The First Circle

by Paul Perea

  “My sisters and I had encountered your grandmother a long time ago . . . not long after Gabriel was born. We proposed taking Gabriel under our wing, but Mirabella, with her quick temper, would have none of it. Before we could explain ourselves she all but threw us out of her house! You see, we saw hope in your Uncle Gabriel—he was to have been our champion.”

  Gabriella interrupted the story. “My uncle Joe told me a story about that. He said that you were going to kidnap Gabriel to make him your slave, just like you did with other kidnapped children. He said that you transformed the kids into beasts when you became bored with them.”

  “Oh dear, what a tale. Our legend becomes more interesting all the time,” Maria laughed.

  “You really are a gullible girl,” Magdalena interjected. “Your uncle probably blamed us for floods and famine too.”

  Mancha cleared her throat and continued. “As I was saying, Gabriel was the one we had intended to train to slay the monstrous Salazar but we never got the chance to explain that to Mirabella. Well, I was beside myself, to say the least! I was so worried about what might happen should Salazar turn his attention to Mirabella, I placed a spell on Gabriel. I empowered him as a protector. But my spell was too strong. When Gabriel was just a boy, he almost got himself killed saving his sister, your mother, from drowning in the river.

  “When Mirabella discovered what I had done, she became enraged and transformed into an eagle. She took to the sky, much as she hated to fly, and came to my home. We argued. We fought. Never had I seen a woman so angry, so filled with rage. As much as I hate to admit it, Mirabella bested me and forced me to remove the spell, making me promise to never bother her or her family again.

  “So we left her alone, but we kept an eye on her. It wasn’t until much later that we discovered that Salazar was appearing to you. And when your grandmother discovered it, well, she took control of the situation.”

  “What did she do?” Gabriella asked.

  “She and your aunts put on a spell to bind Salazar. They were successful, and although Mirabella remained cautious, she was confident in her actions. We were, too. We became complacent and did what we always do. We traveled the world and enjoyed our selfish lives, satisfied in the knowledge that your grandmother, with her formidable talents, was there to protect and educate you.

  “You should be proud of her, Gabriella—of your heritage and birthright. A family line of great and very powerful witches! Your great-grandmother, Levinia, Mirabella, and of course, your own mother.”

  “My mother?” Gabriella asked.

  “Yes, your mother,” Mancha answered, taken aback by Gabriella’s surprise.

  “But she renounced for love. She told me so. She said she hated being a witch!”

  Mancha shook her head. “You have no idea, do you? And worse, no one ever told you what happened. Well, no matter. I see no reason to keep this from you.

  “When Ruth was a child, she showed great promise. Her talents were diverse. She possessed power over nature and the mind. She could move easily without her physical body. She could commune with spirits and the deceased. It was this last trait that turned out to be troublesome.

  “To say that Ruth was tormented by otherworldly entities would be an understatement. They would draw the child into their realm, overlapping her reality with theirs. There were times when Mirabella would find Ruth running through the house, scared out of her wits and screaming for help, hiding under tables and chairs and in closets. Sometimes Mirabella would find Ruth in a trance, walking out of the house as if drawn to an unseen place. Worse, and the most frightening of all, was when poor Ruth would suffer physical assault, her small body pushed up against a wall or thrown this way and that!

  “It was bad enough that Mirabella was already dealing with Grace, teaching her how to harness her erratic power and to keep it in check, but her eldest child was accosted by forces that even Mirabella could not comprehend nor control. Two daughters tormented. How dreadful.

  “Then one fateful day, Ruth was drawn to the portal. She walked through the woods, entranced by the beckoning of spirits who wished to deliver her to their master. That was the day that Ruth nearly drowned in the river and Gabriel almost died saving her. Mirabella found herself faced with a terrible decision. In order to save her daughter, she would have to revoke Ruth’s powers. Ruth agreed to it and the ritual was performed. Once completed, the nightmare was over and Ruth was left alone, unmolested but detached from her birthright, poor child.”

