Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
Mayté
Mayté sank deeper into the marigold petals. She could barely keep her head above them. She spat out a mouthful and looked up toward the golden card above. Its glittering lights illuminated the nearby petals and calaveras.
No matter how much she struggled, the coveted card wasn’t any closer. In fact, it felt as if she were sinking farther and farther away. An overwhelming musky scent washed over her. Decay and burning.
Nearby petals rustled as Lo’s inky black form moved past her. Somehow, Lo was able to climb up the pile with ease. Not only would she ruin her chance to destroy this place, but—
If someone with a pure heart claims the card, something miraculous will happen. But if anyone else claims the card, it will further corrupt their heart.
Alejandro’s words echoed through her mind. Lo had murdered two people. Despite her reasons, the fact remained. If she got ahold of the card, there would be no hope for her. She would never again go back to being the Lo that Mayté loved.
“Stop!” Mayté snatched Lo’s ankle. “You can’t go through with this! I won’t let you!”
Lo struggled against her, shaking her leg. Mayté clung tighter, grabbing her other ankle with her other hand as well.
“If you grab the card, you’ll be like this forever. This isn’t you, Lo!”
The struggling slowed. “But you’ll die!” Lo said.
“I’d rather die than let this continue! Lo, my father came to Fortune’s Kiss. That’s why I’m here in the first place. I can’t keep letting this place destroy lives and dreams. Please!”
Lo stopped struggling. “Maybe this is the price for getting the card in here. There’s no way for all of us to get out alive,” she croaked.
“I know … but I’m okay with that. It’s okay, Lo, I promise.”
“No!” Lo snapped.
“Only someone with the power of a Gamemaker can get us out of this.” Mayté’s voice cracked as reality further sank in. “And I would rather die than stay here forever continuing this cursed cycle.”
Lo made a strange face. “What if I told you didn’t have to do that?” She held out her hand to Mayté.
“I wouldn’t know how that would be possible.” Yet despite everything, she took Lo’s hand.
“It is. I promise.”
As they climbed, she whispered her plan.