Path of Descent: Ambrosine

by Noreen Harrison

  “Okay, I’ll let you know where to meet us.”

  We walked out through the kitchen. I really didn’t want to deal with any of the Families right now.

  “Alixia, Phillip,” Sofia said, looking surprised as she took a kettle from the stove. I walked over and gave her a kiss. She smelled of jasmine.

  “Sofia, how are you? “

  “I‘m good. What can I do for you?”

  “Nothing,” Phillip said, opening the back door for me. “Alixia is just sneaking out.” I rolled my eyes at him.

  “I’m not sneaking out.”

  “But the Families in the ballroom…”

  “Sofia, don’t worry about them,” I said, putting my hand on her shoulder. “Phillip will explain my absence. Right, Phillip?”

  “Yes. Come on, I will walk you to your car.”

  I looked up at the moon, still low to the earth. It was full and big, making everything silver gray.

  “It’s calm this evening,” I said, standing by the car.

  “Yes, it is.” He looked at the moon, taking my hand. “I wish it were calm like this all of the time.”

  “So do I.”

  He looked back at the mansion.

  “Anyway, to keep the calm, I guess I’d better get back in there and explain your disappearance.”

  I smiled.

  “Yes, take care of that for me.”

  “Sure. Anything for you, my Supreme.”

  “Funny,” I said, facing him. “Anyhow, I will let you know where to meet us.”

  “I will be waiting.”

  “Okay, then.”

  He opened the door for me.

  “You be careful tonight.”

  I kissed him and got into the car.

  “Alixia?” Phillip leaned in the window.

  “Yes?”

  “Make sure Marcus understands the urgency of this.”

  “I will. I promise. Oh, stop worrying, Phillip. He’s going to help us.”

  I looked at him in the rearview mirror, just standing there in the middle of the road.

  Watching me leave.

  Clemency

  In Baton Rouge, I arranged to meet Marcus at the townhouse that Mother had bought for me. I didn’t tell him on the phone about the vote. I wanted to do it in person, so that he would understand and hopefully still help us.

  Going through the first stop sign, I saw the old man who had played saxophone on the corner that day long ago. He crossed the road in front of me, making me slow the car and stop. My headlights shone on his face, and his clouded eyes stared at me hauntingly when we passed. And then I heard the same warning he had given before.

  Be watchful.

  I felt uneasy as I watched him disappear into the darkness.

  Be watchful of what?

  I remembered Angel telling me the apparition only comes to you when there is danger.

  At the townhouse, I saw Marcus standing by a willow tree, bathed in moonlight.

  “Hey, there!” he said, walking up to me and giving me a kiss.

  “So?”

  “It didn’t happen.”

  “Did you think it would? So, let’s just get the hell out of here.”

  “No,” I said, irritated, and sat on the porch swing.

  “I promised Phillip.”

  He sat down beside me.

  I felt his anger as he pushed the swing with his foot.

  “You promised me, too.”

  “Marcus, what am I supposed to do? Let them just hunt him down?”

  He stared at me with a tortured look, knowing that Phillip would always be in my heart.

  “Fine,” he said, irritated. “Let’s just go to the Ancients and end this ourselves.”

  I turned, sensing Phillip arriving.

  “Yeah, I sense him, too,” Marcus said.

  “Be nice. Sarah attacked first, and he had to defend himself.”

  Phillip came right up to Marcus.

  “I’m glad you are going to help.”

  “Hey, if it will get Alixia away from all of you, I don’t mind helping at all.”

  “So,” he said to me, “I assume you told Marcus about the vote?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Marcus. I guess the Families will never trust Dark Ones.”

  Marcus got up and walked over to him, clenching his jaw.

  “How about you, Phillip? Do you trust us?”

  Phillip held his ground and didn’t flinch.

  “For now, yes.”

  “Okay, then,” I said, wishing to bring the conversation back to the reason we were all here. “Marcus thinks we should go to the Ancients and try to end all of this without the Families on either side.”

