Page 44 of Praying for Thunder

“Dio—”

Following her to the bathroom, he said, “My lungs. Do as they do. I have you. I swear it.”

Inhale… Rattle, rattle…

He stepped us under the water, his back taking the hit of cold water. “Again.”

Inhale… Rattle…

“Dio—”

Ani screamed, “What is happening to you?”

He growled, “Trust me, Tiger,” then yelled, “Thunder, breathe!”

Inhale… Rattle… exhale…

“There you go. Try again.”

She screeched, “Diablo, please talk to me!”

“No time. Trust me or lose him.”

“Oh my God, oh my God… Baby! Do what he says!” Ani was beyond terrified.

“Shhh…” Dio spoke into my ear, and maybe to Ani, “Just breathe. That’s all. The smoke will clear.”

Smoke? I had yet to open my eyes, hence easily seeing the fire again. “Dio—”

“Feel my chest. Air in. Air out.”

Inhale… Exhale…

“There we go. Do it again.”

Inhale deeper… Exhale longer…

“I’m so proud of you.”

Deep inhale…

As I exhaled heat, my body collapsed to him, even though there was no room to get closer. My eyes opened to see Ani was watching us, holding her breath—refusing to breathe until I did.

I sighed, “My Ani.”

She burst into tears, falling to the side. “Niño.” She caught herself on the bathroom counter.

Dio asked me, “Are you burning?”

“What?” I lifted my head. “No—Dio?”

His skin was glowing, or maybe shimmering due to the splashing water, I couldn’t be sure. All I can say is that it wasn’t like any skin any human had ever had.

As it started to fade, so did his voice. “Babe. Take him.”

She was suddenly sturdy on her feet again, grabbing my wet body. “I got him, I got him.”

Backing away, we both reached out as Dio dropped to his knees, then fell backward, his head barely missing the faucet.