When cholera strikes San Antonio in 1843, Aurelia Ruiz discovers that she might have the power to heal-and also to curse. Meanwhile, Joseph Kimmel, a schoolteacher in Missouri and the son of a Polish Jew, learns of his brother's death in San Antonio-and sets off for Texas. Along the way, a runaway slave steals Joseph's horse. He is rescued by Henry Castro, a man who is importing immigrants to populate his planned city, Castroville-and then Joseph...