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“I know. You’ve learned quickly. Even I am not allowed to be taught what you are learning.” There was a twinge of jealousy in her tone. Suki didn’t understand why. Angélica was beautiful, smart, and yes—the future dictator of the world had a thing for her.
“Okaaay,” Suki said. “Um . . . so he wants to see me now? Can’t it be later?”
Suspicion crinkled the other woman’s brow. Crap. Double crap. “You’re acting strange tonight.”
“I’m just nervous,” Suki said. “I’m still scared of him, that’s all. I didn’t exactly choose to be here. Kidnapped, remember?”
Angélica still looked at Suki as if she were acting pretty sus. But she couldn’t know what was going on, right? For all her smarts, she couldn’t actually read Suki’s mind.
“There is no safer place in all the world than being right here, right now, Suki Roth. You should feel grateful to be here. And grateful that Jacob thinks you have potential. But when he asks for you, you come. Let’s go.”
“If you put it that way,” Suki said glumly. A little pout would help seal the deal on the surly teenager bit. She sighed. “Sorry, Jane Louise. I guess we’ll play another time.”
Jane Louise nodded and went back to picking up the fallen petals, and Suki followed Angélica to Jacob’s private quarters. She’d gone there a few times to report on her progress. The room was decked out with jaguar pelts; golden statues, vases, and sculptures; wooden masks; and even those wicked-looking swords made from wedges of obsidian. The decor was centuries old, but she was pretty sure he wouldn’t react well if she suggested a refresh. As they entered, Jacob emerged from the stone stairway leading to the underground section. He wore Maya clothing, not the Western outfits he donned in the outside world. He was closer to her age now, after whatever he and Angélica had done in the mountains—younger and fitter. But he had the same eyes, the creepy eyes of a man who had lived a long time. Too long. Fear snaked inside her. Just being in the same room as him made her nervous.
“Wait for me in the cenote,” Jacob said to Angélica, giving her a nod.
Angélica returned a sly smile and then went down the stone steps. Jacob brushed his hands together, examining Suki.
“You have a difficult decision to make,” he said to her, his tone formal and cold.
“I know,” Suki said with a shrug. “College, work, join the circus.”
His eyes flashed with anger, and she wished she hadn’t blurted out that last part.
“Just as I chose to spare Eric Beasley’s daughter, I’ve considered sparing you.”
Suki felt her anxiety spiking. “Considered” wasn’t very solid.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I don’t need another servant sweeping floors,” Jacob said. “You have innate power. You figured out the kem äm . . . and you’ve progressed. I need to decide when you can be put to more important use. You could become one of the Kowinem.”
As he said the word, she felt a sickening feeling of darkness pulse within her. The nearest translation in her mind was traitors.
“Um . . . what is that?” she asked.
“The Kowinem are an ancient order. The jaguar priests are part of it. There are secrets and magic you haven’t learned. The tzij teojil are words that draw power into us. Through rings and other jewels, the power can do things beyond your imagining. But in order to become part of the Kowinem, you must do certain things. Swear certain oaths. Blood oaths.”
“So if I choose to join you, I’d be stuck,” Suki said. “I couldn’t leave the club.”
“Exactly,” Jacob said. “The members of the MS-13 gang are part of the Kowinem. You’ve seen their power. They too have made oaths. Promises. Because you were raised in a different culture, you do not understand the tremendous opportunity I am offering you, Suki. Other youths here at the compound would kill to be offered this chance.”
Suki swallowed. “You mean that metaphorically, right?”
He shook his head no.
Her heart began to pound with dread. Oh crap. Oh crap. Then she remembered the magic she’d learned. Nake’ik. Nake’ik. Nake’ik. Repeating those Mayan words in her mind, grasping on to them, she triggered feelings of peace and calm. The panic immediately started to subside.
“In order to invoke the higher magic,” Jacob said, “you need to make a sacrifice. It has always been so. From the beginning. It is an honor to be so chosen. When a person is chosen, he or she must kill a family member in secret. A sibling. A cousin. Even a father or a mother.” He let the word linger in the air.
Suki trembled.
“Your mother has disappeared instead of helping you fulfill your destiny. Your ch’umilal.” He held up his hand, fingers splayed, the tips pointing toward her. He shook his head. “Life is meaningless when it is cut short for no reason. But when it is offered up as a sacrifice, it can invoke tremendous power. Since your mother is no longer here, you will have to choose another in her place. For the sacrifice to be appropriate, it must be someone you care about, not someone you despise. Even a dear friend or a child.”
Suki stared at him, her jaw hanging open. “Jane Louise?” Was he serious? This was more than gross. It was repulsive.
“Or your father. I plan to kill him anyway, so at least his death would serve your future if you did it. I give you three days to make your choice, Suki. Kill one, and the rest will be spared. Otherwise, you all die. The end times are upon us. I will overthrow the United States government first, along with the other major powers in Europe. The plague will take care of the rest of the world as it spreads. The jaguar priests are ready to fulfill their ch’umilal. What we’ve waited centuries for. By killing your president, I will grow in my power. You will see. And then you will make your choice.”
