Rosie let out a little groan.
Something? Like a kiss? Oh, crap! Had Brooks and I somehow changed the future?
Brooks’s eyes locked with mine, and she started to walk over, which I guess Pacific took as her cue to leave.
I met Brooks halfway, ducking a monkey that was trying to swipe Fuego.
Brooks laughed as the monkey ran off, shrieking in frustration. Then her eyes landed on Rosie, and she fell to her knees to welcome my dog. “Rosie?” she squealed. “I can’t believe it!”
The boxmatian ate up every stroke, scratch, and hug that Brooks gave her while I explained what Ixtab had told me. Rosie sniffed the air and took off toward whatever scent she had caught.
“So what now?” Brooks asked. “I mean, the world isn’t ending, and there aren’t any castles to storm.”
“We could be normal?” I said, thinking that sounded perfect.
“A normal godborn and a normal shape-shifter,” she said, nodding as she tapped her feet to the music.
“And a normal dog,” I said, still wearing a goofy grin.
Brooks frowned. “Well, one thing isn’t normal. I mean…I think we messed up.”
“What? How?”
She hesitated. Her eyes flicked to the fiesta. “We kissed.”
My heart flopped like a fish out of water. I thought she was going to pretend that never happened—let it stay in 1987.
Crap. Say something, Zane. Say something really smooth.
“Is that bad?”
NOT SMOOTH.
Shrugging, she said, “Don’t know. It was in 1987, which means…”
“What?”
She glanced up at me. “I don’t think it counted.”
Uh, yeah, I didn’t know what she meant by counted, but it happened, and what did it matter when it happened?
Before I could stick my foot in my mouth with more dumb words, Brooks said, “I mean…unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless you think it was real…I mean, like, technically, it wasn’t, right?”
“Uh…” I gripped Fuego to keep from falling over. Yup, I was really good at this pouring-out-your-heart stuff. But then it was like my mouth got way ahead of my brain. “Yeah,” I said, nodding. “I mean yes, it didn’t count…I mean…”
Tell her what you mean, Zane!
Brooks tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “So we haven’t had a first kiss, then, I guess.”
Oh. OH!
And before I said another dumb thing, I leaned over and kissed her. Not a rushed kiss, or a life-or-death kiss, or even a good-bye one. Just a regular kiss. Between a normal godborn and a normal shape-shifter.
The music blared. My heart raced.
Brooks looked up at me, smiling. “I love this song!” Then she bounced toward the party.
“Where are you going?” I called after her, thinking I might start floating.
“Come on,” she said over her shoulder. “Let’s dance.”
I didn’t know what my destiny strand had in store for me the next month, or year, or five years. I didn’t know what was going to happen to the gods or the rogue godborns. But maybe I didn’t need to know. Maybe that was the best part of life: figuring out the now.
And right now, I was going to dance.
EL FIN
Dear Reader:
This glossary is meant to provide some context for Zane’s story. It in no way represents the many Maya mythologies, cultures, languages, pronunciations, and geographies. That would take an entire library. Instead, this offers a snapshot of how I understand the myths and terms, and what I learned during my research for this book. Simply put, myths are stories handed down from one generation to the next. While growing up near the Tijuana border, I was fascinated by the Maya (as well as the Aztec) mythologies, and I was absolutely sure that my ancestors were related to the gods. Each time I’ve visited the Maya pyramids in Yucatán, I’ve listened for whispers in the breeze (and I just might’ve heard them). My grandmother used to speak of spirits, brujos, gods, and the magic of ancient civilizations, further igniting my curiosity for and love of myth and magic. I hope this is the beginning (or continuation) of your own curiosity and journey.
Ah-Puch (ah-POOCH) god of death, darkness, and destruction. Sometimes he’s called the Stinking One or Flatulent One (Oy!). He is often depicted as a skeleton wearing a collar of dangling eyeballs of those he’s killed. No wonder he doesn’t have any friends.
Akan (ah-KAHN) god of wine
Ak ’Ek (AHK EHKH) the Mayan name for the constellation Orion, meaning the Turtle Star
Aztec (AZ-tek) the term often used now for Mexica, one of the peoples indigenous to Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the sixteenth century. The word means coming from Aztlán, their legendary place of origin. The Mexica did not refer to themselves as Aztecs.
Bakab (bah-KAHB) four divine brothers who hold up the four corners of world, and all without complaining about having tired arms
Camazotz (KAH-mah-sots) a Maya bat god who, before he was exiled, lived in the House of Bats in Xib’alb’a, where his job was to bite off travelers’ heads
Ceiba Tree (SAY-bah) the World Tree or Tree of Life. Its roots begin in the underworld, grow up through the earth, and continue into paradise.
