Maria Citlali

Nahuals are able to cast spirit and blood magic, shapeshift into almost any animal, and speak to animals. They are also born with a spirit double that normally takes the form of an animal. In Maria's case, the creature was an Ahuizotl. In mythology, these terrifying creatures drag people into lakes and steal their bones, but in reality they are generally small fluffy raccoon-like creatures with rust colored fur and a fifth hand at the end of their tails. Maria named her Tochtli. This creature is literally her and is her soul in physical form. They share a mental link. Tochtli is with Maria almost at all times, though the creature does have a mind of its own and likes to explore its surroundings.

Maria came to Manalith when she was 15 as a first year student, but how she got accepted is unknown. A letter came to her village somewhere in central Mexico saying she was accepted to the school in the northeastern United States. The letter was printed in perfect Nahuatl and said that all expenses would be taken care of. Maria had no reason to go, but her parents and multiple others in her village convinced her to go and get a better life away from her dying people.

Maria is deathly shy and at Manalith was afraid to speak to most people. She speaks very little English and doesn't understand the versions of Spanish most of the other students speak. The Spanish that the Anagi Vampires speak might as well be alien to her. She often just turns red and pulls her hoodie over her face when people try to speak to her. While her communication skills are rather poor, her grades and magical ability are far above many other students.

Lulu Ortiz, an older student from Miami, quickly became friends with Maria despite being her polar opposite. She sort of became Maria's unofficial translator during her first year and spent quite a lot of time teaching her English. Maria taught her some Nahuatl in return. Whenever another student is unintentionally making Maria feel uncomfortable, Lulu almost always somehow appears to rescue Maria and make the situation better.