Chapter 30
THIRTY
Lo
They reached the top of the pile. Together.
There was the card, bright, beautiful, and golden. From up here, the rest of the gambling salon looked small, unthreatening. As planned, Mayté snatched the card and held it up.
“I did it, Alejandro …,” she whispered.
An even brighter light shot out from the card.
Glittering and miraculous, it washed over their glass prison, creating a spiderweb of cracks.
Bigger and bigger, until it completely shattered and lit up the entire salon, It filled Lo with warmth and clarity.
She still didn’t regret killing Alejandro to save her best friend, but everything else leading up to that …
it was a terrible mistake. Even though she had thought of herself in control, the house had given the darkness inside her full control.
And now she was free thanks to the miracle of El Beso de la Fortuna.
“Mayté …” She fell onto Mayté’s lap. “Thank you.”
Mayté held her. “Everything’s going to be okay now.”
The mountain of petals shrank as the two girls slid to the bottom. Carlos met them there, holding Mayté’s Lotería board in one hand and a bean in the other. “Mayté, look.”
Her board had every space filled except for the one of the middle squares which contained a picture of El Beso de la Fortuna. With trembling fingers, she took the bean and placed it on the space. “Lotería!” she cried out.
Trumpets blared and golden confetti rained down from above.
“And we have a winner,” Misterioso said in disbelief. “Congratulations, María Teresa! We will now grant your wish. What is it that you most desire? Fortune? Power?” His eyes cut to Lo. “Revenge?”
Mayté squeezed Lo’s hand. She took a deep breath. “I wish for Lorena de León to replace Loretta de León as supreme Gamemaker for all time.”
Loretta stiffened, and Misterioso’s jaw went slack.
Lo flashed them a wicked smile. Her earlier dreams may have shattered …
Loretta wasn’t the Mamá she knew.
But Sera and Sofia were free of her father, and they would have his fortune.
What good would it do if Lo returned?
Frankly, she didn’t want to return. Not anymore.
Loretta’s folded hands tightened. “Is that so? But would that not make you the same as me?” She tried to sound calm, but Lo had become quite good at reading people.
It helped her perform. Survive. She could sense her mother’s calm facade unraveling like the threads off a beautiful but cheaply made gown.
“Do this, and you’ll become exactly what you despise. ”
“I disagree,” Lo said, truly at peace. “I understand now what drove you to this, but that doesn’t excuse the terrible things you’ve allowed to take place. I won’t use my pain to destroy the innocent.” She nodded at Mayté, who grinned back at her.
Loretta stood. Her bronze face twisted with fury and panic. “You can’t do this!”
“Actually. She can.” Miguel walked over. He pulled off his tie, tossing it aside. “Mayté’s wish is earned. That trumps all.”
“I have told you my wish,” Mayté said, voice firm. “Now make it come true.”
Loretta stiffened, before dropping to her knees and writhing in pain. Orange lights raced from her chest and floated toward her daughter.
Lo closed her eyes as a powerful heat flowed through her veins.
It felt good. Felt right. Now the world almost felt new.
The house looked even more splendorous. Glittering dust wafted down sparkling under the candlelight.
Marigold petals were sprinkled among the golden rubble.
Lorena de León felt more alive than ever before.
This was truly who she was, and where she belonged.
Loretta already looked more her age, an accordion of creases across her forehead. A few strands of shiny gray mingled with her curls like spider silk. Her nostrils flared and her face turned red. “What will become of me?”
Lo smiled. “Sera and Sofia need you, you’ll remember how to love them.”
There was a power in Lo’s words as she spoke them. Simply saying it, she could feel a pulsating shift in the air. This was what Gamemakers were capable of. As Loretta said, they could do anything.
Loretta jolted, then blinked as if seeing the world for the first time. The warmth returned to her eyes, the warmth Lo had desperately craved for so long. “L-Lorena?” Even her voice regained that comforting softness Lo had yearned for.
Lo quickly turned away before she could change her mind about staying in the house.
“Lorena, I—”
“Miguel.” Lo swallowed hard. “Escort Loretta out, please.”
“Very well.” With a nod, Miguel stepped out of sight. Lo didn’t dare look back. She didn’t do well with goodbyes.
Mamá would become the head of the de León family. And she would be her true self. Sera and Sofia would be okay.
“I’m not done,” Lo declared. “As Gamemaker I decree that all the innocent souls in the house will be released to the afterlife. Every last one of them. Mayté will be free to leave with Carlos. She will receive a fortune and her dreams will come true. Every last wish and desire.”
It wasn’t a part of the plan they had discussed. But now, as Gamemaker, she could do anything, and she would give her dearest friend in the world all of her dreams come true.
“L-Lo!” Mayté whirled around to face her, but before she could say more, the entire room rumbled.
Hundreds of marigolds bloomed on the walls and ceiling.
One by one, each flower opened, revealing golden orbs of light.
The souls. They floated up. A dreamy, beautiful display.
They fluttered around like butterflies, soon vanishing through the ceiling.
One lingered around Mayté. She held out her hands to it, fingers trembling, and watched as it floated away. Her eyes glittered with tears.
Lo’s own eyes stung, but she smiled. She only wished she could be there to witness Mayté’s wishes coming true. Once again, everything was about to change. She turned away to pull herself together.
Mayté suddenly yelped.
“Lo!” Carlos gasped.
Lo’s back slammed into the wall. Misterioso crushed her upper arms in a viselike grip.
“Let her go!” Carlos yelled.
“Don’t move!” Misterioso grabbed Lo’s neck. “I won’t let you destroy everything I’ve worked for!”
She should have been terrified.
