Relic

by Renee Collins

  The gardens spread over a massive expanse filled with flowering bushes, well-trimmed hedge rows, and long lines of flower beds. Strings of lanterns hung above, providing a faint golden glow to the darkness. Out here, crickets sang louder than the orchestra and the hum of voices from the party, which grew fainter with every step. I imagined kissing Landon again, and my heartbeat raced.

  “Where are you?” I laughed, turning in the center of a manicured sitting area. “Don’t you try and scare me.” The crunch of footsteps filled my insides with fluttering birds. I spun around. “There you are!”

  But it wasn’t Landon approaching through the shadows. It was Álvar Castilla.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Good evening, Maggie,” he said with a casual smile.

  “Good evening.” I curtsied, because there didn’t seem to be anything else to do at the moment.

  Álvar raised two glistening champagne glasses. “Have a drink?”

  I tossed a glance around the shadowed gardens. No sign of Landon.

  Álvar set the drink in my hand and clinked his glass against the rim of mine. And then it struck me. The note. It wasn’t from Landon.

  Álvar swirled his drink, inhaling the aroma.

  “I have my champagne shipped cold from the French vineyards, packed with yeti relic ice from the Siberia. It’s the only way to capture the sparkle of the grape, I find.”

  He looked down, seeming to have noticed I hadn’t moved. “Go on. Drink.”

  “Actually, I should be—”

  “Try it, Maggie.”

  My jaw tightened, but it would be the fastest way to get out of there and find Landon. I lifted the polished glass to my lips and tipped the smallest bit of the drink into my mouth. The liquid tingled on my tongue like sunlight on a gem. I blinked with surprise, and Álvar smiled.

  “I trust you are enjoying yourself tonight?”

  “Yes, it’s a lovely party. That relic waltz was simply amazing.”

  “Ah yes. Wasn’t it? Nothing but the best here at the Hacienda.”

  A silence settled, but Álvar kept his eyes on me. His gaze made me uneasy. I wasn’t keen to waste any more time on pleasantries.

  “Well, thank you again. I really ought to—”

  “You received my note, I trust,” Álvar said. I paused. “Of course you did,” he said with a casual laugh. “Otherwise you would not be wandering alone in these gardens.”

  Álvar circled slowly, examining me like a farmer sizing up a new horse. I didn’t move. He fingered the fabric on the sleeve of my dress.

  “The gown is exquisite,” he said.

  “It is.”

  “I knew you would be quite beautiful in worthy apparel.”

  His fingertips grazed against my bare shoulder. The feel of it sent a cold creeping in my stomach.

  “You know, Maggie, a beautiful woman is much like the fruit of the vine. If it grows wild and uncared for, the grape will never live up to its ultimate potential. But with the right pruning, the proper trellis, with good soil, enriched with dryad relic, the grape will blossom into something transcendent.”

  I stepped back, pulling my shoulder away from his touch. “I have to go.”

  He moved into my path. “Off to see your cowboy friend?”

  My legs stiffened. He knew about Landon and me?

  Álvar took a slow sip of his champagne. A hot, tingling feeling crawled up my throat. “It has brought me great pleasure to help you,” he said. “And I would like to help you more. You and your charming sister.”

  I searched again for Landon, even though I knew now that he hadn’t called me here. He was probably inside, walking around the crowded ballroom. Looking for me.

  “I appreciate that, sir, but—”

  “Nothing would please me more than for you to stay here at the Hacienda as long as you wish.”

  The invitation took me off guard, but Álvar filled the silence. “I will be frank with you. As I should have from the first day, when you healed my hands in the relic refinery.”

  “I-It was mostly that relic,” I said. “No special skill of mine.”

  “No.” His gaze fixed on me. “It was more than that. I felt it.”

  I wanted to protest, but then I remembered the strange, rustling whispers as I touched the unicorn horn, and the words died on my lips.

  “What I am trying to say is that you are special, Maggie. You have a gift. I sensed this right away. It is why I wanted to hire you at The Desert Rose. I wished to observe you, to see if it were true.”