  Phillip thought about it for a moment, staring at us.

  “It might work.”

  “Then let’s get to the West Indies and get this over with, so that Alixia and I can leave to get married.”

  Phillip looked hurt.

  “Phillip, are you okay?” I asked, irritated that Marcus would bring that up right now.

  “Yes.” He glared at Marcus. “About going to the West Indies, we don’t have to. They’re here.”

  I stiffened, having a flashback on the old man.

  “I think I saw one of them tonight.”

  “You saw an Ancient?” Phillip said, his voice rising with panic. “Where?”

  I told them what had happened.

  “He warned me as he had before, just like that old woman in the West Indies who called out to me. They both said ‘Be watchful’, and then both disappeared after saying the words.”

  “Watchful of what?” Marcus asked.

  “I don’t know yet.”

  I saw worry on Phillip’s face.

  “Angel told me they were apparitions and they only show up when someone’s in danger.”

  “We all know who is in danger here,” Marcus said, looking at Phillip.

  “Is that all he said to you, Alixia?”

  “Yes.”

  Phillip ran his fingers through his hair, looking out toward the street.

  “Marcus, can you get Michael to meet with us tonight?”

  “You’re joking, right?“

  “Phillip, that’s crazy,” I said. “Marcus is right. Michael could use black magic on you.”

  “I’m keenly aware of that, but he wouldn’t dare with the Ancients here. Pure Ones can’t interfere.”

  He looked over at Marcus. “Can you do it?”

  “Yes, meet us in the swamp.”

  “Alright. Thank you. I’ll be there.”

  He went down the steps.

  “Phillip, wait,” I said, leaving Marcus. Why don’t you just come with us?”

  He looked up at Marcus. “No, I’ll meet you there. I need to go back to the Families first.”

  He kissed my cheek and accelerated off.

  Marcus came up to me.

  “Come on, let’s go find Michael.”

  We moved quickly through night air, landing near Marguerite’s in the swamp. I waited for Phillip, and Marcus went to find Michael. The heavy fog concealed me as I leaned against a cypress tree. Looking out onto the water, I listened to animals looking for prey.

  “Millie,” I said, sensing her behind me and turning to greet her. She gave me a cold kiss on the cheek.

  “So, why are Marcus and Michael arguing?”

  “Because Phillip…”

  “Phillip!”

  Her eyes narrowed in anger, just hearing his name.

  “Yes, he’s coming here.”

  “Why?” she asked, baring her teeth and sniffing the air for him.

  “To talk to Michael,” I said, “so behave yourself.”

  “Why do you want to protect that piece of garbage?”

  “Enough, Millie. You need to let go of these feelings. Your child is safe, and it’s time to move on. When he gets here, control yourself. He will kill you if you attack him.”

  She looked at me defiantly, her words hissed out t
hrough her gritted teeth.

  “But you will be there to protect me, right? If something did occur…”

  She is not getting it.

  “I will always be there for you, just like you’re going to be here for me now, and not cause any trouble. Right?”

  She smiled, conscious that I would be watching her.

  “Yes I will try to hold back.”

  “No, don’t try. Do it.”

  A crocodile slipped into the water with a hard splash, spooked. Phillip and Charles were coming. I grabbed Millie’s arm.

  “Keep it together, you hear me?”

  “Yes. Let go of me.”

  We stood there watching them appear from the mist.

  “Phillip, over here,” I said, hearing him in my head.

  I see Millie’s with you.

  Yes, and she is not that thrilled about either of you being here.

  Yeah, I‘m reading her thoughts.”

  Charles took my hand and kissed my cheek.

  “I hear you got your birthright back.”

  “Yes I did, and I’m sorry.”

  “No apologies. It has always belonged to you. You are the true Supreme.”

  Phillip smiled at me with a wink, knowing he had been right. Charles had no hard feelings about me taking the title back.

