She moved toward me, threateningly.
“I am telling you right now: don’t pursue this!”
“I will, and I dare any of you to stop me!”
“What did you say?”
“You heard me!”
Her face went hard.
“Don’t you ever challenge the Family!”
I stood up angrily, beyond fear.
“I’ve had it! I care for Marcus and you will just have to accept that! So, go to France and tell the Dominions that I’m not going to let them take him from me!”
Her demeanor suddenly changed. She reached out frantically, taking both of my hands and holding on tight.
“Alixia, you’re my granddaughter. I don’t want to lose you, as I did your mother.”
I sensed she was trying to keep me safe from something or someone, but I no longer cared anymore. My mouth opened and the words came out.
“I’m sorry, but this is my choice.”
Her face collapsed into an emotionless stare and not saying another word, she turned and left. I heard the front door slam. But I knew she would be back, and I didn’t have much time.
”Now, who…” I said aloud, trying to think of someone who could help me find Marcus. And then it hit me. Robert would know! He was, after all, Marcus’s brother.
Picking up the phone, I started dialing. Then I stopped in frustration, remembering that he had already left for boot camp.
Now, what does she want? I had sensed Anna in the doorway.
“Alixia…”
“Anna, please! I don’t have time for a lecture.”
“Just listen to me.”
“Why? I’m not changing my mind.”
She walked over to me, anxiously wringing her hands.
“Alixia, you must let the Ambrosines handle Marcus without any inference from you.”
“No!”
She creased her forehead. I could see the worry in her eyes.
“Don’t you understand that Marcel will keep coming for the Family until he gets what he wants? And what he wants is Marcus.”
“Why are you talking about Marcel? How is he involved in this?”
She looked at me, puzzled, and lowered her eyes for a second.
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
“That Marcel wants Marcus as retribution for Charlotte’s death. He wants him destroyed, because Marcus helped in killing her.”
“He didn’t! I did. And how can he order that anyway?”
“The High Council did. They agreed to appease him with Marcus. So, stop protecting this Dark One. At the Gathering, Phillip told the Families and the High Council what happened that night.”
I grabbed her wrists.
“He did what?”
“Alixia, let go. You’re hurting me!”
I released her, quickly looking down at the marks on her skin.
“Oh, Anna, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m not used to this strength yet. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She rubbed her wrists and looked at me uneasily.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Anna,” I said more calmly. “Tell me everything that Phillip told the Council that night.”
She took a cautious step back from me.
“There’s not much to tell. Phillip said that you and he came up on the Dark One getting ready to kill Charlotte, and you stepped in to stop him. She turned on you, and you had to destroy her.”
Anna put her hands in her apron pockets.
“That’s all he said?” I asked. “Nothing else?”
“Well, he did defend you a little more. Phillip told the Council that you wouldn’t have had to kill Charlotte if the Dark One didn’t provoke her. So, Marcus should be the one responsible for her death. And the Council agreed.”
“Phillip really said that?”
She took another step back from me. I reached out reassuringly.
“It’s okay,” I said, taking her arm and looking toward the door.
“Alixia, what are you thinking?”
“Don’t worry.” I said, coolly.
“But…”
“It’s alright. Just go, Anna. And I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“Alixia, please don’t do anything foolish.”
“Don’t worry.”
After she left I stood there, confused. Why did Phillip twist the story?
I went upstairs and sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window. I had to find Marcus. But how? Perhaps I could travel? No, not that. I shook my head. I needed to be with him in the flesh, and not in some ghostly state.
Then it hit me.
“Marguerite Le Boueff,” I said aloud. “She‘ll help me!”
I ran downstairs to the kitchen, where Anna was sitting by the stove.
“Where are the keys to the Camaro?” I asked, going through the drawers.
“Alixia, please!”
“Never mind. I found them!”
New Orleans
Parking the car on a side street, I laid my head on the steering wheel in frustration as I went over the fight with Madame Cecilia. Why did it have to be this way? If she would just listen to me...
I pulled the key from the ignition and my head began to clear as I took in the street around me. I had to focus on Marcus. He needed me now.
I closed my eyes, concentrating. Trying to find him, I felt his presence but couldn’t see him yet. I called out to him, letting him know I was coming and hoping that he would stay safe.
Walking toward Bourbon Street, I sensed that Marguerite was close. Mardi Gras was all around as night fell on the city, bringing out tourists and music. The closer I got to Bourbon Street, the more I had to squeeze and push my way through crowds of partiers. A young man with dirty blond hair grabbed me, placing beads of gold, green, and purple around my neck. I tried moving away from him, but he was drunk and persistent. He danced me out of the crowd, toward a back street.
“Listen,” I said, trying to avoid his drunken stupidity. “I really need to go.”
He gripped me even tighter, moving me into him. I could smell the stale stench of alcohol.
