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OH, MY ROARED

PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY

MILLY TAIDEN
 Edited by
TINA WINOGRAD

LATIN GODDESS PRESS INC.

 CONTENTS

Title
Blurb
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
About the Author
Find out more about Milly Taiden here:
Also by Milly Taiden
Shifters Undercover
Federal Paranormal Unit
Black Meadow Pack
Raging Falls
FUR-ocious Lust - Bears
Night and Day Ink
Contemporary Works
 OH, MY ROARED

PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

MILLY TAIDEN
 SIGN UP FOR MILLY TAIDEN’S NEWSLETTER FOR LATEST NEWS, GIVEAWAYS,
EXCERPTS, AND MORE!
http://eepurl.com/pt9q1

Francesca Virgata wants a mate. She longs for the perfect kind of love her parents had. There’s
only one problem, she has zero prospects. Thankfully, she’s heard of Gerri Wilder who promises
to make all her mating dreams come true.

Theo and Marcus are best friends and share everything, even women. So when they both fall for
Francesca, it’s only natural they have a friendly competition over who can get the girl. After
some thought, and a hot little interlude, they realize she shouldn’t choose one over the other, they
should work together to make the perfect triad. A lion, a tiger and a bear, oh my!

There has been talk of abuse in Francesca’s pride and she won’t tolerate it. She’ll fight tooth and
claw to ensure all members are safe. But when her brother turns on her, who will protect her?
Theo and Marcus will do anything for her, but it might be easier to let them both go than to
choose only one of the men she’s come to love.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are
not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is
entirely coincidental.

Published By
Latin Goddess Press
Winter Springs, FL 32708
http://millytaiden.com
Miss Behaved
Copyright © 2016 by Milly Taiden
Cover by Willsin Rowe
Edited by: Tina Winograd
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Property of Milly Taiden
December 2016

Created with Vellum

—For my readers

You curvies rock!

 PROLOGUE

Before we start, have you signed up for my newsletter? There’s always giveaways and tons of fun
stuff going on. I promise not to spam you.
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DAMN, her feet hurt. Gerri knew better than to hike the three-level mall in four-inch heels. But
birthday presents must be bought, torture shoes or not. She’d just wear flip-flops the rest of the
week—as long as she wasn’t meeting clients, anyway.
Shopping bags lying on the kitchen table, Gerri fell into her home office chair and let the
cushions suck her into comfort. A good office chair was one of the best things you could buy
yourself. Money should go where you spend your time. Some spent it in front of the TV, some
traveling, some reading. Gerri spent hers in her office, always on the lookout for another love
connection.
She wiggled her mouse to bring her laptop screen to life then logged into her email. She
purposely hadn’t checked it while shopping and was now paying the price for that little
disconnect from the world.
Twenty-five messages awaited her attention. Fortunately, her system automatically pushed
spam and junk mail to other folders. Unfortunately, that meant all twenty-five she needed to
respond to.
The first three came within seconds of each other. Well, a few people were on the same
wavelength. Maybe they needed to be together on more than that.
Francesca Virgata, subject: Please help, 1:12 p.m.
Marcus Ursav, subject: Please help, 1:13 p.m.
Theo Liannus, subject: Help please, 1:14 p.m.
Seems Theo liked to do things backwards. That made her wonder. A sudden image of the
three popped into her head and a slow smile curved her lips. Oh, my. These three had no idea
what they had coming.
 1

F rancesca and her brother, Shane, sat next to their dad’s hospital bed in his nursing home
room. He wasn’t looking as well as he had last week. Francesca worried the time was coming
when they would no longer needed the services of the skilled assistance home.
They lost their mother a long time ago. She had been young and it was hard on them. But
losing her father would be devastating. He’d been the grounding aspect in her life. As pride
leader of their tiny tiger community, he was more than just Dad to her.
“Now, both of you listen up—” her dad’s speech was interrupted by yet another coughing
attack.
“Dad, we’re not kids anymore,” Francesca said. “We’ll be fine.”
“Yes, I know that’s what you think, but when the time comes for you to make decisions,
you’ll wish I was still there.”
“Dad,” Shane said, “we’ll wish you were there, decisions or not.” Francesca couldn’t have
agreed more.
“Sure, sweet talk me now, children of mine. My final will and testament is completed.”
Francesca sighed. She hated when her dad spoke of dying. Sometimes she didn’t want to be
that grounded. A little head in the clouds was occasionally nice. Her brother, on the other hand,
didn’t seem to mind.
“Remember what I taught you,” he started.
“Yes,” Shane said. “The people always come first, right after family. Love is more important
than power, and leaders serve others.”
Dad beamed with pride. Even though Francesca knew the same lines by heart, being second
born, she wasn’t destined to rule the pride. She’d have a normal life with a mate and kids.
Whenever she found her mate that was. With advances in communications and traveling, finding
one’s true mate was becoming a more common thing. She so very much wanted to find hers.
But strangely enough, whenever she thought about children, her stomach became nervous
and doubt crept into her mind. The only logic she could put to that was children frightened her,
which didn’t sound very logical. Especially for a female.
But really, she was never around kids except when she was one. She never babysat, so she
didn’t know how to change a diaper, feed an infant, keep it from crying, how to hold it when it
was still all noodley. So much she didn’t know. But that wasn’t her fault. After school every day,
she helped her dad in the tiger pride’s office.
Instead of diapers, she learned to change toner cartridges, feed paper to the copy machine, fix
the desktop when it froze and crashed. Which ten years later, she was still doing. She sighed and
tuned back in to her father talking to Shane.
“Listen when a member complains,” Dad said. “There are always two sides to a story and
usually a deeper meaning behind problems.” Shane nodded and looked deeply entrenched in
their father’s philosophy. That was why he was heir to the alpha seat. Francesca had no argument
with that. Her brother had always been good and nice when they were kids. He even broke up
with his girlfriends by giving them flowers.
“Don’t worry, Dad,” Shane said. “You taught me your ethics well. I will make sure our small
pride becomes the most respected community around.”
Dad patted her brother’s hand. “Of that, I’m sure. With your sister running the office, you
two will make a great team.” She could see her dad’s exhaustion coming on.
“Yeah, Dad. We got this,” Francesca said. “When you come home, it’ll be like you were
never gone.” He started to say something, but she didn’t want to hear him talk about not coming
home again. “You’re tired, now. Shane and I will see you in a couple days.” She leaned down
and kissed his cheek. "Love you, Dad. Get some rest."
Francesca climbed into the passenger side of the SUV as Shane got behind the wheel. He
looked at his watch. “I’ll drop you at the office. I have a meeting soon.” It seemed like he was
always at meetings anymore. Dad was right when he said she ran the office. Shane was hardly
there anymore. But he didn’t seem to be bring any business stuff back to the office. No
paperwork, no contracts, no clients. Nothing but grumpiness lately.
“You know, Francesca, it’s extremely important that our pride grows and becomes a
powerhouse. Our survival depends on the next several years.”
“Our survival?” she said. “Shane, you sound like Armageddon is coming. Ease up.”
“No. We can’t ease up. We’ll be eaten alive. Bullied. We must become stronger than Dad has
ever imagined. I see the future. I know what has to be done. We all have to sacrifice.”
“Sacrifice?” She didn’t like the way her brother was starting to sound. “Shane, what are you
talking about? Who has to sacrifice what?”
His brows furrowed and lips pressed together. When he noticed her watching him, he turned
away from her.
“Shane?” she started. “What the hell was the whole conversation with Dad? He never said
anything about sacrificing. What are you saying?”
“I’m talking about our pride needing to stand out to protect itself in these times. If you don’t,
you’ll get run over by the big guys and wiped out. The more powerful you are, the safer you
are.”
Where did he get those ideas? “No. Dad said living an honest life—”
“Dad isn’t part of the modern world, Francesca. It’s up to you and me to take the pride into
the next generation.”
“I agree, but we’re not doing anything stupid, are we?” When he said nothing, she pushed
him. “Are we?”
“No, we’re doing what’s necessary,” he said.
Luckily for him, her phone buzzed indicating an email came in. She pulled her cell from the
front of her purse and clicked the mail app. The email at the top of her list was from
GerriWilder@GetMeAMate.
Francesca:
Thank you for reaching out to me.
I am having an informal get-together at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Please join me for
cocktails and steak hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.
Gerri
 2

“M arcus Ursav,” his mom yelled across the backyard, “get your furry behind over here and
pick up your niece. She’s headed for the mud puddle.” His older sister sprinted from a
group of relatives gathered around the grill.
“No, no, baby girl,” she hollered. “No muddy water! Marcus, you suck as a babysitter.”
“I’m not babysitting,” he said. “You’re the mom.” He may have sounded disgusted, but in
reality, he loved all his nieces and nephews. They were the highlights of his Wednesday nights.
When he moved out of his parents’ home a few years ago, they became empty nesters. Even
though they said they loved their new lifestyle, Mom insisted all siblings come over on
Wednesday nights for dinner. No excuses. And being a weeknight, he had no excuse. Well, any
night, he had no excuse since he had no life.
Working as a forensic accountant on a freelance basis wasn’t too exciting. For a spectator, it
was like watching paint dry. You sit and stare at a computer monitor or ledgers for hours. But for
him, finding the one link in a thousand entries that tied a criminal to the deed was a natural high.
He was very good at what he did and often worked high profile IRS cases.
But Wednesday nights were always for family. And his dad grilled a kick-ass steak. Plus,
being the only sibling not mated, he got to take leftovers home. When there were leftovers.
Seemed like every few months, another small, furry muzzle joined the table.
He longed for his own small, furry muzzles. But finding a mate came first. And that was
where the problem started. Working from home did not allow for socializing or getting out of the
house much.
If not for his roommate, Theo, he’d gone crazy a long time ago, and the fridge would’ve
always been empty. Theo was his link to the world after he’d spent days and nights locked in his
home office trying to take down white-collar crooks.
Sudden commotion around the grill caught his eye. Several people, including Mom, was
helping Dad sit at the picnic table. Dad made loud sucking-wind noises. His COPD breathing
disorder got worse every year. His long time job as a firefighter did him no favors. Medication
helped, but didn’t cure.
Marcus scooped up a nephew, this one in bear form with a diaper, and sat at the table with
his father.
“Here, Dad,” Marcus said, “hold Karsten.” The little bear shifted and reached for Paw Paw.
He watched as the little one snuggled into his father’s neck and chest. His heart hurt for his own
offspring.
“Got yourself a mate yet?” Dad asked.
 Marcus slumped, his elbows propped on the table. “No, Dad. I don’t have time to date or
anything.”
“Yeah,” his father said, “I don’t have a lot of time, either, and would like to see some cubs
from you.”
“Dad.” Marcus frowned. He didn’t want to think about his father dying. The old man was too
young. “You’ll be glad to hear I’ve contacted a mate consultant to help me find someone.”
Dad raised a brow. “A mate consultant?”
“Yeah, she’s going to find a mate I’m compatible with,” he said.
“Compatible?” his father asked. “What about love?” He leaned closer to him. “And she has
to be good in the sack. You gotta sleep with her before you marry, you know.”
“Harry!” his mom hollered, making them both wince, “I heard that.”
“I know you did, dear,” Dad said loudly. “And you’re still damn hot. My bear will take you
right now on this table.”
Cries of ewww and gross came from the siblings and in-laws. The kids giggled at everyone’s
sudden reactions. Mom smiled and winked at Dad. The love was definitely there after all these
years. That’s what he wanted.
The cell phone tucked in his back pocket beeped, informing him of an incoming email. After
pulling it out and thumbing the passcode, he saw an email from GerriWilder@GetMeAMate.
Marcus:
Thank you for reaching out to me.
I am having an informal get-together at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Please join me for
cocktails and steak hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.
Gerri
 3

