Dawn of the Jaguar

Not part of Riordanverse This book or series is published under Rick Riordan Presents and its contents are not considered canon to the Riordanverse.

Dawn of the Jaguar
Attribution
Author	Jennifer Cervantes
Publication Information
Publisher	Rick Riordan Presents
Release date	October 10, 2023
Pages	336
Chronology
Preceded by	Lords of Night

Dawn of the Jaguar is the second book on the Shadow Bruja Duology by Jennifer Cervantes under the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. The book was released on October 10, 2023.

Synopsis

Shadow bruja Ren Santiago has been relentlessly pursued by the evil Aztec Lords of Night, who claim that she is destined to be their queen. To escape their clutches, Ren has to make a bargain with Ixtab, queen of the underworld. Ixtab gives her ten days to retrieve the crown of jade and shadow that Ren discarded. If Ren fails, she will remain in the underworld for eternity.

How will Ren manage to accomplish this task and also save her friends from the Lords of Night? The answer lies not in manipulating shadows or time, but in recognizing the awesome power that has always been inside her.

Plot

A Promise’s Aftermath

After Monty fires an arrow through Ren Santiago's heart, Ah-Puch feels great sadness and realizes he has come to love the daughter of Pacific. He sheds tears and watches as Ren's body fall to the ground and is consumed by shadows. The Lords of Night try frantically to get the crown, but it evaporates. Monty and Ah-Puch are in shock at what they have just seen and, as the death god goes to reveal himself to the Lords, he is restrained by the Time Rope falls to the ground in agony. When the pain subsides, he sees the rope has divided into two and that both ends have latched themselves to his wrists.

The Queen's Afterlife and Deal

After being shot in the heart, Ren Santiago- having been consumed by the Lord’s darkness- falls into a black cavern. After getting up, she realizes she has trouble recalling certain memories. After a moment, Ren realizes she is in Xib'alb'a and questions how someone as powerful as herself could be killed. She sees a large spiderweb and goes over to it, displaying flashes from her life. She realizes Ah-Puch was the reason for her death and questions why he would do so. Soon something starts slashing at Ren's skin and she reaches for her Time Rope, only to realize it is not around her throat. Questioning why she gave it away, Ren demands her attackers reveal themselves and she hears a woman’s voice. Shortly after, Ren realizes she is surrounded by mechanical spiders. The woman reveals she likes to modernize as she states they have been injected Ren with poison. Ren questions how the dead can be killed when the floor opens up and swallows her. Ren finds herself in a room with the source of the voice, Ixtab. Ixtab approaches Ren as the girl questions why she is not in the Aztec afterlife. The goddess explains that the soul is drawn to the source of its power. Ren expresses her frustration at dying and wants to go back to the Lords to fulfill her duty as their queen. As the poison courses through Ren, her veins darken as the goddess reveals that the poison is meant to cure Ren of her darkness. Ixtab then thrusts her hand into Ren's chest and the girl is flooded with memories of the Battle of Lake Zirahuén and remembers who she is. Ixtab removes the darkness and Ren becomes herself. The girl starts to cry as Ixtab reveals she wants to make a deal with Ren.

Ixtab creates a flower garden and tells Ren to sniff one to restore her memory. She does so, but not before convincing Ixtab to look for her friends to see if they are alive, and returns to find that the goddess has created a table full of sweets. Ren eats some before the goddess asks her about the Lords and Ren realizes the sweets are spiked with truth serum. Against her will, the girl tells Ixtab everyone she knows about the Lords and their current status. After Ixtab reveals she knows all that and just needs confirmation, Ren reveals the Lords hid their magic in humans. Surprised, the goddess inspects the darkness she extracted from Ren as Ren remembers the events leading up to her death, realizing she made Ah-Puch promise to kill her and giving him the time rope. After inspection the magic, Ixtab tells Ren that her shadow magic is now tied to the Lord’s corruption and she is unable to do so, shocking the girl. Ren then requests to be restored to life, but Ixtab states it is impossible. However, the goddess considers it as Ren considers agreeing to a deal. The goddess requests that Ren find her a Jade and Shadow Crown, the same one the Lords tried to crown Ren with, within seven days to return to life. As Ren questions what she could do without her magic or the time rope, Ixtab reveals her Aztec magic has hindered her godborn powers, but does not elaborate on the girl’s true potential. Ren agrees and, realizing she is still wearing the silver dress the Lords made for her, requests a new set of clothes. Ixtab reluctantly gives the girl yoga pants and a sweatshirt before returning her to the land of the living.