  I stared at him. “You think I have a gift?”

  “With relics. Yes.”

  Just like with singing or painting or riding a horse, some folks had more of a knack for harnessing relic magic than others. I had read of certain individuals born with unique prowess, but it seemed highly unlikely that I could be one of them. I’d handled relics all of three times in my whole life.

  “I don’t know…”

  “But I do. I saw it. Something about you made that unicorn relic stronger. I wish to study your gifts more closely, which is why I would like you to stay here. Let your young sister enjoy the finest tutors in the county, good food, the happy company of children her own age. And for you, no more scrubbing floors at The Desert Rose. You shall have the training you deserve. To become the woman you ought to be.”

  For a moment, I entertained the shining vision of it. No more moonlight reading of relic almanacs. No more out-of-reach dreams. I could get the actual training, study with real relic experts. I would be that much closer to becoming one myself. The thought seemed almost too good to be true. Álvar certainly knew how to paint a tempting picture.

  But then again, even a naive farm girl like me knew that temptation came naturally to wealthy, powerful men. Especially ones as handsome as Álvar. Perhaps he’d “observed” me long enough to find my weakness. I couldn’t be blinded by dreamy visions. He was up to something, wanted something from me. But what?

  “I would love nothing more, sir. And I would love that for Ella—of course—but I simply couldn’t afford such a thing.”

  “It would be my pleasure,” Álvar said with a little smile. “As I said, your rare talents with relics are something that could be a great benefit to society one day.”

  I didn’t know what to say to this. I still didn’t trust him. People rarely gave something for nothing, even someone as rich as Álvar Castilla.

  “I insist,” he said, taking my hand.

  I had to tread carefully here. I knew I’d seem an awful ingrate to turn him down after he’d saved my sister’s life and welcomed me into his beautiful home. And I would gladly spend the rest of my days repaying him for what he had done for Ella. But he was slowly backing me into a place I wasn’t sure I wanted to go. “It’s a truly kind offer, but—”

  “My men told me of the conditions at St. Ignacio,” Álvar said, his voice cold. “Barren rooms. Sparse food. Surely it is not the place for young children.”

  His words burned like a hot poker, and he seemed to sense this, because he went on. “Would you send her back to languish in the crumbling mission? Without school? Without proper nourishment?”

  It was as if he knew my exact weakest point. Guilt coiled around my heart like a silent desert snake. “I would do anything for my sister, sir.”

  “Anything but accept a freely given offer of assistance?”

  He had finally backed me against an invisible corner with his words. The edges of it closed in around me—one side from his insistence, and one side from my own guilt. Of course, I wanted Ella to live like a little princess here at the Hacienda. Of course, I wanted her to have friends and tutors and a full belly. How could I deny her that?

  Would I really do anything for her?

  Álvar gripped my hand in both of his. “Maggie, please. Let me help you. If you both come to live here, you will never have to worry about harm coming to your sister again.”

  The final wall to his trap, boxing me in. I knew it was fooli
sh to try and play Álvar’s game without knowing the true cost, but I was willing to try for Ella. I bowed my head. “I would be very grateful to accept your offer.”

  “You will stay here, then?”

  I nodded.

  Álvar beamed, then lifted my hand. He pressed his lips to it. I could feel their heat through my glove.

  “I am so glad,” he said. “We shall move you into your own quarters at once. Your sister can room with the other children in the—”

  “I’d like her to stay with me. If that’s all right.”

  “Ah.” He hesitated for only the slightest moment before nodding. “But of course.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Álvar.”

  “Álvar,” I repeated.

  His eyes swept over me, my shoulders, my waist, my bosom. My heartbeat stalled. I was trembling inside, but I managed a little curtsy. “I should let you get back to your party.”

  “Indeed,” he said, his expression flicking once again to his easy charm. “My guests will wonder where I am.” He set his hand under my chin, lifting my face to look at him. “I hope I shall see you very soon, Maggie.”