T heo tore open the utility bill his roommate, Marcus, set on the kitchen table earlier. Theodor
Liannus, Apt. 212. Every time he looked at his address, he was reminded of the vast amount of
land and forest he’d inherited but could do nothing with at the moment. It was expensive to build
and maintain a house. Not to mention, it’d be only himself. So he opted to remain here with
Marcus.
Long ago, his parents and brother were killed in a tragic car accident. He would’ve died also
if not for a firefighter who braved the burning car to pull him out seconds before it blew up. That
event had more impact on his life than he would’ve ever thought. His career as a firefighter and
first responder was about the only thing that mattered to him. Besides Marcus and his family.
The fireman who saved him was Marcus’s father. After that devastating night, Marcus’s
family became his, too. Throughout their school years, the two boys were inseparable. Their first
dates, they doubled.
Even without the words, they seemed to always know how the other was feeling: down from
losing a ballgame, to orgasmic highs during sex. He’d never forget how they figured out they
could sense each other.
During summer break of their senior year, Marcus was at his girlfriend’s house, with her
parents away. Theo was at his girlfriend’s house where the family was grilling out by the pool.
While sitting next to his girlfriend and her mom on loungers poolside, he got a raging boner for
no reason.
He snatched up a towel and put it over his lap. His swim trunks were long and baggy, but
being a bear shifter, the material still didn’t hide as much as he’d like. At that moment, his girl’s
dad decided it was time for an impromptu game of basketball while the steaks finished up.
Theo was horrified. How would it look with him having a huge hard-on while sitting with his
girlfriend’s mom? He feigned injury to his knee and claimed he was hungry. So they sat on the
porch gathered around the table.
As he chewed his first bite of meat, an incredible feeling rolled through him, making him
moan. The three at the table stared at him. The only thing he could do was say the steak was the
best he’d ever had, even though slightly burnt. He suppressed a couple other urges to groan,
somewhat, and excused himself for the restroom. By himself, he jerked-off to relieve the
pressure. After that, the girlfriend’s dad never grilled steaks again.
When he and Marcus were at home that night, they shared stories and realized what had
happened. They never told anyone, not because they were embarrassed, but because they knew
something special was between them. Plus, it was no one else’s business anyway.
 They worked on blocking, both sending and receiving, to cut back on potentially disastrous
public exhibitions. Now, it came second nature to keep everything inside him, inside. He’d
learned to control his emotions in all situations. And being a firefighter and first responder
challenged that daily.
But that also inhibited him when it came to showing emotions to females he had interest in.
All his relationships ended with the same claim: he couldn’t open up to her, wouldn’t share his
feelings with her. And they were right.
He laid the paper bill on the table and scrounged around the kitchen for food. He’d forgotten
it was Wednesday night and that Marcus would be with the fam. When he wasn’t working
nightshift, he was there, too, considered as one of the siblings.
When one of the new guys hired on, Theo made a deal with him so the guy could go home at
night to see his kids and wife. It wasn’t like Theo had anyone at home waiting for him. No skin
off his back. Good thing was it kept him from getting down being alone at night. Alone except
for Marcus, but he didn’t count. Neither had any desire for sex with the other. Sharing a woman
was fine, but they weren’t sexually interested in each other.
But sex with a female would be great. A feline shifter would hit the spot even better. That
way his lion got something out of the connection. His other half took that opportunity to inform
him that, at this point, it’d been so long, he’d take just about anything breathing. He’d prefer
their mate, but wouldn’t be picky.
Yeah, yeah. He got it. They’d just have to wait. Hopefully, the email he sent earlier to a
matchmaker would turn out fruitful. They’d see.
Bowl of cereal in hand, he sat on a barstool in front of his laptop. He logged on to check out
his email. One looked particularly interesting. He double clicked on it. It was from a
GerriWilder@GetMeAMate.
Theo:
Thank you for reaching out to me.
I am having an informal get-together at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Please join me for
cocktails and steak hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.
Gerri
 4

F rancesca brushed her hands down the front of her skirt, flattening the non-existent wrinkles.
She spun away from the restaurant’s front door and stepped away. Her hands rubbed over each
other. Good god. What was wrong with her? It wasn’t like she had to marry or mate some
stranger she met here. It was just a meet and greet kinda thing.
In the time she’d paced the sidewalk to the entrance, several men and women, each alone,
each a shifter, had entered. She wasn’t the only one there. Her tigress was about ready to call her
a pussy and push her inside. The animal wasn’t a pansy in a group of unknown people. Right,
Francesca thought, it was more like the tigress caught a whiff of cooking meat when the door
opened.
Didn’t matter, she had to get inside.
Fine, she’d go in. Francesca sucked in a deep breath, lifted her chin and boobs, and strutted
through the door. The huge drop in lighting took her human eyes a minute to get used to, but her
tigress saw perfectly in its ideal environment.
Francesca saw the bar and hurried across the floor toward an empty stool. “Vodka, on the
rocks, please,” she said. Her animal grimaced. Really? Yes, really. She downed the clear liquid
and realized she’d yet not taken another breath since entering. Shit, she needed to chill out.
A heavenly aroma floated to her noise. She closed her eyes and let it roll through her.
“Excuse me.” An even heavenlier voice spoke in her ear. Deep, rumbly, scrumptious. She
turned on her stool to see a gorgeous dark blond surfer boy meeting her eyes. Holy fuck was he
stunning. Under his white T-shirt, she noted powerful shoulders and thick biceps that led to
rounded forearms. Who would’ve thought forearms were sexy?
She saw his smirk at her checking him out and felt heat build in her cheeks. This was why
she didn’t want to come in. She knew she’d embarrass herself, and she did it within the first few
minutes of arrival. Great. If the guy didn’t smell so damn good, her tigress would’ve walked off
and found a cushy place to sleep.
His smile turned genuine with her rosy cheeks. “I apologize, ma’am. I didn’t mean to startle
you.”
Startled? Yeah, that’s what happened. He startled her. His eyes remained on hers. Then she
realized he was waiting for her to say something. But what? Her mouth opened then closed. She
smiled for lack of anything else coming to mind.
“I wondered,” he said, “how the vodka is tonight. It’s my drink of choice, as long as it’s
smooth.”
Vodka? What vodka? The one you just inhaled.
 Francesca sat straighter. “I apologize,” she finally said. “I just arrived and hadn’t gotten my
bearings yet.” She held her hand out. “I’m Francesca Virgata.”
His large hand encompassed hers, work-calloused fingers rubbing her skin, sending goose
bumps up her arms. “I’m Theo Liannus.” Her cat told her he was a lion. Yeah, buddy. Big, bad
lion dick swinging in the air would be good. Pumping in her would be better.
Theo sniffed deeply and coughed out a choke.
Francesca crossed her leg over another and bowed her head, trying to control her tigress’s
reaction to the lion. “Nice to meet you, Theo. My tigress is also thrilled, if you hadn’t noticed.”
His brows bent. “Noticed?” His throat cleared. “No, I didn’t smell a thing.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at his obvious lie to save her, yet another, embarrassing moment.
His surfer boy hair slid forward, covering one of his dark eyes. His smile warmed her heart. He
was gorgeous everywhere. From the waist up, anyway.
“Back to my question,” he said.
“Oh,” she shook her head, “of course. The vodka is very good. I might even have another.”
“Let me.” Theo lifted two fingers at the bartender, who nodded. A second later another glass
with ice sat next to hers. That was a thoughtful gesture from him, but it was an open bar, so… He
lifted his tumbler. “To new friends.”
Francesca smiled and raised her glass. “Yes, to new friends.” She sipped her drink then set it
in front of her. She gave a silent sigh. She was so bad at making conversation or small talk.
She’d spent a majority of her free time working in the office growing up, and now the art form
was lost on her. If they weren’t talking timesheets, expenses, or scheduling, she didn’t have a
clue what to say.
To her surprise, Theo settled on the stool next to her. “So, Francesca, what do you do for a
living?”
His amazing scent encompassed her. If she could just sit here and breathe him in, she’d die
happy. “I work in the office of my pride’s prime. He’s my dad, actually.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have pegged you as an alpha female.”
Of course, he wouldn’t. She could barely speak more than three words at a time. She’d
blushed twice in two minutes and was having a second drink in as many minutes. He probably
thought she was a lush and would be easy.
He jerked in his chair. “No! That’s not what I meant.” He wiped a hand over his face. “Let
me rephrase.” He sighed. “I meant you don’t seem like a stuck-up bitch who thinks others should
bow at her feet.”
She laughed at his explanation. “You got me there. I definitely don’t think others should bow
to me or anyone. Unless you’re the Pope or something.” He laughed with her. “What do you do,
Theo?”
“I’m a firefighter. My house is #22. I live on the west side not far from there.”
“Wow.” Francesca was honestly impressed. Firefighting was a dangerous job. He could die
any day. How would she feel dating someone who could be gone in a heartbeat? Her eyes lifted,
meeting his. Breath caught in her throat.
She saw a fire of his own there. Then a twinkle of gold. Was that his lion? Was it interested
in her and her tiger? Her heart sped out of control. He leaned closer, licking his lips. Did he want
to kiss her already? Was she okay with that? Hell yes! Her shot of vodka must’ve kicked in.
Then a loud beeping sound turned all heads at the bar toward them. Theo sat back and pushed
a button on his watch. “Sorry ‘bout that. I need to head to the fire house for my shift.” Her heart
fell. She finally found someone who interested her tiger and herself. He tossed back the rest of
his drink.
“Uh, Francesca,” he started, “would you like to go to a show with me Sunday afternoon? I
have great tickets and would really like to see you again.”
She smiled. “I’d love to go with you.” She pulled her phone out. “What’s your number? I’ll
call you.” She added his info and saved it.
Theo scooped up her hand. “It was fantastic meeting you, Francesca. I hate leaving such a
beautiful creature as you, but I have cats and children to save.” He winked. His antics made her
laugh. “Until later, milady.” He kissed the back of her hand and then walked out the door.
 5