Ren finds herself in a boat sailing down a scorpion infested underground river escorted by a skeleton named Captain Z. She tries to make small talk about Captain Z's experience as a ferryman, but he does not reveal anything, except knowing who Ren is and reveals sometimes residence of Xib'alb'a can be granted a temporary pass to visit the land of the living. They reach their stop and, after telling Ren where to go, Captain Z reveals that she will end up where her heart wants to be most, as well as receivers of passes sometimes ending up a few years or decades in the future then they intended, scaring Ren. Before leaving, he tells her rumors he heard about Ah-Puch going on a spree of violence. Hearing this, Ren becomes concerned for her friend. As Ren reaches the top of the stairs, she comes across a membrane and notices that it shows Ah-Puch's safe house. She sees different Sobrenaturals mingling and spots the death god, now in his restored form, mourning by the fireplace. Ren tries to get his attention to not avail. Someone grabs her from behind and, after kicking him, she realizes it is Edison. Edison explains that he let himself be killed so that he could find her, and reveals that he could resurrect himself an unknown amount of time. As Ren chastises him for being reckless, Edison tells her it has been a month since her death and he mailed a letter to her abuelo saying she was on a special mission. As Ren continues to try to get Ah-Puch's attention, Edison tells her that the god has changed since her death. Soon, Ah-Puch notices her and pulls Ren through.

Reunions, Revelations, and Catchups

Ah-Puch dangles Ren in the air as he demands she tell him her identity and intentions. Ren realizes he does not remember her and notices the Time Rope around his wrists. As she feels a cold sensation starting to freeze her, Edison arrives and tries to get Ah-Puch to remember them. However much like with Ren, Ah-Puch does not remember him. Soon the two pieces of the Time Rope wrap themselves around Ren's wrists and she, Ah-Puch, and Edison are transported to the Old World. Ah-Puch demands she release him as the teenagers try to jog the death god's memory. The three then hear pounding in the distance and realize Saqik'oxol is near. When Ah-Puch refuses to listen to them, Ren decides to communicate telepathically and thinks of something of the times they spent together. It works and Ah-Puch remembers them. Soon, Saqik'oxol arrives and says they can get down to business.

Saqik'oxol

After Ah-Puch and Saqik'oxol briefly bicker, the Sparkstricker informs the three that in the past month the Cinco and Marco have been taking prisoner by the Lords and that Zyanya and the Obsidian Blade have vanished. As Ren lists the members of the Cinco, she realizes Ezra tricked her into giving into the darkness and Ah-Puch threatens to kill the five if they are not dead already. Ren tries to talk him out of revenge to no avail. Afterwards, Saqik'oxol shows the three the moment of Ren's death, disturbing the three. Upon seeing Ah-Puch's reaction. Ren realizes his forgetting her was trauma after witnessing the event, something Edison agrees with. Ah-Puch denies this and asks Ren how Ixtab could have let her out of Xib'alb'a. Ren reluctantly reveals that she and Ixtab made a deal where the goddess would restore her to life if Ren delivered the Jade and Shadow Crown to her in seven days. Upon hearing this, Ah-Puch becomes angry and reveals it is impossible as the crown was destroyed. Ren is in a state of shock as everyone tries to calm her down. She asks Ah-Puch if he saw things correctly and he says the crown is currently split in two. This gives Ren hope as she can still present the crown to Ixtab, never promising to bring it back in one piece. Edison agrees to help her and, after a moment, Ah-Puch does as well. Ren then asks Saqik'oxol where Marco and the Cinco are being held, as well as the location of the Obsidian blade. The Sparkstriker says she has something better and starts pounding the nearby pyramid. As she does so, Ren hears Marco's voice, something none of the others do. Soon, the time rope detaches itself from Ren and Ah-Puch before slithering away. Ren tries to go after it, but Saqik'oxol stops her, saying it is on its own journey. Soon Ren finds herself by a pond and glowing fish, with the Sparkstriker. Saqik'oxol reveals she still possesses all the lightning she has ever pounded into a godborn. She tells Ren that to find what she seeks, the girl must swim with lightning fish. While Ren is hesitant, Saqik'oxol also reveals that her true godborn power was hidden behind her shadow magic and by doing this, now that her magic is gone, the girl will discover her true power. Upon hearing this, Ren removes her boots and jumps in. Ren finds herself submerged in dark water as fish electrocute her as they swim by. She has trouble finding her bearings and feels like she is going to drown soon. However, she hears her mother’s voice telling her to hurry as the goddess refuses to help her daughter, only telling Ren to breathe. While outraged, Ren remembers something her abuelo told her. Thinking of his words, she catches a fish and gains her true power.

True Power

Ren wakes up in a small natural pool surrounded by lilies in a sandstone canyon. She gets out to find her boots and is greeted by her mother, saying her daughter is in her sanctuary. Pacific informs the girl that she has sent for her companions, but expresses her distain for befriending a demon. Ren defends her choice in friends as the lillies start to talk. Ren then berates her mother for not saving her when she was in the pond, but Pacific says it was necessary to help her find her true power. Ren contemplates on feeling like her Mayan and Mexica abilities could not exist in the same body as she notices Pacific wearing the Time Rope. The goddess reveals it went to the Old World to charge and has informed her of current events, calling her daughter’s deal with Ixtab foolish. As Ren gets agitated, she asks her mother what her powers are. Pacific does not say, she realizes that the lillies reveal they were sacred to the Water Lily Jaguar, an ancient deity. As Pacific says Ren is about to learn truths, the girl looks at her reflection in the pond and sees she has two jaguar ears on top of her head.