  “Phillip told me you handled yourself well.”

  “Yes, but it wasn’t the vote I wanted.”

  “I know. That’s too bad.”

  I stared at him incredulously.

  Empathy for me?

  He went over to Millie. I stepped quickly between them, creating a buffer in case she didn’t stick to her assurances.

  “Millie,” Charles tried reaching for her, but she stepped back. She didn’t trust him, and neither did I. This behavior was not in line with his usual arrogance.

  “Millie, I’m not here to start a fight. I just want to tell you that your child is doing well and…”

  She exploded, moving forward with bared teeth.

  “My child? Now you have concern for him, and for me?”

  I held her back.

  “Let go of me!” she said, fighting wildly to break my hold. “He wants to end this? Charles, you are a fool if you think I will ever forgive you or the Families for taking my child!”

  Marcus arrived from nowhere and held Millie, too. He spoke firmly to her in a low voice.

  “The Family is waiting for you. Go back to them now.” Then he let go of her and nodded at me to do the same.

  “Millie,” I began, wanting reassurance that she wasn’t going to go for Charles’ throat.

  “It’s alright. I’m going.” She moved away from us, glaring at Charles and Phillip until she disappeared into the mist.

  “She won’t cause any more trouble,” Marcus said, looking around. “Charles, I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Yes, I returned after hearing of the deaths in the Families.” He hesitated, looking over at Phillip. “And especially Marguerite’s.”

  I took Marcus’s hand.

  “Where’s Michael?” I asked, sensing him and two other Pure Ones.

  “Michael,” Marcus called out and they came into view. He was with the young women Shayla and Ashen, the Pure Ones who had witnessed Millie’s change. I watched Michael’s demeanor change from stunned to angry.

  “Marcus, why is Charles here? That wasn’t what we discussed. The talk is off.”

  Charles stepped forward.

  “Michael! I came here with my nephew to take the blame for his actions against Marguerite.”

  “No, Phillip killed her. You can’t take the blame for that. He broke the beliefs.”

  Marcus put his arm around me, speaking up to shut them up.

  “Well, since we’re all here now, let’s get on with this. Phillip, the deal is they only want you for tonight.”

  The two Pure Ones nodded.

  “What deal?” Phillip asked.

  Charles assumed a defensive stand by his side.

  “You want him for what?”

  Shayla came toward Phillip calmly, but I sensed her aggression.

  “Phillip, we are only here to find the truth about what was in your heart when you attacked Marguerite. And if you refuse, we have our own rituals to find that truth. So, if you have nothing to hide, you should come with us.”

  “No,” I said. “If you want to the find the truth, then do it here.” I took Phillip’s hand and placed it in hers.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m showing you the truth. That’s what you want, right?”

  I held on tightly to both, passing his images of Marguerite’s butchery to her. She stepped back, letting go with no expression on her face.

  “I’ve seen enough. Will you come, Phillip?”

  “No, because I know exactly what was in my heart when I killed her.” She walked over to Michael and Ashen, speaking quietly.

  “We should leave.”

  Michael took her arm.

  “There will be no negotiating tonight, since you are not abiding by what we want.”

  “Michael,” Phillip said, “I was protecting the Family. She would have kept on killing.”

  They looked intently at him, and then turned and walked off toward the mansion.

  “No!” Charles said.

  Phillip and I moved in front of them and I looked into the hatred in Michael’s eyes.

  “We have to end this now,” Phillip said.

  “Michael, you must want to end this, too, don’t you?”

  “Alixia,” Michael took my hand and pressed his wet lips on it, peering up at me with a taunt in his eyes. “It will end. I promise you that.”

  I pulled my hand back.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that we will continue this tomorrow night, when the Ancients can hear us. Now, let us pass.”

  Marcus came up behind me.

  “Alixia, it’s finished.”

  “I hear their thoughts, too.” I stared at them. “You are not going to forgive or forget are you?”

