The Circle Broken: The Witches of Arroyo Chronicles, #2

By Paul Perea

As the second book in "The Witches of Arroyo" series, the story begins on the night of Gabriella's disappearance.

 

Grace's visions, once held in check, are now manifesting in physical and dangerous ways. She travels back in time to the Seville home of her grandmother Levinia, a powerful witch whose brazen use of a forbidden spell invited death into that household. She journeys through a portal to witness the battle between our heroine from The First Circle, Gabriella, and the demonic Salazar, and catches a glimmer of hope that Gabriella has survived! Yet she also meets Malinalli—a cunning and resourceful sorceress who possesses the power to unleash hell on earth.

 

In The Circle Broken, we return to Arroyo to find Grace, her secretive brother Gabriel, and their headstrong sister Salome, searching for a way to retrieve Gabriella from limbo. Ancient magic, and help from unexpected allies, strengthen and sustain this formidable coven, but deceptions and secrets may destroy their unity. As suspicions grow and relationships splinter, they find they're faced with not one, but two threats: a ruthless witch bent on revenge, and Grace herself, whose unwieldy powers are driving her to madness, endangering the lives of those around her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Perea
• Release date: Jun 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201990824

Paul Perea

Paul Perea was born in Corrales, New Mexico, and raised in Albuquerque. Regional folk stories, in particular, the tale of La Llorona is the inspiration for his novel. Corrales and the woods that border the Rio Grande River played key roles in developing the atmosphere for the village of Arroyo. Paul currently resides in Northfield, Minnesota. THE FIRST CIRCLE is his debut novel.

Book preview

PART I

GRACE

CHAPTER 1

Arroyo, New Mexico, 1942

Magic is a gift that could destroy the one who possesses it. Those were the cautionary words Grace’s mother, Mirabella, said to her when she was just a little girl. Her mother understood the severity of her unwieldy abilities, so she taught her how to control them, to manipulate and coerce them into cooperation, but warned her to take it no further. And being the obedient daughter, she obeyed. Not to say she wasn’t tempted to alter her nature, to be rid of those things that resided within her that made life difficult. But even she, with the ability to glimpse into the past and future, could not predict what the repercussions might be. Because magic, Grace understood, could also drive a witch to madness.

From the time she was old enough to understand, Grace was taught the laws that govern the practice of witchcraft: never force another person to do something they would not normally do; never injure another living creature in the working of magic; never raise the dead. There were so many rules, but in the working of magic, she broke one, and was forever changed. It had been a childish folly, a thoughtless reaction to the taunts of a group of schoolboys. They had called her names, threw rocks at her, and spat at her. Grace retaliated by conjuring an illusion, and the boys, believing they were about to be ripped apart by a pack of wild dogs, ran screaming for their lives. So invasive and brutal was her spell that it took many days for the boys to recover from the attack. Their minds so convinced of danger, they hid in their homes and refused to leave, even when threatened with the belt by an unbelieving father.

That was when the trouble began.

Grace’s visions increased in strength and occurred more frequently. They also became dangerous. No longer harmless, her precognitive sight took life, causing Grace to participate in scenarios seen only by her, and it wasn’t long before she became a threat to those around her. With a glance, Grace would send objects hurtling at people who, by her perception, were a danger to her. Fearing for the safety of the family, her mother searched for a solution that would calm the onslaught of images that sought to tear Grace’s mind apart.

At last, Mirabella found the spell that would steady Grace, mercifully ridding her of torment, but diminishing her abilities. Her power of sight weakened, Grace was no longer a menace to those around her, and any stronger visions she experienced would simply cause her to faint. These episodes were easily explained away, thus keeping the family secret safe, but leading to unkind and sometimes cruel gossip. Grace paid them no mind, and as she grew into a young woman, the hurtful taunts had been forgotten. She stayed true to her path and abided by the laws of witchcraft, promising never to disobey any of them ever again.

That promise would soon be broken.

Grace looked up at the night sky and caught sight of a shooting star. She closed her eyes and made a wish, but she knew it was in vain, for no amount of wishing could restore that which had been splintered. It had been a year of misfortune and tragedy. Her mother was dead and so was her sister, Ruth. Her niece, Gabriella, had become pregnant and given birth out of wedlock. And an alarming friction was growing between her brother, Gabriel, and sister, Salome. Grace accepted the sad fact that a wish or spell could not fix a broken family, and now her own marriage was beginning to fray.   

