Cazadora

by Romina Garber

  “What do you want? Or let me guess, it’s your brother you came to see.”

  “Actually, I’m not here for either of you. I’ve come on behalf of your daughter. She wants something.”

  Jazmín’s amethyst gaze slides to me, her haughty expression souring, and Bernardo shakes his head. “No.”

  “Just a few minutes.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Bernardo.” Jazmín’s iciness could set off a winter storm. “Your daughter, whom you barely know and just cross-examined like a common criminal in front of the entire population, wants a few minutes. Am I clear?”

  Whatever she has on him, it must be good. Because he nods, once, curt. “Fine.”

  His voice is low, but the wolves standing guard at the entrance still hear him. An instant later, Cata steps in—followed by Saysa and Tiago.

  “No, I didn’t say her friends—”

  “Let it go,” says Jazmín to her husband. “And let’s give them a moment alone.”

  I can hardly believe what she’s doing for us. She must be desperate to win her daughter’s affections back.

  Bernardo looks like he’s reaching for some semblance of authority, so he points to Gael. “You stay.”

  On his way out, he crosses paths with his daughter. Cata looks strangely small with both her parents here.

  “Everything you said,” he breathes. “You were right.”

  Then he marches out, no apology, no kiss, no looking back. He’s not going to see his daughter for another month, and it doesn’t even seem to register.

  When I look at Cata, I worry she’s going to be crestfallen. Instead, her head is a notch higher. I don’t even know if she wants his love anymore. What she wanted was his respect.

  Once it’s just the five of us, Tiago pulls me into his arms, and I inhale his musk like it’s the last breath I’ll ever take. Cata and Saysa come over too, and the four of us hug for a long time.

  “I hate this,” says Saysa.

  “Me too,” says Cata.

  I’m so sorry, Manu, Tiago says into my mind.

  No, I’m sorry, I say into his.

  Don’t be. It was unfair of me to expect you to prioritize us over your life.

  Sounds like he’s been talking to Cata and Saysa. But you’re part of my life. One might even say you’re inwoven with my deepest life, I add, quoting Edith Wharton.

  Do what you need, he murmurs. I’m not going anywhere.

  When we pull away, Tiago hangs onto my hand, and as I look into his eyes, I see what I’ve only ever seen in Ma.

  Love without conditions.

  Cata’s pink eyes flare with light, and I feel a tension in the air around us. A force field. “I can hold it up for a few minutes so the wolves outside can’t hear us,” she says. Then she pins me with her stare and says, “That was quite a speech.”

  “It wasn’t a speech. I just thought I deserved a voice in my own judgment.”

  “Well, you did it.” Saysa’s eyes are clearer than they’ve been in a while. “You should have heard what they were saying out there. In one moon, you did what the Coveners couldn’t do in ages. You shook shit up for real.”

  In her gaze, I see a glimmer of Zaybet’s zeal.

  “What about you?” I ask my friends, preferring not to think of my own fate. “What happens next? None of you are in trouble, right?”

  “Thanks to you,” says Cata. “Tiago and I are going to accept the Cazadores’ recruitment.”

  “What?” I stare between them, my eyes wide.

  “Nothing matters more than this fight,” says Tiago, squeezing my fingers. “And like Fierro taught us, what better way than infiltrating from the inside?”

  He smirks at Gael, who now edges closer to join our conversation.

  Even though I’m forbidden from interacting with them, the fact that Tiago and Cata will at least be nearby fills me with hope. “What will you do?” I ask Saysa, who is holding up better than I expected.

  “I’m going to take time off from school.”

  I pick up on something slightly different between her and Cata. Not a coldness, exactly, just some extra space.

  “Are you guys okay?” I ask, my pulse panic-pounding in my ears.

  “Yeah,” says Saysa with a shrug. “I mean, I’m still pissed at both of you. But there’s a lot I haven’t explored about my magic, and I think this is a good time to study it.”

  Cata takes her hand, and Saysa leans into her. I lean into Tiago too. I can’t believe it’s only been one moon since Gael sent us on a mission to plant a new garden and form a new pack.

