The First Circle

by Paul Perea

  “I’ve told you my father had a terrible temper and he could lash out, both verbally and physically. I witnessed his tirades firsthand . . . beating my brothers, berating my mother and my sisters. He never touched me and I don’t think he ever raised a hand against my mother, at least not that I know of. I don’t think Levinia would have put up with it. But she certainly didn’t like his treatment of the boys, so in time she did what she could to soften his temper.”

  “What about Uncle Joseph? Did grandfather ever hurt him? I know he never talks about him and doesn’t seem to care much whether he hears from him or not. I’ve often wondered, but never felt that it was appropriate to ask.”

  “Joseph . . .” Mirabella hesitated for a moment in an effort to find the right words. “Joseph is different from my other brothers. You know that. My mother and father knew, too. He did his best to conceal his passions. He tried to blend in, to participate in the things other boys enjoyed. But it was apparent from an early age that he would never live up to my father’s expectations, and my father was determined to make a man out of him. He was harder on Joseph. He pushed, he yelled . . . and he hit. If hunting and sports wouldn’t make a man out of him then he must have thought that he could beat it into him. Your uncle’s life was hard and he did not have a happy childhood. My mother did what she could but she couldn’t be there all the time to protect him.”

  “Golly, I feel so bad for him!” Salome said, visibly distressed by her mother’s tale.

  “Salome, please don’t ever bring this up to Joseph. If he wants to share this with you, he will. For now, leave it be. He’s happy now. Remember, there were some good times, too, and although he doesn’t speak of them, not all of it was bad. Why, he may even have some pleasant memories. I know I do.”

  Their moment was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Salome got up to answer and found Jacob standing solemn with his hat in hand. Salome’s smile and readiness to greet him quickly evaporated as she searched his face. Without any words exchanged, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes and the pain in her stomach. His face said everything.

  Max was dead.

  “I was going to surprise you,” Jacob said. “Bring Max home to you. But when I got there—”

  Salome shrank to the floor and sobbed loudly, unable to contain her sorrow.

  Mirabella moved quickly and crouched down, wrapping her arms around Salome. She looked up at Jacob, and the two of them silently acknowledged that there was no need for him to linger.

  “Shhh . . . oh my baby. I’m so sorry,” Mirabella whispered as she tried to comfort Salome.

  “I visited him every day, but I wasn’t there when he died! He was alone! Alone!” Salome cried, her words choked by sobs and tears. Her anger rose as she thought of Salazar. “God, how I want to kill that son of a bitch! My Max, my poor Max is dead! I want to go down to the river and blast the hell out of Salazar. I want to kill him for what he’s done!”

  Mirabella held Salome until the sobs subsided. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up. We’ll pay a visit to Jacob and Sara to thank them for their kindness. Then we’ll go to Lucero’s and fetch Max. I’ll have your uncle bring his truck . . . he can meet us there and then we’ll give Max a proper burial.”

  Mirabella, while saddened by their loss, reminded Salome of her duty. “This has been a terrible day but we cannot let it hinder the magic we work tonight and tomorrow night. It is of the utmost importance that the spells are delivered correctly or else the prison will not hold.”

  “Don’t worry,” Salome replied. “Now more than ever I will make sure that that monster doesn’t harm any of us ever again.”

  Lost in thought, they each went to their respective bedrooms to change clothes and prepare for their sad task.

  Mirabella worried. Salome plotted.

  CHAPTER 17

  As they had done the previous evenings, they entered the circle and joined hands. And as before, they chanted and became one within a sphere of light. On this night, with only heaven and a waning moon to witness, Salazar would be bound to his prison, his shackles unbreakable, and then tomorrow they would gather one final night, and turn the key that would lock that prison forever.

  Salome closed her eyes and chanted along with Mirabella and Grace, until a point in the verse where she changed her recitations to a different incantation. It was a killing spell, and she intermingled it with the verses she was repeating over and over. She could feel the hate taking her over. The desire for revenge was potent. Her heart grew cold with excitement.

  To hell with binding, she thought, breaking her meditation for a brief moment. I will kill you once and for all, you bastard! I will become a blade. Feel me strike across your neck. I will sever your head from your body!

  Salome regained her focus, but it was too late. Mirabella caught the break in their unity as clearly as if a singer had abruptly changed the song that was being sung, and in a horrifying instant realized what Salome was doing. She sent her thoughts into Salome’s head, commanding her to stop. Mirabella felt the push as Salome struggled against her and continued with her dreadful spell, her voice becoming sharper and angrier. Mirabella was frantic. Breaking the circle now could mean disaster, but if she didn’t act, something worse would surely happen.

  Mirabella knew what she had to do, and although she had never attempted such a feat, her instincts were fast and there was no time for delay. While her lips continued with the chant, her mind was engaged elsewhere. Without hesitation, she sent her voice into Grace, resulting in the continuance of the incantation, two distinct voices coming from Grace, who was unaware and remained in complete bliss. Then, she sent her spirit into the body of Salome.

