs up for you when we entered the city? Did you hear them chanting your name?”
A twinge of annoyance spiked through her. “They were also chanting for Ignacio.”
“News travels fast. That’s exactly why you must capitalize on it. If you want to be the main attraction, you gotta do whatever it takes. Use this energy. Use him.”
“Use Ignacio?”
“Sure. Pull him into your act. Tease the audience with a love story, even if it’s a false one.”
“I don’t think he would be okay with that.”
“Make him okay with it. And fast.”
She blinked in confusion.
ángel grinned brilliantly. The morning sun turned his eyes the same sapphire blue as the siren tank. He twirled his fingers, and a black envelope popped into existence.
He offered her the card. “Get ready, Esmeralda Montero. Challenge number two has just begun.”
She took the card with both hands. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. Especially if you heed my advice. Use the boy. Give the people what they want.” With a grunt, the ringmaster stood. “See you soon.”
She watched him go, his movements stiff as if he too hadn’t slept well. She sighed and beamed, clutching the envelope. He still believed in her.
Her smile quickly faded when the ringmaster crossed paths with Gabriel, who held Camila up with her arm around his shoulder. Esmeralda tried to hide her excitement and the envelope, but it was too late. They had seen it.
Gabriel shook his head before escorting Camila away.
Away.
That’s where people were always moving when it came to Esmeralda.
Away.
Maybe it was her own fault. She was selfish and greedy. But how else was she supposed to be? No one in this world would ever care for her like she did. People left her when they learned who she truly was anyway.
But the crowd, the audience, the coin they flicked in her direction, that would be there until she decided she’d had her fill. ángel Veracruz was the only person who understood that fact. And he would be the only one to save her from Comandante Olivera.
She tore the envelope open and read the card.
Welcome. Welcome. To challenge number two!
Show me your vivacity and you will be through.
Do you sparkle? Do you shine?
Can you make the crowd feel divine?
Prove your effervescence tonight in the center ring.
And perhaps your name will be the final one I sing.
*There are currently six acts in the Running. Only three will continue.