Turning to the right, I noticed a large conch shell sticking out of the sand next to me. I dug it out of its bed, amused. I brought it to my ear, listening as I had when I was a little girl coming to the beach. I thought of my father, telling me that conch shells held many secrets, and if I listened quietly they would whisper them to me. In my little girls’ imaginings, they did.
I suddenly sensed Phillip.
He was coming out of the trees onto the sand, his full smile just as beautiful as ever. The brisk sea breeze pushed his white shirt against his chest, revealing a muscular build that was hard not to notice.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Angel said no. She doesn’t trust you.” He reached for my hand.
“We will still get her, but I wanted to talk to you first, anyway,” I said, standing up. I quickly blocked his thoughts so that Angel couldn’t hear them.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
I smiled.
“I’m just blocking your mind, so that she can’t get into your head. I have something to ask you.”
He stepped back from me, agitated.
“What are you up to?”
“Phillip, I want you to help me take her tonight.”
His face went from irritated to dark.
“It has to be done,” I said, pushing my hair out of my face as a breeze whipped around us.
“I don’t get this. You said you just wanted to talk to her.”
“And you said that you know she needs to be destroyed, but not by a Dark One. Well, I have solved that concern. Marguerite will do it.”
He moved toward the water. I was in his head, listening to him arguing with himself.
“Phillip, you can trust Marguerite.”
I held his hand, not saying any more, and letting him come to the realization that Angel will end tonight.
We stood there for a few minutes, and then he spoke.
“What do you want me to do?”
I reached into my cutoff jeans and pulled out a small leather pouch that Marguerite had given me. Opening it carefully, I took out a blackbird’s claw.
“What’s that?” Phillip asked raising an eyebrow and looking down to inspect it.
“This is what we are going to use to paralyze her.”
“We’re paralyzing her?”
“Yes, we have to bring her back alive, and this the best way to do it. All we need to do is break her skin with this claw, so the potion can travel throughout her body.”
“Huh,” he said, lowering his eyes. Then he rubbed his forehead in disbelief, realizing that it could be so easy to take her from him.
“That’s it, then?”
“No.” I put the claw back in the pouch and handed it to him. He looked into my eyes, seeing my anxiety. “There is one more thing that I need you to do.”
“And what is that?”
“Remove the small vile from Angel’s neck.”
“No, that will be too dangerous.”
“So you know what it is?”
“Yes. There is no way she will let me get close to it.”
“Phillip, you have to try. It must be in our hands before we paralyze her.”
He stared at me, sighed deeply, and then began talking to himself, as if forgetting I was standing there.
“She has wanted me back with her for a long time. Maybe if I would have…”
“You were with her?” I interrupted him heatedly, upset that he would keep that secret from me. “You never told me you and she were lovers!”
Grinning at my reaction, he replied with a jibe.
“Well, I guess you’re going to find out a lot of secrets if you go in my head.”
He walked away, aggravating me even more.
“Phillip,” I said following him. He turned, trying to cover up his enjoyment of my jealously. “I’m not jealous.”
“If you say so.”
“I do, and anyway you could have told me.”
He turned around.
“Why? It was something that happened seventy years ago, and I was never in love with her, or her me. She has this insatiable hunger for all types of men, and I just gave into her one night.” He paused, looking at me knowing what I was thinking. ”No, just one night, but we have always cared for each other. That’s why it is going to be hard after all these years to have to do what I have to do.”
A wave washed in and Phillip jumped back from it, not wanting to get his shoes wet. I just stood there, looking out at the water and controlling my thoughts, not liking his torment for her.
“Alixia?”
“I’m sorry for what you have to do, Phillip, but I’m not sorry for her. She brought this on herself, so let’s get back to what we are going to do about it.”
He rubbed the side of his face.
“You already know that I will help you, because you are in my head.”
“Are you sure? Because she’s coming right now and she angry.”
“I know. I sense her. Keep my thoughts blocked.”
She came out of the darkness wearing a white flowing dress that stopped at her ankles.
“Get ready,” I said as she moved fast toward us.
“Alixia, I knew it was you blocking him from me!”
Phillip took Angel into is arms. “Don’t provoke her, Angel.”
I stared at her neck. There it was, the vile hanging down on a strand of leather.
“Why are you here? I told Phillip we had nothing to say to each other. ”
“Yes, he told me.”
“Well then, leave, unless you want Millie’s baby to die. ”
Phillip brought her in closer to him. I could see his arm reaching around her.
“Alixia, maybe it’s best you leave, before this gets out of hand.” I took a step toward them, glaring at her, and keeping the tension high between all of us.
“I will not leave until I have my say!”
Phillip yelled out, “I mean it, just go!”
“You are insane, Phillip. The Family and the Pure Ones will come for you, too, if you protect her!”
I saw Angel’s lips curl into a small smile of delight, as if he belonged to her. I bit down on my lip, suppressing my anger.
“Angel, I beg you. Give up. Don’t you care that Phillip will die protecting you?”
