Mark of the Goddess

A. L. Kaplan

 

Shadows spread across the jungle as Maya hurried home. The press of the darkening woods felt like the time she had fallen into the river and nearly drowned. It was getting harder to see, a byproduct of the nut powder she used to stain her eyes dark. If she hadn’t desperately needed more neston nuts to hide her golden eyes, she would never have stayed out this late.

“Goddess watch over me,” Maya whispered.

A tall, tentacled plant loomed ahead and she quickly altered course. In this light, she couldn’t tell if it was the carnivorous ya-le-veo, or the innocent iaci plant, whose berries were a village staple. It was best to steer clear of both.

More than deadly plants lurked in the darkness. Jaguars and other nighttime prowlers could be watching her now, ready to strike. Her grip tightened on the straps holding her basket and she quickened her pace. Visibility shrank to a narrow tunnel. Night blindness would soon descend.

By the time she burst into the village, she was running and out of breath. A small root caught her foot and she fell to her knees. Snickers erupted from a small group of teens, with the ever popular Conda laughing the hardest. Maya, the forest girl, afraid of the dark. She hurried to her family’s hut. Tears stung her eyes, but she forced them back, making her throat ache. Tears were bad. Tears would wash away the nut powder staining her eyes.

“Where have you been?” her mother asked. “It’s almost dark. I thought I’d lost you.”

Maya laid the basket on the table and leaned her hands on the edge, breathing hard. The wood felt smooth, solid. Slowly, the world stopped pressing in on her.

“The acolytes were gathering nuts today. I had to search deeper in the jungle.”

“Thank Ixchel you weren’t spotted. If you’d been discovered…”

“I know,” Maya squeezed her eyes closed. She had no desire to become the next sacrifice.

Her mother’s arms trembled, squeezing her tight. “You’re here, safe.” Finally, she loosened her grip. Air rushed back into Maya’s lungs. “Did you find any?”

“Only one, but it’s old. The rest had already been harvested. I used my last coca leaf to subdue the ya-le-veos around it.”

“Ixchel be blessed,” said her mother. “It’ll be enough.”

A single tear escaped Maya’s eyes. “Not for the entire moon blessing. This shriveled up thing will only stain my eyes for a day or two. The blessing lasts for four.”

“We’ll make it work.”

Her mother brushed a strand of long black hair from Maya’s face. Dark brown moisture marked her mother’s finger. The stain was washing from her eyes. No one could know her true eye color. The caramel, almost gold, tone marked her for Ixchel, goddess of the moon, as did the dark floret birthmark on her upper left thigh. Both would have been honored in days past, but high priest Salix considered them a curse. Only Ah-Puch, god of death, was worthy of worship. Those with signs of other gods were taken at birth. Most ended up as sacrifices.

“Say good night to your sister and brother, and go to bed. I’ll prepare the powder.”

Maya was too exhausted to argue. Tomorrow was the moon ceremony, the start of her womanhood. She touched the new clothes her mother had laid out for the ceremony. Red and yellow stripes were woven into the cloth. The bottom edge was decorated with brown flowers. Small yellow seeds made up their center. More of the flowers covered the halter of the dress. Strands of colored seeds lay next to the outfit. Their family was one of the poorest in the village, but at least she wouldn’t enter the moon hut totally unadorned.

“Try not to trip when you meet High Priest Salix tomorrow,” mumbled Charo. The twelve-year-old was already swinging in her hammock half asleep. Charo didn’t know about Maya’s eyes. Neither did her ten-year-old brother, Quade. It was best that way.

 

§

 

Jaguars, pitch-black giant anacondas, and huge caiman haunted Maya’s sleep, leaving her more wound up than when she lay down to rest. She rolled out of her hammock at first light onto trembling legs, drenched in sweat. Charo and Quade slept peacefully, ignorant of the fears she and her mother held. They were too young to remember when their father had been sacrificed. But the sight of Salix ripping her father’s beating heart from his chest was something Maya would never forget. The air had tasted slick and oily, as it did at each subsequent sacrifice.

Her mother pressed a small cloth pouch containing the powder into her hand. “Remember, don’t look away during the sacrifice. The priests will be looking for non-believers. Say your prayers to the others silently and be careful when you use the powder. Don’t swallow any.”

“Yes, mother,” she said as she tucked the pouch into the secret pocket in her dress.

