Marisol DeJesus: The Bruja (Book 2)

Her Memories and Book Of Shadows

WARNING: This Book does contain heavy uses of Creole and Spanish context, the English translation does follow behind them. * The language. *( the english translation)

The pool was surprisingly clean and refreshing. It was summer, so their room had been too warm. But now Aurora was having a ball as she splashed on the stairs. Marisol kissed her head gently as she whispered, “Do you like the water *Mi niña bonita*(My pretty baby)?"  Aurora squealed and kissed her face making Marisol giggle.  

Marisol liked being in the water too. Ever since she was a kid, she’d been a natural swimmer. Her memories of happy times, while fuzzy, reminded her of a time where she lived by a lake. Her mother and father taking her out to swim when she was just a little kid. And her being so happy because they were in the water.  

They were in the water, and they were together.  

And it was like she now had that with her daughter. It brought tears to her eyes as she kissed her daughter’s head. Stephano checking this out watched Marisol wipe her eyes before she told Aurora, “I love you so much. No matter what, I’ll protect you. You’ll always be happy.”  

And his heart melted. Walking closer, he got to the pool and glided in. Marisol looked over as Stephano casually popped up, he stood up in three feet and pushed his wet hair back. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you mami, I needed to cool off.” Marisol did too.  

Because he was shirtless, and shirtless Stephano Dante was not good for her. He was too handsome and sinful, at 23 years old, with trouble spelled out on his forehead, Marisol knew why she wanted him. Not only did she find him physically attractive, but he was also very sweet. But broken and hurting in his own way.  

Like her.  

And naturally, she wanted to fix him so he could fix her, but deep down she knew she couldn’t. Like he couldn’t fix her, and she couldn’t afford to do anything worth risking custody of her daughter. And hooking up with the drug dealer trapping out of his uncle’s motel, she knew that would be a big red flag.  

It’s bad enough she stayed here, but until she got her official emancipation letter, she couldn’t get an actual apartment. And while Marisol craved to be a teenager and make a mistake, she no longer had the luxury. A decision she made and would keep making for her child.

“It’s fine,” Marisol said turning away from him. Holding on to her daughter, Marisol said she’d stay for another five minutes before leaving.  Stephano checked Marisol out in her little orange bikini. He didn’t know if it was thanks to her daughter, or if she’d always been this fine, but Marisol had a body.

She was plush and soft where needed and slim where wanted. Long black hair falling out of it’s bun, Marisol lifted her daughter who laughed happily. Stephano came over a little more admiring the beautiful little girl and admitted, “That little girl is so cute.”  

He had never been a baby man, but he had to admit, Aurora had grown on him. She was beautiful with hazel eyes and the same honey skin tone as her mama. With her silky black curls already growing in, the little Marisol mini me, was all dimples and smiles.  

And Stephano couldn’t help but melt when she looked at him and waved. Her gums flashing as she said, “’I!”  Stephano laughed, “Hi back carina.” At the compliment to her daughter, Marisol grinned, but then deduced, “Well we’re going to head back in. Bye Stephano.”  

Before she could climb out, Stephano blatantly asked in Spanish, “Por que me estas evitando?*Why are you avoiding me?” Marisol blew out a breath, he wanted to talk about the other night. But she wasn’t going to talk about it because she needed to focus.  

And she had to make sacrifices for her daughter’s future. That especially meant him. No matter how much she was sure she’d enjoy whatever this older damaged soul could promise her, she knew right now, wasn’t the time.  

“Lo siento pero no puedo.*I’m sorry but I can’t.” She got out of the pool and Stephano watched her go sadly, “Por qué no? *Why not?” Marisol looked at her daughter and then back to the tattooed man soaking wet. The sacrifices a mother makes.  

“You know why.” And then she turned and left Stephano's eyes closed in disappointment. But in deep understanding as he knew their moment might not be coming.  

Marisol jolted awake and looked at the picture of Stephano. He’d been arrested, and she wanted to go see him. It was almost too tempting to want to see him.  