  “So, the Coven,” says my dad, panning his coral gaze across us. “How was it?”

  “Unbelievable,” says Saysa, longing in her voice like she already misses it.

  “Were you a member?” Cata asks him.

  “I only went a couple of times. Just enough to know what they needed. I couldn’t risk getting involved. What’d you think of el Mar Oscuro?”

  “Unreal,” says Tiago, shaking his head.

  “We were boarded by piratas!” says Saysa.

  “¿Piratas?” echoes my father. “Can you believe in all my life I never ran into any? What happened?”

  While Saysa and Cata speak over each other, I whisper into Tiago’s mind. I know we said a lot of things, but I’m not holding you to any of it. I want you to move on and be happy. I’ll always be grateful for everything you’ve done for me—

  “No,” he says out loud, and Cata cuts off her description of the dormilona potion.

  Tiago pulls me into him, and this kiss is everything. Maybe even my last.

  I breathe in his lips, inhaling his light to every part of my body, even the corners drowning in darkness over my destiny. So I don’t forget how good he feels. And when we pull apart, he speaks to me in the only love language we understand.

  “I would not wish any companion in the world but you.”

  * * *

  When the Cazadores make my friends leave, it’s just my dad and me in the cave.

  I don’t know how to do this, I think, and I can’t tell if I’m sending the thought telepathically, or if it’s just my inner monologue. I don’t want to be alone all my life. I can’t. I feel sobs building in my chest. I’ll die of loneliness—

  Manu. My dad steps forward and steadies me with his arm, his voice gentle but firm. Two moons ago, there were no lobizonas and all hybrids were subject to execution. Look how much of our world you’ve already changed. Maybe next year Diego will introduce amendments to the law. Maybe in a few years, you, your mom, and I will be reunited—and all of this will just be a bad memory.

  I don’t know how he does it, but he makes life feel survivable. Just like Zaybet used to do.

  Until then, protect your hope. Gael’s gaze is unblinking. Don’t let them know where you keep it. Do you understand me?

  I shake my head, and he says, Don’t let them see what matters to you, and they won’t know where to strike.

  The words make me ask, What did you offer them?

  He frowns at me like he doesn’t understand the question, but I know he offered the tribunal something in the last moment of my sentencing. He’s the only one in that room who cared enough, the only one who probably has the right leverage. Why did they give me the chance to be a Cazadora?

  He shrugs. I said I would come back to work for them.

  That’s all it took?

  I agreed to build them something they’ve wanted from me for a long time. A defensive device, should humans ever discover us. Let’s leave it there.

  I’m sorry.

  Don’t be. Gael’s coral eyes shine overly bright. It was the least I could do for you, and it wasn’t nearly enough.

  Will they suspect anything since you spoke up for me?

  They think I’m soft on you because you were my student.

  What about Ma? My heart breaks at the thought of when I’ll be able to see her again.

  She’s in Buenos Aires. I’ll fill her in a
s soon as we’re back.

  Tell her I’m sorry for letting her down. I just needed to do things my own way.

  You haven’t let anyone down, least of all your mom and me. We’re proud of you. What you did, that’s braver than anything I ever did as Fierro. You inspire me.

  And in his gaze, I don’t see Fierro or Gael. I see my dad.

  I lean forward, and I’m glad when he holds me like he did in Belgrano. Despite everything I’ve lost, I found him. We pull apart at the sound of footsteps, and a Cazadora steps in.

  “Give me your hands,” she says, and I hold them out. Her green eyes glow with light.

  I feel a pulling on my bones, a tugging on my life strings, like when Saysa touched me in La Cancha. When it’s over, I’m tired and my muscles are worn. The ends of my hair look gray, and my skin is wrinkly. It seems like I’ve aged fifty years.

  “This will only last until you’re back in Kerana.”

  “That’s long enough,” says Gael.

  We head out and cross white mist into the transportation hub that looks like the surface of the moon. There’s a big commotion, and I see a line of Cazadores holding back a crowd of Septimus who are clamoring for the chance to talk to me.

