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Eddie followed his mother around the pod as she placed candles on the windowsills. Eddie lit them, one by one, and soon the pod was aglow with flickering flames, and the air tasted of wax and smoke.
“Is this really necessary?” Eddie asked.
Xiomara turned to Eddie. “Has Saint Death grabbed hold of you?”
Saint Death. La Santa Muerte. The patron saint of death. Legend had it that a long, long time ago, back on Earth, back in their mother country of Mexico, killings and drug cartels and violence were so rampant that some people, out of desperation, prayed to Saint Death instead. She was known for granting favors, little acts that saved lives. Since she was always bringing death to Mexico, it was better to pray to her so that she wouldn’t bring it to you.
At least that was how the legen
