“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