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seeing herself in the future. Her mother had not lied when she said that Paola favored the Lopes side of the family.
    There was only one problem.
    For a woman who was close to ninety and supposedly near death, she looked surprisingly hale and hearty.
    Paola paused, shooting an accusatory look at Rey and releasing her hold on his arm. “I thought you said she was ill.”
    â€œI said she wished to see you before her time came. At her age there is no guarantee of tomorrow,” he clarified.
    â€œYou led me to believe—”
    â€œThat she wanted to see you. As a lawyer I thought you would be more careful about reading other meanings into my words.”
    Anger surged through her at his deception, but then she recalled that he had said he was a determined man. He had been resolute to get her here and he had done just that.
    â€œYou and I will settle this in private,” she said, not wanting to air any dirty laundry before the group waiting expectantly. Her grandmother’s keen-eyed gaze traveled over both Rey and Paola, clearly assessing them.
    Paola pressed forward until she stood before her grandmother. They were both tall. Age had seemingly done nothing to diminish her grandmother’s stature. She stood straight and tall, meeting Paola’s gaze directly.
    â€œDo not be too angry with him, child. He was only trying to please an old woman.”
    â€œAre you ill?” Paola asked, just to be on the safe side.
    A wry smile split the old woman’s mobile lips. “I am far healthier than some half my age,” she confessed.
    â€œThen why bring me here? Why the rush after so long?”
    Rey walked up to them, easily carrying their assorted bags in his arms. “Please take them to the main house,” her grandmother said and then reached out and looped her arm through Paola’s.
    â€œCome, child. There is much you need to know about your legacy.”

Chapter Four
    â€œI think she handled it well, don’t you?” Patricia Lopes said as she sipped a glass of cachaça mixed with fresh fruit juice made from some of the mangos and papayas grown on the Lopes plantation.
    â€œI think she’s probably in her room packing her bags,” Rey said and eyed Paola’s grandmother over the rim of his glass of straight rum. He had felt the need for fortification after their post-dinner discussion about the Lopes legacy and Emilio Ribiero’s annoying presence during the meal.
    Patricia released a hearty laugh. “She won’t run, but just in case, why don’t you go check on her?”
    Rey pointed to her with the hand that held the glass. “Do you think you can fool me that easily after all this time?”
    Patricia shook her head ruefully and chuckled. “No, Rey. But there was no missing how Emilio was eating her up during the meal. He will make his move on her soon.”
    Rey held back from telling her that he had already staked his claim on Paola. Instead, he focused on the real heart of the issue. “What if Paola does not wish to stay?” he said and gulped down what remained of the rum.
    A crease of worry marred the smooth plain of Patricia’s forehead. “I am more worried that she is like her father and will find it difficult to battle the allure of the sacred space.”
    For as long as Rey could remember there had been rumors about Javier being addicted to the holy ground. That he had shifted once too often, weakening his hold on this plane. Patricia’s words now pretty much confirmed to him that the tales were more than just gossip.
    â€œIs that why he came back with his wife and Paola?” Rey finally asked. Guardians were not tied to this bit of land and could freely move about. They were human and only different spiritually. But the stories swirling around the plantation had said that Javier had been growing weaker in the States. Fading away, some had said.
    â€œI think he damaged his human form by undertaking