Page 167 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘They did,’ I whispered.

We sat in silence for a long while, watching the Alhambra grow darker in the disappearing light. After a while, Angelina spoke again, softly this time. ‘You have spared your daughters lives filled with poverty and heartbreak.’

‘I know, Angelina. But I still wonder if it was right to take them away from their countries. I could have merely funded their lives from afar.’

‘I fear you sometimes forget thatyouare owed some happiness too, Atlas. With one hand, the universe has taken much from you, but has given you so much with the other. Your daughters bring you more joy than you ever thought possible, do they not?’

‘Of course.’ The evening was now punctuated by the sound of the swifts flitting over the trees. I closed my eyes to listen.

Angelina continued. ‘Since we first met, I have thought of you often, and consulted with the upper world. You are agoodman, Atlas. Special, even. Perhaps there are not enough people to tell you this. So I am telling you. Okay? Believe me.’

I tried to withhold my tears. ‘Thank you.’

‘And...’ Angelina said tentatively. She took my hand. ‘Atlas, youwillfind the missing sister. This I swear to you.’

I sat bolt upright. ‘I’m sorry?’

‘You two will meet. But... you will need the help of all your other daughters. Without them, your paths will never cross.’ She looked at me with a stern face and I gawped back at her. ‘The six girls will lead you to the seventh.’

‘Angelina,’ I replied breathlessly, ‘how do I—’

She put a finger to her mouth. ‘Shh. I have nothing more to say. It is a message to you from the upper world, so I cannot answer the questions you may have.’ She squeezed my hand tightly and turned back to face the Alhambra.

My panic had been replaced by euphoria. I cast my eyes to the burning sky and ‘thanked’ the upper world. ‘So, Erizo is her name?’ I asked Angelina.

She chuckled. ‘No, it is not official. Just a silly name. After all, someone cannot really be called “hedgehog”! May I take it that after your assurance from the spirits, you will be leaving Sacromonte with your fifth daughter?’ I nodded, beaming from ear to ear. ‘Good! This is a happy day indeed.’ Angelina stood up and dusted herself down. ‘She will be the fifth star in your sky. So you will call her...’

‘Taygete, yes.’ Angelina offered me a hand, and I took it. She led me inside the cave once more.

‘Come and see her.’ I followed Angelina over to Pepe, who gave me the warmest of smiles.

‘Meet your papa, Erizo.’

Pepe held her up to me, and I took her in my arms. ‘Hello, baby,’ I said to her.

‘She is a special one,señor.’

‘I know.’

‘Actually, I think perhaps you do not. This little girl has the powers of thebruja.’

‘Like you?’ I asked.

Angelina nodded. ‘Precisely. She is the last in this family.’ Angelina gave me a steely look. ‘As this little one grows up,she will see the world differently, and you must pay reverence and respect to it.’

I bowed my head. ‘I promise I will.’

‘Good.’ She thought for a moment. ‘She will not understand the ways of thebrujaherself...’ Angelina looked at the child. ‘One day, you must send her back to me. When you do, I will be able to help her unlock her spiritual lineage.’

I had my eyes on a wooden chair in the corner of the room and walked towards it. ‘May I?’ I asked. Angelina nodded, and I sat. ‘In truth, I have not considered the possibility of telling each of the girls about the circumstances of their birth, and how they came to be my daughters.’

Angelina looked a little surprised. ‘No?’

I looked down at the innocent young life. She had closed her eyes and begun to sleep. ‘Each of the girls, in one way or another, is directly linked to my flight from Kreeg Eszu. I worry that if I were to tell them about their pasts, it might somehow endanger them. I have deliberately tried to build as quiet a life as is possible.’

Angelina folded her arms and narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. ‘Yes... I understand. But irrespective of that decision, you must keep your promise. One day, when the time is right, send her back to me. Do you swear?’

I wriggled an arm free from underneath the baby and offered my hand to Angelina. ‘I do.’ She shook it.