Tailspin Anthology

Madame Minerva

Ashley takes Christian to see her fortune teller.

"I'm not so sure this is a good idea." Christain told Ashley.

"Why not?" she asked him. "Madame Minerva is one of the best crystal gazers in the country."

Christain pictured a fortune teller from Scooby Doo where he or she wear all red, have golden earrings, and conjure business from a wooden wagon in the middle of nowhere. Regardless, he followed his elder sister down the street and found a psychic shop on the corner of Main and Franklin. Neon signs lit up the display window as an open sign hung loosely on the door.

"Not what I was expecting." he admitted.

"Of course, not." Ashley said with a grin. "Some supernatural places blend right in with human businesses. Sometimes hiding in plain sight is better than just trying to be hidden away." She opened the door and ushered for Christan to enter. Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly went in. The shop smelled of incense as the lights dimmed the place. Calming music played in the background as bamboo plants were placed in certain areas to create a more comfortable environment.  There were a few tables with people getting tarot readings as a display case of candles and various ingredients were available for purchasing.

"Ash." a chick dressed like a goth was manning the reception desk in the front of the shop.

"Hey girl." Ashley greeted her enthusiastically.

"Here for your monthly two for one special?"

"You know I'd never miss it."

Now Christian understood why his sister insisted on tagging along when their other siblings were unavailable. The goth spotted Christian and smiled at him.

"Hello again." She greeted him. "I see you are back to being a boy again." Christian pouted at her making her giggle as Ashley filled out the sign-in sheet. "Madame Minerva will be with you shortly. She is finishing with her ten o'clock appointment."

"No problemo." Ashley said before making her way to one of the love seats. Christian joined her.

"What's your witch friend doing here?" he whispered to her.

"She works here." She answered casually. "How else do you think I obtain all these magic potions for special occasions?"

"Honestly, I thought she was making and selling them on the downlow."

"You watch too many programs, bro."

"Probably."  Christian glanced at the other workers. "Are they witches too?"

"Yeah." Ashley said. "But they are mere apprentices that work with humans to hone their skills better. Madame Minerva is a high priestess that is experienced and works with supernatural clientele only."

As Christian was soaking up all this information in, a woman that seemed to be in her fifties escorted a man wearing a suit out from an office hidden behind flashy red curtains. "My receptionist will handle the rest." She spoke in a classic witch voice. "And I'll see you in a couple of weeks." The woman wearing a casual pink blouse with a black pencil skirt smiled when she spotted Ashley. "Miss Dubois. How lovely to see you again." She eyed Christian making him bristle. "And I see you brought the long-lost sibling this time around."

"The others were too busy to join me, so."

"No worries, dear." She assured Ashley. "I love meeting new clients and seeing what is in store for them." she gestured towards the office. "Please come in, and we shall get started."

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait out here while she gives you a reading?" Christan asked before yelping when Ashley tugged him along. They entered a small room with candles being used as a light source. A crystal ball was in the center of a circular table as vials and jars of God knew what them were inside against the wall. Ashley sat Christian down first before taking a seat next to him.

"Let us see what has been going on with you, my pretty." She referred to Ashley.

"Are you going to look into the crystal ball?" Christian asked the fortune teller.

She cackled softly. "No, silly boy. That is my office phone."

"Oh." Christian blushed in embarrassment.

"Let's have a look see." Madame Minerva took Ashley's hand.

"Oh, palm reading." Christian commented before wincing when Ashley kicked his shin.

"I see you finally met your soulmate." Madame Minerva told Ashley. "Was he not what you were expecting?"

"That's an understatement." Ashley told her. "When you first told me, I thought it meant that he was possibly from another country. Or a different social class. Not some meat-headed child."

"He was chosen for you for a reason." Madame Minerva said. "But I do not see romance blooming between the two of you. Maybe a couple of night caps, but nothing serious."

"Thank goodness." Ashley breathed out before frowning. "Wait a minute. A couple of night caps?"

"It'll happen when you least expect it." The older woman specified. "Anyways, it looks like your career is on the right track. Expect an offer with your make up line very soon. Other than that, everything is about the same." Ashley seemed disappointed with the reading but thanked the fortune teller for her services.

"Well." Christian spoke up. "Now that's been taken care of. We should get going." Before he could get up, Madame Minerva grabbed Christian by the wrist making him stiffen in fright.

"No need to fear me, little one. Allow me to take a peek into your future."

"There's no need for that." Christian said quickly. "I just came for moral support."

"You are a very interesting one." The fortune teller spoke up.

Ashley squealed in excitement. "Please tell us."

"Sis." Christian started when Madame Minerva began her reading.

"For starters, you shall live a very long and prosperous life. And I see you have recently tied the knot with husband number 1. Congratulations."

"Um, thanks." Christian sounded timid but looked alarmed. "Wait. Husband number one?"

"You shall be married five times in your lifetime." She announced.

"Little brother." Ashley is getting a kick out of this reading.

"Please tell me you're joking." Christian pleaded with Madame Minerva.

"I wish I was." She spoke. "But it is all right here." She poked his palm. "Let's see what else I can tell you."

Christian pulled his hand away. "I don't think I'm ready to hear more, but I'll come back when I am!" he rushed out.

"Christian!" Ashley shouted but he was long gone. "Spoil sport." She turned to Madame Minerva. "You can tell me what else you saw in my brother's future. I am great at keeping secrets."

"Sorry young Ashley. But I only tell what I know in the person's presence." She pouted making her laugh. "If it makes you feel any better. I am just as disappointed as you are. It was getting very interesting when he ran out. Perhaps you'll convince him to see me again sometime."

"I'll try. But there's no guarantees with him." Ashley shook the fortune teller's hand and left to go pay and make another appointment.

Sometime later when the shop was closed for the day. "What happened between Ashley and her brother, Auntie? It was a quick reading. And Christian ran out as if his life was in danger." Ashley's witch friend asked her relative who also happens to be her boss.

"I assure you that young Christian is not in danger. He just got overwhelmed with my reading. I hope he comes back one day to have another go at it." Her niece wanted to know more but knew her aunt wouldn't spill the beans, so she headed to the back to count inventory.

A black cat meowed as it appeared out of nowhere. Madame Minerva scratched under its chin. "How I wish I could tell my niece how young Christian

 shall have three husbands and two wives. The wives shall be marriages of convenience. Two of his spouses shall come from prominent vampire households. The last two spouses are shifters. It's too bad I didn't get to inform young Christian that he'll have eleven children among three of his spouses."