She sniffs it. "This pulses with life magic. What is it?"

"It's candy, Blessed Lady." My voice wavers. "My grandmother makes it from the beans of your cacao tree. It satisfies any hunger, any need."

"I've tasted the sacred cacao, but this is a new form." Lady Death puts the chocolate into her mouth.

I wait for her reaction. Who knows how old it is, or how long it sat in Eructo's bag?

Their faces like stone, the buitres hunch together. Drool strings from Moco's chin.

Silence. Lady Muerte chews for a few seconds. The decomposed cords in her neck flex, and a smile plays over her lips. "Exquisite. A fine testament to the bruja's skill. Your grandmother conjures this treat?"

"Yes."

"I must have more." Lady Muerte tilts her head. "Let us seal a pact. Each year, on the Day of the Dead, you will cross into Mictlan and bring me this marvelous chocolate. From this moment, until your demise."

"My Abuelita is the only person who can...that is, she was going to teach me tonight, but Fire-Snake ruined everything." My fist clenches.

Lady Death grins. "Swear this vow, and I'll forgive all of you. I'll also strike Fire-Snake-Weapon down forever, as I should have long ago."

Lapo taps me and whispers, "Don't bargain with Death unless you can keep it."

I pause and consider. If I commit, it'll tie me forever to Puesta Del Sol. On the Day of the Dead, at least. Then again, if I travel, I'll have to return and care for the cacao tree, anyway. It's my fate, and the village will always be my home. The choice is an easy one. I bow to Lady Death. "I accept."

"Done." La Muerte raises her arms, and her feathered cloak spreads like wings around her. "To trap Xiuhcoatl, we must be cunning. Thus, I shall wear your skin as a disguise, young mortal."

A chill runs through me. "What do you mean?"

"Flay Melosa?" Eructo barrels toward Lady Death. "Never! That was Xipe Totec's gig, anyway. Ya can't do this."

Lady Death vanishes, and her laughter rolls through the darkness.

A vortex opens below us. The buitres and I fall into a senseless void. Wheeling, sinking, I soon feel the certainty of stone under my feet. My heart beats, my breath flows. Alive. I open my eyes.

We're in Luisa's crypt once more. The walls shimmer with Don Videl's blue flame. My physical legs are still crossed on the floor. I stoop and reattach them, and my spirit legs shrink into my body.

"Hey, where did this dress come from?" I smooth the flounced red skirt I'm wearing with hands painted like bones. A golden belt encrusted with jade encircles my waist. Mictecacihuatl's belt. On my head rests an enormous silk hat. I run my fingers over the brim, over the long plumes and flowers adorning the top. Marigolds and roses, from their crisp scent.

Rodrigo blunders against the sarcophagus, his dark sockets locked on me. "Dios mío. You're gorgeous."

Eructo shouts, "Where did La Muerte go? If she's harmed Melosa, I'll...festerin' newt balls. Sisters, look!"

The buitres gawk at me with bulging eyes.

"Death in the skin, a goddess within," Moco crows.

"The very image of La Calavera Catrina," Lapo says, squeezing my arm.

"Hidin' inside Melosa. Clever Lady. Ya had me worried for a bit." Eructo rubs her palms together. "So, how do we stop Fire-Snake?"

Lady Death's voice emanates from the space around me and rings through my bones. "Find her. Lure her into the cacao tree's presence, and I'll deal with her there."

She really is inside me. Power rushes through my body. The strength of a goddess. I swoon and grab Lapo's wing for support. My fangs and talons lengthen. Frenzy stirs again.

"Surrender to yourself, child," Lady Death says. "I see your heart. It beats fierce with love. Use your abilities, if you must, and I'll protect others from your fury."

Her power clarifies my rage, restrains my inner beast. I can let go this time. I'm a tlahuelpuchi, but I'm also Melosa Rojas. And, damn it, I'm pissed off.

Lapo waddles to the crypt stairs. "Let's kick Fire-Snake's squirmy ass."

Rodrigo cracks his knucklebones. "I'm ready."

I shapeshift into a black dog, one of my favorite forms. The lovely dress and hat meld neatly into my fur, undamaged by my teeth and claws.

"Nice touch," I snarl to Lady Muerte.

"Death I may be," she replies, "but I adore a pretty gown."

I bound up the stairs and out to the cemetery. Rodrigo and the buitres follow.

Supernatural rain pelts the gravestones in glowing patches. Alux and chaneque magic. A crowd of the little folk stands near the cemetery gates, where the old village well stands. Beams of light flow from their gaunt hands as they pull water from below and channel it skyward. The drops fall upon a burning shop in the main square. Other fires sizzle upon nearby rooftops, but the diligent sprites project the downpour where it's needed.

I lift my nose to the wind. To the west, toward Abuelita's botánica, I smell Don Videl and many others. Where they are, my enemy is sure to lurk. I lope faster.

The buitres shriek above me in vulture form. Rodrigo speeds at my side, ectoplasm trailing from his back.

We race a few blocks farther and soon reach the botánica. A magical dome covers the entire building, conjured by the sorcerers and supernaturals who guard the door. At the forefront is Don Videl, sweat on his face and his sombrero thrown back. Power streams from his hands to bolster the defense.

