Page 50

CHAPTER 50

Carolina

The world exploded with scorching light. A thousand shrieks tore through the air, piercing her ears in the worst of ways. She screamed at the sheer force of their cries. At the utter torment of Lalo’s blood still warm on her hands, but she would not let him go.

Just as fast as the brilliant light came, it disappeared, leaving the world around her blanketed in silent darkness.

Lalo’s body went slack in her arms. She held him tight against her chest and howled with sorrow.

They’d done it. Lalo’s wish of saving his sister, of ridding the world of his kind, her dream of wanting to keep her pueblo safe, had come true. But now his beautiful soul was gone.

A part of her wished to tear at the dirt. To claw her way into the underworld and find the boy who stole her heart. She could do it. She could use her blood and the lover’s blade to bring him back to her. She could call Tecuani to her and make another deal. Lalo would never be like Vidal. But no, he wouldn’t want that. And she’d never want him to suffer again.

Papá’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, and she wept into his embrace. “Why did it have to be him? Why Lalo?”

A torch was struck. She saw her papá’s face. There was no resentment in his eyes as she had expected, only sorrow. Her family limped toward her, clutching each other. But there were no sedientos alive to attack. They had all fallen. Their eyes had gone white. Their skin had been bleached of color. Their bodies had practically withered away.

She peered down at Lalo and cupped his cheek. “We did it.”

She jolted. “He’s still warm and his skin is still brown. What does this mean?” she asked her papá.

“I do not know,” Papá admitted. He’d never not had an answer for her before.

Was there still a chance? Perhaps he hadn’t been a sediento long enough? She’d been bitten and was still there. Perhaps he hadn’t stolen enough human lives?

She clutched him tighter. “Lalo,” she whispered. “Come back to me.”

Anger surged within her. She could not be offered this spark of hope only to be devastated again.

“Come back, do you hear me? Come back, or I will never forgive you.”