Kate Leslie, an Irish widow, seeks escape and adventure in Mexico alongside her American cousin, Owen Rhys. Yet, the country's enigmatic atmosphere overwhelms her, casting a shadow of foreboding. She perceives Mexico as a land riddled with hardship and violence.

Encounter at a Bullfight

At a bullfight with Owen and his friend, Kate is appalled by what she sees as a display of cruelty devoid of deeper meaning. The gory spectacle repels her, prompting a hasty retreat to her hotel amidst a sudden downpour. Stuck amid a disconcerting crowd, she is unexpectedly aided by General Cipriano Viedma, a reserved yet attentive Mexican Indian. During their brief interaction, she finds herself strangely intrigued by him.

An Invitation to Tea

The following day, Kate and Owen are invited by Mrs. Norris, the widow of an English diplomat, for tea. Among the guests are General Viedma and Don Ramón Carrasco, a landowner and esteemed scholar. Talk circulates about a mystical event near Don Ramón’s estate involving a man rising from the Lake of Sayula, heralding the return of ancient Aztec gods. This tale captivates Kate, inspiring a desire to visit Sayula and witness the lake herself.

Conversations Over Dinner

Before Don Ramón departs for Sayula, he hosts Kate and Owen for dinner, where discussions veer towards Mexican politics and the lake's mysterious happenings. One fervent young man insists that only a miraculous return of Quetzalcoatl could save the nation. Cipriano remains mostly silent, observing Kate with inscrutable eyes. Strolling in the garden post-dinner, Kate senses Cipriano's primal energy.

A New Life in Sayula

After Owen leaves for the United States, Kate decides to settle temporarily in Sayula. She rents an old Spanish house, complete with a servant named Juana and her family. The place enchants Kate, offering a peaceful haven.

The Rhythms of Sayula

Sayula's residents exude a restlessness unfamiliar to Kate. One evening, she hears drums in the village, and observes men handing out leaflets celebrating Quetzalcoatl. The villagers dance to the primal drumbeats, evoking ancient rituals, the memories of which seem embedded in their very blood. Rumors suggest Don Ramón orchestrates this revival of the old gods.

Visits and Revelations

Weeks into her stay, Kate is visited by Don Ramón and his wife Doña Carlota, who reveals her fears about her husband's divine aspirations. At Don Ramón’s hacienda, Kate witnesses soldiers and a persistent drumbeat, which unsettles Doña Carlota. Cipriano later joins them for dinner, and that night, Don Ramón proclaims the renewal the ancient deities will bring, marking the start of the rainy season.

Facing Heresies

Rejecting her husband's "heresies," Doña Carlota returns to Mexico City, while the movement for Quetzalcoatl continues. During a visit, Cipriano proposes to Kate, but she hesitates. Meanwhile, Don Ramón publishes hymns to Quetzalcoatl, with Cipriano’s soldiers distributing them. Tensions rise when Don Ramón removes sacred images from Sayula's church, provoking the clergy’s ire.

Assault and Awakening

Hostile forces attack Don Ramón’s estate, attempting to assassinate him. Kate, present during the raid, fiercely defends him, killing an attacker and thereby saving his life. Inwardly, she grapples with the turbulent emotions stirred by the primal forces she perceives in Don Ramón and Cipriano. Fascinated yet wary, Kate ultimately succumbs to Cipriano’s magnetic influence and marries him in a pagan ceremony, becoming Malintzi.

Religious Transformation

As Don Ramón transforms the church into a shrine for Aztec deities, Doña Carlota’s objections reach a tragic crescendo, ending with her death due to a stroke. Meanwhile, Cipriano indoctrinates his soldiers into the new faith, ascending as Huitzilopochtli, marked by the sacrificial rites involving prisoners from the prior attack.

Rebellion and...