She sneered at me with no compassion.
“That is his choice…”
At those words, Phillip ripped the vial from her neck, and pushed her to the ground. She got up and went for him, tearing at him and trying to get it back. I pulled her off.
“No!” she yelled, struggling to get out of my grasp. “You can’t kill me. Phillip, why are you letting this happen?” She looked at him in disbelief.
He reached out and cupped her face.
“Angel, you broke our beliefs.”
And he took the claw and raked it down her cheek.
Angel
The potion worked. Angel collapsed, just as Marguerite had said she would, but she hadn’t told me how violent it would be. She convulsed, kicking and screaming in wretched torture as it spread throughout her body, begging us to help her, but we just stood there watching. Then she went still, lying there just as Madame Cecilia had, her eyes moving and her mind trapped.
I walked alongside Phillip as he carried her body, looking straight out and not wanting to look into her eyes. We made our way back through the jungle mist toward Marguerite’s.
“Phillip?” I asked carefully, as I was still hearing his last thoughts as he asked her silently to forgive him. “Are you sure you want to witness her death?”
“Yes, I want to make sure everyone keeps their word.”
I moved a branch, hoping for the same thing.
“They will.”
“You’d better be right.”
We walked the rest the way in silence.
Coming into the village, the ghostly figures of the Ancients surrounded us, pushing and grabbing for her. Phillip yelled out angrily at them in French.
“Arrière.
”
They moved back when Marcus called to us, stepping out of the entrance to Marguerite’s.
“We were told you were coming. This way.”
He looked at Angel with aversion.
“Marcus, where are we going?” I asked, taking his hand as he reached out for me.
“To the ritual grounds. They want to begin right away.”
Phillip grunted angrily and moved ahead of us. We followed, keeping our voices soft.
“Marguerite is keeping her promise, right?” I asked, looking up ahead at Phillip.
“Yes, we talked and she agreed it would probably cause more problems if Millie was involved.”
Marguerite was waiting for us. Going toward her, the smell hit my nostrils right away and it wasn’t a sweet, intoxicating odor as before. This was from something decaying.
“Alixia, the vial?” she asked anxiously. I handed it to her as Phillip laid Angel down in a pentagram.
“Thank you. You can leave now.”
“No!” Phillip said forcefully. “I will stay to make sure you keep your word about no Dark Ones.”
He looked toward Marcus with distrust.
“You cannot stay,” Marguerite stepped between him and Angel. “Unless you are ready to die along with her?”
“Phillip, please,” I said. “Let’s just go. She will keep her promise. You have to let her go now.”
“Wait,” he said with a snarl in his voice. “After I say goodbye. Are you going to stop me from doing that, too?”
She waved her hand in exasperation.
“Go to her.”
He knelt down by Angel. Touching her hair, he leaned in close and whispered to her in French.
“Vous êtes dans mon coeur. Au revoir.”
He kissed her forehead and got up.
I wished that I could feel remorse for her, but I couldn’t. She had sealed her own fate.
“Let’s go,” Phillip said. I looked over at Marcus talking to Marguerite. He must have sensed my stare, as he kissed her cheek and walked over to us.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes, we’re ready to leave!” Phillip said, agitated.
“Phillip, this is not my doing,” Marcus said, wrapping his arm around me and watching Phillip grumble off down the path.
“Give him time, Marcus.”
He kissed my lips softly.”
“Wait!” I turned, hearing James. I looked into the heavy mist and saw three figures coming toward us. One was holding the baby, James.
Marcus grabbed me.
”Let me go. I need to see him before it starts.”
“No. The Ancients won’t let you get close.”
“We will see about that!” I said, pulling away. I stood in front of them, holding out my arms and not saying a word. The ghostly figure holding James reached out with him, and placed him in my arms. I brought him in to me. He stopped crying and snuggled up to me. All I heard were little hiccup breaths as he calmed himself.
“It’s okay, James. You will soon be safe, and will get to leave here.”
“Alixia,” Marguerite said, coming up behind. “Give me James.” I held him closer, smelling his sweetness and kissing his little forehead.
“You will soon be back in your mother’s arms.”
“Not unless you let me get this over with,” she said as she reached for him. I smiled at her retort, as Marcus came to my side. I put him in her arms.
”We will return to New Orleans in a few days. Make sure Millie’s ready for us, Marcus.”
“I will. Let’s go, Alixia ”
I leaned in and kissed James one more time, and then spoke to Marguerite.
“Keep him safe.”
She smiled and left, walking back to the ritual grounds.
I sighed heavily.
“Marcus, what did she mean about Millie?”
He looked ahead and I could see his jaw stiffen as he reached for my hand.
“She might not be able to be around her baby yet.”
“But you said she was different, and seemed to control her Change better than you or the others had.”
“Yes, she is different.”
He smiled at me, as if he had a secret.