Ren panics as her mother tells her to calm down. Ren questions how this is possible when she realizes Pacific is not Water Lily Jaguar. Pacific reveals that she was originally known as the Water Lily Jaguar, but had to change her identity to hide when the other gods started to fear her. Soon Ren's jaguar ears vanish and Pacific says they will only appear when her senses are heightened. When Ren asks what she could do, but her mother does not elaborate. Instead, the goddess takes Ren to the outskirts of her territory and transforms into a large jaguar. Ren then smells Ah-Puch and Edison, to which her mother reveals they arrived three minutes ago. She and Ren run until they reach a canyon. Pacific easily jumps it and encourages a hesitant Ren to follow. Ren does so but does not make it. She falls and Pacific encourages her daughter to get back up. In a daze, Ren hears Marco's voice, weakly telling her to hurry and save him. Wanting to save her friend, Ren finds the strength to jump up the canyon wall. Once she lands, Pacific complements her daughter as Ren realizes she has to save the godborns before finding the pieces of the crown. They walk to a coastline where they meet up with Ah-Puch and Edison, with the god telling the demon not to trust Pacific. When the two groups meet, they sit at a table as Ren catches the two up. Ah-Puch is furious upon hearing the news and Pacific forces him swear to secrecy. After things get tense between the gods, Ren and Edison try to ease the tension. After Ah-Puch demands the Time Rope back, Ren is confused as to why it did not return to him. Pacific explains that the Time Rope was corrupted by Ah-Puch's presence and reformed itself, allowing it to choose a new owner, Pacific. The goddess gives her daughter a strand of the Time Rope, saying it will freeze time for a few minutes at most. Soon, Ren asks to return to the Mirror of the Gods.

Return to Lake Zirahuén and a Proposal

Eréndira

When the three return to Lake Zirahuén, Ren and Edison feel strange returning to the place where they died. Edison goes to search the south shore of the lake for the Obsidian Blade and Ah-Puch announces he will look for the two halves of the crown as she looks for Marco. Ren is upset, but sees dividing the tasks as their best option. Once she is alone, Ren hears someone nearby but does not smell anything. She stops an arrow from piercing her back. She turns around to find Monty and excitedly greets her, but the other girl refuses to believe it is Ren until Ren brings up moments only the two of them know. The girls happily hug each other as Ren fills her in. Monty is surprised at this and reveals she has not left the lake since killing Ren and is now considered a member of the jaguar tribe. Ren congratulates her as Monty reveals she has tracked one half of the crown to two locations- the fourth level of the Mictlan, Cehualoyan and Devils Tower in Wyoming. As Ren contemplates going to one afterlife to avoid going to another, she questions how the piece can be in two places at once. Monty says locations in their world act as entrances to other realms. As Ren suggests telling Ah-Puch, Monty reveals only Ren can retrieve the pieces as it is her crown. As Ren becomes frustrated at the multiple tasks to handle in a few days, the girls notice something coming to the water’s surface. A mermaid emerges from the surface and introduces herself as Eréndira. Ren recognizes her from the legend of how the lake was formed and the mermaid, amazed by the in Ren's presence, calling her Mi Reina- my queen, and states she can grant Ren one wish. Upon noticing Monty, Eréndira transforms into a monster and goes to attack her. However Ren reveals she asked Monty to kill her. After the mermaid calms down, she tells Ren she can grant her one wish. Ren asks for the Obsidian Blade, but Eréndira refuses as she knows it’s potential and reveals Zyanya has not returned to the blade. After the mermaid brings up the Jade and Shadow Crown and inadvertently reveals it has two forms of magic, the girls press her for more information. Eréndira reluctantly reveals that the crown contains magic from an ancient race known simply as the Unknowns and reveals that, if they breed with demons, the offspring will be powerful enough to overthrow the gods. Ren thinks these Unknowns might have something to do with the Mayan and aliens theories and that they then sided with the Aztec gods. Eréndira reveals that during the battle, she saw a male companion of Ren steal the blade from her and whisper something to it before tossing it into the lake and Ren realizes this was Marco. Eventually, Eréndira agrees to give Ren the blade if she gives mermaid her freedom. Unsure how to do that, Ren never the less agrees and Eréndira gets the blade. However before they grab it, Chalchihtlicue appears and goes over to them.

