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return journey was much easier, as we climbed the weight lifted from our shoulders, and the constriction in our chests and necks gradually eased. The air grew warm again, and we emerged under the grey sky before dawn feeling almost refreshed.
    Unfortunately, that feeling of relaxation lasted for perhaps a fraction of a moment. “Acatl,” a familiar, imperious voice said. “I had a feeling you might be the one getting past the wards.”
    Of course. I turned and beheld Ceyaxochitl, the Guardian of the Empire, the keeper of the magical boundaries, resplendent under her feather headdress. She leant on a cane of red polished wood that had to have come from the far south, deep into Maya land.
    She did not look sarcastic, for once, but by the gleam in her eyes I knew I was in for trouble.
     
    “Star-demons,” Ceyaxochitl said, thoughtfully. She had dragged us back to the Duality House, where slaves brought us bowls of cocoa and a light meal of fried newts and amaranth seeds. We sat around a reed mat in a small room at the back of the House, which opened onto one of the more private courtyards, a garden of marigolds and small palm trees. It was silent and deserted even at this hour of the morning, when every slave should have been out grinding the maize flour for today’s meals.
    As was her wont, Ceyaxochitl did not sit down. she remained standing, towering over us. The slaves finished laying out the meal on the mat, and withdrew, drawing the entrancecurtain closed in a tinkle of bells.
    ”Star-demons are to be expected,” I said. But it was much too soon for them.
    ”Yes, yes,” Ceyaxochitl said. “However, strictly speaking, the heart of the Great Temple is the province of Southern Hummingbird’s High Priest, Acatl. Not yours.”
    ”It doesn’t seem like Quenami is over-preoccupied with stardemons,” I said, with a touch of anger.
    Ceyaxochitl sighed. “These are difficult times, Acatl. Fraught with intrigue.”
    ”I know. That doesn’t mean I have to like it,” I said. Especially not when it risked supernatural creatures in the palace, or in the streets of the city.
    ”You never did,” Teomitl said, with some amusement.
    I threw him a warning glance. He might be making progress with the magic of living blood, but we were going to have to work on the respect side of things. “Apart from the impressive costume, you don’t look very involved in the succession either.”
    Teomitl didn’t react to the jibe. “I’m not in a position to influence that, so I just keep my head down.”
    ”You’re Tizoc-tzin’s brother,” I said. “Master of the House of Darts, if all goes his way.” Though I still couldn’t quite reconcile myself to the idea of Tizoc-tzin’s ascension.
    ”Perhaps.” Teomitl fingered the jade beads around his wrist – an unusual evasion for him, who always spoke his mind without worrying about the consequences.
    Ceyaxochitl banged her cane on the ground. “Let’s keep to the original subject, please.”
    I winced. Our relationship had always been rocky and had not improved much in the past year. When Ceyaxochitl set about to helping you, she would do what she judged best for you, whether you agreed or not. Needless to say, I seldom shared her point of view.
    ”What more do you want?” I asked. “Someone summoned a star-demon and tore a councillor to death in a heavily warded place. I had to make sure that it didn’t come from She of the Silver Bells.”
    Ceyaxochitl nodded, but it took her some time. “A good idea. But still–”
    ”Look,” I said, determined to put an end to that particular matter. “I know it’s the province of the other two High Priests. Right now, they’re too busy trying to influence who will become Revered Speaker, or over-confident. I’d rather do it on my own than have the star-demons loose around us. You know that we’re wide open now, vulnerable to pretty much anything. People will want to take advantage of that.”
    ”I suppose,” Ceyaxochitl