Heritage of Light

Chapter 1

Kaelie Elden had never witnessed anything as vibrant as the market before. People milled about like small ants carrying bags of food, small trinkets and souvenirs. The powerful song of cicadas rung through the moist, heavy evening air. Behind the flaps of tents, the sky was colored red from the approaching sunset. Darkness had begun to set, and the booth owners were plugging in their lights. The light spread as a wave through the market. Each small booth, had their own paper lamps showering dim light over their merchandise.

In front of Kaelie, colorful fruits and vegetables were stacked in boxes across the counter. The man behind the booth said something in Spanish and Kaelie shook her head and moved on. Her friends had stopped in front of a small stand selling jewelry. Chloe who had been quiet the last few minutes threw her long blonde hair over her shoulder and walked further into the market. Kaelie and Angelica followed until she stopped in front of a booth with a tent behind it. It was the second night of their vacation together and Chloe's parents had let them wander the market while having a couple of drinks.

"Guys we have to try this," Chloe said and waved her hand towards the sign. Have your fortune told by Madame Chazelle. Tarot card, palmistry and more. "Do you think she will be able to tell who my future husband will be?"

Kaelie and Angelica exchanged looks and burst into laughter. Angelica's dark brown hair was pulled into a tight ponytail that highlighted her cheekbones. Her mixed heritage had given her light brown skin and thick eyebrows that framed her chestnut eyes.

"You do realize there are no such things as psychics?".

"Of course, there are! Haven't you seen that show on tv? What's it called again?"

"Everyone knows they research their audience beforehand. But I'll go with you if you want to. It could be fun hearing crazy theories about our futures," Kaelie said.

"Why not. I'm in," Angelica said and stepped towards the booth.

A woman appeared at the front of the tent, "Can I help you young ladies?" she asked with a heavy, unfamiliar accent. Madame Chazelle was a bulky woman with dark brown hair held back by a scarf. Cheap jewellery covered her arms, neck and hung from her hair. Kaelie could not help but stare at the long scar running from her eyebrow to her ear and wonder how she had gotten it. Madame Chazelle caught her line of sight. Her eyes widened as she took in Kaelie.

"We want to have our futures told," Chloe said and stepped forward. Madame Chazelle continued to stare at Kaelie another moment before she waved the three of them into the tent without a word. Chloe followed the woman closely while Angelica and Kaelie fell a few paces behind.

"At least she is dressed the part," Angelica whispered and chuckled. Kaelie couldn't bring herself to laugh. There was something about the way Madame Chazelle had stared at her that sent chills down her spine. As if Madame Chazelle could see something the others couldn't, something that surprised her.

Inside the tent, small ornamental lights hung along the walls. The tent was barely large enough for the three people to gather around the round table covered by all kinds of objects. Tarot cards, a pile of rocks, and by the far side of the table was something that looked like a pile of bones. Kaelie shuddered at the thought of the bones and where they might have come from. She exchanged a look with Angelica who raised her eyebrows in return.

Muffled voices sounded from outside were people were scurrying around. The smell of cheap perfume hung in the air. Oblivious to her surroundings, Chloe leaned forward on the table awaiting her prediction. Madame Chazelle who had slipped out to retrieve something, moved into the room carrying a large bowl of water, her layers of chiffon fluttering behind her. Her jewellery jingled as she leaned forward to place the bowl in the middle of the table.