  The Threat

  The sun was just starting to rise as we sat in the gazebo on the Ambrosine estate. We had come here after leaving the swamp last night, talking and hoping that there would be a compromise tonight for everyone’s sake.

  Phillip stood up and stretched, looking back at me.

  “Alixia, maybe you’d better go back to Marcus.”

  I looked up at him as the morning light hit his beautiful face.

  “No, I’m not leaving your side. We have already talked about this, and Marcus understands. You heard him say that last night. So, don’t ask me again to leave, because I’m not.”

  “Fine, I won’t say another word. I just wanted to make sure.” He came back smiling, and sat down next to me.

  “So, do you think Marcus will have your mother here in time?”

  “He will. I just hope she can help us tonight, defending you against the Pure Ones.”

  “Yes, I hope the Ancients will listen to her,” he said.

  “Phillip, she’s a healer, as they are. They will listen.”

  He breathed a deep sigh, and put his arm around me.

  “Even if tonight does go in my favor, I still lose.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ll lose you.” He brought me close, kissing the top of my head. I hugged him, knowing we would always be part of each other’s lives.

  “Hey, enough of that. I have to come back because I’m your Supreme now.”

  He laughed aloud.

  “Yes you are the Supreme.”

  “And you are stuck with me, unless your uncle wants to jump in again?”

  “No,” he said with a smile on his lips, “I don’t think he will ever take your place again, especially after being with your mother.”

  “My mother?” Ahah! “Phillip, I can get into your head, so start talking.”

  He stood up, just in case my reaction would not be ladylike.


  “Okay, my uncle and Lucida kind of got together again while they were in the West Indies.”

  “What do you mean by getting together?”

  “Alixia, your eyes are turning dark, calm down. They are just friends.” He paused teasingly. ” Anyway I think that’s all.”

  I punched him.

  “You think?” He rubbed his chest, smiling at me.

  “I really don’t know. Ask your mother.”

  “Oh, I plan on it.” I sat back down. “This is weird, my mother and Charles, talking.” I turned, seeing one of the staff coming toward us.

  “Mademoiselle Ambrosine!”

  “Yes?”

  “You have a visitor.”

  “Who is it, Samuel?”

  “A Monsieur Ashen Edward.”

  “He dared to come here?” Phillip said angrily, walking toward the mansion.

  “Wait,” I said. “Thank you, Samuel. Tell Monsieur Edward that we will be there shortly.”

  We watched him walk away.

  “Let me talk to him by myself, just in case he has something else in mind.”

  Phillip look past me to the mansion.

  “Do think he’d really try to fulfill their threat here?”

  “It didn’t stop Marguerite, did it?”

  “No.”

  “Listen to me, please. As I said, let me see first if it’s a trap. Just go through the back entrance to the ballroom and wait for me there, in one of the secret rooms.”

  “I’m not hiding away.”

  “Phillip,” I pushed him. “I will not lose you. Just do as I say.”

  “Fine, I’ll go, but keep your mind open to me,” he said.

  “Yes, anything you say. Just stay out of sight, please. Now go!”

  We went our separate ways. I walked up to the veranda, and sensed the threat as I opened the door.

  Alixia, be careful.

  I’m aware.

  “Mademoiselle Alixia,” Ashen said, standing in the center of the foyer. He came over to me, extending his hand and looking behind me.

  “It’s nice to see you again.” He kissed my cheek. “Where’s Phillip? The staff said he was with you.”

  Watch him closely.

  “Why are you asking for him?”

  ”I have been looking for him. I wanted to…” He hesitated. “You are in my head. You don’t trust me?”

  “Should I?” I asked, noticing tiny sweat beads forming on his upper lip.

  “I’m not here to incite.”

  “I didn’t say you were. But I do sense the ill will that you bear toward Phillip.” I watched as he swallowed hard, trying to contain his nerves.