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The hot chocolate ca on Monica’s stovetop, sratefully, soers and the cold of the nightQuillia into it out of one eye like it was poisoned, or like it was about to explode
“I figured I’d be up all night waiting for so a cursory sip from her own cup “So I made up a batch Go on, try it It’s not poisoned, I promise you I could have killed both of you if I wanted I’ to do it with some hot chocolate”
It was the good, thick stuff, too, the Mexican kind, made out of tablets of chocolate ive itwith pleasure after just one taste It did ht out Quill watchedwhen he saw that I hadn’t dropped dead or puked ether as he sed, then nodded at Monica
“It’s delicious,” he said grudgingly
“Thank you It’s a faar, a little spice” Monica set heracross her low coffee table to where the two of us were lounging on soly comfortable sofas I had to ado “Now Speaking of fauess that my abuela sent you to murder me”
I scratched the outer ri word, really She just wantedit back to her at the retirement home”
Monica rolled her eyes, then shook her head “Ay, there’s really no stopping her, that wo her by keeping her alive through some cockamamie deal with the Lady of the Dead”
Quill perked up, his back straightening even as his forehead wrinkled with a frown “And how could you possibly know that?”
“Because this isn’t the first time she’s tried to have me killed Isn’t it obvious? Grandma played you The both of you”
Quill and I exchange cautious glances Just who the hell e supposed to believe now?
Monica stretched out her hand, studying her fingernails and licking the rie sum of money to do the job?”
My led to form words, but I stoppedher how much Leonora had offered us, was there? “Yes” That was all I said Quillia the bit about the fa Leonora alive
“Gentlemen, the only truth to this story is that the Obsidian Rose is indeed a fa the woreatest one is how I’ Grandh I have to pay to keep her there, you know? She can die any ti to keep herself alive”
I sluure out the situation “So the whole thing about the Obsidian Rose and stealing it for her That wasn’t about her ending her life, then?”