Thinking about four days in a hut with the other new young women in the village made her insides twist with dread. Swallowing neston powder and hallucinating was just one of the many things that could go wrong.

“My beautiful girl,” said her mother, when she had finished braiding feathers and yellow seeds into her hair. “You are Ixchel’s handmaiden. The goddess of the moon will watch over you.”

The words did little to help Maya’s nerves. Ixchel’s marks felt more like a curse than a gift. At least her sun-kissed bronze skin was otherwise unmarred, though few called her beautiful, with her overly round face and short, stocky body.

“You should have this.” Her mother placed a necklace with a single citron bead over her head. Maya’s throat tightened. It was the only thing of true value they owned. “This belonged to my mother, and her mother before her, passed down for their moon ceremonies.”

The moon ceremony was supposed to be a coming of age celebration, but Maya felt only doom as she walked toward the temple. Each step felt like a death knell. Ixchel should have been predominant at this ceremony, not Ah-Puch. Death had no place in a woman’s womb. It seemed strange that Salix even allowed the ceremony to continue.

Four other girls knelt at the base of the temple. Unlike Maya, they were laden with many strands of colored stones. Conda had the most. Her family was wealthy enough that she was in no danger of being chosen to appease Ah-Puch.

“Look who decided to finally show up,” said Conda. “Did you get lost on the way to the temple or just trip over your clumsy feet?”

Heat rose on Maya’s face as the girls snickered. She fingered the stone around her neck and kept her head turned down as she joined them on the woven red ground cloth. This citron had far more meaning to her than all the stones the others wore.

A gong signaled the beginning of the assembly. Maya saw Conda’s body stiffen and a muscle twitch on her cheek. It was hard to imagine Conda being nervous. The girl had everything: wealth, popularity, and perfect, dark-brown eyes. Perhaps Maya wasn’t the only one uncomfortable with the proceedings.

A huge crowd filled the square at the base of the temple pyramid. No one in the village would dare miss a ceremony. To do so could incur the wrath of Ah-Puch. Maya’s father’s belief that all the gods should be honored was what led to his sacrifice.

Salix stepped onto the platform at the top of the temple steps and raised his arms. Maya sucked in a sharp breath. An inky shadow twined around him. Its sick smell drifted toward her and she forced herself not to be ill. Who would it be this time?

A young man swayed as he was led to the altar, a rapt expression on his face. It looked like he was eager to die, only Maya knew better. Her mother had taught her about plants that calmed people. She bit her tongue when she recognized the boy as Jafet, a farmer’s son, who had been taken by the priests. Maya had seen him talking to Conda three weeks earlier. The beads around Conda’s neck rattled, and Maya risked a sideways glance. Moisture glistened in the girl’s eyes and her lips were pressed together tightly.

“Five maidens await Ah-Puch’s blessing on this moon day,” said Salix. His gaze made the hairs on the back of Maya's neck rise. “Look upon his gift.”

Acid roiled in her stomach, but she forced herself to look at the altar. Turning away would draw too much attention and anger Ah-Puch. At least that was what they were taught. Ixchel protect me.

“Thirty years ago the earth rose in anger nearly destroying our world. Ah-Puch, god of death, has kept us safe. He is the only true god. All who worship him will be rewarded. Blasphemers shall be struck down, their souls condemned to eternal torture. This man has denounced the false gods and goes to Ah-Puch freely. His soul has been blessed.”

Maya focused on her prayers as Salix raised his silver blade high in the air. Ixchel, goddess of the moon, Itzamna, god of creation, watch over this man’s soul. Kululcai, god of the feathered serpent, guide him to the sky. Ancient, Xkitza let him feel no pain. Chac, wash any evil stain from his heart so that he may rise to Chak Chel in the heavens.

Her vision blurred. The dark swirl tightened around Salix. For a moment his hand trembled, then it plunged into Jafet’s bare chest. Blood dripped down his arm as he lifted the man’s heart. Maya felt it beat in rhythm to her own. Goddess protect him.

Blood ran along the carved grooves on the altar and continued down the ramp, finally pooling at the base where she and the other women knelt. So much blood. The metallic scent, mixed with the oiliness of Salix, increased as he threw the heart into a burning brazier.

“Ah-Puch, feed on our sacrifice. Protect us. Rule us.”

