Page 135 of Espíritu

“Nunca he visto un susto tan grave,” she said, her expression darkening.

Julian’s breath hitched. Even Lita looked shaken.

Only he could see the shadows leaking from the wound in Luca’s chest. It pulsed, too deep and wrong.

Omar leaned closer. “What’s wrong with him? What’s happening?”

Julian opened his mouth, then closed it again. What could he say?

Flaca’s voice cracked. “Is he gonna be okay?”

Omar hovered close behind, eyes darting between Luca and Julian. “What do we do?!”

Rocky looked ready to vomit.

Before Julian could say anything, Rio stepped forward.

“He’s going to be okay,” Rio said, quiet but firm. His voice didn’t shake—it never did—but his eyes were locked on Lita like a lifeline.

“How do you know that?!” Rocky snapped.

“Because,” Rio said. “Yadriel’s mom healed him before. Years ago.”

The room stilled.

Julian turned to him, stunned. “What?”

Rio didn’t look away from Lita. “Carlos brought us here. After Luca left the gang and got real sick. Bad fever. No money for a doctor. Carlos said he knew someone who could help.” His jaw tightened slightly. “She saved his life.”

Lita’s face softened as she gazed up at Rio. “Ah,” she murmured. “So it was you.”

Rio gave a nod. “I recognized her picture at your house.”

Yadriel stood frozen beside Julian, eyes wide. “Wait … My mom healed Luca?”

Lita nodded. “She did.”

Julian stared, the pieces slotting into place. He’d assumed some folk healer. But it had been Yadriel’s mom all along.

“That … that sounds like her,” Yadriel said quietly. “She always took the ones nobody else would.”

Lita’s hand brushed Yadriel’s shoulder as if to steady him. “She was proud of what she did. That boy mattered to her.”

Yadriel’s throat bobbed as he looked at Luca lying on the couch. “And now he matters to me,” he said, voice thick.

He looked at Julian and Julian looked back in astonishment. Maybe they were always supposed to find each other.

Julian turned to his brother. “You never told me.”

Rio gave a small shrug, absently rubbing the Santa Muerte tattoo that covered his scar. “Didn’t think it mattered. She saved his life. That’s all I cared about.”

Lita reached out, squeezing Rio’s arm gently. “You were right to bring him back.”

She stood and turned to the room. “Luca’s soul has fled his body.”

Rocky’s jaw dropped. “Gone? Like … gone-gone?” she asked, glancing nervously at Luca’s motionless body.

Julian felt his knees wobble. The truth pressed down on his chest like a weight.