M arcus straightened his tie and hurried inside the steak house. He’d gotten so involved in his
current project, he lost track of time. If it wasn’t for his bladder reminding him he needed to take
a break, he might have missed the entire event.
Theo left the apartment a while ago, going to some event he was rather secretive about.
Which was somewhat normal for Theo. Ever since that one time in high school when Marcus
went to his girlfriend’s house when her parents were away and had sex, Theo kept his love life to
himself. Not that his roommate had much of a life. Had about as much as he had, which was non-
existent. That was why he emailed Gerri Wilder, hoping her services would help him find
someone to share his life with. And get his family off his back about a mate.
Stepping inside, the low light had him stopping for a second. Several people in the small
restaurant mingled or sat at the bar talking to others of the opposite sex. If he was correct, it
looked like the entire restaurant was reserved for their party. Wow. That was a pretty penny.
“Marcus, Marcus Ursav.” He looked around for the female calling his name. A tall woman in
a business suit and high-heeled shoes waved at him. How did she walk in those things? Very
gracefully. It seemed like she floated over the floor on her way to him. “Marcus, I’m Gerri
Wilder.” She held her hand out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Ah, yes. He recognized her from her photo on her website. He took her hand. “The pleasure
is mine, Ms. Wilder.”
“Please,” she replied, “call me Gerri. I insist.” She turned to face the crowd. “Thank you for
coming. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to make it when I saw Theo alone.”
He was surprised the woman knew he and Theo were friends. But she might’ve talked with
his roommate and learned from him. Yet, she knew who he was and he’d not sent a picture with
his email.
“I must say,” Gerri said, “I’m flattered that such a highly successful professional as yourself
would ask for my help. You have quite a prolific online presence with the accounting sites.”
Granted, he’d given interviews for online magazines, contributed to a few blogs, and had
articles here and there on certain cases he worked. But prolific? Maybe he should check that out.
He’d never googled his own name before. Probably a good idea.
“Really,” he replied, “I’m flattered that someone of your reputation would have time for such
a sorry case of mateless-ness as I.”
Gerri joined with him in a chuckle and wrapped her arm around his, guiding him forward.
“Nonsense, Marcus. I find great satisfaction in helping those who help others. What comes
around, goes around, wouldn’t you agree?”
 He felt she had an underlying meaning, but didn’t know what it was. “Yes, it’s nice to think
those who do good, or evil, get that returned to them in spades.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you agree. Oh, look.” She aimed him toward the side of the bar.
“Here’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Sitting on a stool was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. His bear lifted its head and
took a whiff. Yeah, baby, this night was looking up. And to think the bear thought about
hibernating the next few months until his human’s current bad guys were caught.
“Francesca,” Gerri said.
The gorgeous woman on the stool looked at his escort, then him, and smiled. He and his bear
turned into putty. How he got the next twenty feet to the stunning lady, he didn’t remember.
“Ms. Wilder,” she said. Her voice was as calming as waves washing on the beach. “I
recognize you from your website. You’re even prettier in person.”
Gerri’s hand lay on her chest. “Thank you, dear. You are too kind.” The women chitchatted a
bit more, but it became a buzz in his mind as he tried unsuccessfully not to stare. Then he heard
his name. “Marcus, this is Francesca Virgata.”
His hand floated forward. He hoped his bear was in control because he sure wasn’t. When his
hand touched hers, electricity zapped him. His bear jumped into a victory dance. This was her,
the one.
He really needed to chill out. They needed to impress her first. If they came across as stupid,
their chances were nil. Don’t say anything dumb.
“Hi, Francesca. You’re more beautiful than I could’ve ever imagined.” That wasn’t what his
animal had in mind for a first line.
The woman’s eyes widened and her checks blushed, making her that much more perfect.
Gerri looked over her shoulder. “Oh, look. There’s someone I need to talk to. You kids have
a great time.” She leaned into Marcus. “You’ve got this.” She walked away and was quickly out
of his mind.
Marcus snapped out of his haze, realizing he was “alone” with this woman—Francesca. He
needed to fix his creepy image before she walked away, too.
“Francesca, I apologize for sounding like a freak. I was caught off guard when Gerri…when
she…” His bear groaned and dropped its muzzle into its paws. Might as well head off to
hibernate now and miss the humiliation coming.
The lovely Francesca laughed. Maybe he’d stick around a bit longer.
“When Gerri introduced you, is that what you’re trying to say?” she responded.
His face flushed hot. “That’s it. I’m not good at this meeting others kinda thing.” At least he
was honest. The wonderful laugh came again.
“No worries. I’m horrible at it, too.” She motioned at the stool next to her. “Would you like
to sit?”
“Yeah, that’d be great.” He hopped up on the seat and signaled the barkeep. “I’ll have a
water…” he turned to her, “what are you drinking?” He glanced at the clear liquid in her glass.
“Water.” She smiled. Nice, he thought. They were compatible with drinks. His bear snorted.
Right, you and seven billion other humans on the planet who drink water.
“Have you been here long?” he asked, hoping to get a conversation going.
“I arrived shortly after the party started.” She leaned closer to him. “Actually, I got here well
before time, but had to work my nerve up to come in, which took a bit.” She was so adorable.
“If I hadn’t been running late, I would’ve done the same thing. Fortunately, with rushing in, I
didn’t have to stop and think what I was really doing. That helped.” She laughed with him.
 “Did you work late?” she asked.
“I did. I started a new project today and got too wrapped up in it. Lost track of time,” he
admitted.
“That’s great you like what you do so much that time slips by. I’m mostly the opposite. I love
talking with the people who come into the office, but the work itself, the same things over and
over, gets monotonous.”
“What kind of office is it? Lawyer, doctor’s?” he asked.
“My dad’s the prime for a tiger pride nearby and my brother and I help him keep everything
running smoothly.”
His smile widened. “I knew you were an alpha female. I could tell by the quiet authority you
hold yourself with.” She looked a bit taken aback. His smile faded. “I don’t mean anything
negative by that. It’s stunning—you’re stunning to watch.”
Her rosy cheeks returned. “It’s not that. Someone recently told me they would’ve never
thought I was an alpha.”
He scooped up her hand and brought it to his lips. “That person must be a moron then. You
glow self-assurance.” He kissed her hand. She smelled so good. Like fresh baked bread. Strange,
but that was what he scented.
She laughed a little louder than before. “Maybe he was. Who knows?” Her eyes settled on
his. A twinkle flashed in her pupils. Was that her tiger, coming out to take a peek? His bear
showed further interest in her. Yup, time to mate.
Whoa! Marcus wanted to kick his bear at the moment. He and Francesca continued talking
and laughing and ordering more water from the bartender. He knew she liked him by the way her
eyes sparkled for him. At least he hoped that’s what she was feeling. When he looked up, he
noted a lot of couples had formed. The next time he looked up, almost everyone was gone.
Gerri set two fresh glasses of water before them. “Last call for the hard stuff.” She smiled
from behind the bar.
Francesca looked around, alarmed. “Are we the last ones here?”
“No worries, dear,” Gerri said. “Just setup a date for this weekend and Marcus will walk you
to your car.” She winked at them both. “Have a good evening.” She walked away, leaving
Marcus ready to have a cow. He wanted to ask her out, but was scared shitless of her rejecting
him. Wouldn’t be anything new. Just get it over with.
“Uh, Francesca,” he mumbled, running a shaky hand through his hair. She looked at him
with a sly grin.
“Marcus, I’d love to go out with you Saturday.”
He sat straighter and sucked in a breath. “You would? I mean, that’s great. Here,” he handed
his phone to her, “text your phone from mine and we’ll both have each other’s number.”
He walked her out to her car. She belonged to him now. She was his mate. And he would
take care of her and make her the happiest woman on the planet because she made him the
happiest man.
 6