The priests chanted. “Ah-Puch, Ah-Puch….” Drum beats punctuated each cry and the village joined in. Maya said the words, but her heart beseeched the other gods as an elder priestess marked their foreheads with blood. Maya bit her tongue to keep from cringing from the woman’s touch. She continued her silent litany as they were led to the moon hut to pray.

 

§

 

Two days into their four days of seclusion, Maya had barely spoken to the other girls. None of them had said much, not even Conda. Most of their time was spent in prayer or weaving bits of fiber into moon belts.

With five of them practically on top of each other in the windowless hut, the only private place Maya could find was behind the curtain in the pot corner. It wasn’t ideal, but Maya had little choice. She touched the neston powder to her eyes quickly, then sucked the brown residue from her finger, hoping it wouldn’t induce too strong a vision. Last night’s dreams of slick black blood had left her tossing and turning.

“What’s taking you so long?” said Conda. There was a sharpness to her tone that made Maya jump. “You’ve been in there forever.”

“Sorry.” Maya hurried out. A wave of dizziness sent her stumbling into Conda. Both of them crashed to the ground, and a shower of turquoise beads flew across the floor.

“Clumsy idiot,” said Conda. “It’s a wonder you haven’t fallen into a ya-le-veo.”

Maya bit her lip and began gathering beads. She couldn’t seem to do anything right. “I’m sorry.”

Alarm drums began to beat, followed by three gongs. Maya’s stomach clenched. The last time a mandatory assembly had been called, five people had been taken by the priests. Everyone ceased picking up beads. Conda’s face looked unusually pale.

The old priestess, who had been bringing them meals, burst into the hut. “Out, all of you.”

“What’s going on?” asked Conda.

“You’ll find out soon enough. Move. The high priest is waiting.”

The noonday sun made Maya’s eyes ache after two days in a darkened hut, but at least she could see better. Her stomach flipped as six guards escorted them to the temple. Maya scanned the whispering crowd for her mother, hoping for an answer. Four guards stood at the base of the temple with a large basin of water. Salix himself stood behind it, his midnight blue robes swaying in the hot breeze. Up on the temple platform, held by two guards stood a semi-limp woman. Maya’s mother. Bright red welts covered her limbs and torso, the kind left by ya-le-veo stings.

People stared in Maya’s direction. Sweat dripped down her back. It felt like someone else moved her limbs forward. Where were Charo and Quade?

Salix raised his arms. Silence descended. “This woman was caught trying to steal sacred god food. Ah-Puch demands retribution. But first, we must rout out the evil she has spread and cleanse it.”

A guard shoved Maya forward and she fell, nearly hitting her head on the basin. She looked up in time to see Charo and Quade dunked head first into the basin. Salix held their heads underwater as the children struggled. Panic griped Maya’s heart. Charo could hold her breath, but Quade was terrified of water.

“Ah-Puch, cleanse these children.”

Finally, the children were pulled out, coughing and struggling for air. Salix forced their eyes open, then after a brief examination declared both free from taint.

“These two are now dedicated to Ah-Puch. They will live in the temple. If the thievery was not for them, it must have been for another.

Dark black clouds gathered above the temple as Maya was lifted up. She barely had time to take a breath before her head was submerged. With prayers to Ixchel, she forced her body to relax. Her heart beat against her chest. She desperately wanted to take a breath to ease her burning lungs. Perhaps drowning would be a better end than having her heart ripped out. It was only a matter of time before her secret was discovered.

Thunder rumbled, but she barely heard it over the roaring in her ears as she was released from the water. She gasped for air. Hands gripped her head and she clamped her eyes shut. They can’t see, they mustn’t see. Fingers pressed painfully on her face forcing her lids apart.

“Blasphemer! She bears the eyes of an animal. Gold demon eyes.”

The cry of “blasphemer” echoed. This time, Maya didn’t keep the tears from streaming down her face. Above her Salix smiled. The blackness around him swelled and drifted toward her.

Lightning streaked across the sky. A jagged bolt struck the tip of the temple pyramid. Someone in the crowd screamed. With the guards distracted, Maya twisted in their grip, and then slithered out from between them. Free from the neston stain, she had no problem seeing in the growing darkness. As fast as a jaguar, Maya slipped through the crowd and into the jungle.

“Stop her,” screamed Salix.

