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Roth knew that word. Illari Chaska believed that someday all the people of Mesoamerica would be united under one government. A peaceful one. She’d called it Cemanahuac.
Roth nodded and then turned to the leaders. “The CIA told us that many of the ancient pyramids were glowing again. All through Mexico and down to Peru.”
“¡Si! ¡Si!” Jorge exclaimed. Then he pointed. “¡Mira!”
Beyond the tiki hut and the souvenir shops, Roth saw that the jungle was glowing brightly. It wasn’t the moon. Jorge spoke again with great emphasis.
“The time is coming soon,” Angélica translated. “Great plagues are coming. Wars among nations. Those who come to Cemanahuac will be healed and protected. Ours will be the only people not at war one with another. The good and the meek from all nations will gather here. Tell your people this. The jaguar priests are no more. Their cartels and their secret covenants are being purged. This will happen until the . . . plague . . . the . . . consumption will end all nations.”
Headlights and the sound of an approaching car came up the road from the highway. Roth turned and looked and slowly, once again, made it to his feet. It was the van from Huellas de Pan that they’d ridden in before. He recognized the dad at the steering wheel.
Jorge waved them over to it.
“It will take us to the beach where the soldiers are waiting for us,” Angélica said.
Jordan looked questioningly at Roth. “Did you understand any of that?”
“They’re letting us go,” Roth said. “That’s what matters.” He looked at Angélica and touched her arm. “Thank you. I’m grateful you’re still alive.”
“It was Suki,” she answered. “She destroyed the obsidian mirrors. None of the jaguar priests can escape.”
Roth could imagine Ezequiel Cumenon chasing them down with his jagged sword. It made him smile. He squeezed her arm. “What about the people who gathered down there? Will they all be . . . purged?” He thought of Moretti’s family. Did they even know what was going on? The thought of innocent kids dying made his stomach shrivel.
The van door opened, and the leaders climbed in. The British PM took the passenger seat.
Angélica turned to Jorge and asked Roth’s question.
Jorge looked at him with compassion and answered simply. “Only those who will not renounce the jaguar priests and their ways will be judged worthy of death.”
“That’s legit,” Suki said, nodding her head. “I think we should go. I’m sure Mom is pretty worried.”
Jorge took Suki by the hand and began to speak to her in Mayan. Suki listened intently, her eyes bulging with surprise. Then Jorge patted her hand and motioned for them to get into the van. Jordan was standing by the open door, waiting for them.
Angélica paused, then turned to Jorge and asked one short question. “¿Me puedo quedar?”
Roth knew what she’d asked. Can I stay?
He looked at her knowingly. “Si. Para el niño.”
Angélica put her hands in her face and started to weep. What did that mean—“for the child”? Then he got it. Roth put his hand on Angélica’s shoulder as she wept.
“Your child will have a different future because of you. A better world. This is a real second chance.”
She raised her tear-stricken face to him, nodding mutely. There were a lot of emotions to unpack. Roth was grateful she’d switched sides in the end.
Suki tugged on his arm.
It was crowded in the van and frankly smelled pretty bad. But as the vehicle turned around and bumped down the road, Roth put his arm around his daughter and held her close.
“Thanks for saving me,” he whispered huskily and kissed her hair. “I . . . I didn’t think I’d get to see you again. Any of you.”
Suki smiled with relief, rubbed her nose, then her eyes, which were beginning to tear up. “Mom can’t wait to see you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE
CUBA
