Page 43 of Charmed By Apollo

“I don’t—” Dr. Rodrigo’s thick brows furrowed together. “Oh, I see. Yes. I mean, I suppose we can.”

Geri looked hopeful. “Even if they’ve been gone for a long time?”

“Indeed.”

Apollo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “It’s really possible? To bring a dead person back to life?”

“In a way.” He smiled sadly. “But not in the way you might think. We can raise the dead. However, I’m afraid, our definition of ‘life’ differs. See, when we raise someone from the dead, we are essentially animating its corpse, and said corpse would be in our thrall. It’s like…what do you call those movies? The ones where the dead take over the world and people have to survive?”

“Zombies?” Apollo finished.

“Ah, yes, like in those zombie movies. That person we raise back—they are gone. Their essence, or soul, existence, or whatever term you may use—that goes away when someone dies, and we cannot bring that back with them.”

Geri’s shoulders sank. “S-so, you can’t b-bring my grandmother back?”

Dr. Rodrigo sent her a sympathetic look. “Her body, yes. But whatever made her who she is, is no longer with us. Ms. Andersen, I’m so sorry if this is not the answer you wanted to hear.”

A crestfallen look flashed over her face, but she quickly replaced it with an indifferent mask. “I see. Thank you, Dr. Rodrigo. I appreciate you taking the time to answer me.” Without another word, she spun on her heel and then quickly dashed away.

“Geri, wait!” He turned to chase after her, but a cool hand landed on his forearm. “I’m sorry, I have to?—”

“I was not done, Lord Apollo,’ the vampire said. “We may not have the answer, but I might know someone who does.”

Apollo gently pulled his arm away from underneath his cold palm. “You do?”

“Yes. Someone…of your kind.”

“What do you mean? There’s someone from Mount Olympus who might know how to bring a dead person back? If you mean Hades, then I hate to tell you, he can’t.”

“No, no.” He shook his head. “Not Lord Hades. But another god of other people. His priestess, to be specific.”

“Who?”

The old vampire paused, and a nostalgic expression settled on his face. “You and I think we know death well, Lord Apollo. We have encountered it many times, but not truly. Because of our immortality, perhaps we truly can’t understand the meaning of death. I sense a great loss from within the she-wolf, and I…sympathize with Ms. Andersen, having lost so many people these last few centuries. So…I will tell you something that few people in the world know.”

A sense of foreboding seemed to loom over them, and something in Apollo’s gut told him to run away, to flee before he heard too much.

But he had to know. For Geri.

“Tell me.”

“Deep in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, is an ancient cult of Mayan priestesses who are devotees of the Maize God. Their leader is said to be one of the oldest priestesses in the New World, and her power has grown over the centuries. Her followers are fierce and true and practice ancient rituals that few dare to attempt today.”

“Who is this priestess?”

“She goes by many names, but most call her Yumil. The Lady of Maize. And if rumors are true, she can bring the dead back.”

“And how do we find her?”

“It is said that she resides in the Cenote Santa Cruz, a system of caves in Akumal, Mexico. Enter the caves and swim around, and eventually, you will feel her power in the air. Follow the power, and you’ll find her.”

The strange dread in his stomach grew, twisting into a tight knot that threatened to overwhelm him. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want to tell Geri about Yumil. But then again, this is why they were here, and if he kept this from her, she would surely be hurt.

“Thank you, Dr. Rodrigo,” he said. “This has all been very helpful.”

“You’re welcome, Lord Apollo.” He bowed his head again. “And now, may I ask something of you?”

Here we go, Apollo thought to himself. Of course, he would want something in return. Vampires were sly and cunning creatures, after all. “What is it?”

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