Path of Descent: Ambrosine

by Noreen Harrison

  I didn’t want to hear any more.

  “Let’s go to the ritual grounds,” I said uneasily. I wondered what kind of retaliation there would be for his actions. He stood up, taking my hand and looking into my eyes.

  “You know she deserved it?”

  “Yes.”

  Phillip pulled a tree branch back for me as I passed him.

  “Alixia, I will go to the Ancients.” I looked over my shoulder. “You won’t have to. They’re coming here.”

  He stopped short.

  “Yes,” I said. They will be here soon because of what was done here today.”

  He put his arm around me.

  “Then we will be ready. I was justified.”

  “Hopefully, they will see it that way.”

  We walked into the ritual grounds, seeing Sofia light the dry timber. Flames rapidly engulfed the bodies, along with the dead birds. The smoke had the odor of death as it rose high above the trees, dissipating into the blue sky

  Suddenly, I grabbed Phillip and shouted a warning.

  “The Pure Ones are coming!”

  We all took a stance, and Sofia moved out front.

  “Let me talk to them.”

  Phillip got into my head, keeping his question between us.

  Will you fight?

  Yes, if I have to.

  The corners of his mouths formed a slight smile.

  We watched as Sofia went to Michael. She fell to her knees and cried out.

  “She’s dead!”

  Michael helped her up, and came toward us with his arm wrapped around her caringly, as the rest of the Pure Ones stayed behind.

  Phillip took a step toward him.

  “Stop,” I said putting my hand on his chest. “Michael is not a threat.”

  Sofia kissed the side of Michael’s face as she left his side and went back to the smoldering smoke of the deceased Family members.

  “Phillip,” Michael said, standing in front of us with wet armpits and sweat dripping down his face. The August heat was stressing his portly stature.

  “Sofia told me what Marguerite did. But that doesn’t excuse what you have done. She was within her rights to defend herself.”

  Phillip’s jaw tightened.

  “She struck first.”

  Michael wiped his brow with a white handkerchief. He was obviously outraged that Phillip wasn’t remorseful.

  “You think that justifies killing Marguerite?”

  “Yes,” Phillip stepped up to him. “So, if you are here to retaliate, let’s go.”

  I got into Michael’s head and he knew I was there.

  You must have made your choice, Alixia.

  “Michael,” I said, angrily. “I won’t stand by and let you take any more lives.”

  ”I’m not here for that. I’m just here to give you a warning, that’s all.”

  “A warning?” Phillip asked, balling up his fist.

  “Yes. The Ancients are coming to end this. So, finish burying your dead for today, because at week’s end there may be more holes to digs.”

  He walked away.

  “That fat bastard just threatened us,” Phillip said, as we walked to the mansion.

  “It’s not a threat,” I said anxiously. “The Ancients will come because of her death. They have already sided with the Pure Ones over Charles.”

  “So, what do you suggest?”

  “I don’t know yet, but there has to be something.”

  “You could take you rightful place as the Supreme again, and then you would have more power.”

  I rolled my eyes at that idea.

  “Alixia, what do you think?”

  “How is that supposed to happen? What about Charles?”

  “He will accept it.”

  “Sure he will, and he may even come to my wedding.”

  “Very funny. But even if he doesn’t, you are the true Supreme. No one can actually take that from you. It is your birthright.”

  I kissed him.

  “Thanks for the reassurance, but let’s see if you can convince the Council and Charles of that.”

  “Alixia, there is one more thing.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, looking back at him as his face turned solemn.

  “I want you to ask Marcus to fight with us.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  The Asking

  “Marcus,” I called out, entering the cabin.

  “I’m in here.”

  Walking down the hallway, my anxiety was high. I knew he cared deeply for Marguerite and I was taking a chance with our love, asking him to stand with us against the Pure Ones.

  “Alixia,” Marcus said, taking me in his arms. I sensed his sorrow for her right away, as he held onto me tightly. And I felt the coolness of his breath next to my ear as he spoke quietly.

  “I‘m so glad you are here,” he said, and kissed me. “Let’s get out of here tonight.”

  “I can’t. The Ancients…”

  “You don’t have to be a part of that.”

  “I do.”

  I moved away from him, walking over to a statue of a white wolf displayed on the pedestal near his desk. I stared down at it, touching the rough texture, and trying to organize the right words in my mind.

  “No, you don’t,” he said, moving over to the couch and sitting down.

  “Yes, I do. You didn’t see what I saw. Marguerite viciously took so many innocent lives, and she had no remorse about doing it.”

  “They attacked her!”

  I sat next to him.

  “I know your feelings about this, but they were protecting the Council, just as Marista and the brothers did for you once.”

  “You can’t compare the two.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you can’t!”

  “That’s not an answer, and you know it. She was wrong and vindictive. We gave her the two who went after Henry and Angel, and she still wanted more.”

  “But Charles…”

  “Yes,” I said, interrupting him and knowing what he was going to say. “He was stupid for trying to go after Marguerite, I admit that. But when we met with the Ancients, he showed remorse and she didn’t budge. She wanted them all dead.”