  I could barely nod. As I watched Álvar dissolve into the shadows of the garden, a heavy question pressed down on me. What had I done?

  It took me awhile to get the courage to go back into the ballroom. I was afraid Álvar would try and make some kind of fuss, draw some untoward attention to me as his new protégée. I wanted to find Landon, though I didn’t know how I would explain what had happened. I didn’t know if I should even try to explain. But lingering in the shadows outside only made me feel more nervous. Drawing in a breath for courage, I turned the corner.

  My face collided directly with a broad shoulder in an oily, expensive coat. The musky smell of fancy cologne and cigar smoke filled my nose.

  “What the devil?” the man barked.

  I recognized that deep voice at once. Emerson Bolger, the relic baron with the werewolf cane, stood before me.

  “I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean—”

  In a blink, three men surrounded me. Mr. Bolger jabbed a thick finger in my face. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “What?”

  “Sneaking around in the shadows like some kind of… What are you doing out here anyway? Who sent you?”

  His beady eyes slid over me, searching. The two men on either side mirrored his stance. The cigar Mr. Bolger had been smoking smoldered silently on the grass. I squirmed back, unsure whether the strange intensity of his discomfort made me angry or afraid.

  “I was out for some fresh air,” I said, trying to move away from them. “On my way back into the ballroom. Now, if you’ll let me past?”

  His gaze stayed clamped on me, but he took a step aside. “Of course. You must excuse me.”

  I hesitated for only a moment, eyeing him warily, before one of the other men gestured for me to move along. I didn’t dare look behind me as I rushed away, but my mind lingered. What was such a wealthy, powerful man doing out there in the hushed shadows?

  I stepped into the crush of noise and music in the ballroom. As I pressed through the crowd, I felt the sting of eyes on me. Was it possible they somehow knew about my new “arrangement” with the master of the house? Maybe they could spot his next conquest from a mile away. Maybe they’d pegged me the minute I showed up at the soiree.

  Heat from the masses of bodies pressed against me. The heavy smell of perfume and alcohol singed my nostrils. I suddenly wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. When a hand set on my shoulder, I spun around like a cracking whip.

  “Good lands, Maggie!”

  It was Adelaide, decked out in a sparkling blue gown with a skirt that suggested a mermaid’s tail splashing through waves of organza ocean. She’d fixed swirls of tulle and seashell in her golden upswept hair and a string of pearls around her neck to finish the ensemble.

  “You look beautiful,” I said.

  She laughed, pulling me into a hug. “You’re sweet. I won’t dare tell you how long I saved to order the pattern for this thing.” She held me at arm’s length and appraised me. “But look at you! Land’s sake, I knew these Haciendellas made some gorgeous dresses.”

  “To tell the truth, I’m about ready to cut this darn thing off.”

  Adelaide frowned. “What’s going on?”

  “I honestly don’t know where to start.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “You want to go back to your room? I’ll take you. Bobby’s gone off with Landon and the other cowboys somewhere.”

  “Would you mind? I don’t think I can get out of this thing without help.”

  Adelaide linked her arm in mine. “Of course I will.”

  Back in my room, I couldn’t shimmy out of the gown fast enough. As Adelaide loosened the laces on my corset, and I slipped into a loose, billowy nightgown that had been left on the bed for me, I felt like I was breathing for the first time that night. I checked on Ella, who was sleeping soundly in the little adjacent room in my quarters, then collapsed on my bed. Adelaide flopped down beside me. She looked around the room and whistled softly. “Well, you sure did something right.”

  I sat up. “What do you mean? What have you heard?”

  She laughed a little. “Take it easy, Maggie. I’ve heard nothing. I just assumed you’d caught Álvar’s eye, seein’ as how he helped your sister and let you sleep in his house, and then invited you to his fancy shindig.”

  It must have looked so obvious to everyone else. Shame blossomed hot over my face. Surely now my reputation would be tainted, no matter why I told them Álvar wanted me there. And Landon. Would I lose him forever?

