“It was a little premature.Though itisfortunate that you discovered it on your own,” Mamá continued.“If someone had led you there, that would have been cheating.Cheaters can’t win.Their souls are consumed by the house once the game ends.”
Lo shook her head.“What?”
“You’ll see soon enough.Mayté is cheating with one of my croupiers.It’s a shame, too.I was beginning to grow fond of Alejandro.I had such high hopes for him.”
Lo’s heart pounded wildly.She backed away.There was too much to process.
“Though Misterioso may get to them first.He’s the only one who loathes cheating more than the house itself.”
“What?No!”Lo snapped.She had to think.She still had her crown.“I order you not to let that happen!”
“Oh, my!”Mamá chuckled and stood.With an icy smile, she smacked the crown off Lo’s head.It landed with a thud and vanished into smoke.“That won’t work with me.But don’t fret,” she cooed as if consoling a small child.“Perhaps Alejandro will die first.Since Mayté never asked him to cheat with her, the house may consider his death fair payment and spare her.”
The room spun.Lo couldn’t breathe.She was the one who had told Mayté to talk to Alejandro in the first place.
Mamá studied her with uncaring amusement.
For years, all Lo had ever wanted was a reunion with Mamá.Now … who was this person?
“Youwonthe game, didn’t you?”It hadn’t quite sunk in until now.She had asked Miguel to lead her to the one in charge.Mamáwas the one in charge.
Lo knew it was true, yet terror filled her veins when Mamá simply nodded.
“Why didn’t you come home?”Lo asked.It was the most she could muster without breaking.
Mamá simply smiled.“There was more for me here.”
Lo’s heart stopped.In the end, her mother had simply abandoned her.Her father was right.And Lo had refused to believe that it was even a possibility.
“I had my reasons, Lorena.Your father’s wealth kept you and your sisters safe and comfortable.If he had gotten anywhere near me, he would’ve likely killed—”
“He’s dead,” Lo blurted.“I did it myself.”
“I know.When we measured your soul, we saw everything.”
Lo bit her lip.She didn’t know what to say.None of it made sense.“Do you know how terrible things have been for us?He brainwashed Sera and Sofía.They think that his cruelty is love.And me?He wanted to marry me off to a manjust like him?”
“Who?”Mamá asked as if it was all harmless gossip.
“Juan Felipe Garcia,” Lo spat.
“Ah.”She crossed her legs.“He was a vile child.Spoiled, always getting what he wanted.His mother told me he would erupt into tantrums and bite her until she bled.It’s no surprise he grew up to be a pig.”
“Mamá,” Lo snapped in disbelief.“Father hurt me.Before I killed him, he became wild.He threatened me.I didn’t know what he would do.”An angry sob tore past her throat.“That’s what you left me with.”
“But you’re here now.And you’re doing quite well at the games.You may even win.”
Lo backed away.May?She couldn’t believe her ears.Mamá was the person in charge of this el infierno.
Lo backed into a shelf, causing the contents to topple over.A skull mask and a black veil caught her eye.The same one that Pearla wore during sudden death.“Y-you’re …”
“Yes.”Mamá sighed.“I had to make sure you knew I was gone, because I’m no longer the woman you knew.”
“You’re right,” Lo rasped.“That woman would have done anything to protect her daughters.”
“Ah, but I have done so much for you from the moment you arrived, Lorena.I asked Miguel to look out for you.I added an extra contestant to the game so Mayté could compete with you.I even made sure you and Mayté got to sleep in the finest suite.”
Lo felt numb.It all made sense.But: “You … you still promised to return, and youdidn’t.”