M arcus poured his first cup of coffee and reclined on the sofa, watching the sun come over the
adjacent buildings. One thing he missed about living with his parents was their rural location. No
tall buildings blocking the view, no cars honking or polluting the air. Just peace and smaller
critters romping through the forests out back. He’d love to get back to that. He could literally
work from anywhere, as long as he had Internet, he could live in Antarctica.
His bear shivered. Maybe not there. How about a nudist beach where it could run around
naked? His animal must’ve been high. The damn thing didn’t wear clothes. High on love.
Marcus would agree with that. They’d found their mate and now they had to woo her to make
sure she knew they wanted her, and only her, now and forever.
He heard the elevator down the hall ding then a moment later, Theo opened the door. Was he
humming? Theo never hummed or whistled. He did occasionally belt out AC/DC in the shower.
Those were times Marcus prayed the hot water would run out before he did.
“Hey, what’s up, Marcus? You are,” he said and laughed at his own joke. “Get it? You’re up
—out of bed—”
“Yeah, Theo, I get it. Why’re you in such a good mood?”
He came around the sofa and plopped down, almost causing Marcus to spill his coffee. “I
found her, man.”
“Her, who?” Marcus asked.
“Her, the one, dude. My mate. I met her at a party last night.” He laid his head back and
spread his arms. “She’s so beautiful.”
“I thought you worked last night.”
“I did. At least, I think I did. I couldn’t think of anything else but her. Fortunately, it was
quiet all night. No calls.”
Marcus wondered if Theo’s finding his mate and him finding his own on the same night was
one of those strange connections they had since kids.
Theo looked at him. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you happy for me?” His eyes widened.
“This doesn’t mean I’m kicking you out. Well, maybe it does. No. She’ll be with me in my
room. You’ll be fine.”
“That’s a hell no, I’m not listening to your headboard bang against the wall all night, every
night,” Marcus grumped.
“Okay,” Theo placated, “I’ll get rid of the headboard. I never liked it anyway.”
“No, Theo,” Marcus said. “That’s not the point.”
“What is the point?” he asked. Marcus sat up on the couch and put his feet on the floor.
 “I found my mate last night, too.”
Theo stared at him. “I didn’t know you left the house. Did she deliver a pizza or something?”
He breathed in heavily, probably searching for that special day-after pizza smell.
“No, I was invited to a meet and greet by a mate consultant.”
“A what?” Theo asked.
“Someone to help me find a mate.” Didn’t anyone but him not understand mate consultant?
“You’re gonna sleep with the chick beforehand, right, dude?” Theo looked concerned.
“God, Theo. You’re just like my dad. That’s the first thing he said.” Marcus stood from the
sofa to get more coffee.
His roommate smiled. “I was trained by the best.”
Marcus rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I think you should’ve been born into the family and I
was the pseudo-adopted one.”
“Aw, come on, man. Don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful.”
Good god. Marcus would’ve shot coffee out his nose had any been in his mouth. “Whatever,
dude. You and your sissy surfer hair,” he teased.
“Hey, man. You carry a hundred pounds of equipment up twenty floors and see how sissy
you are.” Theo had a point. Marcus wasn’t much for the athletic stuff, even though he kept in
good shape. His sedentary lifestyle called for him to work out at the gym or die of heart disease
at age thirty.
“Okay,” Marcus conceded, “I’m thrilled you found your mate last night.” A horrible thought
crossed his mind. Please god, no. “Theo, where was your party last night?”
“Some place pretty spiffy. Ruth’s steakhouse or something.” Marcus groaned. This was not
happening. “Why? Steak kabobs were great. Still moo-ing.”
“Does your mate have long brown hair that looks like flowing silk?” Marcus asked.
“Yeah, it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to fist my hand in it while she sucks me down.” A shudder
rippled through his friend’s body. “Does yours, too?”
He chose not to answer as he filled his coffee mug. “Does she have a curvy body that would
feel great pressed under you?”
“And an ass that doesn’t quit. I’ve always liked asses. I’m an ass man, through and through.”
Theo rubbed his crotch and he stretched on the sofa.
Marcus mumbled, “Was that ‘ass, man’ or ‘ass-man’?” He shook his head. “Maybe just ass
would be correct.”
“What were you are saying in there, dude?” Theo continued to rub his dick while Marcus
leaned against the encased opening between the kitchen and living space.
“Is her name Francesca Virgata?”
Theo’s hand and body froze on the sofa. His eyes narrowed. “How did you know that?” For
fuck's sake! Marcus turned back to the kitchen as Theo jumped off the couch. “You been spying
on me? What the hell? Did one of the guys from the station call you?”
Marcus plopped onto a chair at the table. “Fuck me. No, I’m not spying and no one called.
The woman I met last night was Francesca Virgata. And I thought she was into me.”
“Fuck you is right. She was heavy into me. And she’s mine. I saw her first.”
“That’s only because you had to go to work, so you left before I did.” Another thought hit
him. “And why didn’t you tell me you were going to the get-together?”
Theo sputtered without an answer, then spit out, “Why didn’t you tell me you were going?”
“Really, Theo?” Marcus said. “Answering a question with a question is lame.”
“Politicians get away with it. So can I,” he replied.
 “All right, enough.” With both hands, Marcus scratched through his messy morning hair.
“We need to figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out. I saw her first.” Theo crossed his arms over his chest.
Marcus glared at him. “We aren’t in second grade, Theo.”
“I know, but it worked for me then.” Marcus almost laughed at his roomie’s pouting.
“Because I backed off so you could play with Marissa Caders. Then two days later, you
didn’t like her anymore.”
“She was boring. All she wanted was to sit on the merry-go-round and make me push it.” He
shook his head. “Did you see her throw up on my shoes?”
Marcus leaned back in his chair and laughed. He’d forgotten that part. “No, but I smelled
them all the way home.” He slapped a hand on the table. “I told you, you were pushing her too
fast. But did you listen to me? Noooo. You got what you deserved.”
“Whatever, man.” Theo crossed to the fridge, plucked a chocolate milk from the door and
unscrewed the top. “You know,” he said as he closed the fridge, “we could make a bet to see
who gets her.”
Marcus dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling. “No wonder you’re still single,” he
said. “Haven’t you seen every movie where the guys make a bet, then she finds out and they both
get dumped? Sorry, bro. Ain’t dumb enough to fall for that.”
“Damn,” Theo whispered, “I had to try, at least.” He smiled when Marcus raised his brows at
him.
“We’re handling this like adult men. That is if you can pretend to be one long enough.”
Marcus eyeballed his best friend across the table. Theo slapped a hand on his chest.
“That hurts. Cuts me deep, man,” he pointed to his chest, “right here.”
Marcus smirked. “Well, if you die, she’s mine.”
Theo frowned. “Not funny, dude. Don’t go messin’ with my mate.”
Marcus sighed. “I’m guessing you asked her out.”
“Yeah, on Sunday,” he said.
Marcus covered his mouth with his hand. He would not laugh out loud at his friend. “You
can’t seriously be taking her to that?”
Theo’s brow raised. “And what are you planning with her?”
“Another question with a question.”
Theo growled and waved a hand in the air. “Just answer it.”
“If you must know,” Marcus sat straighter, “I’m taking her to the outdoor theatre to see
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Theo covered his mouth, Marcus was certain, to imitate his action. “You do that. Come
Sunday night, we’ll see who she prefers.”
Marcus sighed. He hoped this didn’t mean an end to their friendship after so many years. But
significant others were reasons friends no longer remain friends. He didn’t want that.
“I need to get some sleep,” Theo said. “Normal shift tonight.” He gave a chin pop. “See you
then.”
“Yeah, have a good rest,” Marcus replied. After his roommate’s bedroom door closed, he
picked up his phone and placed an order.
 7

F rancesca sized up the enemy in front of her. He was quite a bit taller, but that was only
because she was vertically challenged. She wouldn’t let a silly thing like that be the reason she
got the shit beat out of her. Nope, not this morning. After such a wonderful evening the night
before, she was psyched beyond belief.
She and her opponent circled each other, neither had a hand raised. No weapons had been
pulled. No, not for this fight. This would be all skill.
He lunged toward her, fist aimed at her. Easily, she blocked the oncoming missile with her
forearm, grabbed his wrist and thrust him to the floor using his own momentum against him. He
sprang to his feet. She got lucky on that one.
His eyes flared. It was probably hard for a man to take getting their ass kicked by a woman.
A short one at that. Circling again, she focused on his stance. There were telltale signs
throughout the body that foretold what was coming.
Fists and biceps relaxed. He wasn’t thinking of an upper body punch. His posture
straightened just slightly, prepping his core muscles. He’d decided on a lower strike position. But
which one? A roundhouse, side strike, hook? His weight shifted onto his left leg. Roundhouse,
then.
His right leg bent and lifted at his side, readying to snap around and deliver a foot to her
chest. But seeing his muscles prep the move, she was ready. While his leg was in the air, she
dropped into a crouch, then swung her leg around to take out his knee and his ability to walk
again. An inch before making contact, she stopped all movement.
Point!
Those sitting around the mat lying on the wood floor jumped up and cheered. She and her
contestant rushed to their feet and bowed. The sensei dismissed the group for the night’s lesson.
Francesca fell back on the mat, exhausted. Who the hell had the brilliant idea to train for a
black belt? Oh, right. That was her wanting to teach self-defense to the females in the pride. She
must’ve been high when she filled out the paperwork. Her antagonist, Ben, offered a hand up.
“You’re getting good, Francesca,” he said. “Being short really helps on those low-to-the-
ground movements.” She grabbed his hand.
“Thanks, smart ass. I mean, Ben.” Her shit-eating-grin matched his. “Your sky-high, praying
mantis legs are hard to miss.”
He yanked up a white pant leg of his gi showing his thin, hairy limb. “These are rather sexy,
aren’t they?”
“If you shaved them, we could at least see some skin then, you gorilla,” one of the other guys
hollered.
“I can’t help if I was born this way. Talk to my mom,” he yelled back.
“Yeah,” joked the other guy, “I’ll talk to your mom. After I do her.” Francesca rolled her
eyes and headed for the lockers. Guys could be so crude sometimes. Actually, most of the time.
How was she blessed with so many as company?
After changing into street clothes, she came across Sensei Steve standing outside the small
office, hands on his hips.
“Sensei, is everything all right?” she asked.
“Oh, Francesca,” he laid a hand over his chest pocket and both pants pockets, “I seemed to
have locked my keys in the office.” He pointed through a window. Sure enough, on the corner of
the wood desk lay a ring of keys.
She’d never picked a lock before, but it seemed like everyone on TV could do it with two
picks. Of course, MacGyver just needed a piece of gum. After googling instructions on her
phone, she called on her tigress for a couple long claws. Within a few minutes, the lock popped
open. She couldn’t believe it. That seemed easy. No wonder everyone could do it.
“Thank you, young lady,” Sensei Steve said.
“You’re welcome. Looks like I learned more than I intended this morning.” She adjusted her
purse on her shoulder. “If that’s it, then I’ll be on my way.”
“Francesca,” her sensei replied, “may I have a few moments with you?” He fingered the scar
on the side of his face that had been there before she was born. It had faded with age, but
whenever he worried about something, he always rubbed it. She never asked how he got it. It
looked as if it was somewhat prominent at one time.
“Sure.” She walked through the door he held open. “What can I do for you?”
Steve closed the door and pulled the blind down. “Francesca, I’m disturbed by things I’m
seeing here in the pride.”
Whoa. She didn’t see this coming. “What kind of things?” she asked.
He sat back in his office chair and sighed. “Francesca, since your father’s absence, I’ve
noticed…” he paused. “I fear some of the young men may have become aggressive.”
Another shock. “Oh.” She thought through her last couple of weeks. Being stuck in the office
all the time, she was out of the loop on the community. “Like how?”
“I’ve not seen anything myself, but several of the younger ladies have enquired about self-
defense classes recently. More than ever before. And with things like this, I find there is usually
a reason behind the enquiries.”
So he hadn’t seen anything personally. Maybe he was getting a bit paranoid in his older
years. “Thank you for sharing your concerns with me, Sensei. I will discuss this with my
brother.”
He nodded. “That’s all I can ask. How is your father doing?”
“He’s doing well. Thank you for asking. Some days are better than others,” she answered.
He sighed. “Ever since your mother passed away, he’s not been the same. He truly loved her.
We all did.”
Now she felt awkward talking about her deceased mother. She really loved her mom, too.
But being Mom’s sibling, he had a right to express himself.
“And what about you, grasshopper? Any love interests? Your father would want you happily
mated soon. With him being ill, and one of my closest friends, I feel like I should keep an eye on
you and your brother.”
She wanted to tell her sensei that she and her brother were old enough to care for themselves,
but she understood the need to protect others, especially someone who never found a mate or had
children of their own to love. “Thank you, Uncle Steve. I very much appreciate all you do for us
and the community. And I have two dates this weekend.”
“Two? Well then, you don’t need any help, sounds like.” He winked and rose from his chair,
grabbed his keys off the desk, and motioned for her to walk out with him. “I know you and your
brother are capable of watching yourselves, but I still worry. Can’t help it.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “You’re the best, Uncle Sensei. I’ll see you next lesson.” She
headed for her car in the morning sunlight as he locked the main doors and watched her drive
away.
His words about the guys in the community troubled her. She hadn’t witnessed any
aggressive actions toward anyone, and none of the ladies shared anything with her. She thought
they would since she’d known all of them since she was old enough to recognize faces.
She didn’t know what to do.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
(12) coatl (12) itzcuintli (12) quauhtli (12) xochitl
(13) miquiztli (13) ocomatli (13) cozcaquauhtli (13) cipactli
Ce Mazatl Ce Malinalli Ce Ollin Ce Eecatl
(1) mazatl (1) malinalli (1) ollin (1) eecatl
(2) tochtli (2) acatl (2) tecpatl (2) calli
(3) atl (3) ocelotl (3) quiauitl (3) cuetzpallin
(4) itzcuintli (4) quauhtli (4) xochitl (4) coatl
(5) ocomatli (5) cozcaquauhtli (5) cipactli (5) miquiztli
(6) malinalli (6) ollin (6) eecatl (6) mazatl
(7) acatl (7) tecpatl (7) calli (7) tochtli
(8) ocelotl (8) quiauitl (8) cuetzpallin (8) atl
(9) quauhtli (9) xochitl (9) coatl (9) itzcuintli
(10) cozcaquauhtli (10) cipactli (10) miquiztli (10) ocomatli
(11) ollin (11) eecatl (11) mazatl (11) malinalli
(12) tecpatl (12) calli (12) tochtli (12) acatl
(13) quiauitl (13) cuetzpallin (13) atl (13) ocelotl
Ce Xochitl Ce Coatl Ce Itzcuintli Ce Quauhtli
(1) xochitl (1) coatl (1) itzcuintli (1) quauhtli
(2) cipactli (2) miquiztli (2) ocomatli (2) cozcaquauhtli
(3) eecatl (3) mazatl (3) malinalli (3) ollin
(4) calli (4) tochtli (4) acatl (4) tecpatl
(5) cuetzpallin (5) atl (5) ocelotl (5) quiauitl
(6) coatl (6) itzcuintli (6) quauhtli (6) xochitl
(7) miquiztli (7) ocomatli (7) cozcaquauhtli (7) cipactli
(8) mazatl (8) malinalli (8) ollin (8) eecatl
(9) tochtli (9) acatl (9) tecpatl (9) calli
(10) atl (10) ocelotl (10) quiauitl (10) cuetzpallin
(11) itzcuintli (11) quauhtli[362] (11) xochitl (11) coatl
(12) ocomatli (12) cozcaquauhtli (12) cipactli (12) miquiztli
(13) malinalli (13) ollin (13) eecatl (13) mazatl
Ce Acatl Ce Tecpatl Ce Calli Ce Tochtli
(1) acatl (1) tecpatl (1) calli (1) tochtli
(2) ocelotl (2) quiauitl (2) cuetzpallin (2) atl
(3) quauhtli (3) xochitl (3) coatl (3) itzcuintli
(4) cozcaquauhtli (4) cipactli (4) miquiztli (4) ocomatl
(5) ollin (5) eecatl (5) mazatl (5) malinalli
(6) tecpatl (6) calli (6) tochtli (6) acatl
(7) quiauitl (7) cuetzpallin (7) atl (7) ocelotl
 (8) xochitl (8) coatl (8) itzcuintli (8) quauhtli
(9) cipactli (9) miquiztli (9) ocomatli (9) cozcaquauhtli
(10) eecatl (10) mazatl (10) malinalli (10) ollin
(11) calli (11) tochtli (11) acatl (11) tecpatl
(12) cuetzpallin (12) atl (12) ocelotl (12) quiauitl
(13) coatl (13) itzcuintli (13) quauhtli (13) xochitl

