Fables & Other Lies - Claire Contreras Page 0,37
usual table, but before I headed there, I first walked over to Dolly, who was behind the bar.
“He told me,” she said when I reached her. “I’ll take you up in a minute. I’m sure you want to rest.”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay.” She raised an eyebrow. “I already set your martini on the table over there.”
I walked toward my friends. They were both wide-eyed, watching me as I slid into the booth across from them and took a hefty sip of the martini, coughing when the vodka hit me hard.
“First of all, who are you?” Dee asked.
“What?” I blinked.
“What are you wearing? You’re dressed in . . . light colors?” She looked confused. “You look like you just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren commercial.”
“Oh.” I looked down at myself and laughed. “I kind of like it.”
“It suits you.” Dee folded her hands in front of her. “So, do tell.”
“We didn’t do anything. There was a small party when we got there and then we slept in the same bed, but did nothing, and he let me take pictures of part of the house this morning before driving me over here.” I took another sip. “He also picked me again today.”
“He picked you again?” Dee’s brows rose.
“And all you did was sleep beside each other?” Martín’s brows rose as well.
“Trust me, I don’t understand it either. I feel like this is some kind of revenge scheme, but he’s not . . . I mean, he hasn’t done anything bad to me.”
“Yet.” Dee’s mouth formed into a thin line.
“Yet,” I agreed.
“What can he do?” Martín asked. “He seems perfectly fine.”
“Too perfect,” Dee said. “And he’s from that island.” She pulled a disgusted face.
“Technically, yes, but he’s lived in London, France, Greece. It’s not like the man isn’t well traveled and is only stuck in one place,” Martín said.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“I pay attention.” Martín took a sip of his drink, his face reddening. “And I low-key stalk the Calibans.”
“You have a crush on him or something?” Dee raised a questioning eyebrow.
“No, nothing like that. I just find them fascinating. They’re the reason I started visiting Pan Island, to begin with. All of the legends and folklore.”
“Oh, God.” I groaned. “I hate what that picture did to this island.”
“No offense, but the legends were well established before your photo surfaced or The Haunt became a thing.”
“That actually makes me feel a little better.” I finished off my drink. “So, what’d you learn about the Calibans?”
“Not much. Not much that I believe to be real anyway. I learned that the curse caused a literal rift, when what is now known as Dolos Island broke off from Pan Island.”
“How did that happen?” I sat up straighter.
“What was the curse?” Dee asked.
“There are different accounts. Mostly I think the Guzmans didn’t want the Calibans moving in on their land. The Guzmans were here first. They founded Pan Island. They owned the crops and were proud to have freed their people. When the Calibans moved in with their promises to be nice, they were given a chance, but it is said that they broke that promise.”
“How?” I leaned forward. “What did they do?”
“They enslaved people again. Raped women. Impregnated them.” Martín shot me a look. “Not that your people weren’t doing the same to them, but obviously your people practically own this island to this day so the tours are very one-sided.”
“None of this matters,” Dee said. “You shouldn’t feel bad for kissing a man who had as little to do with this as you did.”
“We didn’t kiss.” I swallowed.
“But if you did, it wouldn’t be terrible,” Martín added.
“He’s still a Caliban.”
“And you’re still a Guzman. I’m sorry to say but in most accounts I found outside of these tours, you’re the bad guy.”
“I’m not a guy.” I raised an eyebrow. “Besides, like Dee said, I can’t be crucified for the sins of those who came before me.”
“But he can?”
“I’m not crucifying him.”
“You may not be, but the town is. Last night, after you left, a slew of riots started.”
“Is that true?” I looked at Dee.
“Let’s just say, you don’t want to go visit your grandmother right now.” She bit her lip. “It died down quickly though.”
“Oh my God.” I buried my face in my hands. “Now they’re going to think the worst of me even if I didn’t do anything at all.”
“I’d say.”
I groaned.
“Penny, I’m ready for you.” That was Dolly, smiling as she walked over.
“I have to go. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Will you