Page 55 of Castle of the Cursed
“Tu tía Beatríz nunca fue la misma. Decidió seguir la carrera de medicina y se dedicó a sus estudios.” Beatríz was never the same and became a doctor.
“Espera,” I say so Gloria will slow down. “Más despacio—”
“Pero el culpable fue él.”
I freeze when I hear that pronoun.
He.
“¿Quién?” I ask in desperation. “Who set the fire?”
She stares at me in silence, her eyes frosty like crystal orbs.
“Corre, angelito,” she whispers. Run, little angel.
“El diablo aun no ha terminado contigo.”
The devil isn’t finished with you yet.
CHAPTER 14
WHO IS HE?
The question runs through my mind the whole way back to the castle.
I store the blood in the fridge, which is significantly less packed today. I salvaged what I could of the meal last night, but I had to toss out most of the food.
For once, I’m relieved it’s daytime because shame still scorches my cheeks over how badly I misread the situation with Sebastián. I can’t believe I attacked him the way I did.
As much as I could use the distraction of the bookstore, I’m going to skip it today, since it’s the full moon and Beatríz could show up any moment. I want to confront her as soon as she returns. Besides, I can’t let her find ten bags of blood in the fridge.
I have so many questions for her—about the fire, the death certificate, the mysterious he Gloria referenced. I thought my aunt would be back by now. Where did she run off to so suddenly? Why didn’t she leave a phone number to reach her?
Because she isn’t coming back.
The thought keeps nipping at the nape of my neck, like a biting breeze. Maybe Beatríz brought me here as her immediate replacement.
My brain feels like it’s boiling over with questions and doubts and suspects. I need to organize my thoughts. Now that I have a proper journal—Dad’s—I’m going to use it instead of the notepad. I make my way to my room—
BANG. BANG. BANG.
I’m starting up the stairs when someone knocks at the front door. My back stiffens—who could it be? Beatríz has keys. Unless this is someone with news about her…
Panicked, I race to the entrance and call across the wooden door: “Who is it?”
“Felipe!”
Relief floods my veins, and I swing it open. “Hey!” I say in surprise.
“Hi!” He holds up a wicker basket. “I brought lunch.”
“Oh! Thank you,” I say, reaching out for it.
“You do remember we made plans, right?”
Today is his day off! I completely forgot that I told him he could come to the castle.
My gut twists, inner compass spinning out of control with warning. My aunt could be back any moment, and I really want to confront her about the death certificate and the black fire without Felipe present. “Can we do this another day—?”