“Come on now…” he said, slurring the words. I felt his lips on my neck.
“Let me go!”
I struggled to get out of his arms as he tore at my blouse. I could feel things change. My instincts took over and I grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him off the ground.
“When I said stop, you should have listened.”
I threw him hard against a building, and watched as he slid to the ground. He lay there for a second, groaning. Then, as he tried to get up, he cried out in pain.
“You broke my arm!”
“Too bad.”
He looked at me, bewildered.
“How did you, I mean, you picked me up with one hand.”
I left him there and blended into the crowd.
A few blocks away, I sensed something new. I turned to see a young, slender woman with curly brown hair, and a blackbird tattooed on her right cheek. It was vaguely familiar. And then it came to be. I had seen it on Millie’s husband’s hand. His name was… Henry.
”Alixia.”
She spoke in a low, quiet voice, taking my arm.
“Come with me. I’ll take you to Madame Le Boueff.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I moved away from her, pulling my arm free.
“It’s okay,” she said, moving toward me. “Madame sent me to find you. Please just come. I’m not going to hurt you.”
She reached out for me again. I looked into her mind, sensing that she was telling the truth. My body relaxed.
“Where is she, then? “ I asked, trying to pick up her scent in the crowd.
She reached for my hand again.
“ Come,” she said.
We wove through the crowd, making our way toward a small alley. The pungent odor of garbage wafted through my nostrils.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
”Olitha Langdeau.”
Then she took off again, and I had to hurry to catch up.
“Olitha, can I ask you a question?”
“What is it?”
I could sense she was tense, and wanted to keep moving.
“I’m just curious. How did Marguerite know that I was looking for her?”
Her look said that I should know this.
“Through Marcus, of course. He told us you were coming.”
She pulled on my arm, looking around worriedly.
“Alixia, we need to hurry.”
Good.
He knows I’m coming.
She stopped in front of a lit doorway, reaching for a black cast iron handle.
“After you,” she gestured.
Inside, she pointed to a table and chairs.
“Sit here. I’ll tell Marguerite you’ve arrived.”
There was a sweet flowery scent in the room. The walls were stone gray. There were chickens and birds hung upside down, casting lifeless shadows on the walls. Flickering candles added a yellow eeriness to the space.
Suddenly, I heard voices. I turned to see Marguerite coming through the curtained doorway with a woman who was dressed all in white.
”Alixia,” she smiled. “I’ll be right with you.”
Marguerite must be a Healer, I thought. She reached for a jar, opened it and poured a powdery substance into a small handkerchief. She then tied the sides neatly, making a round pouch, and handed it to the woman.
“This should help you.”
“Merci.” The woman kissed her cheek and quickly glanced at me with a slight nod of acknowledgment. Then she left.
“Alixia,” Marguerite said. “It’s nice to see you again, but I was hoping it would be under different circumstances.
“Then you know they’re going after Marcus?”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
“Well, I need to find him. Can you help me?”
“Yes.”
She walked over to the curtain in the doorway and pulled it aside.
“Marcus,” she called.
“He’s here?”
She smiled as Marcus appeared.
I jumped into his arms with a sigh of relief. I felt the coolness of his breath on my neck.
”I knew you would come,” he whispered.
I looked up into his eyes, sensing love. His lips gently touched mind.
“Marcus, we have to leave now. They’re coming for you.”
He cupped my face and stared deeply into my eyes.
“We won’t leave until I hear you say that this is your choice,” he said.
“Do you need to ask?”
“Just say it, please. Tell me that it’s your choice to be with me.”
“Of course it’s my choice,” I said. “Now, can we go?”
“Yes.”
He looked past me.
“Marguerite, you heard her. It’s her choice to come with us.”
I stared at her, confused.
“Marguerite’s coming with us?”
“Yes, she has already made the arrangements.”
“Where are we going?”
“For now,” Marguerite said, “we will be going to my mansion.”
“The mansion? Are you kidding? You know Madame Cecile wants him dead!”
“Goodness, girl. Calm down. It’s my mansion.”
I stood there numb. What was she thinking? How could we stay in New Orleans?
“Marcus is in danger here. We must leave New Orleans.”
“It’s okay,” Marcus said.
“No, it’s not. You don’t get it. They’re coming for you!” I looked to Marguerite for help.
“Alixia,” she smiled, “you don’t need to worry. The Ambrosines, or indeed the Dark Realm, can’t enter my estate unless they are invited by us, the Pure Ones.”
”Pure Ones?” I asked, confused. We walked into the street and she closed the door behind us.
”You were never told about us?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“No.”
“Hmm. That’s interesting. Well, I’ll have to make you privy to that part of our lineage, but not now.”
She motioned at something down the dark alley. Car lights moved toward us and became a black limousine. Marcus reached for the door handle.
“Hop in.”
“What about my car?”
“You brought a car?” Marguerite asked.
