by Paul Perea
Grace looked down at her coffee mug, ashamed and blushing. “I’m not jealous of her. Okay, maybe I am—just a little. But mostly I’m happy for her and intend to do all I can to help her. But my God, Gabriel, how I’ve wanted my own. We’ve tried. But I suppose it wasn’t meant to be.”
Gabriel reached across the table and took her hand. “Gracie, it will happen for you. Very soon.”
“What do you—”
Before Grace could finish the sentence she slumped over, but Gabriel was fast on his feet and quick to catch her from falling. He held her gently by her shoulders as her head lolled forward. He looked at her with intensity, his blue eyes luminous.
“My sweet Gracie, I’m going to leave you and Sam with a gift. If there is one person I can help in this world, I want it to be you. My precious sister, the most wonderful and loving person I know.
“There will be no more worries for you. No more anxiety. Things are going to change for you and Sam, and you will finally have what you have always wanted.”
Gabriel kissed her lightly on the cheek and cast his spell.
CHAPTER 39
Ten years ago she had left Arroyo. Ten years of wandering and searching—for what she never knew—then coming full circle, back to the only real home she had ever known. Salome had assumed she would never return. She was convinced the place was cursed. Well, cursed as far as her own experience was concerned. And with both her mother and sister dead, it seemed her theory had proven correct.
Salome thought about the niece she had left—a bright little girl turning rocks in a tumbler and chasing the chickens in the yard. Now she would soon meet the young woman, still her niece but a stranger, too. A person she knew in letters and words but not in flesh and blood. Salome wondered if Gabriella would still love her as she once had. Perhaps that was what frightened Salome most, the loss of that love—given by a child, unconditionally and unbridled. Could she bear that loss as she had to bear the others?
Salome had argued against returning, but Gabriel had insisted, and now here she was, traipsing across the desert in Sam’s truck. She watched the dull terrain, her stomach coiling in knots the closer they got to Arroyo. Yes, Gabriel had talked her into it and unabashedly used the birth of Gabriella’s twins as an enticement. But there were other things that enticed her to change her mind, things that caused her to sit up and take notice.
When Gabriel had returned from Arroyo after Ruth and David’s funeral, and she still too weak to do much of anything, had taken to studying him intently. He seemed to have changed since she had last seen him—a different person—and his mannerisms had alarmed her. Oh, he was still the same old judgmental Gabriel—headstrong and stubborn and aggravatingly cool, just as their mother had been.
But he had become secretive and his work was solitary. She recalled how much he loved a coven, anything to show off or to lord his talents over she and Grace. She used to give him a hard time about it but it never really bothered her. She loved him. She trusted him. She could always count on him if things went awry.
Now she wasn’t so sure.
Although her body was weak, her senses were keen and she experienced fleeting glimpses of something foreboding. She wondered if Gabriel had taken a different path. Had he chosen to partake in something forbidden? Or was the change in Gabriel simply brought on by the absence of his companions? Matisse had left him—why she didn’t know—Gabriel wouldn’t talk about it. Ophelia had all but abandoned him too, having grown accustomed to taking on human form and reveling in her newfound powers, returning home only to leave again.
Salome missed Matisse’s company and the conversations they used to have as they strolled the Garden District and cemeteries together. He was a poet, filled with historical knowledge of the area and colorful stories. He would thrill her with tales of Marie Leveau, the Voodoo Queen, and move her with poems he had constructed, extolling the beauty of Lake Pontchartrain and his beloved New Orleans. But mostly, he had an undying love for her brother which made her like him all the more. In Matisse she had found a trusted and loving friend. Now he was gone.
But she was glad for Ophelia’s absence. She was happy to be rid of those bright green eyes staring at her across the room. She didn’t miss Ophelia’s disdain—that tongue dipped in venom, ever ready with a dismissive word. Ophelia wanted Gabriel to herself, of that she was sure. Over time she had come to dislike Ophelia. No, she hated Ophelia. She wondered if Ophelia had used up most of her nine lives. She hoped so.
