Read Marco and the Devil's Bargain for Free Online Page B

stacks.” He ignored the crowd that had gathered as he took Paloma by the arm and kept her moving toward the stables. “To show you the measure of his desperation, he did not back away from me.”
    Luisa’s guards stood their ground by the stable door until Paloma fixed them with a stare that she borrowed from her absent husband, the stare that made people do what he ordered . Please let it work , she prayed silently. My arsenal of stern looks is limited .
    Maybe it had worked. One guard turned away, his shoulders high with disapproval. The other gestured them inside the stables, his hand on his sheathed dagger.
    The stranger was a small man. Toshua took him by the back of his filthy coat and slid him off the horse, while Paloma steadied him, turning her head away because he reeked.
    The stranger shook his shoulders, which Paloma took as a sign to let go. Happy to oblige him, she backed away, but not too far, because he swayed, then held out his hand to her. She took a shallow breath, then put her arm around his waist and led him to a grain bin, where he perched, looking around and blinking his eyes.
    â€œ I have not been inside a building in six months,” he told her. At least she thought that was what he said.
    â€œ What is your name?” she asked.
    â€œ Antonio Gil,” he replied.
    â€œ Antonio? I doubt that,” she said. “I really do. Your Spanish is awful.”
    In spite of his obvious exhaustion—she saw no fear—the stranger managed a smile. “Should I say Anthony Gill instead? I am from Georgia.”
    â€œ Gill. Gill. Guh?” She couldn’t even pronounce it.
    As it turned out, Anthony Gill couldn’t manage ten steps on his own. With Toshua on one side and Paloma on the other, he made slow progress toward the hacienda, where Luisa stood, eyes wary, her mouth pressed in a firm line that reminded Paloma of Marco.
    â€œ Please, dearest, he needs food and a bath,” Paloma said to Luisa, then stepped back in surprise as her cousin Maria Teresa ran from the hacienda, screaming, pushing the other women aside in her panic.
    â€œ Where did everyone go? What is wrong?” Teresa shouted. “Why is everyone ….” She gasped, her hand to her mouth, and stared at Toshua.
    Paloma gaped at her cousin as she flattened herself against the wall of the hacienda, her eyes huge, her thin face draining of color.
    â€œ Teresa, there is nothing to fear,” she said, wondering at so much terror for no reason. Her cousin had missed the whole crisis, and look at her. What harm could one dirty man and an Indian cause, in a hacienda full of Luisa’s guards and all the guards who had come with the other women?
    Before Paloma could defend herself, Teresa darted forward and grabbed her hair, loose around her shoulders. She yanked on it, jerking Paloma away from the stranger and the Comanche. Paloma’s eyes filled with sudden tears from the pain. She tried to grab Teresa’s hand as her cousin’s fingernails dug into her scalp. Why was she doing this?
    â€œ Teresa, he is harmless! So is Toshua. Please let go,” she pleaded. “You’re hurting me.”
    Her cousin gave her hair another yank, which sent Paloma to her knees, her hands clutching Teresa’s fingers, trying to lessen the pain. Toshua dropped the stranger in the dust and unsheathed his knife in one smooth movement, his eyes intent upon the hysterical woman. Paloma felt strands of hair pull loose from her scalp as she reached for Toshua—now to stop him. “No, Toshua, no!”
    Teresa screamed again, looking around wildly as her audience gaped at her. “You see? You see? Paloma’s Comanche wants to kill me! I have witnesses!”
    â€œ He wants you to let go of Paloma’s hair,” Luisa said as she finally grabbed the distraught woman. “What is the matter with you, Señora Castellano?”
    To Paloma’s relief, Teresa let go of her