THE DAY-GODS

Each of the day-signs of the tonalamatl was presided over by a god who was
supposed to exercise a special influence over it. These patron gods were as
follow:

Day-sign Patron God Day-sign Patron God

Cipactli Tonacatecutli Ozomatli Xochipilli
Eecatl Quetzalcoatl Malinalli Patecatl
Calli Tepeyollotl Acatl Tezcatlipocâ (or variant)
Cuetzpallin Ueuecoyotl Ocelotl Tlazolteotl
Coatl Chalchihuitlicue Quauhtli Xipe
Miquiztli Tecciztecatl Cozcaquauhtli Itzpapalotl
Mazatl Tlaloc Olin Xolotl
Tochtli Mayauel Tecpatl Tezcatlipocâ (or variant)
Atl Xiuhtecutli Quiauitl Chantico
Itzcuintli Mictlantecutli[363] Xochitl Xochiquetzal

There are slight divergencies from the standard list in some of the codices, but
such are usually accounted for by the interpolation of variant phases of the
deities given. Illustrations of these signs will be found in the several codices.

GODS OF THE “WEEKS”

Each of the 20 tonalamatl divisions, or “weeks” of 13 days each, as they are

sometimes erroneously but usefully designated, had also a patron god of its
own which ruled over its fortunes. The initial days of these “weeks” gave the
name to the entire “week,” therefore the designation of the 20 weeks was the
same as that of the 20 day-signs; but the “weeks,” or rather the week-names,
did not follow each other in the same incidence as the days, as will be seen
from the foregoing table. The patron gods of the 20 weeks were, however, the
same as those of the 20 days, with this exception, that whereas the gods of the
first 10 day-signs were taken also as the rulers of the first ten weeks, 3 the god
of the eleventh day, Xochipilli, was allowed to drop out, the god of the twelfth
day, Patecatl, taking his place, the god of the thirteenth day taking the twelfth
place, and so on, the deficiency in the twentieth place being made up by
adopting Itztli and Xiuhtecutli as joint gods of the twentieth “week.” The list of
gods of the “weeks” would thus be as follows:

1 Ce cipactli Tonacatecutli 11 Ce ozomatli Patecatl

2 Ce ocelotl Quetzalcoatl 12 Ce quetzpallin Itzlacoliuhqui
3 Ce mazatl Tepeyollotl 13 Ce ollin Tlazolteotl
4 Ce xochitl Ueuecoyotl 14 Ce itzcuintli Xipe Totec
5 Ce acatl Chalchihuitlicue 15 Ce calli Itzpapalotl
6 Ce miquiztli Tecciztecatl 16 Ce cozcaquauhtli Xolotl
7 Ce quiauitl Tlaloc 17 Ce atl Chalchiuhtotolin
8 Ce malinalli Mayauel 18 Ce eecatl Chantico
9 Ce coatl Xiuhtecutli 19 Ce quauhtli Xochiquetzal
10 Ce tecpatl Mictlantecutli 20 Ce tochtli Xiuhtecutli and Itztli

[364]

“LORDS OF THE NIGHT”

Besides the patron gods of the days and the weeks there were nine “Lords of
the Night,” which, I am inclined to think with Seler, were not “lords” or governors
of nine consecutive nights, but of nine hours of each night. Perhaps the best
example of these is in the tonalamatl of the Aubin collection, where they are
displayed in continuous and unbroken squares in the same small, square
compartments as the day-signs and ciphers, and occupy the third and second
last vertical row of the upper and the third cross-row of the lower half. In Codex
Telleriano-Remensis and Codex Vaticanus A they form a special series above
or else facing the day-signs. We also find them displayed on sheet 14 of Codex
Borgia, on sheets 19–23 of Codex Vaticanus B, and on sheets 2–4 of Codex
Fejérváry-Mayer. We know the names of these gods from the first interpreter of
Codex Vaticanus A, who gives them as follows, with their influences:

1 Xiuhtecutli Good 6 Chalchihuitlicue Indifferent

2 Itztli Bad 7 Tlazolteotl Bad
3 Piltzintecutli Good 8 Tepeyollotl Good
4 Centeotl Indifferent 9 Tlaloc Indifferent
5 Mictlantecutli Bad

Gama describes these nine gods as Acompañados (Companions) and as

Señores de la Noche (Lords of the Night), and from his obscure rendering of
Cristoval de Castillo, as well as from the Manuel de Ministros de Indios of
Jacinto de la Serna, we gather that they held sway over the night from sunset to
sunrise. The Mexicans divided the night into nine hours, and it is obvious from
the astrological point of view that the Mexican soothsayers who used the
tonalamatl must have found it necessary to estimate not only the “fate” of the
several days, but also that of the several hours and times of the day and night. 4
 Lords of the Night.

(As in the list given on p. 364.)

 Symbols of the Lords of the Night.

THE LORDS OF THE NIGHT-HOURS.

(From the Codex Bologna, sheets 1–8.)

[365]

THE LORDS OF THE DAY-HOURS

This of course applies with equal force to the thirteen so-called “Lords of the
Day,” who almost certainly acted as gods of the thirteen hours of the day. They
were 5:
 1 Xiuhtecutli 8 Tlaloc
2 Tlaltecutli 9 Quetzalcoatl
3 Chalchihuitlicue 10 Tezcatlipocâ
4 Tonatiuh 11 Mictlantecutli
5 Tlazolteotl 12 Tlauizcalpantecutli
6 Teoyaomiqui 13 Ilamatecutli
7 Xochipilli

Seler, in his Commentary on the Aubin Tonalamatl, gives the following table of
the gods of the night and day hours:

(Noon)
7. Xochipilli-Cinteotl
6. Teoyaomiqui 8. Tlaloc
5. Tlacolteotl 9. Quetzalcoatl
4. Tonatiuh 10. Tezcatlipocâ
3. Chalchiuhtlicue (Day) 11. Mictlantecutli
2. Tlaltecutli 12. Tlauizcalpantecutli
1. Xiuhtecutli 13. Ilamatecutli
——————————————————————————————————
—
IX. Tlaloc I. Xiuhtecutli
VIII. Tepeyollotl (Night) II. Itztli
VII. Tlacolteotl III. Piltzintecutli-Tonatiuh
VI. Chalchihuitlicue IV. Cinteotl
V. Mictlantecutli
(Midnight)

This casts light on the method of augury of the priests. Thus the hour of noon
was auspicious because it was connected with the mystic number 7, and 9 was
a number of good augury with sorcerers because it gave the number of the
underworlds and of the night-hours. 6 [366]

TONALAMATL FESTIVALS
Although the tonalamatl has been called the “ritual calendar,” most of the feast-
days theoretically vested in the “months” of the solar calendar and were called
after them; but certain of the festivals appear to have been connected with the
tonalamatl, to have vested in it, so to speak. We know these by their names, as
they are called after the several tonalamatl dates on which they fall. Thus a
festival taking the name of a day-sign theoretically belongs to the tonalamatl,
and one called after a month-name to the solar calendar proper. Moreover, the
former were known as “movable,” the latter as “fixed,” feasts. Occasionally
these clashed, as Sahagun states, with the result that the tonalamatl feasts
usurped the place of the calendar celebrations. 7

RECAPITULATION

Recapitulating, we find:

1. That the tonalamatl was a “Book of Fate,” and not in itself a calendar or time-
count.

2. That it was composed of 20 day-signs, repeated 13 times, or 260 day-signs

in all.

