Mariana led the young women to their destination, noticing Valentina's silence; she was seething. Mariana then focused on Metztli, who looked around the Mission. Stopping in her tracks, she looked at Metztli and said, "I believe it would be best to show you around the Mission first before taking you to your room. Please ensure that you stay beside Valentina and me."

"Is it that dangerous? I thought that the Missions were safe for everyone."

Valentina scoffed. "Hah! Whatever good things you have heard about this Mission are nothing but lies. The Mission and Padres lie just to lure in more of my people, just to convert them and use them for labor." Valentina stopped walking, as did the others. "Look around you, do the people here look happy being here?"

Metztli looked at the Tongva people who worked inside the Mission. Many of them looked exhausted and gaunt. She couldn't help but feel pity for them. "My parents always told me that our family has been part of this Mission, and it has done so much for us. The Padres wouldn't have mistreated our people."

"Forgive my daughter, Metztli. I will not deny that the Mission may not have the best reputation, but everything has become peaceful since Bishop Victoriano came into power."

"The Bishop does look like a kind man."

Mariana smiled. "Valentina will never admit it, but the Bishop cares deeply about our people. He never agreed with the abuses that the Padres practiced."

"Abuses?" Metztli felt her heart skip a beat. "My parents or teachers never mentioned abuses, only that many people of her tribe died of illness due to the diseases brought by the Spaniards." 

"Madre, hermana (Mother, sister)," said a masculine voice, making Metztli get out of her thoughts.

A twenty-year-old man stood before the women. The young man had short, black-trimmed hair that had uneven ends. " He wore a white alb over a black cassock and surplice."Wow, he looks so much like Valentina. Could it be that they're twins?" She saw the young man and Mariana hug, and when he tried to go to Valentina, she moved back, avoiding his hug. "Hmm, I wonder if they have a strained relationship?"

The young man then noticed Metztli, and his eyes slightly widened. A slight blush came across his face. "¿Quién es ella? ¿Es nueva en la Misión? (Who is she? Is she new to the Mission?)"

"Oh, I guess you could say that. The name is Metztli De La Cruz, and you must be...?"

Guillermo raised his eyebrows. " I am Guillermo. It is very rare for a mestiza to speak English. Where are you from?"

"Hijo (son), do not be rude." Mariana then looked at Metztli. "Forgive my son. He has a loose tongue."

Metztli smiled while noticing Guillermo's embarrassment; the total opposite of Valentina. "It's okay. I get that a lot."

 So, will you be staying here in the Mission?"

"It would seem so. Bishop Victoriano believed it would be better and safer for me to stay here. I am also an herbalist, so I can help many people here." Metztli smiled, but deep down, she was worried. Many questions plagued her mind, "Am I in another time? Have I become insane?" Metztli pinched her arm, making her flinch. "What am I doing? I have spoken with all these people, so I am not insane."

Mariana cleared her throat. "Guillermo, I assume you have finished with the usual mass. You should bathe and rest, hijo mio. I have to give Metztli a tour before taking her and your sister to their room."

Guillermo noticed that his sister looked displeased. He knew that Valentina would only visit the Mission to visit their mother for a day or two before returning to their village. "Valentina is staying longer in the Mission? She despises it here."

Valentina walked forward with her arms crossed, not wanting to keep the conversation going. "Go and bathe, brother." She walked forward without waiting for her mother and Metztli.

"What is happening with my sister? Is something troubling her?"

"You know how your sister is. It would not be wise to anger her further."

Guillermo frowned. "Mother, is there something that you are not telling me? I have noticed how tense Valentina has become for the past couple of weeks. I know that she would not stay here voluntarily unless the Bishop forced her to."

"Hijo, please. It would be best not to ask too many questions now. I will tell you at another time. Metztli and I must leave." Mariana motioned Metztli to follow her, but not before Metztli waved Guillermo farewell. "Forgive my children. They are twins, but they differ extensively."

"Oh, so they are twins! They look so much alike, but their personalities are very different."

Mariana giggled. "I will also introduce you to many occupants here. They will be cautious, but once they have the chance to get to know you, they will eventually accept you." Mariana then stopped; Metztli did the same. "Before moving forward, there is something I must tell you: a warning." She eyed Meztli and said, "Do not get close to Padre Federico. He may look like a decent man, but not everything is what it seems. Am I understood?"

Metztli became concerned, but she nodded and followed Mariana. However, Metztli couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Padre Federico, and she hoped that it wasn't too serious.