“Yes. Shall I follow you?”
“Give me your keys. We’ll stay together until I find out exactly what’s going on. Where is it?”
“A few blocks down, off Bourbon Street. It’s a black Camaro.”
“I’ll have Olitha find it. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I slid into the limousine beside Marcus. He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me close. His body felt cool next to mine.
“No one will ever keep us apart again,” he said. Then he brushed my lips with a cool, soft kiss. I was about to reply when the door opened and Marguerite got in.
“Time to go,” she said to the driver, looking at us with a slight smile.
“Okay you two. I’ll drop you off at the mansion and then I’m going to talk to your grandmother, Madame Cecilia.”
“What!”
“Alixia,” Marcus said, taking my hand. ”It’s okay. Marguerite knows what she’s doing. You have to trust her.”
Trust. How many times have I heard that lately?
“I know it might not go smoothly with Cecilia, dear. I know how she can be.”
I was stunned.
“You know her?”
“Yes. Why wouldn’t I? We’re all connected through the High Realm.”
“Are you kidding?”
The price of trust was rising.
Marguerite was about to reply when the car abruptly stopped.
And then I heard his voice in my head.
”It’s Phillip,” I said aloud, reaching for the door handle.
“Alixia, wait!” Marcus reached for me.
“It’s alright, Marcus. Let me go. I need to talk to him.”
He paused for a second and then said: “I’m coming with you.”
I looked at Marguerite, wordlessly asking: “Is it safe?”
She nodded, calmly.
”It’s okay, Alixia. We will all go.”
The door opened and the driver leaned in to take Marguerite’s hand, helping her out. We followed, and stood close behind her. It was dark except where the headlights of our car shone on Phillip. He stood there with dejection and hurt in his eyes.
Then Marcus took my hand, and suddenly Phillip’s look changed to hatred. I had never seen this before. He walked toward me, calling my name, and then stopped. Looking past me, his face showed surprise.
“Marguerite. I didn’t know you were with them.”
“Bonjour, Phillip.”
Phillip knows her, too!
He took her hand in his.
“I don’t want to cause any trouble,” he said earnestly. “I just need to talk to Alixia, in private.”
She looked toward me and nodded. I began to move away from Marcus and he pulled me back, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.
“No,” he said. “She isn’t going anywhere with him.”
Phillip stepped toward us, eyes narrowing.
”She can speak for herself.” He reached for me.
“Marcus, it’s okay. I need to speak with Phillip.”
He held me even tighter.
“I don’t think you should do this,” he said.
“Phillip would never hurt me.”
As Phillip stepped closer, Marcus pulled me back.
“I won’t let you go again,” he said.
Through Phillip’s anger, I reached into the silence.
Philip, please go. I’ll come to you.
He glared at Marcus.
We will talk, I
promise. Now, go. Please…
“You know where to find me,” he said aloud.
I nodded. And as he walked to his car, I heard him say,
Keep your promise, Alixia.
I will.
Getting back into the limousine, Marcus mumbled something angrily.
“Marcus, you must have faith in me!”
“Oh, I trust you with all my heart. It’s him I don’t trust.”
“Well, I trust him.”
“Why?”
“Because we need him.”
Marguerite touched my hand and looked at Marcus.
”I agree with Alixia on this one,” she said.
“Are you kidding? What about him going to the Council?”
“I’m sure he had a good reason,” I said.
“Yeah, I know. To keep you away from me.”
“That’s silly. How could he keep me away from you?”
“Well, wanting me dead is one option.”
Marguerite spoke up firmly.
”Marcus, you know Phillip wasn’t the one who ordered that.”
Marcus held me closer.
“Phillip didn’t disagree with them,” he said.
“And you know why. He had to protect Alixia, separating you from her before there were any more questions asked. You would have done the same thing, too, to protect Alixia.”
“I would never have lied.” And then, looking at me, he simply deflated.
“Okay, I would have done the same. But I still think it’s a mistake letting her go to him.”
I listened for a while as they went back and forth.
I’m doing the right thing, bringing Phillip into this. He’ll always be there to protect me.
“Marcus,” I said, interrupting them. “It will be okay. I know we can make Phillip understand that he needs to help us.”
He stared at me for a few seconds.
“That’s not all he’s going to need to understand, you know?”
“Yes, I know.”
I’ll have to tell Phillip the truth. I’ll break his heart, the way my mother did with Charles.
“Come along now,” Marguerite said, opening the car door.
“Oh, we’re here.”
Marcus and I stepped out, and Marguerite closed the door and rolled down her window.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow. Alixia, promise you won’t contact anyone until I get back from talking to Cecilia. Especially Phillip.”
“Don’t worry, she won’t.” Marcus squeezed my hand.
“Fine, I’ll wait. Good luck making her change her mind about Marcus. And after the things I said to her, they will probably all come after me next.”
The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2) Page 2