Page 30 of Espíritu

“Passing through,” Angel said. “Heading south to see family across the border. I felt something wrong nearby and followed it.”

Yadriel’s brow furrowed. “The maligno?”

Angel nodded, impressed. “I got here just as it attacked. You’re the one who released it, right?”

Yadriel blinked, startled. “Yeah … I did.”

Angel grinned approvingly. “You’re good. Most people can’t manage it that quickly under pressure.”

Heat flared across Yadriel’s cheeks. “Thanks.”

Maritza still looked unsure, but her stance had shifted. Less guarded. More thoughtful.

“I’ve never met another brujx like me,” Yadriel said quietly, almost embarrassed to admit it.

Angel met his eyes. “You’re not alone. Even if it feels like it.”

They said it so simply, so matter-of-factly, that it made Yadriel’s throat tighten. The silence stretched for a beat. Julian rocked on his heels and looked between them.

Yadriel blurted, “Do you want to come over?”

He hadn’t planned to say it. The words had slipped out before he could stop them. But now that they were hanging in the air, he realized why they had come so easily—why they felt necessary.

Because this was more than awe or curiosity. This was recognition. It was possibility. It was the first time Yadriel had seen someone like him—someone with both power and acceptance, who wasn’t caught in the fight to prove themself every single day.

He thought of Lita, of how she’d want to see this for herself, to look Angel in the eye and know the truth. He wanted her to see it, too.

He wanted to believe it was real.

Angel tilted their head.

“I mean—if you’re passing through anyway,” Yadriel rushed to add, suddenly nervous. “I’d like you to meet my abuela. She’d want to meet you.”

Angel studied him for a long moment, then gave a small, genuine nod. “I’d like that.”

Julian let out a whoop. “Awesome!”

Maritza finally uncrossed her arms. “Let’s hope Lita doesn’t faint,” she muttered.

But Yadriel saw a small smile tug at her lips.

Maybe things were changing after all.

Angel moved their car before dinner, promising to meet them at the address Yadriel gave in a few minutes. They didn’t offer much more than that, and Yadriel didn’t push. Something told him that giving Angel space was just as important as making them feel welcome.

Yadriel, Julian, and Maritza walked back together, the hush of evening creeping in around them. Whittier Boulevard hummed distantly behind them.

Julian was the first to break the silence. He practically bounced in place, unable to stand still as the excitement buzzed through his limbs.

“Okay, so, that was amazing! Did you see the way Angel healed my hand? Like, full-on movie magic!” he exclaimed, waving his hand wildly in front of Yadriel before spinning in a half circle like he might physically explode if he didn’t keep moving.

“Yeah, we saw,” Maritza said flatly, still sounding a bit rattled.

Julian ignored Maritza’s tone and turned back to Yadriel. “And did you hear what they said? Both gifts! Healing and releasing! That’s, like, next-level stuff, right?! You ever met anyone else like that?”

Yadriel shook his head. “Never. I didn’t even know it was possible to receive both of Lady Death’s blessings.”

He was used to Julian’s energy, the way he never quite stood still, but there was something even more charged about him now. Seeing someone like Angel had clearly lit a fuse.