Page 16 of Secrets of the Six

“Take my advice or don’t. I won’t always be around to rescue you.” As much as I want to help him, I know I can’t. “Where should we drop you off?”

“Anywhere is fine.” He says flippantly. “I’ve still got a full day’s work ahead of me.”

Flashes of being his age scrape the recesses of my mind. I know his struggle. I know the hopeless gleam in his eyes. Just yesterday, I was sitting in my ransacked apartment in the Brogratto contemplating selling myself to one of the Masters of Madams just to eat. I know suffering.

“Here.” I reach inside the purse Lupe gave me this morning and empty the coins and paper notes into his hands. “Take it.”

“Why are you doing all this?” He eyes me suspiciously. “I’m a nobody from the Brogratto. You don’t owe me anything.”

“I don’t care where you’re from. You’re still a person in need. I might not be able to do much, but I can give you what I have.”

I’ve ignored plenty of people in the Brogratto in need of aid but for some reason, this child reminds me so much of my younger self I can’t turn a blind eye. For years I’ve allowed myself to be indifferent to the troubles of others, burdened by my own. But maybe, being a part of this rebellion, I can make a difference like Otero claims.

I tap on the carriage ceiling, and we come to a halt. The boy straightens his hat and tucks the coins into his pocket.

“Thanks again,” he says, flinging the door open.

“What’s your name?” I ask, even though I know I probably shouldn’t.

He hesitates but finally says, “Reuben.”

“Reuben.” I repeat and smile. “I’m Ines.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” he tips his hat. “I won’t forget you.”

And just like that, the boy disappears from my sight and our carriage takes off.

I wait several minutes in silence before mustering the strength to glance up at Lupe. I expect to see wrath and ruin but instead her eyes are bloodshot and filled with mercy.

“How angry are you?” I ask.

“What you did was reckless and could have blown your cover as Elena Lozano - ”

I roll my eyes. “What would you have had me do, Lupe? Watch the boy endure a beating for existing? Watch as the Black Guard dragged him to the Palace of Justice to be condemned for a petty crime and issued execution? I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of watching the injustices of this cruel world win.”

Lupe holds a hand up silencing me. “You didn’t permit me to finish.”

I squirm in my seat and motion for her to continue.

“What you did was reckless and could have blown your cover as Elena Lozano, but it was the right thing to do.” Her gaze softens. “Perhaps, Salvador was right about you being an acquired taste.”

Chapter 6

Ines

After the first few days of etiquette lessons, learning to walk, talk, sit, stand, and eat like a lady, I'm tired. From the moment I wake up, Lupe assists me in getting dressed for breakfast and then what follows is nothing but hell. By the time night falls, I plop into my bed and pass out within minutes.

Salvador has been present for all my lessons but today, he's noticeably absent. When I ask Doña Otero where Salvador is, she gives me no real answer.

"Out." Is all she says.

I'm sure whatever he is doing, it is to further their cause and I'm not a trusted member of the team quite yet. I might never be privy to the whole picture, but Otero reminds me I have an important role to play and even though I want to scream and throw a vase against the wall, I keep my temper in check and do as she instructs.

Today, we're in the parlor where curved windows overlooking the sea allow light to pour inside. Dark wooden shelves filled with hundreds of leatherbound books line the walls and although there is fresh coffee awaiting us in the sitting area, Doña Otero motions for me to stay standing.

"Today's lesson is all about balance."

A satisfied grin stretches taut across my face. Finally, something I can excel in. Seeing as I scale walls, jump from rooftop to rooftop, and dance across two-inch-wide trellises to sneak into houses of the wealthy to unload them of said wealth, balance is my middle name.