“Now that you’re comfortable, there’s one more thing I must share.As I’m sure you all have heard, there are many rumors flying around about the price of entry.Like tiny little flies buzzingabout, but now I’ll tell you the truth.”His words were light and airy.Half-singsong, half-taunting.
Mayté’s heart skipped a beat.
Misterioso chuckled, feeding off the tension like a sweet nectar.“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a steep price to pay.The cost to enter Fortune’s Kiss—is your greatest dream.”
The entire room broke into confused murmurs.
“Our greatest dream?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Are we giving up the chance for our biggest dreams to come true?”
Lo gasped.A wave of dizziness washed over Mayté.Her biggest dream was painting.It waseverythingto her.The only thing that truly made her forget her problems if even for a few moments at a time.She couldn’t even imagine losing that part of her.
“Ah, but please keep in mind”—Misterioso’s crisp voice cut through the whispers—“one cannot gamble without something to wager.This opens the realm of possibility and eliminates discrimination.Even those stricken with poverty have a dream that they can bet.A big risk isn’t without a handsome reward.Beat the house and you can leave with your dreams intact along with a fortune and your wish granted.Any wish—without limitation.A fair trade-off, hmm?”
The dizzy tingle inside Mayté sparked into something stronger.The fortune itself would solve most of her problems.The wish would be the finishing touch to perfection.
But was it worth the risk?What if she lost?What would that look like?What would happen to her without her dream?She would be empty.Lifeless.Then a sickening revelation dawned on her.
“Are you okay?”Lo whispered.
Mayté shook her head.“Those who returned from Fortune’s Kiss empty-handed … What if they were more than just sad and humiliated?What if they were … empty?Because the house stole their dreams away?”
Lo’s eyes widened.She didn’t argue.Those people who returned from Fortune’s Kiss had nothing left.Nothing to live for.Abuelita used to point them out and click her tongue, warning Mayté and her brothers to never gamble.But Mayté had always thought that was just Abuelita’s overprotective paranoia.
“Ahem, it’s not stealing if you willingly pay the price,” Misterioso’s voice cut through her thoughts.“In case any of you came to that conclusion.”His mirthful eyes flitted to Mayté, before lingering on Lo.
There was no way he could have heard her from where he stood.With a shiver, Mayté pulled her rebozo closer.This was a fancy one she’d borrowed from her mother’s closet.It was much too stiff and scratchy and not as comforting as the one she had left at Lo’s.
“The house may be many things,” he continued.“But we’re fair.If anyone here has second thoughts, you’re free to go.We won’t judge you or hold it against you.Just know, if you agree to stay, you won’t be able to change your mind.And your dream will be your collateral.”
There was a pause.A moment where nothing happened and no one moved, as if San Tiempo himself had frozen them.But then all at once, chairs scraped against the floor.Most of the room stood and made their way to the exit.Mayté chewed her lip as she watched them.
“Ah, what a shame.”Misterioso frowned.“Not everyone has what it takes.”
Mayté and Lo exchanged confused glances.The few left seated at the table looked just as baffled, but the rest of the crowd wore expressions of defeat.One of them covered their face and wept.Some consoled others, softly whispering that they would try again if Fortune’s Kiss ever returned to Milagro.
Mayté once again caught Misterioso eyeing them.He chuckled.“The price of entry is a house secret, though they’ll remember this part well enough.”
“So, it’s magic?”Lo murmured.“You make them forget?”
A magic like that was much more potent than anything in Milagro.Altering the memories of a large group of people was something only Los Santos should have been capable of doing.But what bothered Mayté even more was the deception of it all.All these years ofdreamingof this.All that hope.Had it been misplaced?“I don’t know about this anymore.”She stood, but Lo grabbed her hand.
Fear and shadows danced across Lo’s face, but there was something else.A desperation in her eyes that soon transformed as her jaw hardened with determination.“I won’t let you lose your dream.We’re going to win.And …” She took a shaky breath.“I need this.”
So did Mayté.Memories of last night flooded her mind.If she left now, she would have to face her father’s mess with those vile men.What would be worse?Being trapped with them, in a living nightmare?Or in a life where she couldn’t even remember the one dream she had?
“We’rewinningthis.”Lo squeezed her hand.
“We’re winning this,” Mayté whispered back.
Yes, it was the only option.
Still, they had to be chosen first.For as large as the group had been, now only six remained—including her and Lo.Therewere hundreds of people still waiting to be let in.Among them, maybe a tenth would try to compete.
Misterioso cleared his throat.“Well, then.If everyone else is here to stay, let us begin.”For a split second he looked disappointed.Maybe he had hoped more people would remain.With a flick of his wrist, a staff appeared in his gloved hand.Like his mask, the handle was bone-white.Bright orange marigolds gathered at the top where a lit candle rested.He held the staff to his lips and blew out the candle.
