Brianna Devereaux: The Mambo (Completed)

Tamia's Gift

 Brianna sat down still in her pajamas in front of Tamia at their table in their living rom. The cards she held in hand she’d told her, Brianna’s ancestors had given her. And apparently Tamia felt a connection to them she couldn’t describe.

She sat the cards down on the table and then opened her hand palm up. And like magnets they all settled perfectly into her hand. Brianna looked at Tamia wide eyed making her shake her head, “That’s not it.”

And then Tamia opened up her hand and four cards rose and laid down in front of Brianna. Tamia flipped over the first card and Brianna studied the black card shocked.

There was a mermaid sitting on the rocks by the water. Two jugs were in her hand and while on was going into the water, the other ran over the grass. A huge star above her head seemed to glow and twinkle like a real one.

Swallowing as goosebumps broke out over her skin, Brianna listened to Tamia unnerved. And then the teen eerily rasped “The Star. For you, a symbol of your hope.”

Brianna’s eyes met Tamia’ wanting to ask how she knew this. But Tamia’s eyes were far away and full of untapped power. Shivering Brianna whispered afraid, “Hope for what?” Tamia giggled but it didn’t sound happy. More like mocking.

“Hope for a batter tomorrow. Hope for a tomorrow.” And then she turned over the next card. An angel stood over the hopeless soul pouring light into him through a sword in her hand.

“Judgement.” Tamia told her in an otherworldly tone, “The show of a second chance being given,” Brianna jerked back confused, “I’m getting a second chance?”

Tamia’s shoulder went up once in a dismissive sort of way before hinting, “Or maybe you’re giving someone else a second chance.” Brianna didn’t like the sound of that. Mostly because everyone out of her life were for a reason or had walked out of it.

Brianna wanted to know who it was supposedly coming back around. But unfortunately, Tamia didn’t have the answers like a f*****g magic 8 ball. Her words when Brianna asked.

And then she flipped over the third card. Three black swords brutally went through a bleeding heart. Seeing the heart beating like it was alive and still pumping blood, Brianna’s eyes widened in horror.

Looking away as her own heart raced uncomfortably. Tamia could see Brianna was now upset, but not only by her face. But as her aura seemed to become a smoke grey and Tamia could suddenly see it just as easily as looking at her face.

Waiting until Brianna’s eyes came back to her, Tamia told her exactly what she feared, “Your heart is bleeding from three swords in your heart. You need to let it go.”

Chin wobbling with grief, Brianna thickly asked, “Let what go?” Tamia’s head went to the side, her eyes unnerving Brianna as she unsympathetically ripped the band-aid off.

“The swords represent your family. You’re holding on to the pain and anger you feel. It’ll keep you from your destiny.”

Brianna felt a tear falling as she asked tired all over again, “My destiny?” A wry smile curved up Tamia’s lips as she turned over the final card. A woman in a black dress sat on her throne, a beautiful and eccentric silver crown on her head.

“The Empress. Your destiny, a woman of power and respect. A leader.”  Brianna looked at Tamia getting dizzy, “Tamia?” Eyes coming up to meet hers, Tamia breathed out but it sounded more like a waling woman’s warning.

Her voice husky and echoed as voices filled her ears. Voices of the dead, voices of her ancestors.

“You are the key that unlocks the door. The light that will vanquish the demons. You are the mambo, the leader of the coven. And if you fail, magic will fail with you. And the world will be consumed Brianna Devereaux.”

And as Brianna sat shook, a blue aura mist conquered Tamia, she hollered out as a raw pain hit her arm. Rushing to her concern, Brianna could do nothing to help her friend as she chanted in what sounded like Welsh.

It was only after Tamia stopped chanting and the blue mist died, Brianna could put her hand on her. And what she saw worried her even more.

What resembled a branding mark, stood out on her dark skin. Pink and raw, Brianna watched as Tamia trembled in fear, “Are you okay?” Tamia shook her head rapidly at the question. “N-no, do you see him?” Turning, Brianna’s eyes widened as she looked at the handsome man hanging back.

He smiled, and if not for his blue translucent presence, Brianna would have thought he was alive. “Yeah I see him.”

Stepping forward Brianna questioned, “Who the hell are you?” But the man didn’t answer. Instead he was joined by twenty others, and they all flocked to Tamia and put their hands on her gently.

Eyes widening, Tamia cried out as more brands began to appear. Brianna held out her hand and her staff flew to her hand. Ready to banish the dead people harming her friend, Brianna was stopped as a woman got in her way.

Holding a hand, Brianna faced an older version of Tamia baffled. But as the woman’s kind spirit seemed to flood through her, Brianna felt more at peace. She suddenly knew that this was for the best for Tamia.

And as Tamia’s mother placed the final hand on Tamia’s forehead lovingly, Tamia no longer cried in pain. Instead she cried in joy as she finally received a mother’s love.

Moments later, the spirts seemed to fade, and Brianna was left with Tamia covered in ancient symbols and texts she didn’t understand. What Brianna hadn’t realized then, was that a power had been brought to life right in front of her eyes.

And a new seer was born.