  Caught by surprise and no match for Mirabella, Salome’s self shrank to a small corner of her psyche as Mirabella possessed her. Mirabella discarded the words that Salome had been using to work her spell and started repeating the correct incantation. She continued this until the spell was completed, and then she released Salome. Mirabella was satisfied. The spell had worked and she had averted disaster.

  Salome looked at Mirabella, unable to fathom what had happened. In two steps, Mirabella was upon her, striking her hard across the face with her open hand. The blow so sharp that Salome stumbled and fell. She looked up at Mirabella, who stood over her with a rage she had never witnessed.

  “Mom, what are you doing?” Grace cried out, oblivious to what had transpired.

  Ignoring Grace, Mirabella screamed at Salome. “YOU STUPID GIRL! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU WERE DOING?”

  Mirabella was shaking with anger and Salome didn’t dare move an inch. Grace remained silent, not understanding what was happening and not wishing to redirect her mother’s wrath.

  “You never listen to me, do you? DO YOU? I have had it with you, Salome, willful girl! You were dabbling in something that you can’t even begin to understand, and need I remind you, something that I have forbidden any of my children to do! Time and again you test me, and time and time again you fail me. Should I tell you what your stupidity could have caused? Should I?”

  Salome started to cry.

  “Your wonderful killing spell would have been the death of us all! Salazar would have won and we would all be dead!”

  “Oh my God, Sal, what did you do?” Grace whispered, confused by what she was hearing.

  Mirabella glanced at Grace with piercing eyes and continued her tirade against Salome. “You don’t give a damn what I do for you, do you? I have done everything I can to ensure the safety of this family! I have tried my best to keep our ways hidden, and all of you safe from ridicule or persecution. But you step out of line. You insist on brazen acts of stupidity. This time you have pushed me too far!

  “I want you out of my sight! I can’t even look at you! You have disappointed me for the last time and I will have no more of it! I will find someone else to help us with the final spell and I expect that by then
you will be out of my house!”

  “Mom, you can’t mean that,” Grace said meekly as Salome looked down, ashamed.

  “Come with me, Grace, and pack up her things. Take her with you now!”

  Grace followed dutifully after Mirabella and looked back at Salome who remained on the ground, her hair hanging over her face and her body heaving with sobs.

  “Hey, you made it home before sunrise!” Sam joked as Grace entered the house. At the sight of Salome and her large suitcase, Sam’s smile faded. “Hey, Sal, didn’t expect you. What’s up?”

  “Mom is still feeling a bit out of sorts and she wanted some time alone,” Grace explained before Salome could answer. “You know how my mother hates anyone doting on her, especially when she isn’t feeling well. She asked if Sal could stay with us for a couple of days. Hope you don’t mind, honey.”

  Sam shrugged and grabbed hold of the suitcase, picking it up and then dropping it, surprised by the weight. “Wow, feels like you’ll be staying longer than just a couple of days!” He turned and grinned at them. “You women, always packing more than you need! I’ll put this away for you.”

  “Thanks, Sam,” Salome said mechanically as she watched him lug the suitcase away. She felt drained and defeated. At this moment, nothing mattered anymore.

  Grace followed after Sam. Alone in the bedroom, she hugged him tightly and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m sorry, honey. It came up so fast and I couldn’t say no. Please don’t be upset. I promise. Two days at most.”

  Sam looked at her and glanced toward the door to make sure they were out of earshot. “That’s fine, Gracie. You know I like your sister. She can be a bit much, but I guess it’s fine for a couple of days. Don’t worry.” He kissed her back but let his lips linger. “Hmm, guess I’ll have to behave myself for a bit, too!”

  Grace blushed and then hurried back to Salome, who was still standing by the front door looking dejected.

  “He doesn’t want me here, does he?” Salome asked in a hushed monotone.

  Grace looked thoughtfully at her sister and then playfully pinched her nose. “Stop it, Sal. You’re being foolish and feeling sorry for yourself. Of course we want you here, but you’re not off the hook. You will tell me what you did—even if I have to drag it out of you—and you know I can do it.” Grace paused for a moment and offered Salome a mischievous smile. “To tell the truth, I had a hunch something unexpected might happen so I took some precautions—just in case we needed reinforcements.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Mirabella sat staring at the empty fireplace. She had not slept well, and although her anger had subsided, her thoughts remained on Salome, and what could have happened had Salome been successful in her spell.

  In order for Salome’s strike to work, it would have first shattered Salazar’s prison, freeing him momentarily. That’s all he would have needed. She had witnessed firsthand how fast Salazar could work. Once free, he would have turned Salome’s spell back on her, or rather on all three of them. Since they had been psychically joined, they all would have been killed.

  This knowledge plagued her—that and the fact that she had struck Salome. She never believed she could hit any of her children, especially with such force. It pained her to think about, but she was not swayed in her decision to throw Salome out of the house. She would forgive her in time—of that she was sure—but she felt as if she had failed Salome. She had done her best to teach all of her children right from wrong, as well as the consequences of performing evil acts. Today, more than ever, Mirabella was reminded of her mortality. She would have to do what she could to protect her family while she still had breath.

