I pulled the cacica’s skull out of the basket. Startled, Haübey took a step away.

“Your Highness, at the request of your uncle and your brother, I deliver your mother’s head to you. With this cemi, Prince Haübey, your kinsmen give you permission to return home. They want you back to lead the Taino army.”

He stared, looking first confounded and then pleased. “So I am answered!”

“Just one thing first.”

Digging into the satchel, I pulled out the sewing kit Vai had so thoughtfully given me. Of course it included a hand mirror, since I could not imagine that Vai could imagine existence without a mirror. I caught the skull in the reflection as I pulled the shadows around me. Haübey gasped gratifyingly when I vanished. Spun in my shadow, the skull shifted to the texture and weight of a living head and met my gaze in the mirror.

“Honored Cacica, my greetings,” I said.

“My greetings, Niece. You have returned me to my son.”

“So I have, honored one. As I promised.”

She blinked to show her approval. “Your debt is paid, even if I cannot approve how my brother went about getting his way. We maintain righteousness because we hold to the law.”

“The world changes,” muttered Haübey. “The old ways no longer protect us. My uncle understands that, even if you did not, honored mother.”

The cacica had not struck me as an impulsive, emotional woman, but judging by her glare, she and her impatient, headstrong son had more in common than I had thought. “Those who cast aside the law will wither like maize under drought. And so will the land!”

Haübey’s brooding expression was sharpened by lips pressed so tight I wondered he did not cut himself. “I have something to say about how you treated Caonabo all those years, favoring me and neglecting him! I always resented it! He will make a noble cacique, even if you never thought so!”

This was really too much! I broke in. “The cacica is a wise and perspicacious woman! Do not speak to her so disrespectfully.”

“How can Juba hear and speak to her when I cannot, except in the spirit world?” Bee asked.

The cacica turned her gaze from her son to me. “To the dreamer give my greetings, Niece. We who have ears can speak to our ancestors, that is why. A pity my brother connived with my sons to send her away. She was a proper influence. Yet what troubles you, Catherine Barahal? For I see a shadow in your heart.”

“I beg your pardon for my abrupt manner. James Drake has stolen my husband. Can you tell me in which direction they have gone?”