Chaac (CHAHK) the Maya rain god
Chak Ek’ (CHAHK EHKH) Mayan name for the planet Venus
chapat (chah-PAHT) Mayan for centipede
Hurakan (hoor-ah-KAHN) god of wind, storm, and fire. Also known as Heart of the Sky and One Leg. Hurakan is one of the gods who helped create humans four different times. Some believe he is responsible for giving humans the gift of fire.
Itzamna (IT-sahm-na) a Maya creator god associated with writing
Ixkakaw (eesh-ka-KOW) goddess of the cacao tree and chocolate
Ixkik’ (sh-KEEK) mother of the hero twins, Jun’ajpu’ and Xb’alamkej; also known as the Blood Moon goddess and Blood Maiden. She is the daughter of one of the lords of the underworld.
Ixtab (eesh-TAHB) goddess (and often caretaker) of people who were sacrificed or died a violent death
Ix-tub-tun (eesh-toob-TOON) a stone-spitting goddess
Jun’ajpu’ (HOON-ah-POO) one of the hero twins; his brother is Xb’alamkej. These brothers were the second generation of hero twins. They were raised by their mother (Ixkik’) and grandmother. They were really good ballplayers, and one day they played so loudly, the lords of the underworld got annoyed and asked them to come down to Xib’alb’a for a visit (no thanks!). They accepted the invitation and had to face a series of tests and trials. Luckily for them, they were clever and passed each test, eventually avenging their father and uncle, whom the lords of the underworld had killed.
Kab’raqan (kahb-rah-KAHN) Mayan for earthquake; a giant and brother to Sipacna
k’iin (KEEN) Mayan for sun or day
K’ukumatz (koo-koo-MATS) (also known as Kukuulkaan) one of the creator gods. He is said to have come from the sea to teach humans his knowledge. Then he went back to the ocean, promising to return one day. As Kukuulkaan, he is known as the Feathered Serpent. According to legend, he slithers down the steps of the great pyramid El Castillo at Chichén Itzá in Yucatán, México, on the spring and autumn equinoxes; festivals are held in his honor there to this day. El Castillo is definitely a cool—but also hair-raising and bone-chilling—place to visit.
Kukuulkaan (koo-kool-KAHN) see K’UKUMATZ
Mexica (meh-SHEE-ka) a Nahuatl-speaking group of people indigenous to Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the sixteenth century. Now commonly referred to as Aztecs.
Nakon (nah-CONE) god of war
nawal (nah-WAHL) a human with the ability to change into an animal, sometimes called a shape-shifter
saás (sah-AHS) Mayan for light
Saqik’oxol (sock-ee-kh-oh-SHOLE) the White Sparkstriker, a being who lives in the woods, wears a red mask, and dresses entirely in red. The Sparkstriker pounded lightning into the first daykeepers (diviners).
> Sipacna (see-pahk-NAH) an arrogant giant who was killed by the second-generation hero twins when they dropped a mountain on him; according to Maya legend, he killed four hundred boys at once
Tlaltecuhtli (tlah-tek-OOT-lee) the Mexica earth goddess, whose name means the one who gives and devours life
Xb’alamkej (sh-bah-lam-KEH) one of the hero twins; see JUN’AJPU’
Xib’alb’a (shee-bahl-BAH) the Maya underworld, a land of darkness and fear where the soul has to travel before reaching paradise. If the soul fails, it must stay in the underworld and hang out with demons. Yikes!
J. C. CERVANTES is the New York Times best-selling author of The Storm Runner and The Fire Keeper, the first two books in a fantasy adventure trilogy. She grew up in San Diego, California, near the Tijuana border, where she fed her fascination with the Maya and Aztec mythologies. Now she lives with her husband, Joseph, in New Mexico. She is the mother of three daughters, the youngest of whom inspired her critically acclaimed first novel, Tortilla Sun. Jen’s wish is that children everywhere see themselves reflected in the pages of the books that inspire them and that they learn to see beyond their own lives, recognizing and celebrating others. She believes in magic, always roots for the underdog, and eats salsa with nearly every meal. For more information, go to www.jennifercervantes.com or follow her on Twitter (@jencerv) and Instagram (authorjcervantes).
RICK RIORDAN, dubbed “storyteller of the gods” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of five New York Times #1 best-selling series, including Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which brings Greek mythology to life for contemporary readers. Millions of fans across the globe have enjoyed his fast-paced and funny quest adventures. The goal of Rick Riordan Presents is to publish highly entertaining books by authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds, to allow them to tell their own stories inspired by the mythology, folklore, and culture of their heritage. Rick’s Twitter handle is @RickRiordan.
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