3. That these were usually divided into 20 groups of 13 days each, erroneously
but usefully called “weeks.” The initial days of these “weeks” gave the name to
the entire “week.”

4. To effect this division the numbers 1 to 13 were added to the 20 day-signs in

continuous series.

5. That by this arrangement each day-sign had a number that did not recur in
connection with that sign for a space of 260 days.

6. That the name of a day-sign in the tonalamatl was not complete without its
accompanying number.

7. Each of the day-signs of the tonalamatl was presided over by a god who was
supposed to exercise a special influence over it. (See list.)
Each of the 20 tonalamatl divisions or “weeks” had also a patron god of its own.
(See list.)

8. Besides the patron gods of the days and “weeks” there were:

Nine(a)
“lords” or patron gods of the night-hours.
Thirteen
(b) “lords” of the day-hours.

[367]

THE TONALAMATL AND THE SOLAR CALENDAR

It will be asked: “In what manner did the soothsayers reconcile the days of the
tonalamatl with those of the calendar?” By what method did they find such and
such a day in the tonalamatl in the tonalpohualli, or solar calendar? How was
the one adjusted to the other? In order to reply clearly to this question, it will
first be necessary to describe briefly the nature of the Mexican solar calendar or
time-count proper. The Mexican solar year consisted of 365 days, divided into
18 periods of 20 days each, called cempohualli, or “months,” and one period of
5 days, known as nemontemi, or “useless” or “unlucky” days.

The Cempohualli.—The names of the 18 cempohualli, or “months,” were 8:

Month Seasonal Character Presiding God

Atlacahualco Ceasing of rain Tlaloquê
Tlacaxipeuliztli Seed time Xipe
Tozoztontli Rain desired Tlaloquê
Ueitozoztli Worship of new maize Chicomecoatl
Toxcatl Commencement of rainy season Uitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipocâ
Etzalqualiztli Rain desired Tlaloc
Tecuilhuitontli Rain desired Uixtociuatl
Ueitecuilhuitl Adoration of the ripening maize Xilonen
Tlaxochimaco First-flowering Uitzilopochtli
Xocohuetzi Heat for ripening Xiuhtecutli
Ochpaniztli Refreshment of the Earth-mother Tlazolteotl
Teotleco Return of the gods from rest Tezcatlipocâ
Tepeilhuitl Rain Tlaloc
 Month Seasonal Character Presiding God
Quecholli Rain Mixcoatl
Panquetzaliztli Winter solstice Uitzilopochtli
Atemoztli Rain Tlaloquê
Tititl The season of sereness Ilamatecutli
Izcalli Toasting of the corn supply Xiuhtecutli

Eight out of eighteen of these festivals are thus connected with the appeal for
rain, or the celebration of its appearance. The remainder celebrate the growth
of the maize in its various stages, rejoice at the appearance of these blossoms
which were [368]so dear to the Mexican heart, are held in honour of the Earth-
mother, or mark the solstices.

To the combination of the tonalamatl and the solar calendar the tonalamatl
contributed the names of the days, and the solar calendar the divisions of the
year in which the days found positions. The tonalamatl and the solar year thus
went side by side, each recommencing whenever it reached its own limits. The
days in the solar year were known by the names of the days in the tonalamatl
which were affixed to them. Thus it is plain that 105 of the 260 tonalamatl day-
names had to be repeated in the solar year of 365 days.

NAMES OF THE YEARS

The year was known by the tonalamatl sign of the day with which it began. As
there were 20 day-signs, and 5, the least common multiple of 365 and 20, goes
into 20 exactly 4 times, the year could begin with one of the four signs only.
These were Acatl, Tecpatl, Calli, Tochtli.

Each month of a given year began with the same tonalamatl day-sign. The 20
day-signs always occupied the same position in all the months of a given year,
as there were 20 days in a Mexican month. But since the last month was
followed by the 5 nemontemi, or “unlucky” days, it follows that each year began
with a day-sign five days later than the last. Also, since 365, the number of days
in a year, is divisible by 13 with 1 as remainder, it follows that each year began
with a day-number one in advance of the last.
The commencement of the year coincided with the commencement of the
tonalamatl once in four years.

THE CALENDAR ROUND

Fifty-two years made up what has been called by modern students the
Calendar Round, and by the Mexicans was known as xiuhmolpilli or
toxiuhmolpio, “year bundle” or “our years will be bound.” The Mexicans, differing
in this from the Maya, never progressed beyond the Calendar Round in the
development of their chronological system, as is proved by the fact that dates of
precisely the same designation occurred at intervals of every 52 years.

The four signs which alone might commence the year—acatl (reed), tecpatl
(flint), calli (house), tochtli (rabbit), took the [369]numbers 1 to 13 continuously.
The numbering of the years thus provided that every one of the 52 years of the
xiuhmolpilli (or Calendar Round) was distinguished from every other. The whole
cycle of 52 years was thus divided into four quarters of 13 years each. These
year-names were each referred to a particular quarter of the heavens, the acatl
years to the east, tecpatl to the north, calli to the west, and tochtli to the south.
The computation began in the east with the acatl years, strangely enough with
2 acatl, the cycle thus closing with 1 tochtli. The Aztecs believed that the
current epoch had begun with the year 1 tochtli, for it was in this period that the
world had undergone reconstruction. Not until this was completed could the first
cycle of 52 years be begun. Therefore 2 acatl is the opening year of the first
and of all following cycles, and is usually represented by the picture of a fire-
drill. The years had also colours and patron gods of their own as follows: acatl
—yellow (gods Tonatiuh and Itztli); tecpatl—red (god Mictlantecutli); calli—blue
(earth-goddesses); tochtli—white (Tlaloc).

Arranged in tabular form, this would appear as follows:

Year-name Direction Colour Patron God

Acatl East Yellow Tonatiuh and Itztli
Tecpatl North Red Mictlantecutli
Calli West Blue Earth-goddesses
Tochtli South White Tlaloc
THE NEMONTEMI

The five nemontemi, or “useless” days, were evidently a later interpolation,

introduced at a period when it was discovered that an original time-count of 360
days did not fulfil the solar round. They were counted and distinguished,
however, in precisely the same manner as the other days, that is the numerals
and hieroglyphs of the tonalamatl were adjusted to them as well as to the rest,
except that they had no “lords” or rulers of day or night. They were regarded as
most unlucky and no business of any kind was transacted upon them, only the
most necessary offices of life being undertaken whilst they lasted. They are in
no sense to be regarded as intercalary days, for, despite classical statements to
the contrary, the Mexicans were ignorant of the methods of chronological
intercalation, and a study of the tonalamatl will show that the introduction of any
intercalary period would render it nugatory and destroy that [370]ability to return
into itself which is one of its chief characteristics. These nemontemi did not
always fall in the same period of the solar year, but were sometimes placed
before Quaitleloa, now before Tititl, now before Atemoztli, or elsewhere, as the
priestly authorities decided. For the Mexican year of 365 days was short of the
true solar year by six hours and some minutes, therefore in the course of years
the festivals became displaced and their chronological revision and balance
became necessary and could be effected by the shifting of the nemontemi.

THE VENUS PERIOD

To Förstemann and Seler is due the discovery that the Mexicans possessed a
system of computing time based upon the synodic revolution of the planet
Venus. The Venus period or “year” comprised 584 days. It would seem as if the
Maya and Mexicans had striven to discover a common measure for the
numbers 584, 365, and 260. Five synodical revolutions of Venus are equivalent
to eight solar years (5 × 584) = 2,920 = (8 × 365), but the number 2,920 is not
divisible by 260, the number of days in the tonalamatl. Any accord between the
two periods is not possible until the sum of 104 years is reached, that is to say,
65 Venus periods are equal to 146 tonalamatl periods both of which contain
37,960 days.
Like the tonalamatl, the Venus period was productive of sacerdotal speculation,
commencing with the day cipactli. At the end of six periods the Venus “year”
recommenced with the same sign affected by a different figure. At the end of
thirteen periods the sign differed, but the figure was the same. The question
has been learnedly discussed in its entirety by Seler, to whose work the reader
is referred. 9 [371]

1 The most convincing modern writers on the tonalamatl are Morley, Bowditch, De Jonghe,
and Seler. A bibliography of works on the subject will be found at the end of this appendix. ↑
2 We speak of “numbers.” More accurately, the numbers employed by the Mexicans were
merely simple dots. Thus a single dot represented our numeral 1, and thirteen dots our
numeral 13. ↑
3 It will be seen that, although the first ten day-gods take the first ten week-signs, these signs
are, naturally, not in the same order as the day-signs, as has been pointed out, therefore
these gods could not take precisely the same sign as in the day-signs, but only the same
place. ↑
4 For Seler’s point of view on this question see his Commentary on the Aubin Tonalamatl,
London and Berlin, 1900–1, pp. 197–228.
De Jonghe, Le Calendrier Mexicain (Journal of the Americanist Society of Paris, New Series,
vol. iii, 1906, pp. 197–228), believes that the “Lords of the Night” are connected with the days of
the tonalamatl. He states that the combination of these “Lords of the Night” with the day-names
sufficed to distinguish the days of the year which by the tonalamatl reckoning would take the
same numeral and sign. Thus if the year began with 1 acatl, the 261st day would also be 1
acatl, but would have a different “Lord of the Night.” This is denied by Seler. ↑
5 These are depicted in the Aubin tonalamatl along with their thirteen bird-disguises in the
second and first vertical rows of the upper and the second, and first cross-rows of the lower
half of the sheets, and are displayed in a similar manner in Codex Borbonicus. There are
discrepancies between the two MSS., but these are by no means irreconcilable. Thus in the
seventh place Codex Borbonicus has the Maize-god Cinteotl and the Aubin tonalamatl
Macuilxochitl or Xochipilli, who, however, in one of the songs to the gods, is addressed as
“Cinteotl,” and so forth. ↑
6 This, however, clashes with Seler’s enumeration of the day and night hours elsewhere. ↑
7 Sahagun, bk. ii, c. xix. ↑
8 These month-names bear a striking resemblance to those of certain North American Indian
tribes, and are certainly seasonal in their origin. ↑
9 The Venus Period in the Borgian Codex Groups, English translation in Bull. 28 of the U.S.
Bureau of Ethnology. ↑
[Contents]
 SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WORKS RELATING TO THE
TONALAMATL

Bulletin 28 of the Bureau of American Ethnology has several papers by Seler

and Förstemann on the tonalamatl.

Morley, “An Introduction to the Study of Maya Hieroglyphs” (Bulletin 57 of the

Bureau of American Ethnology). (Washington, 1915.)

Bowditch, Maya Numeration, Calendar and Astronomy. (Cambridge, Mass.,

1910.)

Payne, History of the New World, vol. ii, pp. 310–332.

