Page 18

CHAPTER 18

Carolina

At a quarter to three in the afternoon, wooden coach wheels bumped up the road that led to the old Alicante estate. No one dared live so near to the woods since the Alicante family had been slain by sedientos twenty-some-odd years ago. A host of Papá’s guards rode horseback now, flanking the mayor to thwart any sudden attacks.

Mamá drew a curtain back and peered through the window. “Why would the Montézes choose to stay here of all places?”

Papá looked up from his newspaper. The lead article was about a slew of people found dead in some bar in Los Campos. The date of the article was from just over a month ago, but it had only reached Del Oro today. And Papá thought shipping Carolina away to the capital city would be safer than staying in DelOro. She rolled her eyes. No matter where she went, there would be villains, even if they were of the human variety.

The carriage came to a stop and the door swung open. Insteadof the cochero, Fernanda Montéz appeared, holding an umbrella.

“Welcome,” she said. Her makeup and hair looked impeccable. She smiled warmly, but there was tension behind her eyes. Where was Lalo? They’d taken the long route to get here. Papá wished to stop by some of the guard towers and check in on his men. Lalo had plenty of time to sneak away from her home and get himself ready for her family’s call.

“Ah, Fernanda. How are you this fine day?” Papá said as he clambered out of the coach, his weight, or lack thereof, causing the carriage to sway.

“I am well. So happy to have company. It gets rather dull out here.”

“Yes, about that.” Papá helped Mamá disembark. “Why did you choose this casa to lease? I believe the Gonzálezes are renting out, and their home is so near to the center of town.”

“Apá,” Carolina groaned. “That is none of our business.”

“Says who? These are our potential in-laws, no?” Papá rested his hands on his hips and took in the crumbling manor. Raindrops bounced off his coat. “Are you certain your brother has his finances in order?”

“Luis,” Mamá chided. “One thing at a time.”

Fernanda smiled kindly. “It is quite all right, Se?ora Fuentes. I don’t mind. Lalo and I hold no secrets.”

Carolina snorted. When her parents gave her a quizzical look, she pretended to fight off a sneeze.

“My brother is frugal and also likes his privacy. Scholars crave quiet.”

“Surely you know what a risk it is to be so near to the forest?” Mamá inquired.

Fernanda’s smile did not falter when she said, “We didn’t when we arrived. But we do now.”

All this talk of the forest was getting dangerously uncomfortable. One slip from Fernanda and her parents might catch on to Lalo’s true nature. Carolina couldn’t let that happen.

“I am famished,” Carolina said. She patted her belly in the most uncouth way.

“Please, come in,” Fernanda said. “I made my very first batch of jamoncillo this morning.”

Carolina inwardly winced. Her papá hated sweet treats. And Mamá’s stomach did not favor foods made with leche. She supposed she’d have to eat enough for the three of them. Which was fine by her since she hadn’t eaten all day.

Fernanda led them up the steps and inside. They followed Fernanda into a quaint sitting room that smelled of lavender and rosemary. “Have a seat. I will get refreshments.”

“Where is your brother?” Papá asked, still standing, his arms clasped behind his back.

“He had more early morning business to attend to in the next pueblo over. He should be home any moment.”

“The nearest pueblo is a day’s ride away. Will he make it back so soon?” Papá inquired.

“He…um…My brother is a skilled horseman, se?or.” She curtsied. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“I’ll help you!” Carolina nearly shouted. “I mean…if you’d like the company.”

“Of course,” Fernanda said. “Would you like rose or mint tea, Se?ora Fuentes? I went and picked some myself. I understand they are good for people with child.”

Mamá blushed. “That is so thoughtful of you. Rose would be wonderful.”

Fernanda gave an elegant bow. A sting of jealousy bit at Carolina. She hadn’t ever dipped so gracefully, not naturally anyway. Oftentimes, that sort of grace had to be smacked into her.

“And for you, se?or? We have some rather fine port.”

Papá now stood before the windows, which were open a bit but covered in thick curtains. His brows were knit together. “Sounds lovely. Thank you.”

Together, Carolina and Fernanda headed for the kitchens, their silk skirts swishing in unison.

“Where is he?” Carolina whispered.

“I haven’t the slightest clue. I thought he’d be here by now.”

The Montéz casa had been bare of decorations the first time Carolina came. Now there were quite a few paintings on the walls. Her feet slowed when her eyes landed on a small but intricate portrait. A much younger Lalo stood next to a tall and angular man. Fernanda, who couldn’t have been more than eight or so, sat on a bench next to a lovely woman with the kindest green eyes.

“Our parents,” Fernanda said.

“You both favor them.”

Fernanda smiled sadly. “I think so too. My brother can’t stand to see this painting, but I put it up anyway. I couldn’t leave the piece behind. I feel like if I don’t look upon their faces every day, I might somehow forget them.”

“I’m so sorry,” Carolina said.

“My brother saw how they were taken from us.” Fernanda gulped. “I know he’s hurt people. He doesn’t talk about the night he returned to our home after being made, but I can see the pain in his eyes. He has done terrible things to make sure I won’t be abandoned in this world, and I am thankful for it.” A tear slipped down Fernanda’s cheek. “Does that make me a monster, too?”

Carolina gazed at the younger version of Lalo. She thought about this prim and proper boy and how his entire life must have been turned completely upside down. And yet, he still fought so hard to keep his life together, to keep his sister safe. Fernanda wasn’t a monster because Lalo wasn’t a monster either.

Frustration breathed within Carolina. She used to see the world in black and white. Right or wrong. Monster or human. Why did Lalo have to add color where it didn’t belong?