The secret she kept from Sam, the truth of what she was, was betrayed by the power she sought to control. The visions had returned, stronger than ever, and the incantation she had relied on to keep them at bay was failing. When she acted out against something unseen, reasoning away these episodes as fainting spells or seizures wasn’t an option because Sam no longer readily accepted her explanations. Her stammering and rambling only made things worse.

The shooting star was fleeting, gone in the blink of an eye, and her own life seemingly so. Time had passed too quickly, but unlike the falling star that left no evidence of its existence, hers remained a testament to a life marred by tragedy and extraordinary circumstance. There was nowhere left to hide, no lies left to tell, and her fall from grace would be witnessed by the one person she cherished most. She closed her eyes and tried to drive away the dreadful thoughts, but of one thing she was sure: this night would bring about a sea change.

The screen door squeaked open and slammed against the doorframe, shaking Grace from her thoughts. She looked up and offered Sam a weak smile as he set a glass of water down on the table next to the bench and poured some more wine into her glass.

The babies are fast asleep, he said in a tired, monotone voice as he sat down and took a sip of his own. I don’t mind babysitting for Gabi, but what can she be up to that we have to keep them here all night?

She said she was going out with Selma, Grace mumbled, and I thought she could use a break.

Sam replied with a grunt and returned to his wine.

Grace studied his profile and followed his gaze toward the twinkling stars blanketing the New Mexican sky. She felt the pull in her stomach, the ache of love and the pain of regret. She owned this thing that punished her. So many opportunities to tell him. Too many excuses not to. There were no failed attempts because she had never really tried.

Looking at him sitting there in the dark, with the play of shadows from the lantern light dancing across his face, Grace wondered if the love she felt, the love they shared, might be the thing that could save her. Her mother used to say that love is more powerful than any spell. She wondered if it were true. If not, she thought, she would soon join her sister and mother in the grave, because life without Sam would be no life at all. She couldn’t bear the thought of it.

Sam, suddenly aware of her gaze, turned and deposited a quick kiss on her cheek, then, sensing her unease, threw an arm around her and pulled her close. He wanted to speak, to comfort whatever it was that was bothering her, but the words stopped at the tip of his tongue. He knew what he had to say would not be comforting. They weren’t hurtful, the words that sat like a great stone upon his heart, but the weight was such that if said them out loud, they might crush them both. So, he remained mum, sitting in silence, sipping his wine, and watching the heavens.

A slight breeze moved across Grace’s body and crawled over her flesh, but it wasn’t the night air that made her shiver. The goosebumps that crept along her arms and up her neck was caused by the presence of something sinister, an invisible entity entering their yard, moving up the path and stepping onto the porch. Alarmed, Grace stood without conscious thought, every fiber of her being on alert, but as quickly as she rose, she fell. Close to unconsciousness, she sensed the specter pause to crouch next to her, then felt its hand on her shoulder and its breath on her neck as it whispered in her ear.  

Stay right where you are, witch. This won’t take long, and when I’m done with Gabriella, I will come for you. Like your mother, you will pay for what you did to me!

Grace regained her senses and struggled to stand as her mind raced for a way to deal with the threat without betraying her secret.

My God, Gracie! You okay? Sam said as he helped her to her feet. You look as if you’ve seen a ghost!

She nodded, but she could tell he wasn’t buying it by the look in his eyes as he handed her the glass of water. Before she could take a sip, her vision blurred, and the world went spinning away. She shut her eyes to stop the vertigo, but when she opened them, the nauseating whirl continued and was joined by a sound that assaulted her ears. The experience was painful, almost unbearable, and she screamed out as she witnessed with her mind’s eye the horror of what was happening within the house. The visitor, unspeakable and vile, was now in the bedroom where the babies slumbered.

I must stop this. I must control it, she thought as she struggled to call forth the incantation that would calm the experience.

The spinning abated, and Grace watched as the glass slipped from her hands, its descent seemingly slow and unnatural. It fell as if it were a moving picture on a screen, untouchable by human hands, a representation of something familiar but out of reach. The glass met the porch with an impact that shook her nerves. The sound was deafening as glass shards flew in every direction, catching the lantern light in rainbow prisms. Grace saw her face in each one, multiplied and distorted. She fell to the floor, quickly succumbing to unconsciousness, horrified by the knowledge that the spirit who once coveted Gabriella, the monster she had helped imprison with a powerful enchantment, was now free and in her home.

Salazar!

