Melissa Williams,first glance of this woman and you would be weary to even approach her.She was tall ,curvy and chocolate skin tone. Her hair was long ,curly and even though it had some grey,it was still pretty and filled her head.
She got married when she was young to a rich business man.They got three kids,two boys one girl.One of this kids was Dennis Williams, Mariana's father. Unfortunately Melissa's husband died in a tragic road accident when the kids were still young.
She took over her husband's business and built an empire with the name Williams soaring to great heights. Dennis,her eldest son,was supposed to take over the business at some point. But unfortunately he went M.I.A before that could happen. If Melissa new what happened to him,she kept it to herself.
Ever since Mariana was little, Melissa tried to be part of her life as much as possible. Even after Dennis went missing. She took on the role of a doting grandmother. And why couldn't she Mariana was beautiful, intelligent and most of all important. She was the carrier of the sacred tribal mark.
When Melissa was growing up her grandmother told her all this stories about a tribe that had magic in their blood. She told her of a prophecy and made her memories it so as to never forget. She was told a child would be born and would bare a tattoo,a lioness tattoo to be exact.
"Jennifer what do you know of the mark on Mariana's shoulder? Melissa asked.
"Only what you told me,which I don't think I got to understand." Jennifer answered.
"Well I will try to tell you as much as I can at the moment but it's much more than what am about to tell you." Melissa said trying to be as calm as possible.
"Long ago our ancestors were blessed with the gift of magic. They had witches,warlocks,seers and the most important ones,shape shifters. These were the most important beings in the hierarchy of the clans.
Each clan held its own significance in the tribe for this reason,if it was blessed with witches,then that would be the witch clan. And therefore they came to be known as the blessed clans,the witch or warlock clan,the seers clan and the shape shifters clan.
The leaders of the tribe came from the shape shifters. In every generation there would be two children,a boy and a girl, born with the tribal mark,making them the next rulers of the tribe.
According to my grandmother a war broke out between the clans and that led to the fall of the tribe. They scattered across the continent never to be heard of again. But it was prophecied that one day a girl would be born and bring the clans back together."
"Are you saying that Mariana,my daughter is the leader of some forgotten tribe?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes,she and her better half are meant to bring the clans back together and rule over them." Melissa said.
"Better half,what do you mean? Are you saying that there is a boy who has that mark?"
"Am not so sure,but my grandmother did tell me that not one leader was born but two,male and female,so it's given that there are chances somewhere in this world, there is a boy born to rule alongside Mariana. If he was awakened before Mariana,then he can feel what Mariana is going through this very minute." Melissa explained.
"Oh my Lord ,my head will explode! How does that even make sense,my daughter is magically betrothed to someone and she doesn't even know it. And to top it off she supposed to lead some supernatural beings. Is that it?"
"Pretty much,yes that's how it's supposed to be." Melissa said
Suddenly the glow around Mariana dissipated and she now lay calmly on her bed still facing up. Jennifer rushed to her and tried to wake her,"Mariana, can you hear me honey?"
Mariana's eyes snapped open and instead of grey,her eye color had changed to gold. It was like she was in a trans,then she murmured "Branden" and closed her eyes,succumbing to the darkness of unconsciousness again.
Jennifer was astounded and she turned to Melissa for answers.
"That must be the name of the boy destined to be with her." Melissa said.
"How can she know his name?" Jennifer asked,this was all so confusing for her. "And why is she not waking up?"
"Jennifer listen this is all new to me as well,but what I know is her body is going through major changes and she might be exhausted,we just need to be by her side till it's over. I have called someone who might know what to do inorder to help her." Melissa explained.
Jennifer held her daughter's hand while sitting on the edge of the bed,she was crying. "Did Dennis know?" She asked in between sobs.
"Of course he knew,I told him immediately I saw the mark on Mariana's shoulder. From then on he made it his life's work to know more about it until his disappearance."Melissa said.
"In the old days when the leaders were coming into their power,their parents played a major role. It was their duty to prepare the place for the Awakening ,which was mostly done under an ancient sacred tree. They would gather the clan elders and prepare sacrifices and gifts for the gods.
So it was supposed to be you and Dennis who prepared Mariana for all this. Given that you did not take me seriously,I took it upon my self to prepare for it. I had a place set out and when you two came to visit ,I would have taken you there,but unfortunately this happened and am lost for what to do. That's why I called an elder for guidance."
Jennifer felt heart brake,she started blaming herself,it was all her fault. She should have known better,she should have taken her mother-in-law seriously. All this would have been much easier. All she could do now is try her best to help however little she could.
'Dennis the blame is on you too,you knew about this and you left us anyway. You left me to deal with this on my own..if anything happens to her I Will never forgive you' Jennifer thought.