Page 28 (1/2)

“This way” Patricia consulted the map in her hand “I’ve only been here once before, but I’m fairly certain De Santos has a shop around this corner”

They turned into an even narrower street The buildings rose above the out into the street over their heads There was graffiti scrawled on the walls, and the stalls seemed smaller and darker somehow

“Mercado de las Brujas,” Joe told her “Witches’ market”

Julia ogled the stalls and felt her eyes bug out Hanging fros were hundreds of dried creatures

“Llama foetuses,” Joe said “They bury the to Pachamama For protection”

Julia jerked when she spotted jars of dried frogs

“For Ayional tribe”

There were dried snakes and turtles Jars with strange concoctions Statues that looked a lot like voodoo dolls There were long pieces of string holding hundreds of feathers Small packets of various powders And bundles of cheap beaded necklaces, like the ones they handed out for Mardi Gras

“See the things that look like toys or key rings?” Joe pointed at the kitsch objects There was everything fro with the foetus offering They represent what people want Pachamama to bless them with”

“This is all very dark,” Julia said

“This is the tourist part, babe People use this stuff, but it’s the milder version of what’s available up some of these alleys Trust me, that you don’t want to see”

Julia took a step closer to Joe She was equal parts fascinated and frightened

“It’s so unhygienic,” she told Joe “All those dead, dried things The bacteria alone ”

Joe burst out laughing and let go of her hand long enough to wrap his arm around her shoulders

“What’s so funny?” Julia was torn between re it stay where it was She hated that she felt a whole lot safer while plastered against him