  At the very front are Saysa and Cata, along with Diego, Pablo, and Javier. Just beyond them, I spot Nico, Gus, and Bibi—I wonder if they’re back together—Enzo, Laura, and Tinta y Fideo. The younger brother’s eyes are red and puffy, and his is the worst pain of all, because he lost both Zaybet and his future with her.

  Cata and Diego are rounding on Bernardo.

  “Manu deserves to have friends!” shouts Cata.

  “That’s not up to you.”

  “Fuck the tribunal!” growls Pablo, his eyes swirling like liquid ink as his fangs come down. Javier has to physically restrain him from going after the Septimus prosecutor.

  “Let us at least say bye to her,” says Diego.

  “You heard the ruling, counselor—”

  “High court rulings only take effect when we set foot on Earth!”

  “Just to say bye, what’s the harm?” It’s Miguel asking. Penelope is beside him.

  I see Tiago last.

  From his grieving expression, I realize something has to die tonight.

  Us.

  At least for now.

  Dad told me to hide my hope, so I will. I’ll bury my love for Tiago deep inside, where it can fuel me. I’m not giving up. I’m going to fight for us. Which reminds me—I still owe him a line of Shakespeare.

  I reach for the channel into his mind, and I send a classic.

  The course of true love never did run smooth.

  Tiago’s blue blaze flashes. He’s scanning every face in the crowd. Of course, he won’t recognize this one.

  Gael and I are almost to the portal, and then my connection to Tiago will sever. But right as I’m about to step through, his eyes lock with mine.

  I don’t break our gaze, until it feels like he’s seeing through my disguise. And his musical voice fills my head as the tunnel’s darkness swallows me.

  The only way I can help you is by loving you.

  Hearing Edith Wharton’s words, I think even Shakespeare would approve. After all, it wasn’t the Septimus’ magic or might that saved me.

  There is no label—in any language—with the power to liberate.

  The only truth we can offer one another is love.

  EPILOGUE

  CATA

  Everything and nothing has changed.

  We’re in Flora’s crown, breakfasting with our teammates like any other morning. Yet everything is different, and nothing can be the same.

  I sense a cold front blowing in, and I look toward Flora. Ma is standing with Señora Lupe, and I wonder how long she’s been watching me. Then I feel the ends of my mouth curve up as I realize something else.

  I don’t care.

  In a twist even I couldn’t predict, the trial that cost Manu her freedom liberated me. It was like a shot of Olvido: Once I left that courtroom, I couldn’t remember why I used to find my self-worth in my parents’ validation.

  My grin only grows at the outrage rounding Ma’s eyes, and I keep staring until she glides into the trunk. I feel the stirrings of a storm in the air, and the hairs on my arms tingle with magic that I long to unleash.

  Tiago sits closer to me than usual, our hands almost touching as he sets the mate down. His expression chastens mine. He’s spent every night in my room, tangled in the sheets of Manu’s cot.

  After the trial, Tiago, Saysa, and I faced no consequences. This whole time, I was terrified of what would happen if we got caught, but Manu was right. Every choice belonged to her alone because the consequences were always hers to bear.

  It takes me too long to register our friends’ silence.

  I glance up at Tiago, but his gaze is distant. I brush my arm against his, and he doesn’t react. I press harder, and still nothing. So I jab my elbow into his side.

  Pain zaps down the length of my arm, and I suck in my breath as my eyes burn. Tiago glances over with a slight frown, like he can’t decide if he felt something. Cradling my elbow, I give him a pointed nod.

  Say something! I want to shout at his broken face.

  My skin is going to bruise. If Saysa were here, she’d take away my pain with a caress … but she didn’t come back. She stayed home with her parents. She’s decided to transfer to Los Andes to study her healing magic.

  We’re—we’re on a break.

  But it’s temporary. This is just the first part of my plan. On the balloon ride to meet Yamila, I told Manu I can’t give Saysa what she wants. Only after the trial, I realized I can’t give my parents what they want either. I have no interest in becoming Yamila.

