Epilogue
The group entered the lustrous salon and found themselves shrouded in darkness. It was nothing like they had imagined, but no one complained. How could they? They had finally made it to Fortune’s Kiss.
“Welcome to El Beso de la Fortuna!” a honeyed voice boomed. “Fortune’s Kiss.”
A spotlight beamed, and a beautiful young woman sashayed out from the shadows.
Orange marigolds bloomed in her brown curls.
She wore a shimmering golden gown with a black top hat.
A lacy black veil that looked more like a spider’s web hung in front of her face, but it did nothing to obscure her beauty.
“Could she be a Gamemaker?” someone whispered. Legend had it that one of the Gamemakers was the most captivating young woman in all the land. People who claimed to come from the salon recounted their encounters with her. The stories were always the most exciting and incredibly tantalizing.
A young man stood at her side. While the beautiful girl glowed with an irresistible warmth, the man had an alluring coolness to him with his pale face, blue eyes, and crisp white suit. With a smile, smooth as velvet, he kissed her hand.
“Are they lovers?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Listen closely,” the beauty said. “In order to gamble, you have to wager. Your possessions, your dreams, maybe even your life. It’s a big risk, but the reward is even grander.
” She threw out her hands in excitement.
Her playful giggles sounded like tinkling bells.
“You’ll have to keep your wits about you if you want even a chance to win, but if you do, your deepest wish will be granted.
” She beckoned to the crowd. “This place is for those with impossible wishes, but beware, the house will bring your darkest secrets to light. Secrets you may not even be aware of. The wicked shall be punished while the deserving will be rewarded. Do you have a wish that’s worth the risk? ”
Some people squirmed, clearly uncomfortable at the prospect, while others were clearly intrigued.
Whispers floated around as people pointed at members of las grandes familias in the crowd. Another rumor raced around about the Montoya siblings, who suddenly and most tragically had lost their inheritance, being in the room.
“I’m not scared,” one of the heirs to las grandes familias declared. A handsome young man who dressed the part of someone who didn’t need the magic of Fortune’s Kiss. Rumor had it that the young lady he intended to wed ran off and never returned. “I’ll beat the game.”
“You think so, senor?” The beauty’s face lit up with amusement. Could she read his heart from where she stood?
Perhaps looks were deceiving and his intentions were noble.
Or maybe he would soon be in a world of pain.
The beauty twirled. Her gown billowed around, sending out a gust of wind and smoke. One by one, candles lit up, revealing a row of doors.
Her lips, bloodred, curved into a catlike grin. “Who’s ready to gamble?”