In the bedroom, Salazar looked down at Gabriella’s twins. A few whispered words from his lips, and Martine and Blanca rose from the crib into his waiting arms. They did not squirm nor awaken as they were deftly stolen away, disappearing in a flash of blinding light.

A voice called to Grace through the darkness, and she felt the pressure of strong hands on her shoulders. The voice was frantic so she held tight to it, hoping it would pull her to consciousness. She struggled to open her eyes and glimpsed Sam’s face, but the experience was too powerful. There was nothing she could do as she slipped back into unconsciousness; her spirit transported to a place not far from where her body lay.

This was no mere vision. She could feel the coolness of the ground beneath her. She could smell the night air filled with earthy decay and fish-tainted water. She could hear leaves rustling in the soft breeze. The visions she had grown accustomed to were nothing more than dreams, transparent and benign, but this one was like the others of late. Her senses were heightened, and Grace realized she could not distinguish reality from fantasy.   

She pushed herself up off the ground and stood peering into the claustrophobic darkness. There was movement near her. Not the scuttling of creatures in the underbrush or birds in flight, but the passing of shades that darted here and there, stopping to inspect her before disappearing just as fast as they had appeared. Her mind numb, Grace could not recall a single spell with which to protect herself. Fear ruled her body and mind, as more spirits descended upon her to steal a glance or touch her skin. Whispers in the air conveyed a wish to sample the witch who walked amongst them.

Mercifully, the full moon emerged from behind wispy clouds and revealed her whereabouts. As her eyes adjusted, she realized she was in the bosque, standing on a path lined with birch, aspen, and cottonwood trees. Before her, the river slowly meandered and lapped at the shore. As for the spirits and shades, they remained hidden, waiting for another opportunity to approach.

A sharp cry pierced the darkness, causing her to jump and her heart to race as the sound reverberated throughout the woods. It encircled her, a prolonged mournful wail that diminished into sobbing—a chilling sound that captured her breath and held it. With eyes wide, Grace spun around, searching for the source, when a voice spoke to her from the darkness.  

"She’s coming."

Who’s there? Who’s coming? Grace cried out, turning in dizzying circles and succumbing to panic. Show yourself! she demanded.

She wanted to run, but to where she wondered, as her thoughts raced for a solution that would deliver her from the dark tangle of trees.

A strong breeze moved through the woods, for the wind knew the answer. The wind had been present at her birth and had heard her name whispered, a name it committed to memory. The wind remained by her side as she grew into a bright little girl. It playfully teased the child. The wind whipped her hair about her face and lifted the skirt of her dress to embarrass her. In time, the child became a young woman and the wind had come to love her. And when she fell, the wind had howled and moaned, joined by the cries of the girl herself.

"Gabriella," the wind answered with its breathy voice. It gathered itself and blew a harsh kiss against Grace’s back, ushering her toward the water’s edge. The river responded to the wind’s exhalation, sending ripples along its surface with voices that spoke in a hushed chorus.

"She’s over here," the voices said.

Where? Where is Gabriella? Grace cried out. Who are you?

"Come closer," the voices commanded as the waves calmed themselves until they were as smooth as glass.  

Grace slipped out of her shoes, her feet sinking in the soft sand as she approached the river.

Come into the water.

Spellbound, Grace waded into the river as the voices continued, overlapping their refrain, and holding her in their thrall. Her eyes were fixed on the mirror image of the moon as she inched forward, each sluggish step inching her deeper and deeper until she was up to her waist. Unable to resist the enchantment, Grace continued despite the pull of the current or the depth of the water. Then without warning, the voices were still, and Grace found herself chest deep in the cold river.

Released from the enchantment, Grace was about to make haste for the shore when she caught sight of an object not far from where she languished. It appeared to be a body held afloat; a womanly form shrouded in white. There was no rise and fall of the breast. No sign of life. The body was as still as death. The only movement Grace observed was the gentle rocking of the water as it buoyed and carried the body toward her. As the body drew near, Grace could see the woman’s lips, slightly parted, the last gasp of breath before death had claimed her.

No! Grace cried out. The recognition was too great to ignore. Stop! I don’t wish to see this!

The waves brushed the hair from the woman’s face and Grace could not avert her eyes. Terrified, she clasped her hands to her mouth, but was unable to stifle her screams.

It was Gabriella.

The hysterics roused Gabriella. She opened her eyes, turned her head, and looked directly at Grace. Without a sound, she rose swiftly and stood atop the water as if standing on solid ground. Her face was set in anger and there was no recognition in her dark eyes.

