The Bewitching

The narrative returns to Alba in 1908. She goes to Los Pinos to question Perpetua, whom she believes is the witch responsible for her troubles. She brings her gun. Perpetua explains that the argument Alba witnessed between herself and Tadeo hadn’t been what she thought: Perpetua was trying to warn him. She insists that the warlock plaguing their family is Arturo. She knows this because, for money that she desperately needed, she taught him a few spells when he was a young man. His power grew over the years, and he eventually killed her daughter. Alba does not believe her, but Perpetua tells her to test Arturo by placing a flower next to his lips as he sleeps. If it wilts, he is a warlock.

Alba performs the test that night, and the flower turns black. Unfortunately, she wakes Arturo in the process. He shoves her back so hard she can tell that he has otherworldly strength. She accuses him of killing Tadeo and Valentín, and he explains that he merely got rid of what was in his way. She asks if he wanted her family’s farm, and he answers in the affirmative but adds that what he really wants is her.