The Fire Keeper (The Storm Runner 2)
Hurakan told me that the training school would be set up near Itzamna’s tree, mostly because it would be a safe place, guarded by the oldest and strongest Maya magic. So that’s what Marco had meant when he’d said But you’ll find that out in the Tree.
“You mean the tree of Itzam-yée’,” I said.
“Same thing. Itzam-yée’ is the god-bird version of Itzamna.”
How come old Itzamna hadn’t mentioned that little detail? My mind raced back to the messenger bird with the anvil-shaped head. Nah, couldn’t be. Could it?
My dad stood and turned to me. “You defied me. You chose your own path. You put yourself and others in danger.”
My eyes met his. “And I’d do it again.”
“Worst of all, you gave my jade to Ah-Puch!” This time Hurakan really did smile. (Okay, it was small, but it was something.) He looked like he might say Thank you or Good job, but he didn’t. Instead he said, “I have to go.”
“Where?”
Patting my shoulder, he said, “There’s someone I need to see.”
I knew my dad was going to see my mom, and something about that felt right. Who knew what would happen, but I bet they had some stuff to work out.
We didn’t stay in the underworld long, only long enough for the reunions. Turns out Nakon, god of war, is Marco’s dad. Big surprise. Serena’s mom is Ixchel, the moon goddess; and Louie’s dad is Chaac, the mighty rain god. Ren was so happy to meet Pacific she couldn’t stop talking about it in the magical cab ride all the way back to Isla Holbox.
I worried my family would have to leave the island since Bird and Jordan knew where we were, but Hurakan said the twins wouldn’t be foolish enough to come back. The island would be too protected now (as in godly protection), and the risk would be too great for them. No, our enemies’ attention would be on a counterstrike, on gaining access to power.
The godborns got to go back to their homes, too. They were each given a golden jaguar charm to protect and shield them, and act as an instant (better than speed-dial) call button to their godly parent. The cops were given all sorts of excuses for the godborns’ abductions—everything from cross-country joyrides to “I hit my head and got amnesia.”
* * *
Quinn was waiting for us on the beach.
Hondo smiled so big I thought his face would split open. “You’re here to welcome the heroes home,” he said.
She rolled her eyes and said, “I’m not here for you. I’m here for my sister.”
“I don’t care why you’re here,” he said. “As long as you’re here.”
I was shocked. Cool dude had left the building! And guess what? Quinn smiled. Okay, it was only half of one, but still, it was something.
She told us that the spectators at the execution had been sent home after they were told that the gods had changed their minds, and if anyone had a problem with it, they could file a complaint in one of the six fatal houses of the underworld.
“At least they each got a free bobblehead,” Quinn said.
“I bet no one files a complaint,” Hondo muttered to me.
* * *
Mom was hyperexcited to see me—after she chewed me up and down for leaving on such a dangerous quest.
“I had to save him!” I argued once we were alone in my room.
“You could have been killed.”
“But I wasn’t.”
She hugged me again, even tighter this time, then pulled back and pointed to my bed where a box sat, along with a manila envelope.
“Who are they from?”
“No idea. I’ll call for some pizza. You must be starving.”