Marisol DeJesus: The Bruja (Book 2)

A Snake In the Grass

Since Marisol knew exactly where the trunk was, she knew it’d be easier to wait until her uncle and aunt stepped out. Deal with them never again and just keep going.  But their house was being protected by an old ward and Brianna couldn’t slow time for them to go in and take what they needed.  

So, to avoid being seen on the street too long, Marisol walked over to their house with Tamia now holding Aurora close. Brianna held up her staff and the door exploded open. Walking into the house, Marisol looked as her Aunt Lila came rushing out of the kitchen, her face stricken as Frank jumped in his recliner.  

Feet up laid back, a game on the tv and three beers in already, he’d been half asleep when the three young women came charging in. “Don't mind us,” Brianna taunted slamming her stick down hard on the floor. The front door slammed hard behind them as she assured the pale woman in front of her, “We won’t belong.”  

Turning to Marisol, Brianna nodded and Marisol concentrated on the attic door and watched the latch pop off. The stairs came down and she started up but her Aunt Lila finally found her voice, “What do you think you’re doing little girl? Get out of my house! You and your abomination!”  

Brianna held her staff to the woman’s neck threateningly, “Say another word like that to her and I’ll turn you inside out lady.” Lila wisely shut up and said nothing else as Marisol went into the attic.  

The creaky stairs protested under her weight, Marisol cursed when one almost seemed like rubber. Buckling as soon as her foot touched it, Marisol almost went through.  But she persisted on, ducking spider webs and stepping over boxes, Marisol was careful as she walked slowly over to the maroon trunk.  

Decorated with a crescent moon on the clasp and an old-fashioned lock keeping it closed. Marisol moved the heavy black steel to reveal it didn’t accept a key. But instead needed something oval-shaped. And Marisol didn’t know where that was.  

Grabbing the trunk, Marisol groaned at how heavy it was and cursed under her breath. About to call down to one of the girls to help, Marisol suddenly thought of something. She was a freaking witch and if there was anything to use her powers for, it was lifting heavy s**t.  

Breathing in and out, Marisol tried to let it come naturally like when she flew. Instead of chanting, she concentrated on the trunk in front of her. And as she felt every item inside lighten, she opened her eyes to see the trunk was indeed in the air.  

Smiling feeling victorious, it followed Marisol down and Aunt Lila was pinched face as she watched. Frank, however, was bug-eyed as he happily cried, “It’s true? You’re magic!?” Marisol ignored him and instead looked at Brianna seriously, “Got it.” Brianna nodded and said, “Good, let’s head out.”  

Before they could leave, however, Lila got up her courage and planted herself in front of them. “Now wait just a minute. You stayed in my home, you ate my food, and now you barge in like you own the place. You technically owe me!”  

Feeling an anger claw at her heart, Marisol sneered, “I owe you for you giving me scraps, shoving me into a closet, and treating me like a credit card?” Power rising with her anger, Marisol's eyes seemed to glow as she hissed knowingly, “Or how about you using my magic all these years because you’re too weak to do anything?”  

Lila paled and then Marisol’s hand shot out and the charm bracelet on her wrist flew to her. Marisol instantly remembered it, it had been a present from her mama, the last one in fact. Seeing the weird oval-shaped charm on it, Marisol smirked happily, “And this is mine. Thanks for holding on to it for me.” She was mocking now as her words dripped with sarcasm.  

Watching all four women could see the line of magic Lila had been using to siphon the magic from Marisol snap. Lila was cut off and Marisol felt her full strength returning and scoffed.  Standing tall now, Marisol shot her aunt a disgusted look, “And yet you mock and ridiculed me acting as if you were better. And yet you’re nothing but a leech sucking all the happiness, magic, and confidence from your own niece. Pitiful.”  

Lila said nothing as she stood pale with her mouth bunched in a thin line. Frank stood up and started to tell Marisol all that she owed them. How they’d taken her in and treated her well considering she wasn’t theirs.  

But Brianna sent a d**k curling glare his way and Frank fell silent. Grabbing the trunk like it weighed nothing, Brianna told Tamia and Marisol, “Let’s go. We’ve been here too long.” Marisol agreed and all three left out with Lila trembling and Frank angry. He felt like he’d been duped since he had no idea his wife’s stories were true.  

She was a witch.  

And Marisol was a witch.  

But he could now see why his wife was so jealous and hateful of Marisol. Because from aura alone, in the months they’d been apart, Marisol had gotten stronger. And even worse? She now seemed no longer affected by the mean things her aunt said.  

Instead, she seemed to have risen above the insults and pain of them. It came with a maturity and confidence in one's self, that a lot of grown women didn’t have. It was obvious as it left Lisa a hollow shell, and Marisol a future bruja on the rise.