As Sam eased the truck onto the familiar dirt road, she held up the bouquet of flowers in her hand and reminded him to stop at the cemetery. Gabriella—the babies—Grace—they could all wait. It was important that she first see it for herself—the tombstone. Her mother’s grave. Again her stomach tightened and for a moment she thought she might be sick.
Salome went directly to the place. She knew it well, for this was where her father was buried. She knelt and placed the bouquet of flowers into the iron vase and surveyed the graveyard. Nothing grew in the desert cemetery except for a few weeds and some cactus. It was not green with grass or shaded by trees like other cemeteries. It was not like the cities of the dead in New Orleans. Here in this sandy place, the land was as desolate and lonely as the moon.
Before her was the final resting place of her mother and father, but her sister was not here. She knew the story. Gabriel had filled her in, and her anger matched that of Gabriella. If only she had been well enough to travel, Salome thought. She would have put her foot down and seen to it that Gabriella’s wishes were granted. She had wondered why none of them, especially Gabriel, had not leaned harder, and she had quarreled with Gabriel about that.
Salome turned her head slightly with a passing glance at Sam and Gabriel.
“Sam, why don’t you go on ahead. We’ll join you at the house in a bit,” Gabriel whispered.
“You sure?” Sam asked, then realizing that this was the first time Salome had visited Mirabella’s grave, excused himself. “Well, the house is just down the road so I guess you’ll be fine on foot. I’ll let everyone know you’ll be along shortly.”
Gabriel watched Sam walk back to his truck and leave. Alone at last, he joined Salome and knelt down beside her, placing an arm around her as she leaned into him for support and comfort.
“She died before we could reconcile. I’m so ashamed,” Salome cried and buried her head against Gabriel’s chest.
“Don’t be,” Gabriel said. “Mom had forgiven you.”
“I failed her,” Salome whispered through her sobs. “She told me so.”
Gabriel pulled her close and kissed her hair. “No, you didn’t. She was proud of you. You know, when I told her what you were up to, how you were helping our relatives get to safety, well, she was overcome with pride. You read the letters yourself. What you did on that journey from Spain was an incredibly brave feat. Mom gushed about it—really, she did.”
His words didn’t help and she continued to sob. “I just wish I could have seen her again. One last time. Hear it from her own lips. My God, I’m so stupid . . . so selfish. I wish I could have held her and told her I loved her and begged her forgiveness.”
“She knew. Mom understood. But you know she wouldn’t be happy with the way you’re carrying on here, crying and gushing,” Gabriel said, then in an attempt to lighten the mood, did his best impersonation of his mother. “You need to stop being so dramatic! Well, you’ve certainly proven yourself to be a cry-baby, I’ll give you that!”
It worked and Salome started to laugh through her tears.
“Come on. We should get going. Everyone is expecting us,” Gabriel said as he stood and helped Salome to her feet. “Don’t fret about the past anymore. I’m afraid present circumstances are going to require our full attention.”
“True,” Salome sighed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t even know what to expect. When I talked to Grace she s
aid that Gabriella hasn’t been herself since the babies were born. She said she always seems distracted, sad, or depressed.”
“That’s understandable. She’s just had twins. She’s unwed and both of her parents are dead. I can’t imagine she would be anything but sad.”
Salome took Gabriel’s arm as they walked out of the cemetery but stopped outside of the gates. “Wait. There’s more.”
“What?”
Salome thought for a moment, remembering what Grace had told her, word for word. She didn’t want to misquote or color it with her own interpretation. It was too important.
“Grace told me that the day they brought Gabriella and the babies home, she felt a presence in the house. At first she dismissed it as one of the ghosts that haunt mom’s house but then something tugged at her intuition. It was fleeting, she said. Sam was with her so she couldn’t really do much about it but she swears she felt two witches hidden within the home.
