“Is something the matter?” Ángel queried.
“Not at all,” Esmeralda chimed in. She stood up. “Gabriel and I were talking about what I’m planning to do for the final challenge. He’s simply nervous.”
“I see. Well, that will have to wait. It is time to start the parade into town.” His eyes flicked to Gabriel. “Are you coming, kid? Or did you need to find Camila first?”
“Go on,” Esmeralda urged. They didn’t want to raise any suspicions. “We’ll meet up after.”
Gabriel nodded before disappearing into the hubbub of the carnival.
The ringmaster offered his arm. “Shall we?”
Esmeralda blinked. “Did you come to my wagon to escort me to my float?”
A laugh bubbled from his lips. “Not entirely.”
He gestured toward his elbow. Begrudgingly, she took it. Perhaps it was cowardly, but what else could she do? If Ángel was consorting with the elites, or whatever was in that mirror, or worse, Comandante Olivera, she had to play her cards right. She had to make sure he remained on her side. At least until she could figure out what to do next.
“Your costume fits you well,” Ángel said as they walked toward the parade. “Jorge is a tailor virtuoso indeed.”
“Yes. Thank you for this.”
“But where are your gloves?” he asked.
She’d stuffed them into her cabinet with zero intention of ever wearing them again. “I left them with the washing crew. They got a bit smudged after the show last night.”
“Ah, wouldn’t want you to perform with any stains tarnishing your beauty. Speaking of beauty.” He dug into his coat pocket. His brows furrowed. “Hmm. It isn’t in here.” He snapped. “Sí! That’s right.” He twirled his fingers in the air and a gilded hairpin winked into existence.
Hergilded hairpin.
He wiggled the golden piece, bits of sunlight glinting in her eye. “Looking for this by any chance?”
She’d lost it last night when she and Ignacio kissed before they entered the ringmaster’s wagon. She’d felt it tumble out of her hair and land on the grass but paid it no mind. How could she when his lips were on hers?
Her pulse began to pound. Did Ángel know about what sheand Ignacio had done? She plastered on a nonchalant smile and plucked the pin from his fingertips. “That damn monkey keeps snagging my things.”
The ringmaster grinned and the lines fanning out at the corners of his eyes deepened. “What a naughty little pest.”
He helped her into Estefan the ostrich’s birdcage. It had been repainted, and strings of pearls and diamonds now curtained the upper rim. Ángel patted her arm and started to shut the door.
“Silly me, I nearly forgot. My mind is so filled with distractions.” A black envelope winked into existence. His fingers shook ever so slightly as he handed it to her. “With Paco tragically gone and Benicio sadly disqualified after one of his bears attacked the Flying Córdovas, I’ve been rather distraught. I have a good feeling about tonight, though. The show is going to be one we won’t soon forget. But first, we shall entertain the masses with our magnificent pageant.”
He shut the door and swept away, joining the bandwagon at the front of the parade.
Esmeralda looked down at the envelope.
There was that same blasted iridescent ink.
Rage boiled inside her. She itched to tear the thing into shreds.
Yet, she tore it open instead.
My magnificent Paloma, congratulations, you are now just one of three.
You showed versatility, vivacity, and now it’s time to share your vibrancy.
Tonight is your final test.
Prove you shine brighter than the rest.