Donde esta mi hija y higo? Where are my children? she asked with urgency.

Grace turned and flailed toward the shore, but her wet dress was heavy and anchored her to the river. She turned to see Gabriella following, her feet delicately touching the water and leaving small circles in their wake. Huffing and crying in fear, Grace tumbled onto the shore and gathered up her skirt as she ran for the woods, but stumbled as the pressure of cold, strong hands gripped each side of her head. Grace screamed out in pain, rolled onto her back, and watched through bleary eyes as Gabriella moved toward her.

Please, Gabriella! Please stop! You’re hurting me!

Tell me where my children are, Gabriella demanded. What have you done with them? Tell me before I kill you!

Through clenched teeth, Grace cried out. Gabi! It’s me! Your Auntie Grace! Salazar has taken Martine and Blanca!

Distressed by the woman’s words, Gabriella abruptly stopped her attack. She ran her hands through her thick hair and clasped them behind her neck, looking up at the sky with eyes wide. Tears glistened and trailed their way along her round cheeks as she recalled the names that had been spoken. They were familiar to her, just as familiar as the woman who lay on the ground before her.

Gabriella bent down, put her arms around Grace and helped her to her feet. Auntie! I don’t remember how I got here.

Gabriella, I’m so confused, Grace confessed. Is this real? Is this a dream? I’m not sure what’s happened. Sam and I were taking care of your babies. You were supposed to be with Selma! Then I—

Gabriella pulled away from Grace, her eyes downcast as she explained. I’m sorry I lied to you. I had to come here to fight Salazar. I had to do it to save all of you and to save my babies. The memories danced in her mind—a battle against Salazar and his monstrous army of wraiths, and visions of her children drowned. She saw her own face reflected in the water, her hands holding their tiny bodies beneath the surface. Gabriella started to wail.  

I drowned them, she cried. I had to. I had to be rid of them so I could be with Daniel. I brought them here and held them under the water until they stopped moving. And yet, somehow, they live! I need to find them. Don’t you hear them? They’re crying! They won’t stop!

No! Grace shouted and grabbed Gabriella by the shoulders. You must be under a spell! You left them with me tonight, remember? But I saw Salazar take them! I swear I did!  

Auntie, I’m so scared. I no longer feel them in here, Gabriella cried, pounding her chest. But I can hear them. They’re somewhere out there. I’ve searched everywhere—the woods—under the water—but I can’t find them!

Anguished, Gabriella left Grace’s embrace and trundled across the sand toward the river’s edge.

Gabi. I’m going to help you. Together we’ll find them, I promise, Grace said frantically as she followed. But as she got closer, she could hear Gabriella muttering and realized too late that Gabriella was issuing a powerful summons.

Please, please don’t! Grace pleaded, knowing that Gabriella had descended back into madness.

You took them, didn’t you! Gabriella growled. She didn’t turn to face Grace, choosing instead to call upon the wraiths that awaited her command. You couldn’t have your own, so you stole mine! You hateful witch! I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done!

Grace screamed as sinewy beings made of mud and flesh rose from the river. They gnashed their blackened teeth and muttered obscenities and fixed their blood rimmed custard eyes on Grace. They marched past Gabriella and grabbed Grace by her arms and legs, pulling her into the water. Struggling and fighting as best she could, Grace was easily overpowered and dragged into the Rio Grande. As she was engulfed, a voice rose above the din. It was a man calling her name.

Gracie! Wake up! Open your eyes, goddammit, open them!

Sam. Thank God, she whispered, barely able to speak as she choked up water.

The dead weight of her fall had caused his knees to buckle and now they sat in a tumble on the porch floor, his legs splayed and his mind racing. Confused and scared by what he had witnessed, his heart pounded as he held her in his arms, stroking her forehead as she choked up more water. Just moments ago, he watched Grace floating in air and appeared to be drowning, evidenced by the fact she was soaked to the bone.  

Sam, let me up. Something’s wrong. The children! My God, Martine! Blanca! Grace cried as she scrambled to her feet and ran into the house.  

Gracie, what the hell is going on? Sam yelled as he ran after her. He was fast on her heels as Grace threw open the door to the bedroom.

The crib was empty.

Where are they? Where are the babies? Sam shouted.

Grace moved frantically around the room, ignoring Sam’s questions as she sent her shadow in search of Salazar and the children.

