Bruja, a short story

It had always been common knowledge that the Valdés women hid something among their trinkets, herbs and odd garments. Not that anyone dared acknowledge it out loud. It was rather a murmur, quiet but always present. A loud secret. Like the scent of a storm lurking, impregnating the earth and the air, waiting to happen. Not that Valentina Valdés ever believed the stories. That, until she had no other choice but to do.