The goddess goes over to the three and, calling Eréndira a traitor, punishes her. Jade is Her Skirt summons dragonflies to snatch the blade, but Monty shoots some of them down before they swarm around her. As the insects bite Monty, Ren grabs them away from her, injuring her own hands. Ren notices jade liquid oozing from her wounds and realizes she is bleeding magic. Upon seeing a blue light in the distance, she realizes Edison is being attacked as well. Ren reaches for the thread and activates it. Thinking quickly, she grabs the blade and frees the mermaid. However, she is soon trapped in a glass prison by Jade is Her Skirt. The goddess teases Ren with the knowledge she wants to reveals the Lords plan on sacrificing the godborns. Ren pleads with her not to as the goddess reveals the only way to save them, save her friends, and retrieve the two halves of the crown is to marry the Prince Lord. Seeing no other option, the daughter of Pacific reluctantly agrees. Jade is Her Skirt gives Ren a glass vial and says she will be brought to the Lords the following day. The goddess leaves and time starts up again. Ren regroups with her friends and shows them the blade. Edison heals their injuries and they confirm that Zyanya is not in the blade. Eréndira, now with legs, cries up a portal to a safe haven and they jump in.

Piltzintecuhtli

The four end up in a pool on a cruise ship near the island of Capri in Italy and Eréndira apologizes, saying her magic mixed up the locations. Once they get out of the, the others realize Ren is hiding something from them and she shows them the vial Jade is Her Skirt gave her. Monty recognizes it as someone that can take her to where the Lords want Ren to be and she thinks they can use it to save Marco. However, the others feel it could be a trap and decide to rest before planning their next steps. Eréndira jumps overboard after senses other mermaids and thanks the others for saving her. After the three have dinner at a burger buffet, they sleep in lounge chairs. Ren dreams of her encounter with Jade is Her Skirt. Edison wakes her upon hearing his name and the two talk. Edison presses her for details as Ren reveals she agreed to marry the Prince Lord, something Edison chastises her for. While Ren thinks she just has to play along until she can put him to sleep, Edison reveals that magic marriages are eternal and the spouses must always stay by each other’s side; as well as reminding her they do not have Zyanya to take out the Lords. Ren questions where the bird might be as they notice the sky lighting up before sunrise. Ren realizes the Prince Lord is coming and she freezes time, however it does not stop the Lord. He states that he has come to collect her while Ren insists she still has time. The Prince Lord tells her she must come willingly as Ah-Puch arrives and fights the Prince Lord. Time starts up again as Ren thinks of a way to stop the gods from fighting. She sees Monty and tells the girl to shoot Ah-Puch, surprising both Monty and Edison. After Ren offers to take the blame, Monty fires an arrow into Ah-Puch's neck, incapacitating the god. As Ah-Puch looks at Ren, she apologizes to him before using the vial to open a portal to a staircase. Ren, Monty and Edison step through before it closes.

Arriving in the Lord’s Domain

The three make their way up the staircase and, after learning it can speak, they reach a river. They are guided towards a raft captained by a woman named Zulema. The three get on and set sail. Zulema explains that they are in the original Xochimilco, an island chain that dotted the former Aztec capital that now links to Mexico City. As they sail, Monty and Edison share their knowledge of the realm, making Ren feel somewhat left out. Zulema states that Ren's wedding is the following day, shocking her. Soon feathers housing the souls of warriors swarm Monty and she states she can hear them. She reveals they are telling her, but Ren and Edison feel Monty is holding something back. Once the dock, Monty tells her companions that they only have one chance to escape during a blood moon the following day or they will be trapped forever. As they walk, Ren, Monty, and Edison think of ways to pull off their plan and escape within twenty-four hours. Ren volunteers to locate Marco as she assigns Monty to ask the feathers on how to best escape and has Edison gather as much intelligence as he can on the Lord's plan. As they talk, Zulema asks Ren about her preferences for the wedding feast. Ren's jaguar magic kicks in and she manages to confirm Marco is nearby. They pass through a chamber with murals of the Lords and Zulema reveals that, after the wedding, the rest of the Lords will be awakened. Ren and the others are surprised by this but stay silent. After dropping Monty and Edison off at their respective quarters, Zulema brings Ren to her room. Ren is impressed by the vastness and tries to get as much information as she can from Zulema, but the woman does not say much, only encouraging the daughter of Pacific to bath, pour water on the lava rocks, and telling her that the walls have much history. When she leaves, Tezcatlipoca enters and excuses her. Ren speaks with Smoking Mirror, who reveals Jade is Her Skirt told him about Ren's jaguar magic. He tells her that, among other things, he is also the god of jaguars. She lies the she killed a jaguar in Xib'alb'a to obtain the power and he offers to train her. Ren refuses and the gods draws some of her blood. He gives her a knowing comment, not revealing if he knows the true origin of her jaguar magic, and leaves.