Goddammit, Grace! Sam swore as he grabbed her wrist, breaking her concentration. What the hell are you doing? What do you know about this?

Sam, let go of me! Grace pleaded, yanking her arm free. He took them! He took them!

Who? Who took them? Sam shouted. He grabbed Grace by her shoulders and tried to shake her from her hysterics. Gracie! Answer me! Look at yourself! I’m going outta my goddamn mind. You looked like you were drowning and now you say someone’s taken the babies. For Christ sakes, explain yourself!

Before she could answer, they heard the screen door open and slam shut, followed by the sound of babies crying and a woman screaming for help.

CHAPTER 2

Helena Rios struggled to hold onto the babies who cried and wriggled in her arms. Disheveled and trying to comprehend all she had witnessed, she screamed for help and prayed the monstrous man had not followed her. But if he did, if he came after her, she knew there was only one person who could stop him. Like most, Helena had heard the rumors, and after what she had seen, she hoped the gossip was true. If it were, Grace would be the only one she could turn to.

But would she help?

If Grace were indeed a witch, would Grace know what she had set out to do? Would her plan to keep Gabriella away from her son Daniel be found out? It was a perfect situation and luck was on her side. A man had been found brutally murdered and the sheriff believed there was a killer on the loose. Then, as she drove out of town, she saw Gabriella marching toward the bosque, alone. She had pulled her car onto a dark dirt road shielded by trees, cut the engine, and followed her. Their confrontation was brief. As she pointed her pistol at the girl, the unbelievable happened.

A bright light appeared, and hideous beings emerged and dragged Gabriella before a man who floated above the water. She watched Gabriella fight for her life, to save her babies, and in the end, Gabriella had placed the babies in her care. Everything she believed in, any thread of what she thought mattered, had unraveled. Now Gabriella was dead. But not by her hand. And there was no denying that these babies were her grandchildren, and her son was their father.

Helena! What the—? Sam blurted as Grace pushed past him, sending him crashing into the hallway wall.

Helena! What are you doing with Gabriella’s babies? Grace asked, as she stood shivering and wet.

My God, help me! He may still be out there! I didn’t know where else to go! Helena cried as she walked into the living room and looked around wildly, unsure of what to do next.

Who? Who might be out there? Sam asked as he reached out to help her.

No! I won’t let you take them from me! Helena shouted and huddled the squirming babies closer to her bosom.

Come on, you’re squeezing the hell out of ‘em and you’re gonna drop ‘em. Let me help, Sam pleaded as he slowly approached her. To his relief, she relinquished her hold of one but held tight to the other. He cradled Martine in his arms and his eyes darted between Helena and Grace as he tried to make sense of everything that was happening. 

We just discovered them missing and then you showed up. How could this be? Grace asked urgently.

Helena recounted the events she had witnessed, her words pouring out so fast she paused frequently to catch her breath. "A shining light appeared out of nowhere and these things, these horrible things, they climbed out of the light and grabbed Gabriella. There was a man, too. A silver-haired man. He was a demon sent from the Devil himself! His eyes, my God, I’ll never forget those glowing blue eyes! He attacked Gabriella. Gabriella fought back—I can’t believe the things she did!

There were monsters, too! Made of mud and flesh and water! They had hold of the babies, but Gabriella killed the monsters. She made the trees move! I swear to God! I know this all sounds crazy. The trees helped her kill those things! The next thing I knew, the babies were laying at my feet and Gabriella yelled at me to run, to save them. Then the man grabbed Gabriella by the hair and drowned her in the river! That was the last I saw of her. I was so scared, I just picked up the babies and ran for my life!

You honestly expect us to believe that cock-and-bull story? You’ve always had it out for Gabriella and now you come here and tell us that load of crap? You stay right there and don’t move. I’m calling the sheriff!

Sam, don’t! There’s no need to call Tiny . . . he wouldn’t be able to do anything, Grace said as she grabbed the phone and placed it back in the receiver. Helena’s telling the truth.

Oh yeah? Then why don’t you tell me what the truth is, Grace. Explain to me what the hell Gabriella was doing in the woods when she was supposed to be with Selma, and why the hell was Helena there, too? None of this makes any sense! And you! I saw you drowning right before my eyes! How can that be?

"What did happen to you?" Helena asked, hoping to avoid answering Sam’s question. If they knew what her intent had been, they would surely turn her in to the sheriff, so she sat quietly rocking Blanca in her arms, examining Grace who stood dripping wet in the