Page 32 of Espíritu

Maritza slid a finished poinsettia across the table. “You guys better appreciate the art happening over here! I’ve got glitter in places glitter should not go.”

“What about me?” Julian piped up, swinging his legs. He always needed something to do, always wanted to be at the center of the action.

“You, Julian, will help me with the papel picado!” Lita instructed, her tone light but firm. “Show me those hands of yours are good for something gentle,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Julian stood, saluting with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Challenge accepted!”

As the room transformed into a flurry of activity, laughter and warmth filled the room. The scissors snipped, the masa was kneaded, and the smells of roasted chilies and cinnamon hung thick in the air.

“Where’s Dad?” Yadriel asked, checking the clock on his phone. It was getting late, and he always showed up for dinner, or at least sent Yadriel a text if he wasn’t going to.

“He’s got many things to do tonight, so he will be home late,” Lita told him, not looking up from the stove.

“Oh,” Yadriel said, his shoulders slumping. He’d wanted his dad to meet Angel, to see another brujx who was like him.

“Your father is very busy, Yadriel,” Lita said sternly. “He has many responsibilities.”

“I know,” Yadriel replied, doing his best not to sound petulant.

The chime of the doorbell rang through the house, breaking the spell. Yadriel’s pulse quickened, a thrill shooting up his spine. He exchanged a look with Julian, who raised an eyebrow in amusement.

Lita paused, her hands stilling above the comal. Her brow furrowed as she looked toward the front door. “The doorbell?” she muttered to herself. “No one rings the doorbell—they just come in whether you want them or not.”

“I’ll get it,” Yadriel said quickly, setting down his knife. He wiped his hands on his jeans and hurried toward the door, his heart beating a little faster with each step.

When he opened it, Angel stood there, framed by the doorway. Their golden eyes swept the room behind Yadriel with feline curiosity. They were draped in layers of dark fabric, their stance guarded but calm.

“Hey!” Yadriel greeted them. A huge smile cracked his face. “Come on in!”

Angel hesitated as if they were double-checking the rules of someone else’s house.

Julian chuckled and crossed his arms. “What’re you, a vampire?”

“No.” Angel stepped over the threshold. “They’re not in this part of North America.”

Julian’s arms fell to his sides. “Wait—what?”

Lita appeared behind Yadriel, her expression warm but surprised. “Ah, a guest! I wasn’t expecting anyone, Yadriel!” she said, looking Angel over with open curiosity.

Yadriel smiled nervously. “Lita, this is Angel. They’re a bruje from Texas. We, uh, ran into them earlier while dealing with a maligno.” He left out the part where Angel had saved his life. He figured Lita didn’t need all the details. Not yet, anyway.

Lita froze, her eyes widening as she turned to Yadriel. “A maligno? Where?”

“It was behind that haunted Jack in the Box, Lita!” Julian said. “The one I told you about!”

“With the raccoon?” Lita confirmed—it was one of his favorite stories after all. A shadow passed briefly over her face before she schooled her features. “You didn’t mention anything about a maligno, Yadriel.”

Yadriel’s shoulders shot up to his ears at her stern tone.

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier, mijo?” she asked, turning to Julian and Maritza with concern, checking them for injuries. “You three got into a fight with it?”

Yadriel winced, realizing how nonchalant he’d sounded. “It—it’s okay, Lita. We handled it,” he said quickly, trying to reassure her.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” Julian interjected, flashing a grin as he sauntered into the room. “Yads took care of it like a total badass.” He gave Yadriel a playful nudge, the pride in his voice clear.

Lita’s eyes narrowed, darting between them. “Still, malignos are nothing to brush off. Thank you for helping them,” she said, turning to Angel. “You’re welcome here, mija. Any friend of my family is family, too.”

Angel’s guarded expression softened. “Thanks. Your home is really nice.” They gestured to Lita’s aloe vera plants and rattlesnake skins. “Feels safe.”