Maya bolted, dodging roots and plants. Guards crashed through the undergrowth after her. Her mother must have tried to get more neston nuts, but fallen victim to the ya-le-veo guarding them. Now Salix had her brother and sister, too.

“Ixchel, goddess of the moon, I beseech you. Watch over my family.”

Rumbling shook the ground. The air felt charged. Tears streamed down Maya’s face. Sudden bursts of light drew skeletal silhouettes all around her. She’d always been afraid of the jungle at night and cringed at each flash of light. Everywhere she looked, Ah-Puch’s shadow pointed accusing fingers, saying there she is. Come taste her blood. His shriveled hand reached for her heart, drawing the guards closer.

Maya shivered, remembering the sight of Jafet’s heart beating in the priest’s hand. Even now, the smell of the blood almost made her retch. What kind of god would rip the life from a worshipper? Perhaps it was as her father had whispered to her mother late one night. The priests used the sacrifices to keep themselves in power, and the sacrifices were always the poorest of the poor or the outspoken opponents to those in power. Maybe the priests, especially Salix, were the very demons they claimed to protect people from.

“Ixchel, goddess of the moon protect me. If you truly care for your people, save me.”

Rain poured through the canopy. Within moments Maya was drenched. A branch snapped. Maya held her breath, heart pounding. She ducked under a bush and prayed the guards wouldn’t find her. Minutes passed. Perhaps it would be safer off the ground.

Maya shimmied up a tree, slipping a couple of times on the wet bark. Her limbs felt heavy after running all afternoon and trembled as she climbed. Ten feet up she found a branch thick enough for her to lie on without fear of rolling off in her sleep. If she could sleep. Finally, the storm passed and Maya sent thanks to Chac, the god of rain and lightning. Exhaustion crept up on her as she leaned against the trunk. It was a moonless night, perfect for hiding.

Suddenly, the sky lit up again. Eight feet above, a pair of luminescent eyes stared down. What remained of her nails gouged the branch she gripped. Deep rumbling reached her ears, but it wasn’t thunder. A second flash revealed a large spotted body. Long gleaming white teeth grinned at her. The tip of the jaguar’s tail flicked, and then its thick tongue snaked across its face.

Maya’s heart thudded as she stared at the jaguar, a symbol of Ixchel. “Have you come to save me or eat me?” she whispered. A group of guards passed under her tree. Maya held her breath until they were out of sight. “If I have to choose between going back with them,” she whispered, “or becoming your meal, I’d rather be consumed by you. At least one of us would be happy. Make it quick.”

Maya closed her eyes and waited. The branch creaked. Warm breath beat against her face, but the only pressure she felt against her neck was from her own throbbing pulse. All her life she’d feared discovery, feared becoming the next sacrifice. Now that she’d thrown herself at death, it refused her.

“Finish it!” she cried. “Kill me or help me save my family. I can’t bear this any longer.”

A large paw pressed against the floret-shaped mark on her upper thigh. She gasped as the weight of it pinned her to the tree trunk, expecting claws to gouge. Instead, soft fur brushed against her and the heavy pads felt warm. Moments later, a coarse wet tongue scraped across her cheek. A hiccup made Maya’s body jerk. The jaguar paused a moment, then continued grooming her tear streaked face like a kitten. When it finished, it pulled her in close. Strange, but soothing. So close to death’s jaws, but no harm came from them. Exhausted, she drifted to sleep in the jaguar’s arms.

 

§

 

“Ixchel, blessed goddess.”

“Sleep child, rest. Your trial yet awaits.”

“What do you want of me?”

“You will know when the time comes.”

Blue skies stretched around the temple. Below, the people gathered, arms raised in supplication. On the altar, the high priestess tilted a jar. Deep blue berry juice flowed down the temple ramp and gathered in a small hollow. Priests chanted the names of all the gods and goddesses, and then splashed the juice over a roasting peccary where it dripped sizzling into the fire. All around the village, plants sprouted. Animals sprang into being. A huge jaguar padded through the crowd unnoticed. Where it stepped, children appeared.

The scene shifted. A greasy dark shadow covered the land. Blood coated the temple ramp. Only a few people huddled at the bottom. All that remained of the village was a single weather-beaten hut. Where the jungle had stood lay a blackened ruin.

