Melissa led the group to the front door. On the steps of the porch,there were three people,two ladies and one guy. Mariana observed the three and realized the ladies were twins, identical twins. As they approched the three fell on their knees and said in unison..."welcome your majesty."
Mariana looked at her grandmother ,stunned, then back to the three still on the floor. She did not know what to do so Melissa took it upon her self to tell them to rise. When they stood up they led everyone inside, Jennifer who was still holding Mariana followed behind.
They were led to the living room and Jennifer assisted Mariana to sit on the couch. Mariana's eyes roamed around the room. The interior was as beautiful as the exterior. Portraits of people she didn't really know,flower vases at every corner ,the wall paper which seemed both modern and vintage covered the entire living room. 'Homey'.
"Grandma how come you never brought me here before?" Mariana asked facing her grandmother.
"I was finally going to when you came over this weekend but you had plans of your own didn't you?" Melissa answered smiling.
"Hey sweetheart how do you feel now,do you need anything?" Jennifer asked getting between the grandma-granddaughter conversation.
"I am still feeling tired and yes I could use a glass of water and a sho....." Mariana did not finish what she was about to say as she looked at the clothes she was wearing and noticed they were different. She didn't remember changing or having a bath.
Her mother noticed and told her what happened "I changed you while you were unconscious." Mariana palm slapped her face and asked still feeling embarrassed,"ok can someone tell me what's going on please,what is happening to me. And why bring here instead of a hospital?"
The elder is the one who spoke up and said,"no hospital can contain what is happening to you,and it is also not necessary." Mariana looked at her grandmother as if asking 'and who is this?'
"Oh, sorry Mariana,this is counselor Charles Mekonnen. He is an elder and a renowned member of the community."
Mariana noticed how her grandma used a traditional name to address the elder. Not many people did that.
"Ok elder Charles so what do you mean when you say that?" She asked again.
"What has your grandmother told you about yourself Mariana?" The elder asked instead of answering her question.
"Well grandma told me stories that we come from a line of special people,but they became dormant at some point. I never quite understood what she meant. I felt like she was talking about myth and legends and we all know those are not real right?"
"Not exactly Mariana,most of these stories you hear that are legends or myths,some of then are actually facts that were passed down from generation to generation. The reason people don't believe them is because, most of them turned away from tradition and customs. Many people embraced the modern ways and the traditional ways of our people are fading to myths." The elder explained.
"So are you saying that it's true our ancestors were shape shifters and...what else did you say grandma?" Mariana asked.
"Witches and warlocks." Melissa answered.
"Yes, our ancestors were blessed and what is happening to you was actually celebrated. You Mariana are a shape shifter ,the most important being in the hierarchy of supernatural beings in the tribe. I know you are wondering how,well I will explain everything in more detail the day after tomorrow when you are well rested."
"For now all I can tell you is,you are going to be okay. Inorder for the shift to go smoothly,you have to accept it fully. If you don't it will only take longer and be more painful."
Mariana looked at her mother then back to her grandmother with eyes brimming with tears. "Why me? Mom are you...?" She asked almost crying.
"No darling am not." Jennifer said feeling sorry for her daughter.
The elder tried to comfort Mariana by saying,"it's called a gift because only few individuals got the blessing. Even in the old times only two shape shifters were born in every generation. Whatever happened so that it stopped nobody knows and if there is someone who can tell us,we haven't found out who it is yet."
"You should get some rest tomorrow is a big day and we need to prepare." Melissa said signaling the servants to come and take Mariana to her room." Prepare a bath for her,after that serve her whatever she wants to eat." Melissa instructed them.Mariana went with them without arguing.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Jennifer asked. Mariana shook her head and told her she was ok. The twins she had seen earlier were the ones to take her to her room. Before she stepped out of the living room,one of the portraits caught her attention. It was a man in his mid twenties. Black brown eyes,brown skin and he had combed his hair in a perfect afro. 'He kind of lookes like grandma.' She thought.
Melissa saw her staring at the picture and told her,"that's Dennis,you father." Mariana felt a lump in her throat and turned to leave without saying anything. All of this was just too much for her to handle. She quietly followed the ladies to her room.
When Mariana got to the door which had been opened for her,her jaws almost dropped. She knew her grandmother loved her and that she was rich,but this...this was just another level. There was a king size bed on the center,the kind you would imagine royalty slept in. A floor to ceiling glass window that faced the backyard,a sliding double door that led to a balcony facing the driveway. The view was breathtaking.
Mariana felt like she could just stand there and her worries would melt away. The ladies walked to her and one of them said,"your... sorry mis Mariana would you like to stay a while before your bath or prefer to have a bath first?" Mariana just looked at her.
"My name is Irene and this is Ivet,please we are just here to help. Tell us what you need and we will do it no questions asked."
The one who explained ,Mariana got to know as Irene had brown eyes and Ivet had black eyes. For some reason,now that they were close ,Mariana felt some familiarity with the two. They emitted a certain energy and she couldn't tell what it was yet.
"Bath first." Was all Mariana said and she was led to the bathroom,where a magnificent bathtub already filled with water was waiting. She asked Irene ad Ivet to leave and they did so. Mariana stood in front of the mirror and undressed looking at her reflection. She turned to her side to see the huge lion tattoo on her shoulder. For a flick of as second it glowed then returned to normal.
Mariana just shook her head and got in the tub letting the water sooth her aching body.