Shadows and Light: Leyendas, #3

By Selenia Paz

Miguel never expected to be making a journey with Death, but from the start he knows there is something different about this journey. As Miguel and Death set out to save an old friend, Natalia and La Llorona come closer to discovering the truth about what lies in the darkness. As they search for the one god who might be able to stop it, they find something completely unexpected, and realize they will need strength that has not been seen for a thousand years. In this final installment of the Leyendas series, Miguel discovers truths about the world and about himself and finally learns how to accept it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Snowy Wings Publishing
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393514985

Book preview

Map

One

D

eath cleared his throat.

Miguel jumped, almost falling back into the thorny bushes that were all around them. Miguel had forgotten that Death was standing inches away from him. He had forgotten they were hiding in the bushes in front of his house. And he had almost forgotten why.

They both turned toward the small window in time to see Miguel’s father stand up from the kitchen table and walk to the window. Miguel could see his mom as she turned her head to say something, he could see his little sister Amelia jump from her chair as she tried to reach the window first, and he could see his sister Estela look up from her plate, her hand halfway to her mouth with a tortilla. What Miguel wouldn’t give for his mom’s warm tortillas de harina.

As Miguel looked back to the window, he ducked. His dad’s eyes had met his, and Miguel was sure he had been seen.

I think my dad saw us, Miguel whispered.

Death looked back toward the house. After a few moments, he inched forward.

What? Miguel whispered. Is he coming? Did he see us?

Death turned back to Miguel. You look very much like your father.

There was something in Death’s voice that made Miguel wish, not for the first time, that he could see what Death looked like underneath his hood.

Miguel looked back to the window. His dad had returned to the table, and Miguel could see him scooping up frijoles with his tortilla.

We should go, Death said quietly.

Miguel watched his family for a few more moments before nodding.

They stood slowly and made their way out of the cluster of bushes, walking back toward the street. Miguel could see Conde and Mazapan silhouetted in the light of the moon. Before his house was out of sight, Miguel turned one more time, trying to catch a final glimpse of his family. He stopped as he watched them framed in the small window. Something pulled on his chest, something that made him hold his breath.

Miguel? Death said gently.

Miguel looked on a few moments longer, hoping his mind would take a perfect photo of his family. The pain in his chest began to grow until, finally, he turned and continued to walk.

Thanks for bringing me here, Miguel said, looking straight ahead.

Death walked on without a reply.

Conde stood as Death and Miguel reached him and Mazapan. Miguel reached down and placed a hand softly on Conde’s head before turning to look up at Mazapan. Reaching around to open his backpack, Miguel pulled out one of the Carlos V chocolate bars he had left, peeling it open slightly and offering it up to Mazapan.

Mazapan turned away. Miguel held the chocolate up, the pain in his chest pulsing, but Mazapan would not eat.

Sighing, Miguel returned the chocolate to his backpack, bringing out a small pack of crackers and tossing one to Conde, who caught it quickly.

Realizing that Death was watching him, Miguel lifted up the package of crackers as a small offering.

Death raised his right arm, declining.

Miguel began to take a cracker out for himself, then paused.

Can you...? he began.

Death waited.

Miguel laughed softly as he tried to slow down his heartbeat.

Can I what? Death asked finally.

Well, Miguel began, now unsure of how to ask, can you, are you able to...enjoy...food?

Death stood up straighter, the scythe in his right hand moving slightly as he shifted his body.

In the nervous quiet that followed, Miguel began to wonder whether what he had asked had been offensive. Thinking about it, he realized it might have been.

Death chuckled.

Miguel’s eyes widened. It was strange to hear Death laugh. The sound, soft and low and rough, reminded him of Abuelo’s laugh.

Of course I can. But, if you don’t mind, I’d rather wait for something more satisfying.

Miguel laughed, trying to hide his nervousness.

Pulling the cracker out, he snapped it in half, offering one half to Conde, who jumped up slightly to reach it, his silver-gray fur shining under the light of the moon.

Miguel watched as Death reached up and placed a hand softly on Mazapan’s mane. Mazapan nodded his head gently.

I know. We will not leave him behind, Death whispered.

Miguel’s heart jumped. El Charro.

You...you know how to get to the Land of No Memories?

Death nodded. I believe I may be able to get us there, but I have never entered before. If we find Quetzalcoatl, he will be able to tell us more about it, and at the same time, we can find out what he knows about what is happening. If he joins us, well...he will truly be of great help.

Miguel sensed uncertainty as Death finished speaking.

Do you know...do you know where he might be?