  He sucked in a breath, leaned back on the couch, and then turned his head toward me. He sensed there was more to this.

  “Alixia, what are trying to do here? You know I will never accept what Phillip did to Marguerite as justified, just as the young woman Sarah…”

  “Sarah?” I said, remembering my suspicions. “That’s always troubled me. Didn’t you think it odd that she was away from the sanctuary when she knew Marcel was still after her?”

  He sat up straight.

  “Now that you mention it, yes. But what does this have to do with her death?”

  “I wish I had questioned Marguerite more about…”

  “No!” he said, putting it together. “You can’t think Marguerite sent her after Phillip?”

  “I’m just saying it was a little odd. Why would Sarah put herself in danger like that, unless someone told her she’d be safe?

  “Marguerite would never have done that.”

  I shrugged my shoulders, still having doubts.

  “If you say so.”

  “Let’s go to the mansion and talk to Michael.”

  “Michael?” I asked, following him to the door. “Yes, he would know. But do you think he will reveal anything about her?”

  “Let’s find out.”

  When we got to the mansion, Michael was in the solarium. Marcus called out to him.

  “Over here,” he said, popping up behind a hibiscus plant. His eyes were red, he was unshaven, and his clothes looked as if they had been slept in.

  “Michael,” I said, extending my hand to him for his loss. “I’m so sorry.”

  He looked past me with bitterness, not wanting to exchange words.

  “ Marcus, what is it you want?”

  “I’d like the trut
h.”

  “About what?” He stepped back from us, knowing that I was in his head.

  “I want to know if Marguerite sent Sarah out that night.”

  He took off his cloth gloves, threw them in the wooden bucket next to him, and then spoke in a matter of fact way.

  “Yes.”

  Marcus’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.

  “Why?”

  Michael slowly rubbed the side of his unshaved face.

  “Well,” he said, “I guess the truth can come out now. It began when Alixia came and told me about Charles’s threat. When Marguerite returned I told her, and then she went to the young girl. She said that she wanted a favor in return for giving her sanctuary.”

  “A favor doing what?” Marcus asked, shifting his stance intentionally in front of Michael.

  “That she wanted Sarah to act as bait so that she, Marguerite, could take out Charles.”

  “No,” Marcus said, shaking his head. “She was terrified. She would never have agreed to do that.”

  He looked at me, remembering my accusation.

  “Unless Alixia was right in her suspicion. Michael, did Marguerite deceive her into thinking that she would be safe from their attacks?”

  I watched his Adam’s apple go up and down as he swallowed hard.

  “Yes, she did. I am sorry, Marcus. It just didn’t turn out the way she planned. Charles didn’t show up that night to take the bait. It was Phillip, instead.”

  “Why didn’t she intervene to save Sarah if it was Phillip?”

  “I can’t say.” Marcus pushed him back hard.

  “Yes, you can.”

  He rubbed his chest nervously, staring at us in distress.

  “Okay. It was because of Phillip that she didn’t do anything.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She owed Phillip for bringing Angel to her.”

  “Marguerite watched Sarah die just because she owed Phillip?”

  Michael put his head down and continued in an almost inaudible voice.

  “She would never have hurt him, because of Alixia.”

  Marcus stepped back in disgust, hearing Michael’s words. He put his hand up.

  “I have to get out of here before I lose it.”

  “There will be retaliation,” Michael said. “Phillip will come to his end with the Ancients. I promise you that.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said, marching back to him. “He will not be punished for something that she provoked. I will make sure of that.”

  “You’ll have nothing to say about it,” he said, with an arrogant smile.

  I raised my fist.

  “You will not take him.” Marcus stopped me from striking him.

  “Alixia, let’s go now!”

  We walked back into the cabin. I was still fuming.

  “They’re not taking him!”

  “Alixia, I understand you wanting to protect him, but you can’t go against the Ancients by yourself.”

  I stopped and glared at him, and then sat down next to him.

  “Then help me.”

  “I’m not doing that,” he said, gritting his teeth.

  “Why? Phillip has been there for us many times.”

  “You mean he has been there for you,” he said sarcastically.

  He stretched out his arm, resting it behind me.

  “Fine, he’s done it for me. But he has helped.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Marcus, stop being arrogant. You know he has.”

  “I was just thinking of Sarah.”

  “She attacked him,” I said, moving away angrily. “The truth is that Marguerite caused Sarah’s death. Think back to all the other deaths. She has used Dark Ones each time to go after the Dominions and the Family. You, Marista, and the brothers were probably first. She used all of you to draw out Correa and Nicolas. And then, with the capture of Madame Aimeri and the others, and Charles almost being captured, she has always used Dark Ones for bait.

  He clasped his hands over his face. He was disillusioned. He could see a clearer picture now of how manipulative she really was.

  I touched his knee, getting his attention.

  “You can’t leave,” I said.

  “Why? I can’t trust any of them now.”

  “But our Family?”

  “They all have free will to do what they want. I can’t be part of this anymore.”

