The
second child of a traveling gypsy dancer, Maleva bore evidence from
birth of an affliction. This aberration was the result of her mother’s
indiscretion with a gypsy witch’s husband. As a child, Maleva’s
deformity was hidden with veils, but the gypsy witch’s curse
could not be abated. Maleva was burdened with the power to delve into
even the darkest of souls and was forced to speak their truths. As
she grew older, Maleva traveled with her tribe as “Madame Orba,
the All Knowing.” From village to village, townsfolk deemed
her a novelty freak until the wretched among them were exposed to
the masses. No, the skeletons never stayed in the closets when Madame
Orba set up her tent. All mysteries, lies and dirty little secrets
saw the light of day by the time the tribe pulled up stakes and rolled
off to the next town.