And yet …
She burst out laughing. “What are you doing? Have you forgotten—” Her hand shot out, gripping the edge of his mask. “I know how to destroy you, Misterioso.”
He gritted his teeth.
“What are you talking about?” Mayté’s voice wavered.
“He’s hiding his face and name from the house. From the moment he set foot in this place, the house wanted to destroy him.”
“What? But why?” Mayté’s asked.
When Lo thought back to it, she could picture every contestant who walked through the doors. Each of them was viewed as neutral in the eyes of the house. It wasn’t until some of them let their emotions get the best of them or figured out the house’s magic that things shifted.
Except for one group of people.
Miguel stepped forward. “I think I understand now. He is one of the suitors, isn’t he,” he said. “The house despises him, but he is trapped here. So, to survive, he hid in plain sight, like a festering wound pumping poison into the house itself.”
“Hmm.” Mayté rubbed her chin in thought. “No wonder you were always bent on keeping the rules. If the house sniffed out cheaters, it would have found the biggest one of all—you.”
“We should get rid of him,” Lo said.
Misterioso released her and backed away. “That’s absurd. We can’t allow a Gamemaker who will turn on the others.”
“Why not?” Miguel grabbed him from behind. “I think some new management here would be quite”—he grunted when Misterioso tried to break free—“refreshing.”
“As Gamemaker, it’s my duty to keep the house’s best interest at heart.” Lo strode over to Misterioso. “And you’re not it.” She tore off his mask and tossed it aside. It landed with a loud clatter.
Shunk.
Lo didn’t get much of a chance to take in Misterioso’s face, because a blue spike jutted through his chest, impaling him.
An alebrije. A cross between a porcupine and peacock with colorful spiked feathers now stained with blood stood proud.
The life instantly left Misterioso’s brown eyes, and his mouth jutted open.
Miguel released him, grumbling about another ruined suit as he dabbed at the spatters of blood on his lapel. Misterioso crumpled to the floor, and the creature dragged him away. Even though the original Gamemaker was long gone, the house hadn’t forgotten her pain and rage.
Retribution. Maybe now this place could be at peace.
“How did Misterioso make his announcements to the entire house?” Lo asked Miguel, who in turn led her to a wooden phone box on the wall. In the center was a small clock and rotary dial. With a slick smile, he handed the receiver to her.
“Attention, everyone.” Her voice rang throughout the house.
She twirled the long cord with her finger.
“As of now, you are free to terminate your employment.” No use in having unwilling workers here.
She hung up the receiver and sighed. Without any souls bound to the house, she could already feel the weakening magic.
It would have to be rebuilt from scratch.
Not to mention that she would need new employees. She caught Miguel staring.
“I think you’ll be surprised to see quite a few stay,” he said, leaning against the wall. “I’m sure many have nothing left to return to.”
“And you?”
“I think I’ll stay as well.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and pushed off the wall. “You see … you were right about Ana Lùcia.”
Lo’s eyes widened.
“I came here in hopes of rescuing her, but I was too late. She had already become a Gamemaker. She wasn’t the woman I loved anymore.”
Just like what happened with her mother …
“Like most Gamemakers, she lost herself and was killed.” His gaze drifted off. “I had nothing left, I vowed to destroy the house. That’s why I stayed here, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Loretta wanted me to keep tabs on you, but I soon realized you—”
“—wanted the same thing,” Lo whispered. From the moment she had wanted to destroy the house, her dynamic with Miguel had shifted. He knew. “Well, now we finally have the chance to work together.” She folded her arms. “Or do you still want to destroy the place?”
He shook his head. “I think the house will be much better off now, and what can I say? I’ve grown fond of you.”
“Ohh? Have I finally seduced you?” Lo teased, even though she knew his feelings for her were platonic. It was mutual.
“I wouldn’t go that far, carino.” He flashed a devilish smirk.
“I suppose I’ll keep you around so long as you behave.” Lo turned away only to see Mayté staring at her in shock.
“So, you … you’re really staying?” Tears filled her best friend’s eyes. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” Lo whispered, lest her voice betray her.
She closed the gap between them and took Mayté’s hands.
Her fingers were cold. “And let’s face it.
I don’t belong in Milagro, but here … I think I can make it work.
I’m sorry I hid my true self from you, but this is who I am,” Lo said.
“And the fact that you work endlessly to see the good in people. The good in me,” her voice cracked.
“That’s what I love about you, and no matter what, you’ll always be my sister. ”
“S-same here, Lo.” Mayté’s mouth quivered. Seeing her like that made Lo’s throat tighten. “I’ll always love you.”
“I hate myself for everything I’ve put you through,” Lo said.
Mayté let out the tiniest of sobs, and Lo couldn’t hold it back any longer.
“B-but wonderful things are awaiting you outside of here. I made sure of it. I know your life is going to be amazing.” Tears soaked Lo’s eyelashes.
“As for me, I want to make this place a sanctuary for people like us with impossible wishes. A place that punishes the wicked and redeems the good.” She turned to Carlos and fought to maintain her composure.
“I’m sure if you ask nicely, Mayté will share some of her fortune with you. That will make you an appealing bachelor. Find yourself a pretty girl from a good family to marry. Live happily ever after.”
Carlos shook his head. “Lo …” He trailed off. He didn’t have to say it.
“I know.” It was bittersweet. Like biting into chocolates laced with potion. “But I belong here, and you belong in Milagro.”
Carlos’s eyebrows furrowed. He always made that face when trying to think of a solution. But there was no solution. Not this time.
“Come, now.” Miguel motioned for them to follow him to the elevator. “It’s time to say your farewells.”