“I just wish.”
“I know what you are thinking, but it was best you stayed here; you are a threat to them. You could stir up more aggression from the Pure Ones.”
“I still can’t see why I have to stay here.”
“They will be fine. Marcus is there with the Families, to watch over them. Now come with me, and let’s try on my dress. ”
I followed her reluctantly. She went into her closet and pulled out a black traveling trunk.
“Come see,” she said, kneeling down and opening it. I knelt beside her, smelling the strong scent of lavender sachets. She brought the dress out first, wrapped in white paper, and laid it to one side.
“Oh, here it is,” she said, reaching past a wedding picture of her and my father, and bringing out a small, velvet, red box.
“I wanted to give these to you to put in your bouquet, that you can have something of your father’s on your wedding day.”
She took out a lace handkerchief and opened it, revealing the gold cufflinks that mother and I had given to him on Father’s Day when I was five. He had carried on so, saying it was the best gift ever and he would wear them always. I looked down at the wedding picture, thinking back to the last time I saw him. He had entered the kitchen that morning, and reached over me for a piece of toast. I can still remember the light scent of his white starched shirt as he hugged me. Then he smiled and said good morning.
Mother handed him his coffee and shared a quick kiss, as was their routine. I remember his cufflinks shining as he brought his cup to his lips.
“I don’t know if I can leave my two best girls today,” he said.
But he did, and it was forever.
I put their picture back and sat on the bed.
“Are you alright, Alixia?”
She got up, bringing the dress and the cufflinks with her.
“Yes. I was just thinking about Father.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up the heartache again. I just thought it would be nice if you had something of his.”
I leaned over and kissed her.
“Thank you for thinking of him.”
“I’m always thinking of him, Alixia,” she smiled, giving me a quick squeeze. “Now, let’s try on that dress.”
She opened the paper slowly, revealing ivory, silk-laced material.
“It’s so beautiful,” I said, touching it lightly.
“Put it on,” she said, holding it up. I stripped my clothes off quickly and raised my arms, letting Mother slip her dress over my head. She told me to turn around, so she could button it. I looked across the room into the oval mirror, and was amazed.
“Your wedding picture didn’t do it justice. It’s exquisite,” I said, feeling the caress of the silk against my skin. I touched the beaded tulle scooped neckline and the cap sleeves.
“Mother, I love your dress.”
“It drapes flawlessly on you, too, Alixia. It fits your figure perfectly.” She fidgeted with the hemline.
“Mother,” I turned, taking her in my arms. “I love you so much.”
She held on to me tightly, whispering.
“I know.”
Four Gypsies
Mother hung up the phone, looking over at me.
“The car is waiting for us. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I slipped on my heels. It was almost seven o’clock. I followed Mother into the elevator.
“Are you sure you’re going to be able to control yourself tonight?” I asked. We were taking my friends to the chalet and, without Marcus there, I was concerned about her keeping her word.
She touched my shoulder.
“I hear you. It will be fine. You have nothing to worry about. I love Libby and Claire as if they were my own daughters.”
I pushed the button and the doors closed.
“Remember that,” I smiled at her.
Going through the lobby, we made our way to the front entrance.
“Now, where are we to meet them?” Mother asked.
“At Libby’s. Here’s the address.“
She slid in beside me, giving the paper to the driver.
I turned to say something to mother, when a rush of disquiet came over me. I rolled the widow down. There was someone else out there, getting into my thoughts.
“Driver, stop!”
“What are you doing Alixia?”
“I just sensed someone, Mother.”
The driver pulled over. I reached for the door handle. Mother stared at me, alarmed.
“Who is it?”
“Someone who has been warning me.”
“Warning you?”
“Yes. I need to go.” I got out of the car with Mother following, and questioning me as we walked.
“What do you mean? Who’s been warning you?”
“An apparition. It comes in a human form when there is something going to happen, and tells me to be watchful.”
“You see them?”
“Yes.”
I went to some Gypsies in the square.
“Mother, over there.”
“The Gypsies?” she asked in a repulsed tone.
“Yes, come on.”
Walking toward them, one called out in a raspy voice, putting up his hand for us to stop.
“Not the Dark One.”
I looked over at Mother, surprised.
“How did they know?”
“They have always been aware of us.”
She looked over at them contemptuously.
“You go. I will wait here…”
As I approached, the Gypsy who had yelled came up to me. He looked about thirty, slender, his hair dark, long and shaggy. His front teeth had silver fillings that reflected light.
“This way.”
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, following behind him as I watched the other Gypsies disappear into the darkness, leaving the square.
“Not far.”
I kept my senses open for any trouble as we walked along in silence. Turning a corner after few blocks, I saw a small child wearing a hooded robe that covered her face. The Gypsies were kneeling behind her as we approached. My escort left me, bowed to her, and then joined the others. Her small hand extended out, waving for me to come close. She lifted her head and I saw blonde curls framing an oval face. Her eyes were dark and lifeless as she stared back at me with an eerie, serene smile.
