My cheeks reddened. I knew what she was thinking, because I was thinking it, too. If only I had control over my fire abilities, we might not need her strength as much.
My jade tooth sent a jolt of energy beneath my skin, startling me from my thoughts. “I need a favor.”
“I will not let you become a zombie.” Brooks’s voice trembled. “There has to be another way. It’s too chancy. You could get caught and not make it back here, or Ixtab’s gateway could close, or so many other things could go wrong.”
“Brooks…”
She looked up at me, and her eyes fell on the jade tooth I was still gripping. “You’re going back to the Empty, aren’t you?”
“I have to.”
“Why?”
“I…I think Hurakan wants me to. Ever since I got here, the tooth has been vibrating like he’s trying to communicate with me. I think he has something important to tell me. Maybe he has some answers.”
“That’s crazy. He’s in prison, as in extra lockdown. No way can he travel to the Empty. But, if he could…” I could practically see the wheels spinning in her head. “He could maybe tell you where they plan to move him to so we might still be able to rescue him. I mean, just in case…”
“Which is why I have to try.”
Could I do this? Go back to the place where I’d ended Ah-Puch? I know it sounds totally paranoid (remember, these are the Maya gods we’re talking about here), but I had this horrible image in my head that the second I returned, the god of death would be there in all his serpentine, maggoty glory, waiting to bite off my head. It was the reason I hadn’t gone back before this. But Hurakan wouldn’t call me there if it was dangerous, would he?
“Could you, um, watch over my body while I’m there, to make sure no one flays it, or eats it for dinner?” I asked Brooks. “Oh, and don’t let me stay gone longer than thirty minutes.” I handed Fuego to her for safekeeping.
“You really ask for the world, Obispo.” Brooks rolled her eyes and socked me in the arm. “Just hurry back.”
* * *
I spun wildly through nothingness, through whispers that formed no words. A distant wind howled, a door slammed closed. Glass shattered. And when the world came to a stop, I opened my eyes to the Empty.
I stood at the top of my dad’s pyramid, looking out across the sea through feline eyes. I loved this feeling of strength that only came when I was in jaguar form, the only form I could take while in this secret world Hurakan had built.
I peered around, hoping to see him. But I was alone. Had he not summoned me here? And then I realized that the Empty—this Empty—wasn’t the lush landscape at the tip of the sea that I remembered. This world was tattered, torn at the edges, like it was made of tissue paper.
Shreds of sky blew in the wind. The sea was colorless.
It’s dying, I thought.
I felt a hundred shades of miserable. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the abyss—the unfinished part of the Empty where I’d sent Puke Face spiraling into the fire.
I admit it. I was more than scared to be here.
Then came a familiar voice.
I hoped you’d come back.
I jumped to my feet, excited and relieved. Hurakan?
We don’t have much time. His voice, raspy and weak, was coming from somewhere in the jungle below.
My heart raced. I couldn’t get the words out fast enough. I know where you’re being imprisoned! I’m coming to save you.
That doesn’t matter now, he said.
How could it not matter? I launched myself down the pyramid steps and into the trees, racing toward the sound of his voice.
It’s too late for me. Zane, you must listen. When I die, this place will die, too. We won’t get this chance again.
What do you mean too late? Die? Gods can’t die!