  “What are you so worked up about?” Adelaide asked, setting her hand on mine. “Did I embarrass you? I’m sorry, honey. My mouth runs away from me sometimes.”

  I shook my head. “No. It’s not you. It’s the whole situation.”

  She nodded, prompting me to continue.

  I rubbed my temples. “It all happened so fast. I just wanted to talk with him. I hoped he could save Ella. And before I knew it, I was here being measured for a dress, and then Álvar was…”

  It didn’t seem decent to say what had happened in the gardens. But Adelaide sat up, her eyes intense with curiosity.

  “Well, don’t keep me on tenterhooks. What did he say?”

  I sighed. “You know what he said. Only he never came right out and said it. He gave me some line about my having a talent with relics and said that he was gonna train me and…” I sighed. “I don’t know what to believe. He said he was willing to help Ella. At the time, that seemed to be all that mattered. He’s going to give her the life I never could.”

  Adelaide put her arm around me. “Aw, cheer up. You look like somebody’s died.”

  “Maybe someone has died.”

  “Oh, hush. You’re a lucky girl. There’s a dozen girls that would kill to be in your place right now. To have the attentions of Álvar Castilla? The richest, most powerful man in the county, who also happens to be charming and damn good looking. Don’t you realize what you’ve got here?”

  “I don’t love him,” I said fiercely. “And I’ll never be some man’s kept woman, living out my days in dishonor. Never knowing if the meal ticket will come to a sudden end.”

  “Well, what’s the arrangement, then?”

  “I told you. He said he wanted to train me, help hone my ‘gifts’ with relics. For the good of society, he said.”

  Adelaide pursed her lips, but I could tell at once what she thought. I hung my head in my hands. “What have I gotten myself into?”

  “It ain’t as bad as you’d think. I’m telling you, Maggie. Besides, you could still have Landon. I’ve got Bobby.”

  I snapped my face up. “And some freedom you have there. Sneaking around in the shadows, hoping no one notices.”

  Her hand slid from my back. I mentally kicked myself for offending her. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry for what
? For telling the truth?”

  This made me feel even worse. “I think you and Bobby have a wonderful relationship. Truly. You two are more in love than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

  She tried to smile, but the sorrow dangled over her expression like a dark cloud. “I do love him. So dearly.” She flopped back on the bed with a sigh. “Oh, Maggie, what a world it is for us.”

  I lay beside her. “It shouldn’t be like this. We shouldn’t have to fight and scrape for every small happiness.”

  She took my hand. “Our time will come. One day, we’ll be happy as a couple of birds on the wind. And no one will be able to take it away from us.”

  We stayed like that, lying side by side on my bed, our hands laced together, until the shadows in the room had stretched long across the ceiling and we drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The next morning, anxiety about my arrangement with Álvar awoke me. The last thing on earth I wanted to do was face it, so I insisted on escorting Adelaide back into Burning Mesa. It was the least I could do after making her miss her ride the night before. Thankfully, the servant I spoke with procured one of Álvar’s posh carriages for us without so much as a blink.

  Adelaide and I spoke little on the ride—there was too much on our minds and too little we could do about it. I pressed my head to the cool glass of the carriage window and watched the red desert landscape whir by.

  The sight of Sheriff Leander’s office ahead made me shoot up straight as a board. Yahn. I’d been so preoccupied with the sudden turn of events that I’d nearly forgotten. I had to see him, had to make sure he was okay.

  I rapped on the inner wall of the cab. “Driver! Stop the carriage.”

  Adelaide gripped the windowsill as we tumbled to a jerky stop. “What on earth?”

  I was already half out the door. “There’s something I need to do,” I called back.

  My pulse raced as I ran past the rangers outside the office and burst through the doors. “Sheriff—”

  But it wasn’t him I saw leaning in the chair at the desk—it was one of the rangers. I’d seen him around before. A tall man with piercing eyes and a shaven head. He looked me up and down as if I were something the cat dragged in.