“So she went back for a visit the following day, alone, and again the same feeling. She said she became alarmed and asked Gabriella if she felt it too. Here’s where it gets really strange. Grace said that not only did Gabriella claim to not sense anything, she ushered her quickly out of the house, but not before psychically attacking her.”
“What? Why would Gabriella do that?”
“Grace didn’t know. All she said was she felt Gabriella enter her mind and force it shut, like she was trying to keep Grace from using her power. Gabriel, why would Gabriella do that?”
He stood silent for a moment, his mind turning theories in his mine but reaching no sensible conclusion. “Maybe Grace was mistaken. Perhaps her power just got a little unwieldy. You know how erratic it can be sometimes.”
“No, she wasn’t mistaken. Grace’s abilities are spot on when it comes to stuff like that,” Salome said. “Something is going on and I think we need to stay alert, just in case.”
“In case of what?” Gabriel asked.
“I wish I knew.”
A short walk found them at their family home, and as they entered the courtyard, the front door flew open and Gabriella ran out to meet them.
“You’re here,” she cried out, and threw her arms around Gabriel and then Salome. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“Let me look at you! I can’t believe how grown up you are,” Salome said as she hugged and kissed Gabriella. They walked into the house arm-in-arm, talking excitedly over one another.
“Now where are those babies,” Gabriel asked. “I’ve been dying to meet our new family members.”
“Welcome home,” Grace called out, and carefully passed a baby into Gabriel’s waiting arms. “Blanca, this is your Uncle Gabriel.”
“Looks just like Gabriella did when she was born,” Gabriel said sincerely and walked over to a beaming Gabriella, planting a kiss on her cheek.
Salome took the other child from Sam. “Oh my, he’s already a big boy!”
“Yeah, it won’t be long before I can put Martine to work on the farm,” Sam joked.
“Okay everyone. Uncle Joe and Father Matthew will be here in a little while so why don’t you all visit while I finish making dinner?” Gabriella said as she left the room.
“Wait, Sam will help you,” Grace called out.
“Me?” Sam asked and laughed.
“Yes, you,” Grace said and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “I want to visit with my brother and sister for a bit. You don’t mind, do you? Besides, you’re a better cook than I am!”
Sam smirked and joined Gabriella in the kitchen as Grace motioned for Gabriel and Salome to follow her. “Come on, you can help me put the babies down for a nap.”
Alone in the nursery, Grace shut the door. “Look, I know you two just got here but I need to tell you something right away.”
“What is it?” Gabriel asked.
“I’ve been bad,” Grace answered. “I’ve taken to spying on Gabriella.”
“What?” Salome chuckled. “Why in the world would you—”
“Because there are intruders here,” Grace interrupted. “Two of them. I’ve seen them . . . well, not really seen them. They hide. Sometimes in the guise of crows, sometimes as shadows. Their minds are closed off, just as Gabriella’s. But I don’t know why they’re here. All I know is there’s a connection between them.”
“Do you sense them here now?” Gabriel asked.
Grace shook her head. “They’ve departed. It’s like they knew we were all going to be here.”
“Do you think they mean to do her any harm?” Salome asked and sat down. Her hopes for a happy homecoming dashed by the urgency in Grace. Salome worried what new disaster would be visited upon their family.
A light tap at the door abruptly ended their conversation. “Hey, you three. Joe and Father Matthew just arrived,” Sam whispered through the door.
“We’ll be right out,” Grace whispered back.
“We can continue this later,” Gabriel said and started for the door.
“One last thing,” Grace said, and looked them with fear in her eyes. “Last night after Sam had gone to sleep, I snuck out and walked over here. It was late so no one was about. As I got close to the house I saw something that scared the hell out of me.
“Standing on the road, just outside of the gate, I saw a man. He didn’t know I was there, or at least didn’t seem to care. He was just standing there, staring at the house.
“I wasn’t sure but I think it was Salazar.”
