The audacity.“What did you do?” he asked.
“I told her we had unfortunately lost most of our possessions in a fire. It was the first thing I could think of. I couldn’t exactly say we stole away in the middle of the night to escape a vengeful vampiress.”
That was sort of a relief. “But…”
Fernanda rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, brother. I was perfectly charming and convincing. As far as she and everyone I have spoken to thus far know, you are a scholar, and I am your younger sister and ward. Which is mostly true. Now that you are no longer operating father’s boot business, you can dedicate all your time to research. And clearly, I take care of you, but we don’t need to fuss over details.” She quirked her lips into a grin. “She seemed so curious about you, though, which was odd seeing as I was standing right there. I am far more interesting. Perhaps she’s determined to lay eyes on you before anyone else. I can’t imagine there are too many unattached men in these parts.”
“Indeed.”
“She asked me at least three times where you were. I told her you had business to attend to in the next pueblo over.”
The next pueblo over was at least a day’s ride away and surrounded by a river. A sediento could never cross the flowing waters because of the curse. Perhaps that would at least convince the daughter of the mayor that he wasn’t a monster.
“Saints, I wish you would have been there,” Fernanda said. “They were so amiable. I think we will be the best of friends. Or more. I’m not sure yet.”
“When did they come?” He suddenly had a horrified feeling she was lurking somewhere nearby, readying her blade, or her lasso.
“Perhaps an hour ago.”
He recoiled.Only an hour ago!He’d just barely missed her. She could still be in the woods now, spying. Lalo took his sister by the arm. The movement brought on a fresh wave of pain. That wretched dagger was still lodged in his shoulder.
“Come on, let’s get inside,” he said. Trying his best to not sound as frightened as he was. “I need you to help me get this thing out of my back.”
“What dress should I wear to the party?” Fernanda asked.
“We aren’t going,” he said. How could they? This young lady, this—he eyed the invitation—Carolina Victoria Fuentes, was playing with him. The fiesta was most likely a trap.
Fernanda walked beside him, nearing their casa. “You said we should speak to the locals and get information. Carolina is a good start. She seems more than knowledgeable. She said we should be careful. That the forest is full of deplorable demons.”
Lalo let out a bitter laugh.
“Do you really think I can handle being in a room with so many people?” he asked.
Fernanda pursed her lips. “Maybe we can stick some goat dung into your nostrils. That way you won’t take in everyone’s scent and want to devour them?”
“Not funny.”
His sister beamed. “I disagree.”
They moved up the steps and into the house. Lalo wanted a bath and some quiet. But how could he possibly let his guard down when there was a killer on the loose? In fact, that killer had been inside his home. He could smell her everywhere.
“We are going to the fiesta,” Fernanda said. “And that is final.”
Lalo huffed, incredulous. “I am your guardian, little sister. I say what is absolute and what is not.”
She raised her chin in defiance. “You are not the boss of me.”
He wasn’t. He knew that. He could never truly boss Fernanda around. He didn’t think there was a soul in Abundancia who could. But he wasn’t going to lose this battle.
If this Carolina was bold enough to go to his home, she was bold enough to do just about anything. They might show up to her fiesta and have stakes flung at them as soon as they entered the doorway.
No. He wouldn’t risk it. He wouldn’t put Fernanda in any more danger than she already was in. The possibility of Maricela hunting them down was terrible enough.
Carolina Fuentes might have tried to set a trap, but he was far too smart to walk into it.
CHAPTER 6
Carolina