It is rumored that he prefers the quiet of some of the pyramids and temples in Mexico. Death exhaled. To know which one, well, we would have to take time to visit them all. At this point, we must assume that, as in Teotihuacán, there may already be others waiting for us there.

Then, how do we find him? Miguel asked, turning to look back at his house.

As darkness began to surround them, Miguel knelt down, placing his hands around Conde.

We ourselves must become lost.

Two

N

atalia crouched down, trying to hide behind some small shrubs. She could see the chupacabra making his way up the steps of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the moonlight helping to cast his long shadow. As she watched, she couldn’t help but think that, as large and gray as he was, the chupacabra looked like the werewolves Benjamín had shown her in some of the mythology books he had checked out of the library. The chupacabra’s brown fur was speckled with dirt, but he had recovered his strength and walked swiftly.

Natalia could make out the stone serpent heads on the side of the pyramid. She tried to concentrate on them, not wanting to let the feeling of uneasiness that was growing inside her take over.

La Llorona’s red cloak flapped softly in the light wind. The black cat’s sharp green eyes focused on a small lizard that was zigzagging away.

Above them, the sky rumbled. Dark, heavy clouds began to glide above them. Natalia stood.

Do you think we will find Quetzalcoatl here?

La Llorona sighed. To be honest, I do not think so. If he had been here this entire time, I believe he would have sensed the danger that was present when we were chased and went into the pyramids.

Is it...is it possible that— Natalia stopped, not wanting to continue. She waited as the chupacabra reached the top of the pyramid, a flash of lightning illuminating him as he stepped around stones in order to reach the top.

That he was here? La Llorona finished.

Natalia nodded.

It is possible. But, that would mean that he knew what was happening, and did nothing. And that would be very frightening.

The cat’s green eyes looked up at La Llorona, unblinking.

But I do not think that is the case, La Llorona finished.

Why? Natalia asked.

Quetzalcoatl has a history of helping humans. I do not think he would stand by while they were in danger.

Natalia nodded. She looked up at the sky. The moon was now hidden behind the dark gray clouds that looked down at them in warning. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

El chupacabra lifted his head toward the sky and sniffed. Almost as if reaching down to greet him, a flash of lightning snaked its way across the sky toward him. The chupacabra leapt back and, turning while he was still in the air, he landed on all four paws and began to run down the pyramid steps. The black cat stood, the hair on his back standing straight up.

Tiny raindrops began to fall, visible only when illuminated by flashes of lightning. The water felt cool and refreshing, and Natalia pulled out a water bottle, trying to catch some of the drops inside.

El chupacabra reached them quickly, not even slightly out of breath.

Something is here, he said, turning his head up to sniff once more.

Something? Natalia asked.

The rain began to fall steadily now, the raindrops larger and heavier.

A flash of lightning seemed to part the clouds covering the moon. The cat turned to look behind Natalia and La Llorona at the same moment that a voice rumbled, Someone, not something.

Three

T

he bruja stood in front of the fountain, placing her small bag down gently at her feet.

Although the hour was late—approaching three in the morning—the full moon lit up the fountain so brightly it appeared to be basking in sunlight.

The water was flowing quietly, the only noise except for the rustling as the bruja looked through her small bag. A few clinks of glass bottles and coins, the crinkling of a map, until...

Aha! the witch whispered to herself, a small smile appearing on her face.

She pulled out a small bottle filled with glittery silver powder. The bottle was half full, and she knew she would have to make it count.

Looking up at the statue that stood over the fountain, it felt as though she were looking at an angel frozen in time. What had this statue seen in all its time here?

Twisting off the cap of the bottle, the bruja poured a tiny amount on the palm of her hand. Walking forward and leaning over the water, she pulled her arm back and then forward quickly, sprinkling the powder on the statue’s base and the fountain.

Please let this work, the witch whispered to herself.

In the moments that followed, the quiet became louder and louder, until the witch wondered whether it had worked at all.

Looking up at the statue again, the bruja realized that the angel’s right arm was no longer extended. Instead, it was down at her side. No, now both of her arms were at her side.

As the bruja watched, the statue’s face moved slowly down, the noise of stone rubbing against stone filling the quiet of the night.

The statue pulled its right leg up from the base where it was standing, a loud crunch echoing in the night. As the statue pulled its left leg up, she squatted down for a second before leaping into the air and landing with a thud in front of the witch.

The water in the fountain shook with the force of the statue’s landing, splashing slightly and moving back and forth before finally settling back down again.

Gracias por eso, the statue said to la bruja.

De nada, la bruja replied, bowing slightly.