  Mirabella stood up and made her way to her kitchen to prepare some coffee, and while it brewed, she thought about Gabriella. She wondered if David would ever soften his rules and allow Gabriella to come stay with her. Their time together was not enough, and Gabriella’s education was falling behind. In Gabriella, she saw powers that may surpass even her own, but what would that matter if the girl didn’t know how to use those gifts properly? But most of all, she missed Gabriella’s company.

  Her thoughts turned to the coming evening—the last night of the full moon cycle and the final spell. Who could she get to help? It’s not as if witches were in abundance in Arroyo. She was aware of those who dabbled. Foolish men and women who had no idea of what they were doing. There were others—one or two persons that had unknowingly crossed her path. In them she sensed the gift even though they themselves were unaware of what lay dormant within.

  The latch of the front door gave way, interrupting her consternation. The door slowly creaked open and she turned to see a man standing in the doorway. She could make out the thick curly hair and without hesitation ran to him and hugged him with all of her might.

  “Son!”

  “Good morning, mama,” Gabriel laughed as he dropped his suitcase and embraced her.

  “What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” Mirabella asked as she searched her son’s face. In his eyes she found the answer. “Ah, Grace. When did she reach out to you?”

  “A week ago. Grace suspected you might need me, so she contacted me and told me what you were attempting. She was worried . . . and a bit scared. I had to move heaven and earth to get to Arroyo but here I am.”

  “She’s a good girl, your sister Grace. As for Salome, well, put your things away and then come and sit and have some coffee so I can fill you in.”

  Mirabella recounted the whole story as best she could, from Emma’s death to her battle with Salazar to the present situation, and Gabriel listened intently with few questions or commentary.

  “You know how your sister is, but this time she went too far. I loved Max too, but she placed Grace and me in danger—all because of her sorrow over losing her pet. She doesn’t think clearly, the stubborn girl! And to attempt to use black magic, well, I don’t even know where to begin.”

  “Mom, I hate to remind you, but you were the one who taught us that in order to understand the light, we must also understand the dark. Balance in all things you said. Obviously Salome learned a few things and decided to put one of them to the test, and—”

  Before he could finish, Mirabella interrupted him. “Wait a minute. I’m not taking the blame for this! Yes, I taught you all these things, but I also told you—no, I demanded that you never use dark magic.”

  “I didn’t blame you, mother. I was simply stating the facts. Besides, you know how Sal can step out of line. I’m not making excuses for her and even I’m surprised that she would do such a stupid thing. But you must forgive her.”

  Mirabella looked thoughtful and hesitated for a moment, sipping her coffee. “I will—in time. Salome must understand the gravity of her actions—of what she almost caused! That girl is too impulsive and this time she could have gotten us all killed. She’s stubborn and arrogant and too independent for her own good. Honestly, I don’t know where she gets it!”

  It was all Gabriel could do to keep from smiling. He knew exactly where Salome inherited these behaviors, but he also knew better than to get into a war of words with his mother.

  “Lately it’s been one thing after another,” Mirabella continued. “Did you know she started a fire on José Montoya’s property because he mocked her when she was at the cantina? She was playing poker with all those damned borrachos—and José started teasing her. So you know what she did? In the middle of the night, that sister of yours called down a storm cloud and blasted the poor man’s tool shed with a lightening bolt. Thank God no one was hurt!

  “That girl is giving me more gray hair! But enough about that. I want to hear all about you.”

  “There’s not much to tell,” Gabriel answered.

  “No?” Mirabella asked, studying him. “There’s something different about you. What is it?”

  “Really mom, nothing is different—just the same old stu
ff,” Gabriel answered as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “The shop is doing well and I’ve been making a lot of trips to purchase more antiques. The owners want to retire, so pretty soon the place will be all mine.”

  “How is Matisse?” Mirabella asked, even though she knew her son preferred to keep his love life a secret.

  “He’s fine. Busy too,” Gabriel answered, expectedly short.

  “And what of Ophelia? You haven’t talked about her in some time. How is she?”

  “That cat is as difficult as ever. She seems to be getting more comfortable taking on human form, even though she complains about the lack of fur.”

  “Human form? Son, what have you done? Don’t tell me you’ve unleashed her,” Mirabella asked pointedly. “That’s ill-advised for such a creature!”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything,” Gabriel mumbled. “Look, it’s too long of a story to go into. Ophelia isn’t a typical familiar—she’s something else altogether. I had to set her free, I just had to. I owed it to her. But don’t worry . . . she watches out for me . . . and I her.

  “She’s just been a little more trouble lately, but then again she is a female—” Gabriel quipped, hoping to change the direction of the conversation.

  “Better watch it,” Mirabella warned and laughed. “You’re standing in front of one! But I suppose you have a point. We females can be a handful at times.”

  Gabriel chuckled, stood up and stretched. “Boy, don’t I know it. After all, I grew up in a house full of them.”

  He bent down and kissed Mirabella on the cheek. “I’d better get unpacked and get some rest. It’s been a long journey so wake me up in a few hours, then you can teach me what I need to know for tonight’s ritual.”

  “Then you will help!” Mirabella clapped her hands in relief.

  “Of course I will help you! Was there any question? And when this is done, I must return to New Orleans within two weeks.”