“Are these questions going to take long?” I groaned.
“Your sight is still coming, and there’s no way to stop it now. The attacks can mean only one thing. The coven knows you’re here. We can’t hide this from the GRIMMs much longer and if they find out who you really are… I won’t be able to protect you.”
I sighed. “Okay. So, what are we supposed to do?”
His face hardened. “You will stay here. In this room for now.”
“What? No! You can’t do this.”
“It’s the only way to protect you,” Tío argued.
Rage lit inside me. “You can’t keep me caged like this!”
He flinched. “Just give me time to figure something out.”
“You had seventeen years to figure it out! My mom and dad figured out a way to shield me all those years without imprisoning me.”
He shook his head. “It’s different now. Your sight is growing. And your mama performed spells to shield you. I’m not a witch.”
“Then find a witch who can do it,” I snapped.
He sighed. “Employing a witch… there’s a lot to figure out, Rose. It’s not that simple.”
Anger swirled in my chest. “I’m not going to be locked up here forever.”
“It’s not forever. I promise. I’ll think of something. Just give me time.”
My arms flew up. “How long?”
He didn’t answer.
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
With that he turned and slammed the door. It locked with a loud clang.
My heart skipped. No.
I pounded against the wood, screaming.
No.
Angry voices echoed outside my room. Javi and Tía.
“Let me out. I’ll keep your secrets. Just let me out of here.”
Footsteps moved toward me. I paused to listen.
“Rose. It’s okay. I’ll get you out. I promise,” Javi hissed behind the door.
Hot tears pricked my eyes. “Did you know? Did you know he was going to do this?”
“No. I promise. I didn’t know. But I’m going to find a way to save you, I promise.”
I held up the picture of my mom and glared at it. This was her fault. I threw the picture down.
There had to be a way out. A way to escape everything. Movement caught my eye. The sword. Did it move… on its own?
I jumped to my feet as it floated toward me. What the?
The blade brightened and jerked to the right. Not enchanted, huh? Was it trying to lead me somewhere? My eyes followed its path, landing on a giant black book on my bed that I knew had not been there before. I stood before it, heart pounding in my ears. Did tía leave it for me?
I traced the large, silver lettering: Rosa.
My eyes widened. My mother’s. I opened it, surprised to find a hollowed compartment instead of pages. Inside was a single folded note.
I glanced at the sword. No longer glowing, it lay flat on the bed next to the letter. My breath hitched. With a shaky hand I picked up the paper and unfolded it.
My dear Rosita,
I wish I had more time. I wish I were with you now. I wish so many things.
Tears blurred my eyes. I blinked them away, steeling myself.
If the future is as I have seen it, you have lost both your father and I, and for that I am so sorry. We were supposed to be there for you, but I’m afraid I’ve failed in the worst way. What’s done cannot be undone. What happens next is up to you. There is too much to explain and not enough time as I write this. You deserve so much more than a letter, but it’s all I can do.
To break the blood promise, you must find the wizard. He’s your only hope. I don’t know where this letter will find you and I can only hope it’s at the home of your tío. He will want to help you, but he can’t. Find the wizard. You will have to track him down. Ask the wolves. Los Reyes. Be safe.
Love you,
Mama.
I reread it, a clash of emotions warring inside me. Be safe? Safe was the last thing I could be, and it was her fault. I did deserve more than a quick letter. Anger stirred in my chest. Crumpling the note in my fist, I blinked back the hot tears. There was so much more I needed to know and the unfairness of it all burned like a fire deep within me.
I needed you. I needed both of you.
Pushing away the anger and sorrow, I took a deep breath. Find the wizard. Okay. At least it was something to go on. I still had a chance to save myself. Hope flared in my chest.
Wasting no time, I replaced my fishnets and skirt with some sensible cargo pants and packed a bag with essentials.
I picked up my sword. “I hope you work on enchanted locks.”
It felt solid and cool in my grip and… comfortable as if it had been made for me all along. I didn’t know exactly how I would carry it and conceal it once I was out, but I wasn’t leaving it behind.
With a loud swish, it bolted for the locked balcony doors, pulling me with it. My eyes bulged as it glowed. The door burst into pieces, making me scramble back.
Well, that’s handy.
Footsteps pounded outside my bedroom. My heart slammed into my chest. I stepped over the shattered door and out onto the balcony. Cold air hit me. I threw my sword down over the ledge and watched as it landed, tip down into the grass below. My bedroom door flew open. I flung my leg over the railing and swallowed my fear as I hoisted myself over.
Sweat beaded my forehead. My knuckles whitened as I clung to the bottom of the rail.
“Rose!” Javi’s voice came from above.
I braced my boots along the wall and scanned the stucco for a hand hold. No such luck. I’d have to drop and pray I didn’t break any bones.
“Rose, what are you doing? You’re going to get yourself killed.”
“Then help me. I’m sure you know a chant,” I snapped.
My
