Page 140 of Cemetery Boys

“Now.” Julian stepped behind Yadriel and pushed him forward. “Let’s go make it official,” he said into his ear.

Brujx nodded their approval and clapped him on the back as he walked by. Yadriel’s face burned red, but he found himself smiling. His feet and Julian’s guiding hands led him deeper into the church. He passed Miguel, who stood with his mom and dad under each arm. Miguel smiled at him and gave him a small nod.

The crowd began to thin out. Yadriel caught a glimpse of his grandparents, their auras bright.

“¡Es mi nieto!” Lito announced, elbowing anyone in reach, his chest puffed up with pride.

The scent of apples tickled Yadriel’s nose, and then he saw her.

His mom wore a long red dress that rustled over the ground as she stepped forward. A yellow sash was cinched around her waist. She wore her hair down, as she always did. The soft chestnut waves were adorned with marigolds. Dark lashes framed her large brown eyes. She glowed with golden light, radiating from her skin.

Yadriel held his breath.

“Mi amor.” She smiled.

Yadriel stared at her, frozen where he stood. She looked exactly the same, just how he remembered her.

A small breath hitched in her throat, her fingers splayed against her chest. “Yadriel,” she said, her voice like a song. She held her arms out for him.

Yadriel lurched forward into her embrace. Warmth radiated from her, easing the tension from Yadriel’s shoulders as he held on tight. Her hair tickled his face. She smelled just the same, like cloves and cinnamon.

She pushed her fingers through his hair. “Mijito,” she said softly, kissing the top of his head, and Yadriel melted into her. Relief and longing broke inside him. He loved her so fiercely and wanted to tell her so, over and over again, but he couldn’t find his voice.

“Let me see you!” she said, taking a step back to look him up and down. “Aye, such a handsome boy, my son!” his mother declared, red lips curling.

Her eyes traveled over Yadriel’s shoulder. “And this must be Julian?” she asked, lips quirking into a knowing smile.

Yadriel stepped aside and tugged on Julian’s arm. He stumbled forward. “Hi, Mrs. Velez,” he said, all nervous energy and bashful smile.

“Camila,” she corrected warmly. She crossed one arm over her chest, tucked under her elbow as she tapped thoughtfully at her chin. “I have heard much about you. A ghost boy who came back from the dead, thanks to my Yadriel.”

She squeezed Yadriel’s arm, and he swelled with pride.

“I owe him big-time,” Julian said with a grin.

“And don’t forget it,” Camila agreed with a smile and a wink. “Now, we have much to catch up on, and much to discuss!” She gave Yadriel a pointed look. “So let’s make the most of our time together.”

She raised a delicate eyebrow at Yadriel. “And tell me everything,” Camila added in a stage whisper, nodding in Julian’s direction.

Julian preened.

“Mom!” Yadriel hissed.

“But first,” she went on, as if she hadn’t heard him, taking a step back and waving toward the front of the church.

Yadriel’s dad and Lita stood on the raised altar, just below Lady Death’s alcove. Enrique and Lita were in full regalia. They wore the sacred royal headdresses that had been passed down through the brujx leaders for centuries.

Before them stood the three brujx who had turned fifteen since the last Día de Muertos. Maritza was there in her dress. She looked back over her shoulder and waved at Yadriel frantically. Hurry up! She mouthed.

This was it. Yadriel turned to Julian.

“Get ’em, brujo,” he said, nudging him with his shoulder.

Yadriel took a deep breath and shook out his tingling fingers. He stepped forward and fell into line next to Maritza, probably a bit closer than necessary.

Maritza cleared her throat and nodded with her chin. Her rose-quartz rosary was pooled in her cupped hands. Down the line, the other brujx held out their portajes.

Yadriel quickly reached back for his dagger. It slipped through his sweaty fingers. He nearly dropped it, but he scrambled to recover without losing a finger in the process. He laid it across his upturned palms, and Maritza nodded approvingly.