“Our kind, we don't leave many traces behind in this world.” — Zoraida Córdova Death Copy Share Image
“Real fairies from the Kingdom of Adas. Tall, slender green pixies with shimmering wings and black, almond-shaped eyes.” — Zoraida Córdova Fairies Copy Share Image
“I am Oros, the duende of the River Luxaria. I provide crossing to the other shore.” “Shut” — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“curved horns that sprout from his temples and sweep into twisting points around his head. Gold,” — Zoraida Córdova Horns Copy Share Image
“Why do gods do anything?” Nova asks. “You can have your existential crisis when we return.” “Get” — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“he kisses the back of his thumb. “Thank El Papa for our passage.” Rishi” — Zoraida Córdova Kisses Copy Share Image
“hunched, furless cat scatters up a tree with something dead in its jaws. “I’m” — Zoraida Córdova Cats Copy Share Image
“Not all monsters look monstrous.” There’s so much sadness in his voice that I want to ask how he knows that. “Sometimes… — Zoraida Córdova Humans Copy Share Image
“Gold, silver, and leather bracelets decorate his wrists, and dozens of bauble rings adorn his fingers like knuckle-dusters. My dad had a… — Zoraida Córdova Knuckle Copy Share Image
“Mama Juanita used to say that when you drop a spoon, get ready for company, probably from a vindictive woman. A fork—a… — Zoraida Córdova Business Copy Share Image
“We are avianas, Daughters of El Cielo and Guardians of His Treasures. You cannot harm us. Nor are you the first mortal… — Zoraida Córdova Guardians Copy Share Image
“where does this food come from? Why do they all wear the same bracelets? Why does Rodriga the salamander girl seem to… — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“El Cielo, god of the sky. He’s always depicted with great wings and a crown of feathers around his smooth, bald head.… — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“In the early 1900s, an artist named José Guadalupe Posada created the Catrinas. They were skeletons dressed in upper-class Spanish clothes and… — Zoraida Córdova Art Copy Share Image
“remember the night of my Deathday. The portal opened up, and she was on the other side, waiting, her face hidden by… — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“The man isn’t exactly a man. He’s got the face of an old man, yes. His moss-colored skin looks rough to the… — Zoraida Córdova Fear Copy Share Image
“I follow his stare at the speckles of stars. Suddenly I wonder, "Aren't you guys supposed to, like, sparkle or something?" And… — Zoraida Córdova Night sky Copy Share Image
“My grandma told me you guys were all extinct.” The duende makes a sour face. He keeps that long, craggy finger pointed… — Zoraida Córdova Lament Copy Share Image
“likeness of a bird of prey. She’s terrible and wonderful to look at, with soft, bronze wings that grow from the bottom… — Zoraida Córdova Bird Copy Share Image
“There’s a story about the daughters of El Cielo,” I say, like I’m reciting from a history textbook. “He was Deo of… — Zoraida Córdova Curse Copy Share Image
“Shadows curl like tentacles around a figure cloaked in a bloodred dress. The material hugs her like death, and a helmet of… — Zoraida Córdova Cloaked Copy Share Image
“The death mask.” My mother dips her fingers in a bowl of white clay. She covers my face with it, blows on… — Zoraida Córdova Breath Copy Share Image
“it looks like one of them shifts in midair. Her wings elongate to a massive wingspan, and hands with claws form at… — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“Creatures climb down the wall, gracefully defying gravity. Black claws dig into stone and tails wag like whips. A low growl, followed… — Zoraida Córdova Animals Copy Share Image
“One woman is as dark as night. A white wrap covers her head, and a cigar is clenched between her strong, white… — Zoraida Córdova Cigar Copy Share Image
“The Devourer’s dress of metal and bone clings to her like darkness. Her red eyes are bright behind the helmet of bone.… — Zoraida Córdova Psychology Copy Share Image
“The mouse man grins and stuffs his mouth with cake. His wrists are too small for some of his bracelets, and when… — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“Are you hungry?” a girl asks. She’s got wild curls and light-brown skin that is run through with green lines, like a… — Zoraida Córdova Brown skin Copy Share Image
“By the Deos of eternity. By the blood of my blood. By the light of La Mama and the shadow of El… — Zoraida Córdova Blood Of My Blood Copy Share Image
“My mouth waters at the thought of the food we had at my party—the trays of lasagna, hayacas, towers and towers of… — Zoraida Córdova Food Copy Share Image
“He extends a furry finger that ends in a sharp, black nail. He breathes deep, as if he smells a perfume he… — Zoraida Córdova Copy Share Image
“regret the choices I made that brought us here. I regret putting my family in danger. I breathe the sorrow in the… — Zoraida Córdova Family Copy Share Image
“When I was little,” Nova says, “my gran used to say that Los Lagos began as a waiting place for spirits. La… — Zoraida Córdova Spirituality Copy Share Image
“Something shiny glints on the wooden table in the meadow. The sweet smell of freshly baked bread envelops me, and my belly… — Zoraida Córdova Bread Copy Share Image
“My mother’s family were run out of their lands in Spain and fled to Mexico. My dad’s ancestors were African slaves in… — Zoraida Córdova Ancestors Copy Share Image