Zyanya

Ren wraps a towel around her wound and is surprised that it has healed quickly. She inspects the room to find no way out but the door. Thinking about what Zulema told her, Ren pours water on her rocks and, through the steam, Zyanya returns. Ren asks the bird where she has been and Zyanya explains she has been wandering the world after watching Ren die. Ren asks Zyanya if she can still put the Lords to sleep, to which the bird says she can but it will be trickier as they are in the Lord’s domain. The bird agrees under the conditions that Ren destroy the blade and free her. Ren agrees and remembers multiple people saying her blood is a mixture of old and new magic and brings it up. Zyanya further elaborates that the Lords want to use the crown to recreate themselves so that they can grow stronger and make a new pantheon. Ren questions if this is what Ixtab wants the crown and the two head Ezra's voice, telling them to hurry as she and the other godborns are being drained of magic. Ren thinks of ways to help them as she finds an inscription on the wall reading “blood for blood”. Ren reopens her wound and the wall opens to reveal a dark passageway. The wall closes behind them, enveloping the pair in darkness. As Zyanya starts to panic, Ren uses the thread from the Time Rope to light the way. They travel down a staircase and end up in a dark room with the tall ceiling. Ren asks Zyanya to inspect the ceiling and she reluctantly does so. Zyanya finds a lever and reveals it leads to Cuauhcalli, a prison equivalent to death row. Ren asks if she can put it to sleep, to which Zyanya thinks is possible but has never tried. Ren hears Ezra's voice begging for help again and Ren tries to climb the wall. She succeeds and pulls the lever to reveal a ledge. The daughter of Pacific jumps from ledge to ledge until she reaches death row.

They enter a room resembling a freshly burned forest as she way they enter closes off. Zyanya starts to panic, especially after seeing birds skulls dangling from the trees. Ren tries to calm her down as they hear a boy’s voice. He introduces himself as Sgarit, the guardian of Cuauhcalli, and mocks the two as shadow chains restrain the pair. As they are dragged to a pit. Sgarit reveals how Cuauhcalli works. Ren hears Ezra's voice telling her to use her shadow magic, but Ren states she lost it as Ezra reveals she may still have some fragments of it. Ren is hesitant to use it and instead uses her jaguar magic. She roars loud enough to free herself and Zyanya and scare Sgarit. Sensing the godborns are in the pit, Ren jumps in and runs upon reaching the bottom. As she runs, Ren transforms into a jaguar. Ren notices the transformation and wonders if it is permanent as the cavern starts to cave in. She uses the thread to buy time and she and Zyanya continue on. As the stone turns to ice, Zyanya tells Ren that if she can put the prison to sleep, she will need at least eight days to recharge her magic. Ren questions whether to save it for the Lords or use it to save the godborns as they reach the holding cells and Ren smells the godborns. As she approaches, Zyanya alerts her to the prison knowing they are in it. The prison mocks the two as it sends out demons. Ren does what she can to fend them off as Zyanya uses her magic to successfully put Cuauhcalli to sleep. Not long after, Ren hears Ah-Puch's voice. Nervous after betraying the god of death, Ren apologizes for their last interaction and asks if he is there to save them. Ah-Puch denies this and reveals the captive godborns used the last of their magic to help put Cuauhcalli to sleep, but it will awaken soon. He also tells Ren to ensure that Serena is the one to tie the knot with the Prince Lord. He leaves as a confused Ren passes out.

Reuniting with the Godborns and Wedding the Prince Lord

Ren wakes up in one of the cells to find Zyanya in her hands and sees Marco, Diamante, Kenji, Ezra, and Serena in the surrounding cells, all with gray hair. They beg Ren to free them as they used the last of their magic to put Death Row to sleep. However Ren is reluctant as she views the four as the cause of this whole thing. Marco manages to convince her to help and Ren uses her jaguar magic to destroy the bars. Everyone steps out and quickly regains their strength. However Cuauhcalli awakens and sends countless demons after them. Ezra tries to make a bridge while the others fend off the enemy. Once the bridge is made, everyone races across, Kenji gets knocked off, but Ren saves him and the group manages to escape. After making their way through a series of unknown tunnels, they reach the river and meet up with Zulema, who has been helping the imprisoned godborns. The woman also reveals it is time for Ren's wedding.

Ren is surprised, thinking she had more time, and begins to panic; Marco calms her down. Ren explains her plan to get the crown and Kenji, Diamante, and Ezra declare their allegiance to her, saying they will help. Serena laughs as she still feels annoyed that Ren becomes queen over her. Ren tells the other godborns to leave and hide. but has Serena stay. In Ren quarters, she is less than flattered to wear a baggy sack like shirt and matching skirt for the ceremony. Zulema explains that it is baggy because the bride and groom’s shirts must be tied in a knot in order to be officially wed. After Zulema leaves the room, Serena covers the space in illusions and Ren realizes what Ah-Puch meant. Ren tells Serena her plan as to use her illusions to trick the Lords into thinking the ceremony went off perfectly without Ren and the Prince Lord being bound. Serena agreed just as Edison appears. Zulema arrives shortly after him with cream for Ren and leaves with Serena to help her find a dress, much to Serena's disgust. Once Ren and Edison are alone. He tells her that the Lords are truly trying to create a new pantheon and they whoever destroys the crown becomes very powerful, and only a god can destroy it. Hearing this, Ren realizes one of the Lords is betraying the others. They theorize who it might be as Edison falls over in pain. Ren becomes distressed as his skin splits open before vanishing.

