“You are a smart woman,” Min said in an approving tone. “But the time came when it worked no longer. I was faking it when you finally arrived.” She managed another smile for Chance. “You had me worried.”
A witch was only as good as her ingredients, after all. And they wouldn’t have permitted her anything they didn’t control.
“Sorry about that,” he murmured, low. “We got there as fast as we could.”
Min hugged him. “I know. I’m glad you went to get Corine. You had brooded long enough.”
There wasn’t a lot to say to that, and I was exhausted. My jaw practically unhinged on a yawn. That seemed to be the cue everyone had been waiting for.
Jesse asked me to walk him to the door, where he kissed me. Not a lover’s kiss, but not an innocent one either. I touched a fingertip to my lips and watched his taillights trail away into the glimmering, predawn air.
As though she’d spoken enough, Min quietly claimed the bed Chance had slept in, which left the two of us on the couch. We sat, too sore to move. His wound needed cleaning, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, not when he’d forgotten mine the day before.
I remembered I needed to call Booke. It would be early afternoon there. I dialed.
He picked up on the first ring. “Corine? What happened?”
“We saved her,” I whispered, delighted to be able to say it. “We weren’t too late. And we’re all more or less in one piece.”
“Thank God.” What a lovely, plummy voice he had. “And thank you for calling me. I’ve been entirely on pins and needles since you rang off.”
I felt like I was going to pass out, so I hung up shortly thereafter. There would be consequences from tonight’s work—and Montoya’s retribution—but I was too tired to worry about them right now. I put my head back and closed my eyes.
“You kept your promise,” Chance said softly. “Now it’s time for me to keep mine. And I will, whatever the cost. But I need to know, Corine. Will you come back to me?”
My gut response was Hell no, but my heart said, Oh yes. Aloud I said nothing at all.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First, I’ll thank everyone who contributed to this book: my husband, Andres, who read the first draft; my agent, Laura Bradford, who didn’t think she’d like it (then she did); and of course, the wonderful Ivette, who gently corrected my Spanish. I also can’t forget the talented staff at Roc. Once again, Anne Sowards has turned my coal into a diamond.
Next, I should mention the people of Mexico, who charmed and informed me. I did my best to capture the magic of living as an expatriate in Mexico City. Many of Corine’s observations come filtered through my eyes. There’s a rich tapestry of belief in the supernatural running in an odd lockstep alongside Catholicism, and people are generally more accepting of the mystical and/or inexplicable there. There is a whole town of witches and warlocks in Catemaco. In fact, there’s a precendent for the cartels hiring brujos to work hexes as they would hit men to kill. I tried to be true to the many stories I heard from friends and relatives. Any mistakes or liberties are my own.
Finally, I must thank my readers. I’d be nothing without all of you. I welcome your letters and appreciate your support more than I can say. I hope you enjoy the world I’ve created.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In her life, Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now lives in sunny Mexico with her husband and two adorable children, who sometimes do as they are told. You can visit her on the Web at www.annaguirre.com.