  I took his hand, letting his fingers intertwine with mine.

  “Then I will go with you after the Gathering,” I said.

  He brought my hand up, kissing it. “Why don’t you just leave with me now?”

  “I can’t. I need to clear Phillip.”

  “Alixia, I don’t understand. Just walk away like I am doing.”

  “You know I can’t do that to Phillip.”

  He let out a heavy sigh, leaning back on the couch.

  “Okay, what is it you want me to do?”

  I leaned back, too, moving into the crook of his arm.

  “I want you to go against Michael. I need you to stand with me before the Ancients, to help justify Marguerite’s death.”

  There was a silence between us as I let him mull over my intent. I knew he didn’t want to betray the ones who had protected him all this time. But they had used him, too, and I knew that this was to my advantage.

  “Okay, I will do it. But this is it. We leave after.”

  “Marcus, I love you.”

  I wrapped myself around him and kissed him passionately.

  “I promise, after this is over, we will go,” I whispered, passionately.

  “I think I’ve heard that promise before.”

  “I know, but this time…”

  “Don’t say it. Just kiss me. ”

  He smiled.

  Accepting

  Two days after Marguerite’s death, I was the Supreme again. There hadn’t been any backlash from Charles or the Families’ Councils after hearing Phillip’s argument that it was my birthright. I was the true Supreme, and I was the only one who could end this conflict with the Pure Ones. But I had my doubts about Phillip’s confidence, especially tonight, when I would ask them to join with Marcus.

  At the Gathering, I stepped up to the stage. Phillip took my arm and escorted me to a high-back chair in the middle of the stage.

  Are you ready?

  Yes. Go for it.

  He left my side to address the Families.

  “Families of the realm, and Mademoiselle Ambrosine,” he began. Then he bowed to me and winked! I smiled. He was enjoying my torture at being on display. However, I was willing to do anything to end this.

  “Families,” he said with command in his voice. “You know the attack on us by Marguerite was unjust. She killed our innocent ones, and now the Ancients are coming here to judge us.”

  Mayhem erupted, as we knew it would. The ballroom filled with hate, anger and fear as they shouted: “The Pure Ones brought this judgment upon us! They need to be destroyed!”

  Phillip looked back at me, and then raised his arms, quieting their outburst.

  “Families, enough. Listen to your Supreme!”

  There was a hush and then they quickly went to their knees. I took a deep breath, looked down at them, and spoke.

  “Thank you. Please rise, Families. Phillip is right. We need to come together now.”

  I hesitated. Phillip looked back at me.

  Just say it, Alixia.

  I am. Get out of my head.

  “I ask all you to join with Marcus’s Family…”

  That was all I got out as they went back to yelling and screaming. I watched and listened. What was Phillip thinking? They will never change.

  “Enough, all of you!” I yelled, seeing the red hue start to surround me. They went to their knees quickly. I stared out, hearing their fear as the room went silent. I took in a deep breath, calming myself down.

  “Please stand,” I said, raising my hands. “I apologize for my anger.” I made my voice
softer, so that they would have to focus on my words.

  “I would never hurt any of you. I just want to protect you. To do that, I’m going to ask you to set some of your convictions aside for a little while. I am asking for your faith. Yes, I understand that having Marcus join us may seem frightening to some of you. But he can help us stop the violence.”

  The mumbling started up again.

  Phillip, what now?

  “The vote.”

  “Families,” Phillip moved to my side, commanding silence. “We need to take a vote.”

  I went back to my chair and watched intently as Phillip called on each one for their answer. Phillip would look at me after each reply, calculating the count in his head.

  At the end, I lowered my head.

  This is so stupid. Can’t they see?

  Alixia, stay calm.”

  But it didn’t work!

  Phillip took my hand.

  Get up and bow. Accept their choice without debate.

  He walked me to center stage. I pushed back my white robe and raised my hands.

  “Families, thank you all for your ruling. It will be honored, I promise.”

  They bowed, chanting my name as I left the stage. I followed Phillip into one of the secret rooms and shut the door behind me.

  “Are you kidding me? Do they not see that you might die!”

  “It’s alright, Alixia.”

  “No, it isn’t! It’s ridiculous,” I said, taking off my robe. “Why can’t they see that Marcus and his Family are not as malevolent as Marcel’s Dark Ones?”

  “They are still dark, and can take souls. You know that.”

  I shook my head.

  “Phillip, that’s what wrong. Nothing changes here. It’s always the old ways.”

  “Alixia, I ‘am sorry,” he said. “We will have to end this ourselves.”

  He was right. That was the only way.

  Their ignorance in not accepting help from Marcus might bring more deaths.

  “I agree. I have to tell Marcus what happened here.”

  “Will he still help us, do you think?”

  “Yes,” I said. “And he will probably be happy that it didn’t work. He’s like all of you. There is no trust.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  I shook my head.

  “I will tell him. Do you want to meet in town?”

  “No, let’s meet in Baton Rouge. There have been a lot of Pure Ones showing up in New Orleans for the Gathering of the Ancients.”