Ren panics and frantically searches for Edison when Zulema and an elderly woman appear. Upon closer inspection, Ren realizes the woman is Serena hiding behind an illusion. She tells the two that Edison was just taken as they express little concern for the demon. Using the thread, Ren freezes time and goes into the hall. She finds Monty, who heard Edison's screams, hiding and the hunter reveals she is also a target. Ren tells her to get out of the palace, but Monty insists on finding Edison first before leaving. Ren returns to her quarters just as time starts up and the three make their way to the ceremony. Ren notices the warrior feathers in cages and begins to worry about her escape plan. She finds the Prince Lord sitting on a mat with the Maize Lord, the Fire Lord, and Smoking Mirror. When Ren sits on a mat beside the Prince Lord, he brushes her hand against hers to telepathically tell her that he does not want this either and is wedding her solely out of duty. When Jade is Her Skirt arrives, the ceremony begins. After words are said, Serena moves forward to “tie the knot”. When she is finished, Smoking Mirror inspects the knot and finds it satisfactory. Serena then smiles at Ren as Zulema leaves the chamber. Ren questions what her companion’s actions mean as the knots become undone and Jade is Her Skirt proclaims that the Prince Lord is now the King Lord. After informing Ren that the crown will call to her that night as the moon vanishes, she thinks of escaping. However, the Lords reveal that they are aware of Ren liberating the godborns and, since they escaped, her companions will be sentenced to death. Realizing that they planned this to break Ren's part of the agreement, Ren tries to fight, but Jade is Her Skirt reveals that the vial she gave Ren allows the goddess to control the godborn as Ren collapses to her knees. Soon Edison, now in his demon form, is brought into the chamber in chains and a blade materializes in front of him. Ren realizes this is the vision she saw of herself killing Edison in the Maze of Nightmares. The Lords watch in amusement as Ren panics and begs as Ren desperately tries to stop herself from taking hold of the blade. As she grasps the weapon and is about to deliver a fatal blow. She remembers Ah-Puch telling her to avoid the darkness by giving into the light. Soon her hand starts to glow, shocking the Lords, and the caged feathers rattle.

Soon Monty and the godborns arrive and attack the Lords. In the chaos, Edison is freed as Jade is Her Skirt and Smoking Mirror are incapacitated. The Prince Lord, still believing Ren is bound to him, throws the girl into the air as she transforms into a jaguar. Noticing her paws are still glowing, hears her mother telling her to activate the thread's full potential, but does not elaborate how. When she sees the Lords will soon have the upper hand, she transforms back into human form and rips the thread from her ankle. Ezra manages to trap the gods for a few minutes as Marco tells everyone to retreat. They do, but Ren stays behind to help Edison. The Lords soon break free, causing rocks to block the only exit. However, Ren uses the thread to freeze the Lords in place and Edison teleports them out. They end up at the palace docks, where Zulema is waiting for them, and they speed down the canals to meet up with the others. Monty uses the feathers to open a gateway to Devils Tower. Zulema, Edison and the godborns jump in, but Ren stays to have the crown come to her as the Lords come after them. Monty insists that Ren come, but the godborn is steadfast on staying. In a show of trust, Monty tells Ren her first name and Ren unleashes her jaguar magic to hold back the Lords. After Ren roars, the girls enter the gateway.

Searching for the Crown and Learning Secrets

The girls exit the gateway and find themselves in a clearing in a snowy forest. They see Devils Tower but do not see the others. The sun rises to reveal gold snow as Monty realizes they are in Cehualoyan. Ren theorizes that they were brought there because it is where the crown is. Ren feels a pulling sensation heading towards the tower and fears she truly did marry the Prince Lord, however Monty reveals Serena bragged to the others about tricking the Lords and Ren relaxes. Zyanya emerges from the blade and, after complaining about the cold, the three head towards. As they walk, Ren notices the lack of dead and Monty explains that they vanished after the gods were placed in slumber, waiting for the Lords to return to power. Zyanya fears that the dead will be drawn to the girls as they are alive, unnerving the girls. As they get closer, the terrain shifts to become steeper and slippery. Ren uses her jaguar magic to go ahead and, when she stops, she notices the mountain is not made of rock, and it is moving.