The beginner is strongly advised to peruse these works before approaching the
subject in the pages of the older Spanish writers, most of whom possessed very
hazy notions regarding it. By far the best textbook is that of Morley, who,
although dealing with the Maya calendar at much greater length, writes with
great clarity upon the Mexican system, which is indeed identical with the Maya
tonalamatl in its simpler manifestations. Bowditch’s book is more for advanced
students of the Maya hieroglyphical system, the senior wranglers of the subject,
so to speak. But in places he dwells upon the Mexican tonalamatl in an
illuminating and suggestive manner. The papers of Seler and other German
writers on the tonalamatl, although most valuable, by no means possess the
admirable clarity and simplicity of Morley’s invaluable essay. A good short
article on the calendar is that of Dr. Preuss in Dr. Hastings’ Encyclopædia of
Religion and Ethics, vol. iii, pp. 124 ff.

A useful essay on the tonalamatl is that of de Jonghe, “Der alt-mexikanische

Kalendar,” in Zeitschrift für Ethnologie, 1906; and in the Journal des
Américanistes de Paris, New Series, vol. iii (Paris, 1906), pp. 197–228. [372]

[Contents]
 A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MEXICAN RELIGION

The works contained in this bibliography are included because they refer to the
religion of ancient Mexico. It must be distinctly understood that it does not aim
at providing a comprehensive list of works on Mexican history or archæology or
on the religion of the Maya. It is believed that no work of importance, old or
new, which deals with Mexican religion has been omitted. The books contained
in the first part are arranged in accordance with an estimate of their degree of
importance to the student. Those in the second part are alphabetically
arranged. The bibliography at the end of the appendix on the Tonalamatl should
also be consulted.

[Contents]

PART I

(Works written by the earlier Spanish authors)

Bernardino de Sahagun, Historia Universal de Nueva-España. (Mexico,

1829; London, 1830—in vol. vi of Lord Kingsborough’s Antiquities of
Mexico.) French translation by Jourdanet and Siméon (Paris, 1880).

J. Torquemada, Monarquia Indiana. (Madrid, 1723.)

Torribio de Benavente (Motolinia), Historia de los Indios de Nueva-España.

In Kingsborough’s Antiquities of Mexico, vol. ix, pp. 469 ff.; see also L. G.
Pimentel, Memoriales de Fray Torribio de Motolinia (Paris, 1903), which
contains materials not in the Historia. See also Icazbalceta.

Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl, Relaciones, in vol. ix of Kingsborough’s

Antiquities of Mexico (London, 1830–1848). Edited by Alfredo Chavero
(Mexico, 1891); Historia Chichimeca, in vol. ix of Kingsborough’s
Antiquities of Mexico. Edited by Chavero (Mexico, 1892). [373]
Diego Muñoz Camargo, Historia de Tlascala. Edited by A. Chavero. (Mexico,
1892.)

Francesco Saverio Clavigero, Storia Antico del Mexico. (Cesena, 1780.)

English translation by Charles Cullen, 2 vols. (London, 1787.)

Lorenzo Boturini Benaduci, Idea de una Nueva Historia General de la

America Septentrional. (Madrid, 1746.)

Antonio de Herrera, Historia General de los Indios Occidentales (1601–

1615, 5 vols. folio; Madrid, 1728–1730). English translation by Stevens
(London, 1725–1726—considerably abridged).

José de Acosta, Historia Natural y Moral de Las Yndias. (Seville, 1580.)

English translation in Purchas his Pilgrimes.

Francisco Lopez de Gomara, Cronica de la Nueva-España. (Medina, 1553;

Antwerp, 1554; Mexico, 1836.) English translation, The Pleasant History of
the Conquest of the West Indies. (London, 1578.)

Antonio Leon y Gama, Descripcion de las Dos Piedros. (Mexico, 1792.)

Gonzalo Hernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, Historia General y Natural de las

Indias Occidentales. (1535, vol. i only.) (Madrid, 1851–1855, 4 vols.)

Jacinto de la Serna, Manuel de Ministros de Indios para el Conocimiento de

sus Idolatrias, y Extirpacion de Ellas. (Madrid, 1892.)

Augustin Vetancurt, Teatro Mexicana. (Mexico, 1697; 1870–1871.)

M. F. de E., Veytia, Historia Antigua de Mejico. (Mexico, 1836.) (Partly in

Kingsborough, vol. viii.)

There may also be consulted:

B. de Las Casas, Historia de las Indias.

The best edition is that of Madrid (5 vols., 1875–1876).

Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Historia Verdadera de la Conquista de Nueva-

España. Translated by A. P. Maudslay as The True History of the Conquest
 of Mexico. (Hakluyt Society, London, 1908.)

It gives but little information regarding Mexican religion.

Hernan Cortéz, Cartas de Relacion. English translation by F. A. MacNutt

under the title of The Five Letters of Cortéz to the Emperor Charles V.
(New York, 1908.) [374]

A. Tezozomoc, Cronica Mexicana, in Kingsborough’s Antiquities of Mexico, vol.

vii, contains much valuable mythical material; also edited by Orozco y
Berra. (Mexico, 1878.)

Duran, Historia de las Indias (ed. Ramirez, 2 vols., Mexico, 1867–1880).

It is full, valuable, and sometimes indispensable.

Historia de los Mexicanos por sus Pinturas, in Annals of the Mexican Museum,
vol. ii. Translated by T. Phillips, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc., vol. xxi.

Annales de San Anton, Muñon Chimalpahin. (Paris, 1889, translated by R.

Siméon.)

Of considerable use as regards myth.

Anales de Quauhtitlan (or Codex Chimalpopocâ) in Anales del Museo Nacional

de Mexico, end of tom. iii.

Thevet, “Histoire de Mechyque” (in Journ. Soc. Amer. de Paris, 1905, pp. 1–
41).

G. de Mendieta, Historia Ecclesiastica Indiana. (Icazbalceta, Mexico, 1870.)

G. Icazbalceta, Nueva Coleccion de documentos para la historia de Mexico

(Mexico, series i, vol. i, 1858; vol. ii, 1866; series ii, Mexico, 1886–1892).

The first volume of series i contains Motolinia’s Hist. de los Indios, and the third
volume of the second series the work of Pomar y Zurita.

Ternaux-Compans, Voyages, Relations et Mémoires originaux pour servir à

l’histoire de la découverte de l’Amérique. (Paris, 1837–1841, 20 vols.)
This contains Mendieta, Tezozomoc, Ixtlilxochitl, Camargo, etc.

Navarrete, Coleccion de los Viages y descubrimientos. (Madrid, 1825–1837, 5

vols.)

Many texts and rare works are also to be found in Lord Kingsborough’s
Antiquities of Mexico (London, 1830–1848), especially Dupaix, Monuments of
New Spain (in vols. iv and vi); translation of the text of the interpretative codices
(see Appendix of this work), Sahagun (in vol. viii), Veytia, Historia del origen de
las Gentes que Poblaron La America Septentrional (in vol. viii). Tezozomoc,
Cronica Mexicana (in vol. ix), Ixtlilxochitl, Hist. Chichimeca (in vol. ix), Pimentel,
Ritos, Antiguos, Sacrificios, etc. (in vol. x). [375]

[Contents]

PART II

(Works written from 1800–1920)

Alexander, Hartley Burr, Latin-American Mythology. (Boston, 1920.)

Anales del Museo Nacional de Mexico. Tom. i, Mexico, 1877. (In progress.)

Bancroft, Hubert Howe, The Native Races of the Pacific States, 5 vols.
(New York and London, 1875–1876.)

This great compilation is admirable as a painstaking précis of the extensive

sources relating to Mexican and Mayan history and religion, but its author and
his assistants confined themselves to collection and compilation alone, and
ventured upon no critical treatment of the subject, for which task, they admit,
they were not equipped.

Batres, L., Archæological Explorations in Escalerillas Street, City of Mexico,

Year 1900. (Mexico, 1902.)

Beuchat, H., Manuel d’Archéologie Américaine (Amérique Préhistorique—

Civilisations disparues). (Paris, 1912.)
A useful if somewhat condensed review of American archæology. Chapitre iv,
livre ii, gives a short and not very thorough account of the gods, rites,
priesthood, and magic of the ancient Mexicans. Chapitre v deals with the
Calendar, and chapitre vi is useful for reference regarding the manuscripts and
writing. There is a good bibliography.

Brasseur de Bourbourg, E. C., Histoire des nations civilisées du Mexique et

de l’Amérique Centrale durant les siècles antérieurs à Christophe Colomb.
4 vols. (Paris, 1857–1859.)

The Abbé Brasseur’s idea was to explain American mythology as the

apotheosis of history. But he unearthed many priceless materials, some of
which are included in this work.

Brinton, Daniel Garrison, American Hero Myths (Philadelphia, 1882); “Were

the Toltecs an Historic Nationality?” (Proc. Am. Phil. Soc., xxiv, pp. 229–
241, 1887); Essays of an Americanist (Philadelphia, 1890); The Myths of
the New World (3rd edition, revised) (Philadelphia, 1905).

Brinton’s books are all well written, but his ideas regarding mythology generally
are now a little out-of-date. His works, [376]however, will repay perusal. The
student must be on his guard against Brinton’s etymologies, as his knowledge
of the native languages, though extensive, was not exact.

Charency, H. de, Le Mythe de Votan, étude sur les origines Asiatiques de la

Civilisation Américaine. (Alençon, 1871.)

Charnay, Désiré, Les anciennes Villes du nouveau monde. (Paris, 1885.)

English translation as Ancient Cities of the New World. (London, 1887.)

Charnay’s acquaintance with Mexican archæology and mythology was

elementary.

Chavero, Alfredo, Mexico a traves de los siglos, tom. i; Historia antigua y de

la Conquista. (Barcelona, 1884.)

This enthusiastic and painstaking antiquary did much for the elucidation of all
subjects relating to ancient Mexico, especially as regards the discovery and
criticism of ancient works and manuscripts. But his zeal frequently betrayed him
into somewhat fanciful explanations.
Chevalier, M., Le Mexique Ancien et Moderne. (Paris, 1886.)

Congrès international des Américanistes—comptes rendus. (Biennially, 1878

ff.)

Dieseldorff, E. P., “Cuculcan” (Zeit. für Ethnol., xxvii, Verhand., pp. 780–873).

Gamio, Manuel, “Investigaciones Arqueologicas en Mexico, 1914–1915” (Proc.

Nineteenth Int. Cong. of Amer., Washington, 1915). (Washington, D.C.,
1917.)

Haebler, K., Die Religion der Mittleren Amerika. (Münster, 1899.)

Hamy, Galerie Américaine du Musée d’ethnographie au Trocadéro. (Paris,

1897.)

Humboldt, Alexander von, Vues des Cordillères. (Paris, 1816.) English

translation by Helen Williams, 1815.

