Freedom-loving Howard, on a disastrous jungle search for a rumored tribe, is captivated by good-hearted Rachel, then faces life-or-death choices when she disappears in the night. Floods, loss of supplies, and raids by 'Jaguar Men, ' throw the expedition into disarray and conflict. The outcome has 500-year-old roots in efforts by teens Atl and Dahlia to find each other and their loved ones in the devastation following Cortes' invasion of the mighty Aztecs. Diverse characters in both time-lines are haunted and driven by sacrifice, betrayal, revenge, repentance, and love