Ren realizes the rock is actually spirits and Monty and Zyanya join her. Ren senses the crown and, after Monty and Zyanya go ahead, she travels through the spirits. The three meet up and see half of the crown dangling from a nearby tree. Ren tells the others to stay back as she retrieves the crown. Once she does, the crown speaks to the girl in her own voice. The voice directs her to the other half of the crown, dangling over a ledge on the other side of a cavern. Wondering how to get to it, the crown instructs Ren to call to the piece. It comes to her and the halves fuse into a full crown. When it is whole again, she hears K'iin. Taking the form of her grandfather, K'iin tells Ren it is time for her to return the favor from when she and her friends used it to locate the Mayan gods. Upon revealing that it wants the crown, Ren states she needs it to give to Ixtab so that she can return to life. K'iin reveals that the crown is ancient magic that belongs to neither the Mayan or Aztec gods. This confuses Ren, and K'iin states that the crown is, and it, were created by the Mayan gods and the Unknowns. After it also tells Ren her shadow magic came from the Unknowns as well. The girl believes she has alien heritage, before vomiting from the self inflicted shock. Ren starts asking questions before K'iin interrupts to inform her that she is not part alien and elaborates. It reveals to Ren that the Unkowns originally partnered with the Mayan gods to create humanity. But the gods betrayed them upon learning that the children the Unknowns have with demons could overthrow them. Later, the Unknowns returned and partnered with the Mexica gods, but they put the gods into a state of slumber after the gods stole shadow magic and placed it in humans so that one day a descendant of these individuals will retrieve the crown. She also learns about a prophecy regarding a Jaguar of Dawn, something the girl realizes is about her. K'iin informs her that the crown's power is limited only by the wielder's imagination. K'iin informs Ren that, for the time being, there in now two of her, Ren's physical body and consciousness, confusing the girl. It shows Ren's physical body leaving Mictlan with Monty and Zyanya. It also informs her that she will be a spectator in her life for a bit, as well as that fourteen hours have passed since they met up. Ren is surprised to learn she only has a day to put the Lords to sleep and give Ixtab the crown. However K'iin informs her that it still wants the crown as payment and the girl reluctantly hands it over before pointing Ren to an exit. Before the girl leaves, it tells her that there is only one way she and her friends can defeat the Lords, but it does not elaborate. Ren asks K'iin why it wants the crown and it states that it is one of the Unknown.

Taking on the Lords

Ren makes her way down a hallway and sees a vision of the Lords calling her friends plan predictable. When she reaches the end, she finds herself in an abandoned circus. She finds herself, Monty, Serena, Diamante, Kenji, and Ezra eating chicken wings. She overhears herself talking about her experiences in Mictlan and becomes confused when the group mentions a plan. She wanders off and finds Edison feeding his power to Zyanya. Impressed, Zyanya feels like she could place all the Lords in slumber at once before flying away. Once she does, Edison addresses Ren. Confused, the daughter of Pacific remembers K'iin said only gods and Unknowns could see her, making her realize that Edison's father is an Unknown. He reveals that he already knows and explains the group is at Devils Tower with Serena creating an illusion to confuse the Lords. He informs Ren they will lure the Lords to them and have Marco masquerade as Ren and have Diamante and Serena patch up any issues with the illusion. Marco will then present the Lords with a fake crown and lure them to the tent and Ezra will trap them as the others remain on standby if there is trouble. Ren tells Edison that the Lords know about their plan and, when Serena and Marco arrive, he tells them about the two Rens and relies her message to them. They say they do not have time to create a new plan as learn Ren's physical body is having a blackout and Monty will guard her. The Lords arrive early and the group puts their plan into motion. As Soon as the Lords arrive, Marco, disguised as Ren, presents the crown. However Ren realizes the Lords are fake.

The Lords reveal themselves to be mirrors and take Marco, Monty, Diamante, Serena, and Kenji hostage just as Zyanya attempts to put the Lords to sleep. The hostages take the blow, knocking them out and the Lords imprison the five in the mirrors before stepping out. Zyanya flies away as the illusion shatters and the Lords search for the remaining adversaries. Ren, having returned to her body, remembers Zyanya telling her that the magic becomes nearly irreversible after five minutes and thinks of ways to save the others with Ezra and Edison. Remembering the Time Thread, Edison suggests the girls combine their magic to keep this moment captive to buy them more time. Realizing the Prince Lord broke the crown, Ren thinks of ways to trick him into confessing. Ezra enchants one of her earrings and gives it to Ren telling her it will broadcast it to the Lords. Edison is seen and buys time as the girls cast the spell, leaving only them and the Prince Lord free. One it is done, Ezra tells Ren they have fifteen minutes. Ren finds the Prince Lord as Ezra tracks down Zyanya. When Ren comes face to face with the Prince Lord, he taunts her as she cannot hurt her consort. Ren gets him to reveal that, as her husband, he is supreme among the other Lords and the by destroying the crown, they will be his equals. Ren reveals she found the crown and put it somewhere safe, surprising him. When she reveals that they are not married, does not believe her. She uses the threat to attack him and, when he falls, Ah-Puch arrives.