  Gabriella was shocked. “I had no idea. I thought—”

  “You thought she had given it all up for your father, to lead a normal life. That’s what your mother likes to say. But she had revoked long before she had even met David. My dear, you must understand that there is darkness and light within us all, and the darkness must be kept in check for if it is greater, as it was in your mother, evil will be drawn to you and it will feed. It will return again and again. It was a cycle that Ruth could not break. It would have eventually killed her. Salazar would have killed her.”

  “Salazar?” Gabriella gasped as she sat down in despair. What else was to come?

  “Yes,” Mancha continued, “he would have killed her, but at the time none of us knew what was happening. Not your grandmother. Not us. But it all makes sense now. Salazar saw a chance to use Ruth’s power to break free of his bonds, and was drawing her toward him—toward the portal to his world. Had it not been for Gabriel, he would have claimed her.”

  “I don’t even know what to think,” Gabriella said breathlessly as she shook her head and tried to make sense of it all.

  Mancha, witnessing Gabriella’s struggle, took her by the shoulders.

  “Gabriella, in you I see a wonderful light, but there is a darkness, too. An inheritance you must not ignore. You must control that side of you. Let it provide balance, but don’t let it overtake you. You can do it, for you are a smart girl.”

  Mancha tweaked Gabriella’s chin and smiled at her, and then changed the subject. “Well, I’m afraid we’ve used up most of the evening with chatter—and a preliminary test of your defenses, which, by the way, you failed miserably.

  “I sense your mother is fretting and worried about you so you best be getting home. We’ll continue tomorrow night. But instead of meeting here, you will come to us at our home in the Jemez Mountains.”

  “The mountains! It will take me hours to get there . . . even on horseback. And I don’t know how to drive so there’s no way I can use my father’s car.”

  Maria laughed and spoke up. “Why, Gabriella, you can fly to us and be there in no time!”

  “Fly? On what? My broom?” Gabriella asked sarcastically.

  “Don’t be morbid, Gabriella! We abandoned the use of brooms long ago,” Magdalena scolded. “Turn yourself into a hawk or an eagle. Transform into an owl if it suits you. Any winged creature will do just fine, although I suggest you stay away from the smaller variety. You could end up a tasty snack for a larger bird of prey!”

  The sisters laughed at this and looked at Gabriella.

  “Gabriella, you possess the ability to shape-shift,” Mancha said assuredly. “Come, take my hand and I will show you how. In fact, you can practice tonight and fly home instead of taking your long walk in the dark.”

  Mancha led Gabriella out into the courtyard. Maria and Magdalena trailed behind, whispering with anticipation and excitement.

  “Are there any words?” Gabriella asked, the worry evident on her face and in her speech.

  “No, my dear. No incantation is required. Remember, much of what you can do is innate to your being—your thoughts have power,” Mancha paused for a moment and then went on.

  “I will guide you as you transform. The first time can be quite frightening, but I will be with you, psychically linked, our minds as one. You must listen and follow my voice. As the magic begins working, you will feel heat. The he
at will increase. Your heart will race and sound like a chorus of drums in your head. You will feel like you’re suffocating—like you’re dying. But you are not dying. Every fiber of your being will feel as if it’s being ripped apart. Do not be afraid. Give in to the feeling. Let it take you. I’ll be with you. Just listen to my voice in your head.”

  “I have to say, you aren’t doing a great job of convincing me to do this,” Gabriella commented with a nervous laugh.

  “Shhh…Trust me. I am merely preparing you for what is to happen. Remember, your own grandmother was quite adept at this, so if she could do it, you can, too. Now tell me, what would you be, Gabriella?”

  Gabriella didn’t have to think hard. She looked into Mancha’s eyes, which were now luminous and intensified, her dark eyes sparkling with amber light.

  “I have always admired hawks.”

  “Interesting choice. Smart. Keen eyesight. A consummate hunter. Well then, a hawk you shall be. Think about what it looks like. Picture its body, the color of its feathers, its eyes, its beak.”

