Wait!Alejandro.
She pulled the napkin out of her pocket.With everything that had happened, she had nearly forgotten.Her heart raced as she studied it.There was a smudged note scrawled in charcoal:LIBRARY AT MIDNIGHT—A
There were still several hours before then.“Come on.”Mayté stuffed the napkin back in her pocket and stood.“Let’s keep looking for Lo.”
They had searched for what felt like hours, but Lo was nowhere to be found.Mayté’s insides twisted with more and more worry with every passing moment.
It was nearly midnight.She had to meet Alejandro.
The elevator doors opened, and Mayté rushed down the hall toward the library.Soft light from the wall lanterns washed over her.Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
When she pushed open the creaky door, everything in the room had once again changed.If it could even be considered a room.The sky was a deep purple, and the full moon shone high above.There were no walls, just an endless expanse of cobblestone, and buildings tall enough to touch the stars.Bright lights from lampposts and windows cut through the dark and illuminated the deep blue river ahead.
This wasn’t Milagro.
She had never seen a place like this before.Was this even in San Solera?
Despite the unfamiliarity, it was beautiful.So beautiful.Slowly, almost shakily, she approached the metal fence overlooking the river.Nearby rose bushes exhaled their dreamy scent.A cool breeze pulled at her braids as she stared out at the lake and city.
Her fingers twitched, wanting to paint a replica of this exact scene.Golden lights popping in the dark night, the silver moon reflecting in the waters, soft roses and harsh architecture.
To find herself in a place like this and create art.This was what she wanted.More than anything.She blinked back tears.
Would she ever get there?Or would she die inside Fortune’s Kiss?
She wiped her eyes and looked away.As beautiful as this place was, there was something uncanny lurking between the lights and buildings.There wasn’t a soul in sight.This shouldn’t have been a surprise.It was all just a mirage, yet it bothered her that there wasn’t a single figure in any of the windows.No carriages on the streets, either.It was just Mayté.Or was it?She spotted something approaching her.In the dark, it looked like a shadow come to life.Her heart jumped into her throat.
The stranger stepped under the light of a lamppost.Alejandro.
Mayté huffed.“You scared me!”
He took a step closer.
“The room changed, but you still came.Is this even still considered the library?”
Alejandro came closer, but kept quiet.He stared at her, hazel eyes tired and intense.He had washed the paint off his face, butclearly had been much too hasty as traces of black surrounded his eyes.The first few buttons on his wrinkled dress shirt were unbuttoned.He stopped in front of her, still wordless.As if he had consumed the potion El Silencio.
“Alejan—”
He suddenly hugged her, taking her breath away.Gentle, yet strong, he held her close.The subtle odor of paint and incense mixed with fresh lemongrass filled her nostrils.
“I was so worried.I’m glad—so glad you’re okay.”He buried his face in her neck.
The sky lightened into a dreamy purple.The stars glittered brighter, reflecting off the dew on the roses.Feeling his skin against hers sent shock waves of warmth all the way down to her toes.Her face must have been brighter than the moon.She was certain it would have reflected a vivid pink against the river’s glimmering water.
“I’m so sorry.The sudden death was all my fault.”He held her tighter.“I never should have told you about the house’s magic.”
“No.It’s okay.You tried to warn me about keeping my intentions pure, but I didn’t listen.I just wanted”—her voice cracked—“my best friend, my brother, and myself to survive.”
“That sounds pure to me.”He held her tighter.“This damn place has a warped sense of morality.”
Pressed up against his chest like this, her pulse pounded even harder.Or maybe it was Alejandro’s heart she felt.She wasn’t sure.
But she liked it.
She had never been hugged by a boy before.Save her brothers—and her father, long ago—but that was different.Noone outside of her family and Lo had cared for her so strongly.How many nights had she lain in bed, fantasizing about situations just like this?Yearning for this type of warmth, but also not fully understanding what it would feel like.Slowly, and almost shakily, she lifted her hands to return his embrace.
“I’ve been so selfish,” he whispered.