The Prince Lord quickly subdues Ren as the death god approaches. Ah-Puch addresses Ren as a traitor and the Prince Lord offers the girl as a sacrifice, saying her blood will provide great power. Ah-Puch sounds tempted, but reveals he enjoys her company and attacks the Prince Lord with darkness. In return, the Prince Lord begins to shine to dispel the darkness. Telepathically, Ah-Puch tells Ren that he is still angry with her, as well as his plan to deplete the Prince Lord's reserves. In an instant, Ah-Puch, as well as the light and darkness, vanishes and the other Lords appear not long after. They reveal they heard the Prince Lord's confession and subdue him before demanding the crown from Ren. She refuses to say and the gods reveal they caught Zyanya as the bird tried to awaken her companions. Ren is shocked and fearful of her friend’s fates. The Lords ask again and threaten to kill Ren and Zyanya. Seeing no other option, Ren unleashes her jaguar magic, freeing Zyanya knocks down the Lords. As they get to their feet, they attack Ren, however Edison attacks from behind and they combine their magic to take on the Lords. Soon Ezra, Marco, Monty, Diamante, Serena, and Kenji arrive and Ren instructs everyone to combine their magic. Once they do, the Lords start to struggle, but Zyanya cannot get close. Seeing this, Ren transforms into a jaguar and grabs Zyanya, circling the Lords. Edison channels the other’s magic and strikes the Lords.

New Lives and Freedoms

The Lords fuse into a single shadow before being drawn into a suitcase. Ah-Puch and Ixtab appear and Ren fears what the goddess will do to her for not giving her the crown, but Ixtab reveals she will be taking the Lords as an alternative offering and lets Ren off the hook. Ren holds in a sigh of relief as Ixtab explains that she will drain the Lords of their magic and be trapped in Xib'alb'a forever. Ren asks Ixtab for her shadow magic back, but the goddess declines. Ixtab leaves and Ah-Puch asks the others for time alone with Ren. Ren thanks him for convincing Ixtab to back out of the deal as Ah-Puch reveals that he questions why he is not mad at her. Ren says it is compassion and friendship that he feels for her. After a hug, Ah-Puch leaves and Ren meets up with her companions. Sitting around a fire, the members of the Cinco apologize to Ren one by one, with Serena being forced to, as Ren accepts their apologies. Ren takes out the Obsidian Blade and tells the others of her intention to free Zyanya. While they are hesitant, Monty notices an arrow and the others follow suit. They destroy the blade and Zyanya transforms into a blue jay and flies off, happy to be free. The others head home and Ren tries to talk to Edison about his heritage, but he vanishes. Returning to Galveston, Ren's grandfather warmly greets her. As Ren lies in bed, her mother appears to her. Pacific asks Ren if she misses her shadows, but she states that she does not. Ren asks if her mother could visit more often, and Pacific says Ren will see her in her dreams. The goddess vanishes and Ren goes to sleep.

A week later, Ren is at the Shaman Institute of Higher-Order Magic to give a debriefing to Saás as she does, she thinks of recent events and questions if she will see Monty and Edison again. When she reaches the library, she gives her report to Saás, leaving out who her mother truly is and Edison's Unknown heritage. Saás detects that the daughter of Pacific is leaving out information, but Ren convinces it to drop the subject. As Ren walks out, Saás reveals that it already knows what she is withholding and agrees to keep it secret. As she leaves, she runs into Marco and Serena, who remind her that everyone will be at the bonfire later and tell her to bring snacks. The others go off looking for firewood as Ren transforms into a jaguar and runs into the forest. After climbing a tree, she compares seeing the world through both her jaguar and human eyes. When she is human, Ren gets a text from an unknown number who is revealed to be Monty. Monty explains that her parents got her a cellphone and the girls agree to talk and text more often. After chuckling at Monty's failed attempt at a selfie, Ren sends her friend one of herself. When she does, she notices Edison in the background. The two talk and, while she is still curious about his heritage, she decides to let him tell her if he is ready. Edison informs Ren that only she and Ah-Puch know about that part of him as Ren promises not to pry. They watch the sunset and, when it is time, race to the bonfire.

Characters

• Ren Santiago
• Montero
• Ah-Puch
• Ixtab
• Captain Z
• Edison
• Saqik'oxol
• Marco
• Pacific
• Piltzintecuhtli/Prince Lord
• Eréndira
• Chalchihtlicue/Jade is Her Skirt
• Zulema
• Tezcatlipoca/Smoking Mirror
• Zyanya
• Ezra
• Sgarit
• Diamante
• Kenji
• Serena
• Centeotl/Maize Lord
• Xiuhtecuhtli/Fire Lord
• Abuelo Santiago

Chapters

The book consists of a prologue, told from the perspective of Ah-Puch, and forty unnamed characters told from Ren's perspective. All chapters are in the third person.