 

§

 

Sunlight flickered against Maya’s eyelids. She rubbed her eyes to shake the memory of the dream. Then, the weight of yesterday’s events crashed down on her. Salix had her family. If she didn’t stop him, he would rip their hearts out and give them to Ah-Puch. The sky belonged to the sun and moon, not death. Salix was upsetting the balance.

She stood on the branch, searching for jaguar, wondering if she’d dreamt it as well. Then, she saw her arms and legs. Dark black spots covered her skin wherever the jaguar’s tongue had touched it. Now, she had the goddess’s markings to go with her eyes and it didn’t feel like a curse.

“Blessed Ixchel, my goddess, I know what I must do.”

 

§

 

Years of sneaking through the jungle finally paid off. Maya skirted the village, avoiding the guards. Her new markings made it easy to blend in. Only one person came to mind who might be willing to help save her family. She found a perch to wait for the cover of darkness.

Patrols returned just before sunset, bruised and muddy. One man was carried in, covered in ya-le-veo stings. Another looked like he’d been gored by a peccary. The jungle was dangerous, but these were all skilled hunters and warriors. It was hard to imagine them being careless in their travels. Their haunted expressions made her shiver. Something strange had happened out there.

Just after dark, Maya snuck into the village, moving silently from shadow to shadow. Slipping under the leaf wall into Conda’s hut was an easy matter. She crouched in the shadow and watched as Conda knelt before a small oil lantern surrounded by fruits, nuts, and mounds of gems.

“Is that for the young man who was sacrificed at the moon ceremony?” Maya whispered.

Conda spun around. Her red and puffy eyes opened wide. “You!” Maya held a finger to her lips and Conda lowered her voice to a whisper. “Your face, your body. You look like a jaguar.”

“Don’t be afraid. Ixchel has chosen me.”

“For what, to terrify the temple guards? They say a giant jaguar stalked them all day. Was it you?”

Maya shook her head. So that’s where her nighttime nursemaid had gone. “It must have been Ixchel. I need your help to save my family.”

“Nothing can save them. Salix has promised them to Ah-Puch at dawn.”

Chills ran down Maya’s back. She had to make Conda understand. “The boy, Jafet, he was your friend.”

“What of it,” said Conda, turning away. Her voice sounded strained. “He’s gone.”

“You loved him.”

“Father didn’t. Now his blood marks us as moon maidens.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be like that, the moon ceremony.”

“What would you know of it? The ceremony has always had bloodletting.”

“Not that much,” said Maya. “Ixchel showed me what it was like before Salix elevated Ah-Puch and demoted all the other gods and goddesses. The balance is off. We have to fix it. I need your help.”

Conda’s voice rose in pitch, but she continued to whisper. “What could the two of us do? We’re barely more than girls. Thanks to you and your mother, the moon ceremony wasn’t finished.”

“Then, we’ll finish it. Salix intends to bring Ah-Puch into this world. The sacrifices won’t end. Conda, people listen to you. They’ll follow your lead. Even with Ixchel with me, I can’t do this alone.”

 

§

 

Maya paced in Conda’s hut, rubbing her hands until they hurt. It was almost dawn and Conda hadn’t returned. If she couldn’t convince other villagers to support her, Maya and her family were doomed. At first light, the gong rang out. In a few moments, her family would be led to the altar and sacrificed. The doorway cloth was shoved aside, letting in a stream of light. Maya jumped, expecting guards to charge in.

“It’s me,” said Conda. Maya sighed with relief. “We’ll get you to the temple ramp. Hurry.”

Twenty teens stood outside the hut. There were a few shocked stares when they saw Maya. Another gong spurred them into action. Islay, a young man who was always hanging around Conda pushed Maya to the center of the crowd where she was hidden from view. The group quickly maneuvered to the base of the temple.

Salix already stood at the altar. Behind him, guards held her family. She could see their eyes, alert, unmarred by the placating drugs usually given to sacrifices. Maya squeezed her hands into fists and ground her teeth. Already Ah-Puch’s dank scent filled the air. The god of death fed on blood and fear. Her family reeked of it, as did the guards surrounding the temple. Getting past them would be a problem.

Suddenly, Salix smiled and turned to face Maya. The shadow behind him pointed in her direction. “There,” he said, pointing.

A sharp blade pressed into Maya’s back and a hand clamped on her shoulder. Guards plowed their way through the crowd and formed a ring around her, spears aiming for her heart. Maya’s stomach flipped and churned. This wasn’t the plan.