  Gabriella closed her eyes and focused.

  “Now, feel the hawk. Feel its body and its feathers. Feel your own body becoming that of the great bird. Your arms outstretched becoming powerful wings, your legs strong, with talons on your feet. Feel your heart quickening as you transform and become the thing you desire.”

  Gabriella could feel an extreme heat overtake her body. She felt as if she might faint.

  I feel it, Mancha. I’m frightened.

  Mancha quickly connected with Gabriella’s panicked thoughts. Stay focused. Let it happen. Don’t fight it. I will stay with you. Follow the rhythm. Let it take you over. Follow it down. Follow it down.

  The soothing voice of Mancha quieted her anxiety and she calmed herself, giving in to the feeling. Her heartbeat was now a drum, loud and clear in her ears. Her body was on fire, but she no longer felt scared. Rather, the heat was sublime and she embraced it. There was a rhythm to everything and her soul responded so easily.

  She opened her eyes and looked from side to side, no longer staring into the face of Mancha. Instead she was looking at three pairs of legs! Gabriella looked up to see the smiling faces of Mancha, Maria and Magdalena. She was a hawk! She flapped her wings and flitted about and walked around, wanting to say something to them but unable to speak.

  “How marvelous, my little bug!” Maria exclaimed and applauded in a fit of joy.

  “Not bad for a first time,” Magdalena interjected.

  Mancha knelt down and looked at Gabriella. “Now Gabriella, I will instruct you on how to transform back into human form. Listen and do what I tell you.”

  Gabriella cocked her head in response, and sent her thoughts to Mancha to let her know that she understood.

  “Gabriella, I want you to fly up into the sky—test your wings out a bit. Then I want you to return, and this is important. Right before you land, I want you to think your name. Repeat it three times, all the while thinking of your human form. If you do this right, you will alight and become as you were. If you don’t, you will crash into the ground and will probably end up with quite a headache and a few bruises, if not some broken bones. Remember, if you’re hurt you will revert to your true form, although I don’t recommend that option.”

  Without hesitation, Gabriella lifted into the air and flew up into the sky, marveling at her ability to think and maneuver in dimensions completely new to her. The freedom was exhilarating as she shot across the night sky, the world below her and the heavens above. Gabriella felt as if she could reach the stars!

  In the twinkling of an eye, Mancha, Maria and Magdalena transformed into crows and followed in fast pursuit of Gabriella, the four now crisscrossing the sky in a playful dance.

  Gabriella, it is time to return. Follow us and remember what I told you.

  Mancha’s voice was clear in her head and Gabriella obeyed as they turned and swooped toward the earth, the ground quickly approaching. The sisters reached the intended destination first and effortlessly metamorphosed, looking up as Gabriella approached.

  Gabriella slowed her pace and glided down toward them, and with the gracefulness of a ballerina, touched down, transforming back into her human form.

  Mancha clasped her hands and smiled broadly as Gabriella stood before her, waiting for approval. “Now that is what I call magic! I couldn’t be prouder if you were my own daughter! You know, not every witch can shape-shift. I don’t think your Aunt Salome could ever do it and I doubt that your Aunt Grace could either. You’re just like Mirabella—you’re a natural! I think being your teacher is going to be quite interesting. But it’s late, and you need to get back to your parents. Now fly home, my dear. If you need me, reach out with your mind’s voice and I will come to you.”

  Each of the sisters gave Gabriella hugs and kisses and bid her goodnight before they watched Gabriella fly away.

  “Come, the night is young and we can use some merriment. How about some drinks and dancing at the cantina?”

  Maria and Magdalena nodded in agreement and the three set off for an evening of carousing at the Puerta Azul Cantina. That night, they carried on with all the handsome men in the bar, laughing, dancing and forgetting about their cares, if only for the night.

