Page 122 of Espíritu

Together, they climbed the steps out of the crypt. Every splash from their soaked shoes echoed behind them.

Outside, the night air hit them like a slap—cold and clean after the weight of the underground.

Julian didn’t release Luca. His hand stayed locked around his friend’s shoulder, keeping him close as they made their way through the cemetery. Behind them, the old church loomed, a dark shape against the moonlight. Its windows stared blankly, empty sockets watching them leave.

Julian had already texted Rio.

meet me at the cemetery. it’s bad.

For all their fights, all the yelling, Julian felt a little steadier knowing Rio was on his way. He really didn’t know how he was going to explain this one.

As they walked, Julian’s eyes scanned the shadows. The trees shifted. The headstones whispered. Every breeze prickled the back of his neck. Paranoia gnawed at him like teeth—Angel could still be out there. Watching. Waiting.

They didn’t breathe easy until the cemetery gates glinted ahead.

“We need to tell my dad and Lita,” Yadriel said, voice low.

“Yeah,” Julian said, eyes on Luca. “But first—home. We gotta get him warm. Then I’m checking on the others,” he added, worried about Omar, Rocky, and Flaca.

The guilt sat heavy in his chest—not just about Angel, but about dragging Yadriel and Maritza into this. About Luca. About all of it.

Luca hadn’t said a word since they’d left the crypt. He stood at Julian’s side like a ghost, staring back at the cemetery with wide, blank eyes.

“Hey!” a gruff voice cut across the path.

Rio stepped from the Stingray, worry sharpening into that flat, angry look he always got. He took in the three of them—soaked, shivering, pupils blown wide—and the lines at his mouth hardened. “Jules.”

“We’re okay,” Julian started, breath hitching.

Luca coughed again, a thin ribbon of water spilling onto the path.

Rio didn’t buy it. He shifted to Luca, crouched at eye level, palm hovering but not crowding. “Look at me, little man. You good?”

Luca blinked, nodding too fast.

Rio’s attention snapped back to Julian. “Do I need to call an ambulance? Did he hit his head? How long was he in the water?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it tolerated no bullshit. “Tell me what I need to do.”

Julian opened his mouth, then shut it. Stone, water, green light crashed together behind his eyes. “It’s … complicated.”

Rio’s jaw worked. “Okay. Then give me the part that keeps him alive and this family safe.”

Julian forced the words out. “If you see Angel, stay away. Don’t let them in the shop or the apartment. I mean it.”

Rio’s expression sharpened. “Angel, huh?”

Julian nodded. “I mean it.”

Rio stared at him for a moment, but then nodded. “Done.” He jerked his head toward the car. “Get in.”

Yadriel touched Julian’s wrist. “Go. We’ll lock things down here and tell Lita.”

“We’ll text you,” Maritza confirmed, giving Julian’s shoulder a squeeze.

Julian nodded. It was hard to leave when he always felt the safest by Yadriel’s side, but he did it anyway.

“Sit on a towel,” Rio warned. “Don’t mess up my seats.”

“Your precious blue leather,” Julian grumbled, the words more automatic than funny.