But she couldn’t be some jailhouse girlfriend to some drug dealer thug. It was not a good example on her daughter and she had to be smart. But he had been good to her, so she did put some money on his and the guys commissary.  

But now she and Brianna had to find out what bloodline she belonged too. And what her power was apparently.  

Not sure how that was supposed to work, Marisol went into what they called the living room. Brianna stood twirling her staff showing off new moves awing Tamia. And Aurora apparently, who squealed clapping her hands drawing attention to them, “Ooooh!” she wowed making Brianna giggle, “Why thank you Aurora!” Tamia held out her hands, “I can take her.”  

Marisol handed her daughter to the younger girl, and then walked to Brianna, “So how do we find out what kind of witch I am?”   

Holding up some chalk, Brianna said, “By doing a spell to find your book of shadows. It’s how we learn of our past ancestors and the special magic capabilities of your bloodline. I’ll help guide you but it’s yours, so you’ll need to do the most work.”  

Nodding, Marisol grabbed a piece of white chalk and carefully followed Brianna’s orders carefully. They drew two circles and in them, Brianna drew the sigil burned on her hand in her circle. While Marisol drew what came naturally to her. Which were Brianna’s orders.  

At first, Marisol thought it was a dumb idea since she had no idea what a magic symbol was supposed to look like. Brianna kept assuring her though it wasn’t something she could force or know.  

It was something she felt. 

 While Marisol thought at first it was ridiculous it was when she finished she saw it. The circle had lines that looked like waves and a star, right at the top drawn prettily to shine like a diamond. Standing up surprised, Brianna nodded to her and said, “Okay, it’s ready. Give me your hands and repeat after me.”  

Brianna and Marisol threw their chalk down, stood on their own symbols and held hands.  

“Fanmi mwen, san mwen, liv mwen an, eritaj mwen an. *(My family, my blood, my book, my legacy.)”  Marisol’s lips couldn’t begin to say the words Brianna did. But as her mind kept hearing the words and Brianna repeated those words, she repeated back, “Mi familia, mi sangre, mi libro, mi legado. *(My family, my blood, my book, my legacy).”  

Feeling the zing pass through them, both Brianna and Marisol took in a deep breath and chanted together. 

“Fanmi mwen, san mwen, liv mwen an, eritaj mwen an.”  

“Mi familia, mi sangre, mi libro, mi legado.”  

“Fanmi mwen, san mwen, liv mwen an, eritaj mwen an.”  

“Mi familia, mi sangre, mi libro, mi legado.”  

“Fanmi mwen, san mwen, liv mwen an, eritaj mwen an.”  

“Mi familia, mi sangre, mi libro, mi legado.”  

A burst of bright white light came from Marisol’s sigil and she looked up to the sky as her vision bled a bright blue. Like calming waves crashing into her mind, Marisol saw it. She found herself going into her aunt and uncle's house. 

Stairs came from over her head, and then into the attic and looking at a trunk. 

And inside that trunk? Books and information were tucked in, which she knew she needed now. And as she breathed out shocked, her gaze snapped open and she found Brianna looking at her concerned, “You good?”  

Marisol nodded her body on a high at the sudden spike of endorphins in her. Marisol breathed out a little dazed as she admitted, “I saw where my book is. But that means going back to my aunt and uncle, what if they call the police. Or worse, CPS?”  

Passing her daughter to her, Tamia promised, “Me and Brianna will go with you. And I promise, if anyone tries to hurt you, it’ll be a very painful experience.”  

Marisol grinned a little and Brianna nudged her, “So tell us where and we’ll head there now?” Looking at her daughter, Marisol asked, “What about Aurora?” Brianna hummed at that since she knew Marisol didn’t know Jeremy enough to trust her daughter alone with him yet.  

“I’ll hold her while y’all handling business. But Bri can conjure up a really nice stroller till then yeah?” Brianna did just that and Marisol looked at Brianna eagerly now as she said, “Okay then, looks like we’re paying my aunt and uncle a visit, should be interesting.”