Vidal blinked. Something like surprise flickered over his features.
“You and Alma loved each other so fiercely, but your love story was cut short. I am sorry that time was stolen from you.”
And she meant it. Time was the most powerful and frightening force because it could not be controlled. Alma was asking for more time. Carolina could no longer blame her for that because she wanted that with Lalo, too.
“She loved you ferociously.”
The devastation etched on his face nearly brought tears to Carolina’s eyes.
Movement pulled her attention to just behind Vidal. She held her features steady as Lalo raised a gleaming blade above Vidal’s back.
“Time to find your love once again,” she whispered.
As Lalo brought one of the lover’s blades down, Carolina used the last of her strength to lodge the other dagger deep into Vidal’s heart. She did not miss.
Her ancestor sucked in a breath. The light in his glowing eyes burned so bright, Carolina flinched. But just as fast as the light shone, it fizzled away, leaving only the bottomless brown of his irises. He let out a deep sigh before slumping on top of Carolina.
Burning heat rushed through Carolina as she felt the power of Tecuani inside her blood start to dissolve. She gritted her teeth to seal in her cries but couldn’t hold them back. She screamed until her throat could no longer bear it. But she was whole. She was alive. Maricela’s bite had not fully taken hold of her, and she’d not yet succumbed to the thirst.
Shrieks split open the skies. The sedientos surrounding them were falling one by one. They were dying. The vampiros were dying!
Carolina jolted.
Where was Lalo?
With a sob, she shoved Vidal’s dead body to the side. She scrambled to her hands and knees and crawled toward the boy she loved. He squirmed and howled.
Shakily, she grabbed him and pulled his body against hers.
“Carolina,” he managed. “It hurts.”
Papá edged to her side. “What’s happening? Why are they dying?”
“The lover’s blades. It was the only way to destroy Vidal, but with the power of Tecuani leaving their bodies, they’re all dying too.” She sobbed. “Stay with me, Lalo. Please. Remember our promise.”
He grimaced. His body writhed within her grasp.
“I love you,” he whispered.
And she knew this might be the final moment they saw each other in this life.
She gripped him tighter. Only a month ago she’d lost her abuelo. She held him just so. And now her Lalo was leaving her too.
She brushed a thumb over his beautiful cheek. “Find me when I move to the other side.”
Tears slithered down his temples. “I won’t rest until I do.”
She is the sun.
—Pío Parra,Una Canción Para Mi Amor
CHAPTER 49
Lalo
“Kiss me before I go,”he whispered.
“No,” Carolina sobbed. “You can’t leave me.”