Conda stared at the boy holding Maya. “Islay! What are you doing?”

“First a farm boy and now this abomination. Sorry, Conda, but you have your priorities mixed up. ”

Tears filled Conda’s eyes. “It was you who had them take Jafet, not father. How could you?”

“Easy. Salix made a better offer.”

Using their spears, the guards marched Maya up the ramp. Her stomach danced with each step and her legs felt weak. The guards' fear oozed out of their pores like a sour fruit. Big strong warriors, all of them, but they were afraid of her. Maya didn’t feel very terrifying. How could she, one small girl, stop Salix from unleashing Ah-Puch?

Salix’s face twisted, his lips tight and down-turned. “Did you think you could escape your fate? Your life was forfeit when the false one first marked you. You belong to Ah-Puch now. You’ll make a perfect bride for his incarnation. Go freely, and I’ll spare your siblings.”

She glared at him and shouted so the entire village heard. “I belong to Ixchel, goddess of the moon. I will never again bow to the god of death.”

Salix’s eyes narrowed. His hand struck her face, sending her stumbling into the row of spears. Pain blossomed along her shoulders and her face throbbed. “You will never speak that name again. Ah-Puch is the one and only true god. Only he can deliver us.”

Darkness swirled around Salix, making Maya dizzy. It felt like the air was being sucked out of her lungs. Her legs trembled. The courage she’d felt moments ago vanished in a bout of nausea. She could feel Ah-Puch hovering above the altar. Her body swayed and her mind drifted. Quade’s screams snapped her back. His eyes were wide with terror as the guards held him on the altar.

Salix looked at Maya and raised a silver blade. “They will receive nothing to ease their way. Ah-Puch will feast on their blood and become whole.”

“Ixchel, goddess of the moon, show me the way.”

The tips of Maya's toes began to tingle. Waves of calm washed over her and the terror faded. She could almost feel the soft brisling fur of the big cat around her.

“Stop,” she screamed as Salix’s hand began its descent, but it was a jaguar’s roar that filled the air. The guards jumped back. Spears fell from their hands. Maya leaped at Salix, reaching for the deadly blade. Her sharp claws slashed the weapon away, leaving behind long red stripes. Splatters of blood fell on the altar.

Darkness enveloped Maya and a ghostly cloud painfully crushed her chest. Her heart tried to push its way out of her ribs. An owl-like beak appeared beside her. Its laugh made her limbs feel like ice.

“Ah, my lovely bride.” Ah-Puch’s skeletal hands dragged her toward the altar. Bells jingled from his belt. Each ring made the ground tremble. “You belong to me.”

“No,” she screamed, struggling in his grip.

Something slashed her arm, sending a stream of blood onto the altar. She lashed out with her claws but they passed through Ah-Puch’s misty form. Confused, she continued to flail. He wasn’t solid, yet his power strangled her. Ah-Puch’s sharp beak punctured her neck, lapping up her life’s blood. With each swallow, his form solidified. Tears streamed down her face. She’d failed.

“Now,” whispered Ixchel.

The goddess’s power welled up inside her, indignant, furious. Maya didn’t think about what was happening. She roared and slashed at Ah-Puch’s newly formed body. The iron grip holding her loosened enough for her to twist and sink her teeth into Ah-Puch’s neck. He shrieked and tried to flee, but she tightened her grip. With a sickening crunch, his neck shattered in her jaws. Blood filled her mouth. The sharp, metallic taste of it aroused her senses.

The oily mist wisped away from the broken body and swirled around Salix. Maya turned her gaze on him, bloodlust drawing her ever closer to the man who murdered her father and would have slaughtered the rest of her family. The priest cowered beneath the altar, clutching his bleeding arm. The silver dagger lay forgotten at his feet. Sunlight glinted on the bloody metal. She glanced at it, then back to the shadow. Ah-Puch’s fingers still gripped Salix’s heart, binding him to the darkness.

Salix’s eyes grew wide as she stared. A moment later he clutched his chest and cried out in pain as Ah-Puch’s skeletal hand pulled his heart out of his chest. The other priests crumbled to the ground, trembling with fear. If anyone else noticed Ah-Puch, they said nothing. Then, it was over. The shadows had taken their last sacrifice. Maya would allow no more.