Page 34 of The Guardian

“We will just follow you there and get the answers ourselves, Maya,” Henry stated.

I went over and sat down on the sofa. Staring down at my hands, I replied, “I have to be there during the blood moon.”

Rain snapped his head up. “No, my girl. Your family aren’t part of the Luna de Sangre Consegrado?”

I stared at him and asked, “How do you know about that?”

“I know a lot about Catemaco.”

“So do a lot of locals and tourists, but they don't know about that.” I kept my gaze on him.

“I lived there for a time and I go almost every year for the festival.”

“They have a festival for this?” Henry exclaimed while looking horrified.

Rain scoffed at such a silly notion. “Net, Henry, this ritual is as private as can be. As in do not go, unless invited… upon the threat of death. Blin, I meant the magic festival we missed when we rescued the twins and Maya.” He then looked back over at me. “Please go on.”

I slowly shook my head then launched into my story, “I hired a private detective to help me find my parents and sister. After a few months, I felt disappointed, like he took my money and did nothing. Then he finally called me and he said he had a good lead on it. He asked me to fly to Mexico City to meet him. When I arrived, he told me a wild story about this Luna de Sangre Consegrado. I had trouble understanding it. I also asked him why my family. He said he did not know. They could have just been picked out by chance and opportunity.”

“But you didn’t go back to Italy?” Henry asked.

“No… because the next day, the policía found the detective’s body on the bad side of town. Someone had murdered him then dumped him there. My brother had called me just after I found this out and I told him what had happened. He knew of our parent’s disappearance, but he did not know I went all the way to Mexico to find them. So, he flew into Mexico City and said that he was gonna look into it with me. I pleaded with him to just go back home. And he said, ‘I won't because you won't.’ So, after a couple of days of him searching for clues, he said that he had an idea. Then he put an ad in Mexico City newspaper De Reforma. He mentioned our parents and my sister and said that he would pay a hundred thousand dollars to have them returned. And I don't know if he got a call on it or not, because he––he disappeared. He didn’t call me or answer his cell and he didn’t check out of his room either. I was so worried. I looked and I searched for him. I was so scared, but I didn't want to hire another detective.” I went quiet as I remembered that terrible period in my life.

“What happened?” Henry asked.

I looked down at my hands in my lap as I fought tears. “The policía called me. I was staying at a hotel and they called me. They said he was found dead. But I don't know how they knew I was his sister. I got scared, more scared than ever that the policía were involved in this whole thing or had been paid off. It wouldn’t be the first time in Mexico for that kind of thing. I wanted to ask if the cops knew about the connection between my brother and the detective’s murder, but I became too afraid that they would connect me to both and tell whoever they were getting kickbacks from.” I sighed. “So, the trail went cold for my parents and my sister. I had to face the fact that I had lost my whole family.” I couldn't help it now, tears rolled down my cheeks. I cupped my hands over my face so the guys wouldn't see me crying like a little child.

Henry reached over and took my hands in his again. “And after all of that you still insist on going back there by yourself? You can't hide in that nanny job anymore.”

“But I know where they're gonna be and I know what's gonna happen to them. I have to do something or they're going to die.”

“They are gonna be part of that ritual,” Rain said. “Even your parents?”

I shivered as I replied, “Yes, I think they are. I got that information from the detective.”

“That is odd as I recall they only want the very young for this.” Rain looked puzzled. “Unless one or both of your parents have a rare blood type?”

I gasped and stared at him. “They do! It is odd but they both have blood types that are extremely rare. They even have their own blood stored up at an Italian lab in case it is needed for them as no one in that whole province seems to have those types.” I paused and turned away from them. I carried a laminated picture of my parents in my bra of all places. I learned that if I had to run away, I would not have it with me. Unless I kept it on my person. “This is a photo of them. They look very young as you can see.” I handed it to Henry.

He looked down at it and said, “Crikey, they look forty if that old even.” He passed the photo to Rain.

“Da,” Rain commented. “Italians are lucky that way. That explains it then. Besides, the paying clients have no idea how old the donors are. Please continue with what happened after your brother...” He didn’t say the words aloud as he leaned forward to return the photo.

I took it and without hiding the fact now, I stuck it down into my bra cup. “Bene, so when I left Mexico City I felt like I was being followed everywhere. I already knew it was unsafe for me there. Even though it is such a large place. But I just could not give up. I drove around the large city, hoping to lose anyone following me. I left the rental in a parking garage, went into the building next to it. Then found and exit out the back. I took a bus across town, then got into a cab. After that odyssey I felt like I’d lost whoever was trailing me. Finally, I went to Catemaco on a greyhound and after a week or more I found out that the sisters ...the tías knew who arranged the ritual.”

“Sooki, so you got a job working for them,” Rain pointed out the obvious.

I nodded. “And believe me, I learned to play dumb real fast. Those two loved to brag about their contacts. Their importance. They blabbed more than they should about secret things. So I learned a few more details about this. But I think the locals just thought they were, how do you say…Putting on airs? But those two women were really afraid of the rainforest and said that they would never visit there.”

Henry stared at me. “I’m almost afraid to ask why.”

“And you should be,” Rain interjected. “It is a cutthroat deal. Lowest of low. There’s a legend there. One that not many talk about, that tourists never hear about. Many locals believe the rainforests of Los Tuxtlas are inhabited by Temnaya Magiya by all sorts of Dark Magic… black magic. Rumors swirl about the nagual…a powerful Skinwalker who are able to transform themselves into wild animals and prowl the forest at night. They protect the rituals at all costs. There have been many people reported missing after they went into that jungle close to the area where this ritual happens. They have even linked it to vampires as well.”

Henry scoffed. “I was wondering when that would come up as this whole thing is vampiric at the core. Taking blood and then having it infused into other people. It’s gruesome as fuck.”

I agreed as I shivered. “I knew some of this but not all of it.” I stared at Rain. “I could not find much about it.”

“This particular blood ritual isn’t mentioned online or anywhere that I know of,” Rain said. “I only know of it because of the old men I’ve met and got drunk with over the years in Catemaco.”