Chapter 1Silence was Father Alonzo’s constant companion. Once, it had been an enemy. A constant reminder of the burden of solitude. But now, silence was almost a friend. It assured him there were no thunderstorms, growing and gathering over distant mountains. The silence told him he still had time to make it back to the presidio before getting caught in a storm that could reach monsoon levels. But he still kept an eye on the horizon, searching for any warning signs while he scanned the ground for certain medicinal plants. Despite the reassuring silence, there was an ominous weight in the air. Heat pushed down on his covered head, and sweat rolled down his brow and into his eyes.
Alonzo straightened and wiped his arm across his forehead. His donkey, Angelica, sighed and rooted at the groun