Fire-Snake's long, flaming body twists in the sky. She loops down and breathes an inferno.

The shield fluctuates, bends at the impact, but it holds.

I halt across the street and change into human form. My voice growls with controlled frenzy. "We have to let Fire-Snake into the shrine. The shield's in her way."

"If they release it, she'll roast them," Lapo says.

Lady Death sighs. "Play on Fire-Snake's vanity. Coax her out of the sky and into her earthly guise. She'll dance blind into your trap."

"Dance...hey, that's perfect!" Rodrigo beckons us closer. "I have an idea. And you're dressed right for the part, Melosa."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see. Get out where Fire-Snake can see you, and dance like crazy. Moco, Lapo, Eructo, stay close. Make sure Melosa doesn't get burned to a crisp. I'll handle the rest."

"Sounds fun," Eructo squawks.

The buitres laugh and shift to human form.

"A fiesta! Dance, dance, shake off your pants," Moco yells. She bends over, hikes up her feathers, and moons her flabby butt at Fire-Snake.

Fire-Snake's head snaps toward us. She hovers, but she doesn't attack.

Rodrigo grimaces. "That's not quite what I had in mind, Moco. But, let's do this."

He glides to the shield, slips through it, and whispers into Don Videl's ear.

With raised eyebrows, Don Videl glances at me and the buitres. His mustache tilts with a sideways grin.

"Your friend's plan amuses me," Lady Death says. "Dance for us."

I straighten my posture and march into the road, my head lifted to flaunt my hat. I'm not the world's best dancer, but I can get down to my favorite playlist when I'm in the mood. That's when I'm in my room. By myself, not with an audience. Warmth rushes into my cheeks. I have no clue what Rodrigo's up to. Guess I'll have to trust him on this.

I lift my arms. A slow twirl of my hands, a pout on my lips, and a little bat of the eyelashes. Overly dramatic, sure, but this is a murderous snake-goddess I'm trying to impress. I can do a basic salsa step, so I start there.

The buitres form a half-circle around me and clap their hands. It appears they're just keeping rhythm for me, but their mumbled chant raises more power. They'll be ready if Fire-Snake strikes.

Waving to Huesos and Agallas, Don Videl swaggers out of the shield. The zombies hobble after him. Huesos pulls his trumpet out of his ribcage, and Agallas slings the guitar he always carries into position.

Fire-Snake settles onto a nearby roof. Her tail rattles. A forked tongue flicks between her teeth.

Don Videl throws an arm up with gusto and bellows, "Xiuhcoatl, I present our loveliest maiden, La Catrina, here to dance for the beloved dead. She whirls like a flower in the breeze, unmatched in grace. We wish no ill will to you on this holy night, Fire-Snake-Weapon. If the cacao tree is your desire, we'll offer it as a reward to the most beautiful dancer among us. Best our Catrina, and the prize is yours."

I pluck a rose from my hat, extend it to Fire-Snake, and drop it. It lies at my feet in an unspoken challenge. Tossing my hips as a taunt, I turn my back to her.

Fire-Snake's claws scrape the roof tiles. Her unblinking stare narrows, and she dives at me.

In a flare of reactionary magic, the buitres cast a shining barrier to protect me.

It isn't needed. Fire-Snake coils to the ground and shapeshifts into her humanoid form. Her flames diminish to a warm, flickering halo. She picks up the rose and grins.

The petals incinerate and burn to ash. Challenge accepted, and the game begins.

"Aiii-ha-ha-ha!" Don Videl's grito frolics through the night air.

Huesos and Agallas burst into the flurried notes of 'El Cascabel'.

I dip low to Fire-Snake, lifting my petticoats with a smile.

Rhinestones gleam on Don Videl's mariachi suit. He fluffs the huge red silk corbata around his neck, and his majestic tenor croons to the song. "Yo tenia mi cascabel, con una cinta morada."

Fire-Snake arches her neck. Her tail spirals, her rattle shaking to the music. She spins, and her fire separates into tiny embers, as if dozens of candle flames drift with her every move.

While Fire-Snake dances, not paying attention, Don Videl points a downward thumb at the shield. The botánica's defenders obey and restrain their power. The magical dome falls.

I understand, now. We just have to maneuver Fire-Snake into the shrine. Sheer genius. I dance faster.

Lady Death's whisper teases my ear. "Flow with me."

The music crescendos, and the death goddess's power rolls through me. I sway at her whim. My feet brush the earth in a primal tempo, a dance I don't recognize.

Fire-Snake watches me with wide green eyes. "This. I-s-s the dance of my chosen. Long ago. You know it?"

Time to stretch the truth a bit. I don't know the dance of Fire-Snake's chosen, but apparently Lady Death remembers it. "My grandmothers were your priestesses in ancient times, when you were still a goddess among mortals. They passed your rituals and knowledge down. But I must admit, this challenge is over. I'll never be as flawless a dancer as you. The tree belongs to you alone."

Fire-Snake rattles her tail. Her fire aura surrounds me, but doesn't burn. Scales slide over my neck, around my waist, and she embraces me. She transforms into a true snake with vivid red and orange skin and coils over my shoulders. "Carry me. To my treasure."