  As for Gabriella, another sleepless night plagued her, but the thoughts that kept her from slumber were not those of sadness over losing Mirabella nor the anxiety of losing Daniel. It wasn’t the fear of Salazar nor the excitement of newfound friends.

  Instead, Gabriella lay awake thinking of her mother and wondered what other secrets Ruth kept locked in her heart. She worried if her mother was hurting—if she missed the magic. Her own heart was pained to think of all her mother had endured and continued to brave. Of one thing she was sure, and on this she made a silent oath. Her father would never hurt her mother again.

  The darkness closed in and Gabriella embraced it.

  CHAPTER 32

  Daniel and Gabriella shuffled along with the crowd. A human herd spilling out onto the sidewalk, everyone chattering, laughing and conversing excitedly. Daniel took her by the hand and filtered through the overcrowded sidewalk, crossing the street until they were away from the other movie-goers.

  Gabriella paused for a moment to look around and take in the neon lights of downtown Albuquerque. Route 66 gleaming and full of life. She turned to look back at the KiMo Theater. It sat like a squatting stone beast, commanding attention and overpowering the neighboring buildings.

  “Golly, that’s sure a pretty building,” she said as she admired the Art Deco-Pueblo style architecture.

  Daniel put an arm around her and pulled her close. “Did you enjoy the movie?”

  “What I saw of it,” she replied sarcastically. “It was so scary that I think I spent the better half of it with my eyes closed!”

  “Well, I thought it was great. You know, I read the book when I was younger and it sure made a swell movie!”

  “I did, too. In fact, the way my dad behaves sometimes, we started calling him, ‘Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde.’”

  Gabriella laughed, and realized that up until a couple of weeks ago, Daniel had been behaving a bit like the character, too. It had taken several days for him to regain his bearing and to muster up the courage to talk to her. But it had been easy to forgive his behavior knowing the cause. That, and the fact that she was hopelessly in love with him.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing,” she giggled. “I just think I’ll stick to silly comedies from now on.”

  “Come on, you have to admit it was entertaining and the actors sure were great,” he said as he danced backwards in order to face her.

  “Yeah, they were. Gosh, I really felt bad for Ivy and Bea,” she commented. “I thought for sure that they were going to be killed. I mean, they were both so in love and then their men treated them . . .”

 
Gabriella paused for a moment, realizing she had stuck her foot in her mouth, and changed the subject. “But golly, that Lana Turner sure is gorgeous. Do you think I should dye my hair blonde?”

  Daniel stopped and looked at her. He knew she had deliberately redirected the conversation, and that realization made his heart ache. She was a kind, smart girl—always doing her best to make sure he was comfortable. Was he falling in love with her? He wondered. He would be leaving Arroyo soon, possibly forever. Was it too late?

  “Don’t ever change a thing,” he said as he stared intently into her eyes. “I mean it, Gabriella. You’re perfect just the way you are, and don’t let anybody ever tell you otherwise.”

  Gabriella smiled but it faded quickly as she stood at the window of Woolworth’s Five and Dime. “My grandmother used to bring me here. We would shop and then sit at the counter and have lunch. Sometimes we would have chocolate malts. I think I still have the jacks and the jump rope she bought me.”

  “Those are good memories,” Daniel said as he stood behind her and put his arms around her.

  They stood for a moment in silent contemplation then continued their walk, arm-in-arm, stopping now and then to admire something in a shop window. Gabriella hesitated to speak, for what rested on her tongue was causing her heart to break. She missed Mirabella and soon Daniel would be gone, too. This might be their last trip to the cinema, their last date, and that fact was killing her.

  Their silence was relieved by the car radio as they drove west along Route 66 and then North toward Arroyo. Daniel provided his critique of the movie, noting where it differed from the book, and Gabriella nodded and listened as she rested her head against the car window. While they moved at a fast pace, the moon and stars seemed to stand still, watching but not following. The woman in the moon, with her sad eyes, seemed to offer solace.

  I understand. I know how you feel and there is nothing wrong with being sad.