Joyce, Thomas Athol, Mexican Archæology: an Introduction to the

Archæology of the Mexican and Mayan Civilizations of pre-Spanish
America. (London, 1914.)

Chapters ii, iii, and iv give a useful summary of Mexican Mythology, the
Calendar and Calendrical Feasts, and Writing, Priesthood, Medicine, and
Burial.

Journal de la Société des Américanistes de Paris (passim), tom. i. (Paris,

1896.) (In progress.)

Müller, J. G., Geschichte der Amerikanischen Urreligion. (Berlin, 1867.) [377]

An industrious compilation, which must be used with caution. Its quotations are
nearly all at second-hand and its hypotheses are not a little strained.

Nadaillac, Marquis de, Prehistoric America (trans.). (London, 1885.)

Very much in the nature of a popular presentation of the subject.

Nuttall, Zelia, The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World

Civilizations. (Papers, Peabody Mus., ii, 1901.)
Orozco y Berra, Historia antigua y de la Conquista de Mexico. 4 vols.
(Mexico, 1880.)

Payne, Edward James, History of the New World called America. (London,
1892–1899.)

This exhaustive work, which deals with the evolution of culture on the American
continent, is admirably conceived, and is obviously the result of much thought
and research. As regards mythology, however, the author, although well versed
in the early writings relating to Mexico, seems to have been unacquainted with
those of modern specialists on the subject, and this, of course, limits his
outlook. Nor does he display any acquaintance with the Mexican native
codices.

Peñafiel, A., Monumentos del arte Mexicano antiguo, 3 vols. (Berlin, 1890.)
Destruccion del templo mayor de Mexico y los monumentos encontrados
en la ciudad en la excavaciones de 1897 y 1902. (Mexico, 1910.)

Prescott, W. H., History of the Conquest of Mexico. (New York, 1843.)

The few pages in which Prescott describes the religion of ancient Mexico are
now quite useless for the purposes of the serious student.

Réville, A., Les Religions du Mexique, de l’Amérique Centrale et du Pérou.

(Paris, 1885.) English translation as Origin and Growth of Religion as
Illustrated by the Native Religions of Mexico and Peru (Hibbert Lectures),
1884.

A sketchy and inaccurate account, showing only a second-hand acquaintance

with the subject.

Robelo, C. A., Diccionario de mitologia Nahoa in Annals of the Mexican

Museum, vols. ii–v, Second Series. (Mexico, 1905.)

Saville, M. H., “The Plumed Serpent in Northern Mexico.” (The Archæologist,

vol. ii, pp. 291–293.) [378]

Seler, Eduard, Gesammelte Abhandlungen zur Amerikanischen Sprach- und

Altertumskunde, 5 vols. (Berlin, 1902–1915.)
This monumental work, comprising almost the entire output of its learned
author, is indispensable for the study of Mexican archæology and religion.

Spence, Lewis, The Civilization of Ancient Mexico (Cambridge Manuals of

Science and Letters). (London, 1911.) The Myths of Mexico and Peru. 📘
(London, 1913.)

The former work is a digest of the strictly verifiable material of Mexican history
and religion; the latter a sketch of the subject on popular lines.

Spinden, Herbert J., A Study of Maya Art (Memoirs of the Peabody Museum,
Harvard, vol. vi). (Cambridge, Mass., 1913.)

This admirable work, which is chiefly concerned with the subject-matter and
development of Maya art, touches in places upon the forms and insignia of the
Mexican deities.

Strebel, H., Alt-Mexico, Archäologische Beiträge, 2 vols. (Hamburg and

Leipzig.)

Tylor, E. B., Anahuac or Mexico and the Mexicans. (London, 1861.)

Veytia, M., Historia antigua de Mexico. (Mexico, 1836.)

Wesselhoeft, Selma, and Parker, A. M., Mexican and Central American

Antiquities, Calendar Systems and History. Twenty-four papers by Eduard
Seler, E. Förstemann, Paul Schellhas, Carl Sapper, and E. P. Dieseldorff,
translated from the German, under the supervision of Charles P. Bowditch.
Bulletin 28 of the Bureau of American Ethnology, Washington, 1904.

[Contents]
 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE CODICES RELATING TO
MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY

I. Interpretative Codices

Codex Vaticanus A (3738) or Codex Rios.

(A) Reproduced in vol. ii of Kingsborough’s Antiquities of Mexico, 1830.

Translation of the Interpretation in vol. vi, pp. 155–420.

(B) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat. (Rome, 1900.) [379]

Codex Telleriano-Remensis.

(A) Reproduced in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. i. Translation of the

Interpretation in vol. vi, pp. 95–153.

(B) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat (Paris, 1899), with commentary by

E. T. Hamy.

Codex Magliabecchiano.

(A) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat. (Rome, 1904.)

(B) Reproduced by Zelia Nuttall as The Book of the Life of the Ancient
Mexicans. (Berkeley, California, 1903.)

(This codex is accompanied by a contemporary gloss in Spanish.)

II. The Codex Borgia Group

Codex Borgia.

(A) Reproduced in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. iii.

(B) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat. (Rome, 1908.)

(C) Commentary in German by Dr. E. Seler, Eine altmexikanische

Bilderschrift, with plan. (Berlin, 1904.)
 (D) Reproduced in the Anales del Museo Nacional de Mexico, vol. v, pp. 1–
260, with Spanish translation of Seler’s essay by T. Lares.

Codex Fejérváry-Mayer.

(A) Reproduced in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. iii.

(B) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat. (Rome, 1901.)

(C) Commentary (Der Codex Fejérváry-Mayer) by Dr. E. Seler, with plan.

(Berlin, 1901.)

(D) English translation of above by A. H. Keane. (Berlin and London, 1901–

1902.)

Codex Bologna or Cospi.

(A) Reproduction in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. ii.

(B) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat. (Rome, 1899.)

(C) Commentary by Seler (Die Mexikanischen Bildenhandschrift von

Bologna) in his Gesammelte Abhandlungen, vol. i, pp. 341–351. [380]

Codex Vaticanus B.

(A) Reproduced in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. iii.

(B) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat (Rome, 1896), with commentary by

Señor F. Paso y Troncoso.

(C) Commentary in German (Der Codex Vaticanus B) by Dr. E. Seler, with

plan. (Berlin, 1902.)

(D) English translation of above by A. H. Keane. (Berlin and London, 1902–

1903.)

Codex Laud.

Reproduction in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. ii.

III. Unclassified Codices

The Aubin-Goupil Tonalamatl.

(A) Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat, with commentary by E. Seler.

(Paris, 1900.)

(B) English translation of above by A. H. Keane, with reproduction. (Berlin

and London, 1901.)

Codex Vienna, Vindobonensis, or Indiæ Meridionalis.

(A) First reproduced in part by Olaus Wormius, Museum Wormianum.

(Leyden, 1655, p. 383.)

(B) Reproduced in Kingsborough’s Antiquities, vol. ii.

(C) Commentary in E. Seler’s Gesammelte Abhandlungen.

Codex Zouche or Nuttall.

Reproduced with commentary by Zelia Nuttall. (Peabody Museum

publication.) (Cambridge, Mass., 1902.)

Codex Borbonicus.

Reproduced by the Duc de Loubat, with commentary by E. T. Hamy. (Paris,

1899.)

See also on the subject of the codices generally:

Aubin, Mémoire sur la peinture didactique des anciens Mexicains (Revue

Orientale et Américaine). (Paris, 1860, pp. 224–255.)

Boban, Catalogue raisonné de la Collection Aubin-Goupil. (Paris, 1889.) (With

an atlas in which many MSS. are reproduced in phototype.) [381]

Lehmann, W., “Les peintures Mixteco-zapotèques” (Journ. Soc. Amer. de Paris,

N.S., tom. ii). (Paris, 1905, pp. 241–280.)

Antigüedades mexicanas, publicadas por la junta Colombina de Mexico.

(Mexico, 1892.) Atlas with plates.
Paso y Troncoso, Catalogo de Mexico en la Exposicion de Madrid. (Mexico,
1892.)

Peñafiel, Monumentos del arte mexicana antigua. (Berlin, 1890.)

Chavero, Pinturas jeroglificas, 2 parts. (Mexico, 1900–1901.) [382]

[Contents]
 GLOSSARY

For the convenience of readers a glossary of the Mexican words most

frequently employed in this work is appended:

anauatl Ring of white mussel-shell.

areyto Sacred dance; a word of Antillean origin, introduced by the
Spanish conquerors of Mexico.
atlatl Spear-thrower.
aztaxelli Forked heron-feather plume.
calpulli Augmentative of calli, house, signifying “quarter,” “district.”
chalchihuitl Green stone—jadeite, turquoise, emerald—and precious or semi-
precious stones of a green colour.
chicauaztli The rattle-staff, associated with the water and fertility deities.
cueitl Skirt, petticoat.
maxtli Loin-cloth.
naualli Disguise, magical form or shape.
nequen Robe.
octli The fermented juice of the Agave americana. The modern term is
pulque, a word of Argentine origin.
piloechmilli “Face-painting of children.”
quauhxicalli “Cup of eagles”; stone vase in which the hearts of sacrificed
victims were placed.
quetzalli Feather-plumes of the quetzaltototl or Trogon pavoninus, a bird
indigenous to Mexico, the plumes of which were greatly prized by
the natives.
tamalli Maize-cake (same as Spanish corrupted form tamale).
tecutli Noble, lord, person of quality.
teocalli Pyramid-temple.[383]
teopan Temple precinct.
teotl God.
telpochcalli House of the youths, the place of instruction for boys in training for
the priesthood.
teueuelli Shield with eagle’s-down feathers.
tilmatli Mantle or cloak.
tlachtli A ball-game, a kind of hockey.
tlachinolli Fire-and-water symbol.
tonalamatl Book of Days: an arrangement of signs indicating lucky and
unlucky days, adapted to the calendar.
toualli Four balls or beads as a shield device.
ulli Indiarubber.
xiuhcoatl Fire-snake.

[384]

[Contents]
 INDEX
[Contents]

Acompañados (“Lords of the Night”), 364

Ages of Mexican cosmogony, 37 ff.;

sequence of the, 38 ff.

Amalgamation, processes of, in Mexican religion, 21–6, 32

Animal gods, 17

Annals, native Mexican, 7

Annals of Quauhtitlan, or Codex Chimalpopocâ, 7, 53

Arrow sacrifice, 217

Atemoztli festival, 251

Atempan (“Place of Death”), 164

Atlaua, a deity, 263 ff.;

aspect and insignia, 263–4;
nature and status, 264

Atonatiuh (“Water-sun”), a period in Mexican cosmogony, 38

Aztecâ, the, 3

[Contents]

“Battle of Flowers,” 161

Bibliography of Mexican Religion, 374–80

Bird-gods, 18