“Molly slapped the lid back down then pushed past Luce into the foyer stumbling over Shelby in her path. “Excuse you ” they said gruffly at the same time eyeing each other suspiciously. “Oh good. ” Gabbe leaned in to give Luce a hug. “Molly'’s made a friend.””

“Ah-there's our boy!" Bill pointed at the head of the crowd as they neared the stadium.A lean,muscular boy was running, faster than the others,his back to Luce. His hair was dark brown and shiny, his shoulders deeply tanned and painted with intersecting red-and-black bands. When he turned his head slightly to the left,Luce caught a quick glimpse of his profile.He was nothing like the Daniel she had left in her parents' backyard. And yet-"Daniel!" Luce said. "He looks-""Different and also precisely the same?" Bill asked."Yes.""That's his soul you recognize. Regardless of how you two may look on the outside,you'll always know each other's souls."It hadn't occured to Luce until now how remarkable it was that the recognized Daniel in every life. Her soul found his. "That's...beautiful."Bill scratched at a scab on his arm with a gnarly claw. "If you say so.”

“Well, every girl with half a brain knows there’s only one thing to do when you break up with your man—”“No, we didn’t break up—” Luce said, at the exact same time as Shelby said:“Change your hair.”“Change my hair?”“Fresh start,” Shelby said. “I’ve dyed mine orange, chopped it off. Hell, once I even shaved it after this jerk really broke my heart.”

““Don'’t worry."” Arriane stood next to Luce. “This place is like a reject revolving door. People come and go all the time because of some parole issue crazy parents whatever. Randy'’s off tonight. No one else gives a damn. If anyone gives you a second look— just give ’em a third one. Or send them over to me.”" She made a fist.”

“Daniel came up and walked beside her, and the other victor walked beside Ghanan.For the briefest instant,Daniel's fingertips grazed her bound wrists. Ix Caut tingled at the touch.Just outside the temple door,the four drummers were waiting on the ledge. They fell in line behind the processional and, as the party descended the pyramid's steep steps, played the same hectic beats Luce had heard when she'd first arrived in this life. Luce focused on walking,feeling as if she were riding a tide instead of choosing to put one foot in front of the other,down the pyramid,and then, at the base of the steps,along the wide, dusty path that led to her death.The drums were all she could hear, until Daniel leaned in and whispered, "I'm going to save you."Something deep inside Ix Caut soared. This was the first time he had ever spoken to her in this life."How?" she whispered back, leaning toward him,aching for him to free her and fly her far,far away."Don't worry." His fingertips found hers again,brushing them softly. "I promise,I'll take care of you."Tears stung her eyes.The ground was still searing the soles of her feet,and she was still marching to the place where Ix Caut was supposed to die, but for the first time since arriving in this life,Luce was not afraid.”

“ She spotted a lone dandelion,and it crossed her mind that a younger Luce would have pounced on it and then made a wish and blown. But this Luce's wishes felt too heavy for something so light.”

“Gabbe jumped up and seized the cocanut first, giving its contents a sniff. "Arriane, she has just been through a trama," she scolded.Arriane tossed her shoulders back. "Precisely why she needs something with a kick," she argued, holding the tray possessively while she and Gabbe engaged in a stare-down."Fine," Arriane said, looking away from Gabbe.”