  The truth is, I want what Saysa wants. And I don’t see any point in denying it anymore.

  “Tiago.”

  My voice comes out sharper than I’d intended.

  He blinks, like he’s trying to see past Manu’s absence. I survey our friends, who watch us with expectant expressions. Pablo’s arms are crossed. Javier hasn’t touched his food. Nico has barely spoken. Gus and Bibi aren’t arguing for once, and Diego hasn’t even brought a book with him.

  They all look worried. Except Pablo, who just seems suspicious. I feel the breeze before it ruffles his hair, and again my magic stirs, itching to burn off some emotion.

  Tiago wanted me to make our announcement. We both know I would do a better job. But so long as it’s a wolf’s world, a witch’s words will carry less weight.

  “Cata and I have something to tell you.”

  At last Tiago finds his voice. It sounds like an instrument that’s out of tune.

  My mouth is suddenly parched, but to take a drink now would feel too dramatic, so I wait for him to finish.

  “We—we accepted the Cazadores’ recruitment.”

  Javier’s cheer goes off like a bomb, and when sound filters back in, I register that Nico, Bibi, and Gus are also celebrating. Beyond our circle, I watch other wolves whispering the news to the brujas in their vicinity.

  Pablo and Diego have yet to react. They’re too observant to surprise. From the intensity of their stares, they know there’s more.

  Tiago is looking to me, and I nod for him to keep going. But he grits his jaw, like he was hoping I’d stop him.

  I almost hate him for it. Like this choice isn’t gutting me too. But we agreed on a plan last night, and now we need to be willing to make the sacrifices it requires.

  “There’s something else,” says Tiago.

  I can’t remember the air ever standing this still.

  “Cata and I are engaged.”

  The quiet expands, until it grows so loud that it feels less like a pause and more like a vacuum of sound. Everyone heard Tiago’s testimony at Manu’s trial. And our friends heard me declare my love for Saysa in Lunaris two moons ago. Yet this is our first test.

  If we fail now, our whole plan is foiled.

  “In seven moons,” I sa
y, taking Tiago’s hand to sell it, “we’re getting married.”

  The Cazadores aren’t going to let Tiago anywhere near Manu if they think he’s in love with her. And my mom will probably do anything to keep me away from Saysa. This is our only loophole.

  We just need to convince everyone that Manu was a fleeting distraction for Tiago, like all the other girls have been, from his constant love for … me.

  If we can sell our classmates on the story my parents spun in court, we stand a chance at gaining the Cazadores’ trust. Then we can get close to Manu.

  And like Tiago said last night—We’ll start a new Coven.

  “I knew it!”

  Bibi is the first to snap out of her shock. She wrenches me into a celebratory hug, but when she pulls away to meet my gaze, she’s not smiling. She knows what it’s like to be in love, so she understands our sacrifice.

  Javier lifts me off my feet, but his boyish grin doesn’t extend to his eyes. Our friends won’t be fooled, but Tiago and I aren’t putting on this performance for them. It’s for the rest of the school.

  Diego and Pablo are last to react. More than anything, they look sad. While Tiago and Pablo hug, Diego wraps me in his arms.

  A gust rattles the boughs above us, and I call to it with my power, my vision brightening to the point where I can see the bands of air. I fashion the current into a force field that hovers around our joined heads. “No one can hear us,” I say as we pull apart.

  From the warning in his periwinkle gaze, I prepare for a lecture. “I’m in,” he says instead.

  The air bubble bursts in my shock. Diego has been preparing his whole life to serve on the tribunal. He’s always upheld the law.

  My gaze crosses with Pablo’s next, and he nods at me like he’s also in. I look to Tiago. Now his eyes seem fully present, and when he reaches for my hand, there’s no hesitation in his grip.

  Manu showed us what we couldn’t see: We’re all invisible until we step out of hiding.

  She took on our system and fought for us.

  Now we fight for her.

  As I follow the brujas out of El Jardín to La Catedral for our classes, I sense a new ease in my steps, like I’m adopting Ma’s glide-like walk. But it’s not confidence so much as caution.