“Why are you here?” I asked anxiously, fearing what she had to say.
She walked up to me, taking my hand. Her touch was soft. I looked into her eyes.
She was in my head.
No words passed her lips as she showed me a vision.
I pulled away from her in terror.
Nightmare
Back in New Orleans, as I accelerated to the swamp, I warned Marcus about what the young girl had shown me. All the way there, I hoped I wasn’t too late.
I had left mother in Paris to use her own discretion in making my excuses to my friends.
My heart started racing as I landed at the edge of the Ambrosines’ swamp. I moved through the mist, following the path to the ritual ground. The marshy ground was wet under my feet. My pace quickened as I sensed death.
“Alixia,” Marcus called, out coming out of the trees toward me, devastation in his eyes.
“Your vision was right,” he said.
“Where is she?”
“In the swamp water.”
“What?” I asked, walking into the ritual grounds with him. I stopped short, seeing Millie. She was hovering above the water, just as in my dream.
“Millie!” I cried out. “What have you done?”
There were bodies floating below her.
“Where’s James?” I asked in panic.
Marcus hugged me.
“He’s at the mansion,” he said.
“And Phillip?” I asked, looking toward the water. “He’s at the mansion, as is Charles. They’re all safe.”
“What happened here?”
“We made the
trade as planned, but they wanted to talk to Millie in private, and she agreed. Then she walked into the mist with them.”
He paused and looked up at Millie, eyeing her with wariness.
“That’s when I heard their screams.”
I stared out at the bodies.
“If Rosa and Derek are in the water, who are the other two bodies out there?”
“Two more Pure Ones that were waiting for me,” Millie said descending.
I looked at Marcus.
“So you finished all of them, with no help?”
“Yes, and it was warranted.” She held up a small vial.
“Black poison.” She tossed it to Marcus. “They weren’t taking me to talk. They were taking me to kill me.”
I looked at her seeing the gratification on her face as she bared her teeth with a slight smile.
“Actually, I was surprised at how powerful I am. This was my first kill.” She looked back at the water. “Anyway, they all deserved to die, and I told you I would handle it. So leave their bodies for alligator food.”
Charles approached, bringing James.
“Millie, wait. I saw your death. This not over yet.”
She came back to me, eyes wide.
“You saw my death?” she asked, taking hold of me firmly.
“Yes, your heart was taken.”
“By whose hand?”
“I don’t know. A young Gypsy girl in Paris showed me the vision.”
“A Gypsy girl?”
“Yes, but she was just a conduit for an entity that warns me of danger. This time, it showed me death.”
She stepped back from me, shaking her head.
“So I will die,” she said, as Charles handed her James.
“What’s going on here?” Charles asked, looking at us with concern. “Why are you saying you will die?”
Millie walked away from us, anguished, holding James close to her.
“I told her a Gypsy girl showed me her death. Excuse me Charles, I need to talk to Millie.”
I left.
“Millie, wait up,” I said, seeing her go behind a cypress tree. I quickened my pace.
“Where are you going?”
“Away from here, that’s all I know. I’m not letting anyone come between me and my child anymore, especially not a Pure One.”
“Millie, stop,” I said, coming up behind her. “If you leave here, you will put James in danger, too.”
She turned on me abruptly, making James cry.
“I am not going to die! I don’t care what that Gypsy said. I’m strong enough to protect my son and myself. So, leave me alone! Stop hovering over us!”
“Millie, I can’t let you do that.”
She turned, putting James on her shoulder. His dark eyes stared back at me.
“You’re not stopping me.”
She walked away again.
“Millie,” I said, jumping in front of her and blocking her from going any further.
“Listen, you can have James to yourself! I won’t fight you on that.” She patted James on the back shushing him, as she eyed me cynically.
“You are going to let me leave, and I can keep my child?” I bit down on my lip, hoping she would go for my plan.
“No, I can’t let you leave.”
She was ready to explode and jumped back at me, yelling.
“But you just said…”
“Millie, calm down. You’re upsetting James.”
She kissed his cheek.
“It’s alright James.”
“I said I won’t fight you anymore about keeping James to yourself. But you just can’t leave. It will put James in danger. You need us all to protect him.”
“But I took care of them,” she said, looking back. “And with no help from any of you. So, I think we will be just fine.”
I looked up into the night sky, trying to avoid the smug look on her face. I knew she still had a lot to learn, just as I still do.
“Millie, you are wrong if you think you don’t need us, and naïve, too. You were dealing with mere mortals. An immortal will be at least as strong as you are. If a Family member – or maybe one of Marcel’s clan that is still out there – attacks, James he will either watch you die, or be taken with you. Is that what you want?”
“No. You know that. I would never put my child in harm’s way.”
“Well, if you leave, you will.” She sank to the ground in defeat.
