“Get what?”
“Why you left. Isla Bruja can be…stifling. All the expectations of family and community. I went away, but then I missed it. That’s why I live and work in Miami. Close, but not too close.”
“Huh.” What a novel concept.
I spot one of my ex-boyfriends throwing money onto the stage and duck my head. I want to explore this conversation more, but I can’t chance any of these idiotas recognizing me, or our plan is ruined. “Go get him, Diego.”
I wait by the entrance to the VIP area while Diego goes to speak to his brother.
To the demon.
It doesn’t take long, and a few moments later, Diego brings Matteo over to me.
I lower my head and gesture with my hand. “Right this way, gentlemen.”
They chat as I lead them to the private room where we’re going to perform the banishment spell.
Matteo looks around, like he’s suspicious. “Where are we going?”
“To a private room,” Diego tells him. “I set up that performance you said you wanted. Just like I promised I would.”
“…Right.”
We reach the door, and Diego and Matteo go in. There’s no one else in this stretch of hallway, since Diego rented out all the rooms. We don’t want a human audience for what we’re about to do.
I wait outside the room and remove a black candle from the pocket of my borrowed apron. It’s been anointed with coconut oil, and Diego carved a banishment symbol into it. In my other hand, I hold a small pouch of black salt. Diego has already been inside to lay a salt circle around the room. All I have to do is complete the circle. Due to the layout of the room, the only choice is to trap ourselves in the circle with the demon, then perform the banishment spell from inside.
It’s not a perfect plan, but we’re running out of time and it’s the best we’ve got. The wedding is tomorrow night.
I close my eyes and take a few deep, soothing breaths. In. And out. In. And out. Diego’s the one who will be casting the spell, but I don’t want to ruin it by bringing negative energy into the circle with me.
I’m scared, though. Diego’s right, I shouldn’t be here. I don’t have my magic anymore, and I’m more of a liability than an asset.
But I can’t let him do this alone either. I have to help however I can.
Instead of worrying about the odds of our survival, I focus on our kiss by the bar. It was brief, just a press of Diego’s lips to mine, and I want more. Much more. All the feelings he stirred up in me during the rehearsal dinner come roaring back, and I let them replace the fear.
There’s a scratching sound on the wall, and I open my eyes. That’s the signal. With one more deep breath, I push open the door and enter.
The private room is just what you’d expect it to be. Square, with dim red lighting. Cushioned benches line three walls, and a square platform sits in the center. Is it a table? A stage? Maybe both. Low music with a heavy pulsing beat pumps through the speakers.
Matteo sprawls on the bench facing the door. Diego stands off to the side. As I enter the room, I lower my head demurely and pour the salt across the threshold. The second the circle is complete, a thrum of magic goes through the room, and I know we all feel it.
I spin around and thrust the candle out. With a flick of his fingers, Diego forces the wick into flame. But before he can even begin the incantation, the demon lets out a mighty roar and leaps over the table at him.
I scramble out of the way as they grapple on the floor. Diego attempts to use spells on the demon, but I can tell he’s holding back. It’s his brother’s body, after all.
My magic is close, humming along my skin like a live wire. It’s faint, but it’s there. I start to recite the incantation, glad that we worked on it together, grateful that I can remember it despite my fear. But the demon throws Diego aside and rounds on me instead.
Matteo’s perfect face is distorted with rage, and his voice holds an inhuman growl. “You think you can get rid of me with a little salt and a candle? Your families are mine. Their power is mine. And there’s not a damned thing you can—”
Diego tackles him from behind, cutting off the tirade. I struggle to continue the incantation, but they’re getting closer to me. Climbing onto a bench, I dart away from them, but Matteo grabs my ankle. I tumble onto the cushions, dropping the candle in the process. It falls to the floor and rolls into the shadows cast by the stage.
I don’t see a flame. It’s gone out.
Matteo heaves Diego off him and shoves him toward the door. I feel the energy of the salt circle drop. Diego’s foot must have broken it.
Our plan is ruined.
