Page 46 of Espíritu

“Yeah, if I survive,” Julian grumbled, giving a sad little wave to his friends.

As the Stingray roared to life, Angel’s car disappeared around the corner. The sound of Luca’s laughter carried faintly on the breeze. Julian fought for radio supremacy, but Rio’s taste in old-school R&B overruled Julian’s preferred reggaeton tracks without mercy.

“Seriously? This station again?” Julian jabbed at the buttons, only for Rio to switch it back with a glare that dared him to try it again.

Julian dramatically threw himself back against his seat and crossed his arms. “You’re the worst DJ alive!”

“Don’t care,” Rio replied dryly.

Julian scowled out the window, bouncing one knee and chewing on the inside of his cheek. He silently prayed to Lady Death to not let Rio ask a bunch of questions. He just wanted to be dropped off at Yads’s. That was it.

Rio didn’t say anything for a long while and just let the low growl of the engine fill the silence, his expression unreadable behind his sunglasses.

“You been acting weird lately,” Rio said. Not a question.

“It’s called having a personality,” Julian grumbled.

“Mm-hm,” Rio grunted. “You disappear for hours, you show up late for stuff—”

“I said I didn’t mean to!” Julian shot back.

Rio cut him a look. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing!” Julian lied immediately. “I just want to see Yadriel!”

“You trying to see him or hide from me?”

The question hit hard. It wasn’t just a jab—it was Rio looking at Julian like he knew something was wrong.

Guilt flared hot under Julian’s skin. He hated that Rio could still read him like this, and he hated lying even more. But it wasn’t like he could tell Rio about the Marca Hueca. Or who Angel really was. Or the nightmares. Hell, he barely understood any of it himself.

Rio settled back into his seat. “I’m not trying to get in your business,” he said, relenting.

Julian’s fingers twitched against his thigh. Rio’s tone put him on edge. “I’m fine,” he insisted.

Rio scrubbed a hand over his face. “Just—do better.”

Julian swallowed, guilt sitting sharp in his throat.

Rio sighed, the fight draining out of him. “I don’t wanna yell at you, man. I don’t wanna … do any of this.” He jerked his chin at him. “’Cause I like you. Sometimes.”

A tiny huff of air escaped Julian, almost a laugh. “Wow. High praise.”

Rio didn’t answer. Just drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, like he didn’t believe a word of Julian’s lies but wasn’t going to fight Julian, not yet. The silence settled heavy between them, broken only by the growl of the engine and the hum of traffic.

The Stingray pulled up alongside the brick wall of the cemetery, and Rio cut the engine. “I’m walking you up to Yadriel’s,” he declared.

“What?!” Julian’s voice pitched higher than intended. “No need for the escort service, really!”

His heart did a jittery dance. Outsiders weren’t exactly welcome at brujx hangouts, and Rio qualified as Mr. Outsider himself.

But Rio was already getting out of the car. Julian had never let him into the graveyard before.

“Lead the way,” Rio insisted, heading for the gate and eyeing the tombstones with interest

“Fine!” Julian grabbed his skateboard, his sneakers crunching on the loose gravel. Arguing would be as effective as trying to stop a bulldozer with tissue paper.

Julian and Rio walked side by side, Julian’s thoughts racing faster than his feet. Rio, with his eagle-eyed stare, started interrogating the air like it held criminal secrets.