The music that played on a constant loop slowed and warped. The glimmering lanterns flickered, and the gondolas hovering over their heads slowed to a stop.
“The mirrors are certainly connected,” Gabriel whispered. “The enchantments started to weaken after you two went inside. But look.” He gestured toward the tip of the carousel, which could be seen from where they lay hidden. It continued spinning in circles. Beyond it, the lights of the Big Top still glowed a buttery yellow. “What are we missing here?”
“We’re missing the rest of the mirrors. They’re everywhere. We must destroy them all.” She grabbed Gabriel by the wrist. “Let’s find Ignacio and get to the Big Top. That’s where most of the mirrors are.”
Gabriel didn’t budge. “About Ignacio…”
“What is it?”
“I saw him, just before I spotted you. He…he was walking away.”
Away?
Her gut dipped.
“He wasn’t alone.” Gabriel suddenly appeared as if he might be sick. “He was with Comandante Olivera.”
She jumped to her feet. “We’ve got to help him. Surely, he’s being threatened.”
“He was walking of his own accord.”
She shook her head. “He would never. He wouldn’t…”
Her mind began its familiar angry taunts:You were never worthy of him. Of course he’d choose his father over you. He could never truly love you, a thief whose own family left her behind.
Anger burned through those thoughts.
They were lies. Lies her own brain told her to try to protect her from potential pain. But the real pain came when she listened to them.
“Come on,” she said. “We have to help him.”
“As you wish.” Gabriel clambered to his feet, his hair still smoking.
“Never mention the wordwishever again,” she said. “I’ve heard enough about wishes for a lifetime. We help Ignacio, then smash every mirror in this place.”
“Not so fast,” a familiar voice said.
Both she and Gabriel spun around. Facing them was the tailor, pointing two pistols at their heads.
Chapter 50
Ignacio
The sharp tip of his father’s dagger dug into the sensitive flesh above Ignacio’s kidney.
“Keep walking, or she’s dead,” Father growled.
“If you hurt her—”
“You’ll what? Kill me? Your own father.”
“Yes,” Ignacio growled back. And he meant it.
“My man has been instructed to remove her safely…unless you disobey me.”
An explosion sounded. Moments later, the lanterns flickered out like dying stars. And the music, “The Tale of the Valerio Brothers,” slowed its melody.
“Go right,” Father commanded.