I am sure there is something you would like me to do for you? Otherwise you would not have gone through all this trouble, the statue said, her voice gravelly but with the hint of a smile.

Yes, the witch replied. My apologies, but I am afraid the favor I came to ask of you is rather dangerous.

The witch did not wish to waste any time. She had many more statues to visit this night, and she wanted to be sure to visit them all before daylight.

You see, the world is in terrible danger. Something, we are not sure what, has gathered many creatures together. Creatures that have not normally worked together. Brujas like myself, tlahuelpocmimi, Tzitzimime, and—we suspect—perhaps even gods. People have been disappearing, have been murdered.

The statue nodded. I have sensed things here, in the night, when everyone has gone home and the only ones left here are the statues. It is interesting, not too long ago a demon passed by here, with his horse. An interesting group, I must say. The weeping woman was among them, a cat, and two young humans. Although the boy...

Ah, yes, I know those of whom you speak, la bruja replied, smiling at the mention of her friends, and especially of the cat.

Friends of yours? the statue asked.

Yes. Good friends, seeking the same truths, the witch replied.

The statue sighed. It seems that many of these creatures you speak of, so accustomed to being in the darkness, have grown tired of it.

The witch nodded. I imagine so.

Even so, that is no excuse to harm the innocent. I will help you.

The witch bowed slightly again. Thank you. I must warn you, I cannot ensure your safety. You see, the rumors I have been hearing as I have come through these towns are that there are hundreds, possibly thousands that have joined the darkness, whoever is behind it. Our side, well, has not been so lucky.

And you have decided to animate statues that are able to provide assistance in a battle? the statue asked, raising an eyebrow.

Yes. Exactly.

The statue nodded. We have been placed here as a reminder of many things, and as defenders of Mexico and, in this case, the world. I am sure the other statues you wish to recruit will agree. It will be an honor.

The bruja nodded. Very well, then. We must be on our way.

The statue pointed to the other side of the plaza. Let’s not forget my sister. I am sure she would not miss this for the world.

Four

T

he bruja, joined by the sister statues from the Plaza de la Ciudadela, sat on the edge of one of the fountains. The moon was still as bright as it had been when she first arrived. Reaching into her small bag, she pulled out a small piece of parchment, unfolding it to reveal an intricate map of Mexico with red circles over certain areas.

What is our next destination? one of the sisters asked.

Before the moonlight is replaced by the sun, I would like to visit several statues that I have marked here, the next one being the Coyotes de Coyoacán.

The witch pulled out another clear bottle from her bag, this one filled with a green powder.

This will allow us to travel quickly so that we will not waste any time, she said to the statues.

As she sprinkled the powder around them, the fountain melted away, replaced by a fountain with two large coyotes at the center.

With each sprinkle of the silver powder, the statues came to life, stretching their stone limbs and leaping from their base. With each explanation, la bruja grew more and more hopeful, confident that these statues, embodying the strength and beauty of Mexico, would help defend it and the world.

As la bruja and her statue companions traveled, they grew in numbers.

Two sister statues from the Plaza de la Cuidadela.

Two coyotes from Coyoacán.

El Ángel de la Independencia.

The goddess Cibeles in a carriage pulled by two lions.

Four pegasus horses.

The goddess Diana with her bow and arrow

El Santo.

Cuauhtémoc with his spear.

It was not until the bruja began to focus on the seas that she was met with resistance. The hundreds of statues located underwater in Cancún and Isla Mujeres did not want to move from their location without approval from their queen. When the bruja stopped at the Portal Maya sculpture in Playa del Carmen, she was also met with hesitation.

The waters are a different world. We do not act without permission from our queen, one of the statues said.

La bruja nodded slowly. La Reina de los Mares. Yes, that is our next stop. It is my hope she will be able to gather her forces to help us were we to need it.

Be careful, the statue replied. La Reina is quick tempered and does not tolerate her time wasted with nonsense. She will be hard to convince.

As the moon dipped lower in the sky, la bruja and the statues that had agreed to accompany her arrived in Mazatlán.

The bronze statue of the mermaid that was said to be the queen of the seas was accompanied by a small child as they both looked out onto the sea.

Pouring a small amount of silver powder into her palm, la bruja made sure to only sprinkle the powder on the mermaid, and not the child.

The mermaid tilted her head to look over at the witch and the large group of statues gathered behind her.

La sirena nodded at them, but did not wait for la bruja to speak.

I assume you are here because of the darkness that has been poisoning my waters. You need my help. Her voice was heavy and strong, much like the