“I can’t lose him. He’s all I have left.”
I sat down beside her.
“You won’t lose him if you let us help you.” James reached out for me. “Millie, can I have him?” Looking at me, she let go of him. He snuggled right into me, making his little self comfortable. Millie smiled at our closeness, smoothing the back of his hair.
“Millie, why don’t you come back to Paris? You will be safe there.” She brought her knees up, wrapping her arms around them and turning her head my way.
“What about the Gypsy’s vision?”
“I don’t know. All I want now is to keep you two safe.”
“That’s what I want too.”
She leaned into me. I wrapped my free arm around her, holding on to both of them.
No Goodbyes
I walked down the last step of the staircase at the Ambrosine mansion, going into the kitchen with James to feed him. I would watch him until we left tonight to go back to Paris. Millie and Marcus had departed for Baton Rouge before the sunrise, to take care of some Family business.
“Here we go, James,” I said, placing him in the highchair. “Let’s make you something to eat.”
I reached for a banana to mash in a bowl.
“Now, where is your baby spoon?”
“It’s in the drawer next to you.”
I turned to see Phillip. I rushed over to him and jumped into his arms.
“Are you okay? Oh, if anything had happened to you…”
“I’m fine, I was never touched,” he said, hugging me close to him and breathing me in. “I’m sorry about Anna, though.”
“Yes, poor Anna.” I slid out of his arms as the sorrow of losing her overwhelmed me again.
“Alixia, I apologize. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
He reached out for my hand with a pained expression, sensing my anguish.
“I’m all right,” I said, feeling tears well up. “It’s just she was with me since my birth. I can’t believe I will never see her again. It’s wrong. She shouldn’t have died.”
I stopped for a minute, surprised at myself.
“I’m glad Millie took them,” I said.
I went back to the counter, wiping my eyes and retrieving the bowl with the banana.
“Oh, I forgot the spoon.”
“Here, I’ll get it.”
“Is it true,” he said with his back to me, “that there are Family members who are joining Marcus in building a new society?”
“Yes,” I said with a little hesitation, breaking the banana up in the bowl.
“I don’t get it. Why would they turn against the Family? Even my own uncle has turned against us.”
I looked at James and tried to keep my voice soft and calm.
“No one is turning against the Family, Phillip. They have come to Marcus because they believe in change. Marcus has proven himself many times over to the Families. He helped take out Marcel’s followers, and prevented a lot of the Family members from having their souls taken, just as Millie did for you. Right?”
He shut the drawer hard.
“Here’s the spoon.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking it and smashing up the banana in the bowl. I looked intently at him as he sat down, his jaw tight. I listened to him deny to himself that Marcus’s Family could ever intertwine with ours.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m appreciative of Millie’s sacrifice. It had to be hard for her to return with her child.” He paused, reaching for a napkin and wiped the drool from James’s mouth. “However, you are forgetting one fact. Th
ey still need to survive, and I can read them. They still have the urge.”
“I know that, but they get past it. They are not like Marcel’s Family, and you know it. You stood beside Marcus, fighting them, and you could sense the difference.” He leaned back in his chair, staring at me for a second, and tapping his fingers on the table. He was having his own private debate in his head, knowing it was the truth, and trying to find a way to twist it.
”You’re right. They are different. It’s just that I can’t accept…”
He stopped talking as the back door opened. It was Sofia, bringing in an armful of groceries.
“Here, let me help you.”
“Thank you, Phillip.” He took them from her, setting them on the counter as she walked over to James. She leaned down to kiss his cheek.
“Banana boy!”
“Yes, and he’s almost done, too.” I gave him another bite. “Sofia, will you fix a bottle for him?”
“Yes, of course,” she said, a little quiet because she felt as though she had interrupted something.
“Um, if you and Phillip need to talk some more, I can finish giving James his breakfast.”
“Well,” I hesitated, remembering that she was Marguerite’s sister.
“Alixia?”
Her thoughts were not contemptuous. Phillip got in my head, hearing my fears.
It’s okay. You can trust her around the child.
I glanced over at him as he nodded with assurance.
“Sure, that will be fine, Sofia. Holler if you need us.”
“We will be fine,” she said, looking down at James and touching his curls.
“Come on, Alixia,” Phillip said, taking my arm.
He took my hand and we strolled out to the gazebo to talk. Looking out in the morning mist, I saw a couple of a deer grazing in the distance. I looked over at Phillip, squeezing his hand with contentment and enjoying the peacefulness of the countryside.
“After you,” Phillip said, stepping up onto the gazebo and letting me pass.
“Phillip,” I said, sitting down. “I was just thinking of that conversation we were having before Sofia interrupted us.”
“Do we have to go there? There is really nothing to talk about anymore. I was only going to say what you already know. I will never accept the fact that they won’t go after the Family. There is power in our blood, and they want it.”
Path of Descent: Ambrosine Page 26