Julian Valladares is on a spiritual journey. Julian's father, Ramón, Ernest Hemingway's majordomo at the Finca Vigía and a Palo priest, has died, leaving Julian uncertain of his future. While Julian's work is infused with Palo and Afro-Cuban spirituality, his connection is tenuous and he is desperate to visit his father in the spiritual realm.

Traveling with collaborator, Max Albury, and Hemingway scholars, Phoebe Brennan and Mera Stadler, to the Hemingway Colloquium in Havana, Julian hopes for answers. The mysterious Caridad can grant Julian his wish and their fateful meeting in the spiritual center of the Palo religion-the church in Regla-sets Julian on his ultimate path. After a glorious night and morning with the beautiful Ileana, he packs and heads to a friend's house in Mariel where an ancient ceremony will seal his destiny.

Only the powerful spirits know the outcome of the sacred ritual.