Page 14 of Espíritu

He wanted to argue, to crack a joke, to say My people can handle anything. But the words stuck in his throat. He swallowed instead, forcing himself to nod. “Yeah. Got it.”

The promise sat heavy in his chest, so he did what he always did when things got too serious—he reached for a joke.

“Guess we better not mess this up,” Julian said, giving Yadriel a lopsided grin. “No pressure or anything, right?”

Yadriel smiled back, his eyes flickering with a mix of nerves and determination. “No pressure,” he agreed.

Maritza snorted. “Great pep talk, you two. Now come on, let’s get this show on the road! We’ve got a spirit to help and ducks to feed.”

Lita waved them off as the trio set out through the cemetery.

“We need to ask Rio if it’s okay for you to come with us,” Yadriel said, tossing Julian a look.

Julian groaned. “He’s just gonna give us the whole Be careful speech and probably tack on homework or something.”

“Then call him now and get it over with,” Maritza said.

Julian scoffed. “What if he says no and makes me go home?! I can’t miss this!”

Maritza ignored him. “On speaker.”

Julian rolled his eyes but took out his phone and did as he was told. It rang once. Twice.

“What?” came Rio’s voice, gruff and already annoyed.

Power tools buzzed and reggaeton bumped in the background.

Julian winced but powered through. “Hey, uh, can I go with Yads and Maritza for a bit?”

“Where?”

“Skate park,” Maritza mouthed.

Julian repeated it louder. “Skate park!”

There was a pause.

Julian’s knee bounced. He knew Rio didn’t really trust him yet—not after everything. But still, it grated every time he had to ask like this, like a kid asking permission to play outside.

Finally, Rio answered. “Keep your phone on you.”

“I’m literally talking to you on it right now!” Julian said loudly, almost fumbling his phone. “It’s cracked but alive!”

“Back before six. Do your homework. You’re still failing.”

Julian’s cheeks burned hot. “I KNOW!” he barked, too defensive and too fast. He hated how easy it was for Rio to get under his skin—like his brother had a master key to Julian’s short temper that he tried to keep locked up.

Yadriel leaned in. “We’ll have him back before six,” he said, always the diplomat. “And we’ll make sure he gets his homework done.”

Another long pause. Then: “Fine.”

Julian killed the call and shoved his phone into his pocket as they began to walk. “He’s the worst.”

“He’s worried,” Yadriel offered.

“Worst.”

Maritza fell into step beside Julian and Yadriel, making a face at the way they walked so close, arms brushing, exchanging sidelong smiles.