CHAPTER 40
“Did your mom ever tell you the story of Emma Gomez?” Gloria asked as she poured a shot of whiskey and pushed it toward Salome.
Salome nodded. “Yes, why do you ask?”
“My grandson was here with me. Almost all of last summer. But I had to call my son and tell him to come and get him. Get him the hell out of Arroyo. They all think I’m crazy but I know better than any of them.”
As Gloria paused to sip her whiskey, Salome looked around at the room she had admired since she was a girl. The old built-in curio was still stacked with untold treasures, and the temptation to rifle through it still remained today. When she was a child, the manners her mother had instilled in her had prevented her from asking Gloria if she could have a look in those cabinets. Over the years, the furniture had changed, as had the curtains and lamps and rugs, but the cabinet was still overstuffed and inviting.
“Salome!” Gloria snapped. “Listen to me! Last summer, the man, that monster that lives in the bosque, attacked my grandson and Gabriella. After all these years he is still trying to kill him, just as Emma had foretold.”
Salome shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “You don’t really believe all that, do you? Gabriella told me all about the accident. She said they swerved to miss a man walking in the road. That’s all.”
“Didn’t she tell you about the dog?”
At the mention of a dog, Salome shuddered. “No. What dog?”
“A giant dog attacked the car and tried to kill Daniel. Daniel told me that Gabriella was knocked out cold, and the dog was trying to break down the door to get to him. Salome, my grandson isn’t a liar. I believe him. And I believe that the dog was no ordinary animal. It was the devil!”
“I can’t imagine what you’re getting at.”
“Don’t be coy, Salome. I have always known what you are . . . what you all are. Mari was family to me. She told me everything and I kept her secrets. But never mind about the dog. It’s Gabriella’s secrets that I’m interested in talking to you about.
“You know as well as I do that those babies are Daniel’s. So tell me, why does Gabriella swear they’re not? What is she hiding and why? Does she think she’s protecting him?”
“I . . . I don’t know what to tell you,” Salome stuttered, caught off guard by Gloria’s words. “I just returned a week ago and have been so busy catching up with everybody tha
t I haven’t really pressed the issue.”
Gloria sipped her whiskey and cleared her throat. “Look. You and I know that Gabriella is a good girl. She’s not the type to be running around, chasing after trouble. Her father may have called her a whore but she is far from it. Even good girls get in trouble, but she won’t let me help her. She has repeatedly denied that Daniel is the father of her babies and she has forbidden me to say anything to him.
“Perhaps now that you’re here, you can do something. Help her, Salome. She needs you. I love that girl, and those babies are my great-grandchildren! When I see them, my heart breaks. I worry. But most of all, I’m afraid that the monster may be after her and the babies, too.”
“What do you know?” Salome asked and leaned forward to take Gloria’s hand.
“I’ve been having bad dreams about it lately . . . about the man that lives in the bosque. He speaks to me in my dreams. He killed Emma Gomez and he tried to kill my grandson. It’s a good thing you’re here because I think he’s going to try to kill Gabriella!”
* * *
Gabriella laughed as she stood washing baby-bottles, her back to Salome. “Really auntie, Gloria is just getting more and more silly in her old age. I’m fine, really I am. I’m certainly not in any danger. Daniel was delirious that night. He was badly injured and the doctor even said that he was in shock. Look, there are tons of dogs running around town, always have been. One may have come to inspect the accident but it certainly wasn’t some hound from hell.
“As for Blanca and Martine, they aren’t Daniel’s. There was another boy—a rebound. I was hurt by Daniel. It was a one-time thing but as they say, all it takes is once. But as scared as I was at the time, I’m not sorry that it happened. I love my babies.”
Salome stood up from the kitchen table and walked over to the kitchen counter. She studied Gabriella’s profile. Even at the angle, she could see that Gabriella was lying.
“Look, I think you should know that Grace thinks that Salazar has broken free. She thought she saw him just outside your gate. Gabriella, please listen to me. You might be in danger. We need to deal with this together!”