As he watches, Dominique’s trancelike gaze appears to focus. “Mick?” A huge smile bursts out across her face. She staggers forward into his arms, embracing him.

The passion overflows in Mick’s heart as he consumes Dominique in his embrace.

And then he breaks away, a tiny voice in his overwrought mind demanding he regain a foothold. “Wait—what do you mean by our spirits? Am I dead?”

“No, darling, not yet.” Maria points to the obsidian blade. “You must do the deed yourself—the ultimate sacrifice—to save our people.”

Mick stares at the knife, his hands trembling. “But why? Why do I have to die?”

“Death is a third-dimensional concept. There are many things you can’t possibly understand, but you must trust me … and trust the creator.” Maria touches his cheek. “I know you’re afraid. It’s all right. Simply a momentary flash of pain to remove the physical bonds of life—nothing more. Then—eternal peace.”

Dominique kisses his other cheek. “I love you, Mick. I understand now. I’ve entered another world. I can feel your presence in my heart. We were destined to be together.”

He touches the dagger’s razor-sharp point with his finger, drawing blood.

His blood bleeds blue!

A subliminal image of Tezcatilpoca’s chamber passes through his mind, followed by Guardian’s words, whispered in the deepest recesses of his brain. The evil Under Lords will come forward to challenge you. They will attempt to prevent you from sealing the portal before He arrives …

“Mick, are you all right?” Dominique moves closer, a concerned look in her eyes. She squeezes the hand holding the dagger. “I love you.”

“And I love you.”

She hugs him, nuzzling his neck, gripping his hand tighter around the knife. “I sacrificed my life on Earth because I couldn’t bear to be without you. Somehow, I knew we were destined to be soul mates.”

Soul mates? He turns to face Maria. “Where’s my father?”

“Julius is in the other realm. You must die before you can see him.”

“But I see Dominique. I can see you.”

“Dominique is First-Mother. I am your guide. You will see the others once you pass through.”

In his mind’s eye, he sees his father, suffocating his mother with a pillow. Mick raises the knife, staring at it. “Mom, Julius really loved you, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“He always said you two were soul mates, destined to be together—forever.”

“As are we,” Dominique says, still gripping his hand.

Mick ignores her, his mind gaining focus. “It really destroyed him to do what he did to you. He suffered the rest of his life.”

“Yes, I know.”