The Devil's Elixir

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There is a lurking fear that some things are not meant to be known, that some inquiries are too dangerous for human beings to make.

—Carl Sagan

Either he is making a colossal mistake, or he will be known as the Galileo of the 20th century.

—Dr. Harold Lief, discussing the work of Dr. Ian Stevenson in

the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

I

DURANGO, VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN

(PRESENT-DAY MEXICO)

1741

Álvaro de Padilla was overcome by dread as his visions dissipated and focus returned to his tired eyes.

The Jesuit priest wondered what world he was emerging into, the uncertainty of it both terrifying and, oddly, exhilarating. He could hear his throat straining against his ragged breaths and feel his strained heart pounding in his temples, and he tried to calm himself. Then his surroundings slowly took shape again and placated his spirits. He could feel the straw of the mat under his fingers, confirming to him that he was back from his journey.

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