Page 146 of The Lost Guardian

Was that a piece of corn?

Ali, who had stepped close to his side, gasped.

“Corn,” she whispered. “Of course!”

“What?” Leo called out. “What is it?”

“I think I understand,” Ali responded, still focused on the spinning steps. “They’re faint, but they have symbols on them.” She pointed as they moved by, faster than the larger planets. “We just have to find the ones that will lead us across.”

“And how will you do that?” Leo asked, sounding intrigued now.

“Each of the five planets was associated with a deity,” Ali answered, her voice thready and weak. She cleared her throat and continued. “Jupiter was called ‘pirua,’ which literally meant ‘granary.’ It was associated with bountiful crops and good harvests. The planet was considered the guardian of the Inca Empire. In fact, some studies suggest that the name ‘Peru’ comes from the Jupiter god pirua!”

Santiago felt a surge of excitement. He remembered reading something about that.

Despite everything going on around them, he was also reminded of why he had fallen in love with Ali in the first place. And with that came a rush of alertness and energy and the promise that he would save her. Or he would bring the Andes down trying.

“The steps with symbols that represent the harvest and empire is the path of Jupiter,” Ali continued. “Like that drawing of maize.”

“So you simply have to follow that path?” Torres asked, gesturing to Rodriquez Two to step forward.

But Ali shook her head.

“That’s just one of the paths,” she explained. “Saturn was called ‘haucha.’ That means ‘fierce.’ The symbols are fire and a staff, and it’s known as the god of justice. And Mercury, or ‘catu illa,’ is a protector god. The one who looks out for travelers, including messengers and merchants.”

“We are not here for an astronomy lesson, Alliyma.” Torres huffed. “How does this help us cross the roo—”

“Hey.” Santiago strode up to the older man, so close that Torres was forced to lean back slightly to look him in the eye. “Why don’t you listen to her and find out?”

He turned back to Ali, eager to hear more.

“The planetary deity of Mars is ‘aucayoc.’ It’s the god of war. And finally, Venus, ‘chasca,’ was ‘the star with the tangled hair’ because of how the planet emits a faint glow, like a mane of hair. They called her ‘Chasca Coyllur,’ or Morning Star, and ‘Chuqui Illa,’ or Evening Star.”

Santiago wanted to kiss her. She was so damn smart.

“We just need to figure out which of the planetary paths to follow,” Ali answered. “Which of the gods will lead us forward?”

“Well?” Mario demanded. “Which one is it?”

At that question, Ali turned toward Santiago.

It was his turn.

Santiago mentally riffled through the knowledge in his mind. Which one of these planets would have been the correct answer for his ancestors?

He chewed on his lip.

He heard Garcia’s drawn-out scream ringing in his ears.

If he got this wrong, who would die?

Santiago felt his pulse kick up, and his brow grew damp. His eyes began to race around the room.

And then they found the space between stars, and the world went blissfully quiet. Ali’s midnight eyes crinkled up at the corners, and Santiago exhaled.

“It’s Venus,” he decided. “She’s Inti’s companion.”

“And why is that significant?” Torres demanded.