“Let’s just see when we get back, okay? ”
Give and Take
I had not been able to see Millie since my return two days ago, and I was losing patience. I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t come after anyone in the Family, especially Phillip. However, Marcus promised me it would be soon. I got up from my dresser, finished brushing out my hair, and left my worries in the back of my mind. I had something else to think about tonight – a Gathering of the Families.
I was driving up to Madame Cecilia’s. The Families and the Dominions had called a Gathering. I had no idea what they wanted this time, but Charles said it was vital that I be there. In fact, he insisted on it.
The driver opened the door and I stepped out to see Phillip on the veranda. I sensed right away that he had questions about Marguerite.
“Phillip,” I said, as he met me halfway, “how are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” he said curtly. “Have you heard from Marguerite yet?”
“Yes. Michael said she might return tomorrow evening.”
“So the ritual… must have gone well?”
I nodded, trying not to show my happiness that it was over. However, I knew he could sense it.
“So the child is safe now?”
“Yes, he will return with Marguerite.”
He took a step up.
“What about Millie? Will he be safe around her?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her myself yet.”
He went up the last two steps, turned and spoke with sadness.
“Well, when you do see her, tell her if she tries to carry out her threats against us, she will die.”
“I will handle her.”
”I hope so.”
He opened the door. As I walked past him into the foyer, I suddenly got a vision of the Families standing in their red hooded robes, chanting the word Choice. I turned on him, unnerved.
“Why am I being called here tonight?”
“You don’t know?” He smiled, closing the door.
“Phillip, what is this?”
“Alixia,” I turned to see Charles. “Come, we have been waiting.” He put his arm around me, rushing down the hallway to the ballroom. I looked back at Phillip and he was still smiling, so I got into his head.
Phillip, answer me.
It’s your legacy, Alixia.
What are you talking about?
The doors opened.
“Alixia,” Charles said, letting me go into the ballroom first. The room suddenly went quiet, as the Families looked our way. As I walked towards the stage, the Families bowed and whispered my name as I passed. Phillip came up behind me as I took the first step up onto the stage.
“Wait here,” he said, putting a white gold trim robe on my shoulders.
“What is going on?”
“They’re here to honor you.”
“They are honoring me? Why?”
“You’re the only living Ambrosine who bears the mark now.”
I stood there, stunned, reflecting for a moment on what mother had told me about the Family birthright. With Madam Cecilia passing, I was the last one to bear the mark.
Madame Aimeri of the South Families reached out for me, her bluish green eyes filled with pride.
“Alixia,” she said as she took my hand and guided me up the last step onto the stage.
“Come.”
Taking me to the center, she put her hands up and spoke with command in her voice.
“Alixia Ambrosine. Go to your knees to honor her.”
They went to their knees without hesitation, chanting my name. I stepped back in disbelief, hearing their thoughts and realizing what this was about. I wasn’t going to take my grandmother’s place! I looked to the right of me, seeing Phillip.
I can�
��t.
I ran off the stage.
“Wait!” Phillip called for me. I didn’t stop. I just pushed my way through the Families and went out the door. Going down the last step of the veranda, Charles yelled out as he followed behind me.
“Alixia, you can’t run from your birthright!”
“Charles, I can’t do this!”
“There’s no choice. You’re the last of the Ambrosines.”
I shook my head, defeated by his words.
I walked back to him, placing my hand on his arm and looking straight into his eyes.
“You are right, I have no choice. It is my birthright. However, I want you to know now that Marcus and I will be married. So, will the Families be willing to accept that Marcus will be my husband if I become the new monarch of all the Families?”
He stepped back from me, his face twisting in anger.
“You will not do this!”
“I will,” I said, irritated that he was being his old egotistical self. His nostrils flared. His eyes squinted as he spat out a command to me.
“Do as you are told. You have no idea what you are doing! You are an Ambrosine.”
I held my ground.
”This has nothing to do with who I am. I love Marcus and I will marry him, and none of you will stop me.”
We heard the door open. Charles yelled out, seeing Phillip.
“Phillip, did you know of this marriage?”
“Yes. Marcus came to me.”
Charles moved back to the veranda steps, staring up at him, stunned.
“And you accepted this without a challenge?”
“No,” he said somewhat mournfully. “Not really, but there is no choice in the matter. I have to accept it.”
Charles went up the stairs, furiously pushing Phillip against the house.
“You fool! You have a choice. Kill him!”
“Charles!” I yelled. He glared at me.
“We will not accept this. I expect you to come back in and accept your birthright, or there will be consequences.”
“Consequence? You are threatening me?” I yelled back, feeling anger building in me. “I will show you consequences!” I ran up the stairs past them, going back into the house. They both followed, calling out for me to stop, knowing what I was going to do because I let them hear my thoughts.
I pushed on both doors to the ballroom, slamming them against the walls. The Families turned in alarm. I could sense their fear as they stared at me through their hooded robes, watching the red hue build around me. Phillip grabbed me, pulling me back.
Path of Descent: Ambrosine Page 10
