Sanctuary
Marcus put his arm around my waist as we watched the taillights disappear.
“I’m so thankful we’re together again, Alixia.”
As he leaned in to kiss me, the Mansion’s front door opened and an older man stood there, portly and silver-haired. The buttons on his white shirt tried to restrain his stomach.
“Good evening, Marcus.”
He scratched his belly and then turned his attention to me.
“And this must be Alixia? Sorry about interrupting. I didn’t know you two… ”
“It’s okay, Michael.” Marcus said.
The older man reached for my hand as I explored his thoughts. He is a Pure One, like Marguerite.
“It’s nice to meet you Alixia. I’ve heard a lot about you.“
“You have?”
He, too, had a blackbird tattoo. But his was on the left side of his neck.
“Yes, you are talked about quite often amongst the Families.”
“Come with me,” Marcus said. “I have something to show you. Michael, will you excuse us? We don’t have much time together.”
“Yes, of course. Alixia and I will get acquainted later.” And then he kissed my hand.
“Sure…” I said, feeling the wetness of his lips on my skin.
“Until later, then.”
He turned and went upstairs.
“So,” I said, shaking off the strange sensation. “What did you want to show me?”
“It’s down here, I had this room done especially for you.”
We walked down a long hallway and stopped in front of white double doors with gold handles. They opened into a solarium filled with flowers of every kind that surrounded me with sweet aromas.
“It’s beautiful, Marcus.” I noticed white orchids right away and touched them gently. Marcus came up behind me saying in a soft voice,
“I’m glad you’re here. And don’t worry, we’ll be safe. Marguerite will make sure of that.”
“I hope so, but I still don’t understand how she can keep the Ambrosines away from us.”
He turned me around to face him, his deep blue eyes drawing me in as he spoke with conviction.
“Just trust her, okay?”
“I guess I have to, for now.”
He smiled a boyish grin.
“Yes, you do.” He leaned down and kissed me. That was it. I didn’t care anymore. I moved in closer, wrapping myself around him and feeling his body against mine.
“Wait,” he said, breaking our embrace.
“For what?”
He stepped away from me.
“It’s just that, well, I have to know for sure. You and Phillip. I know you will be seeing him again.”
I bit my lip, shaking my head.
“Marcus, really. Why are you bringing up Phillip now? I’ve made my choice to be with you. It’s over. I’ll make Phillip understand. Now, come here.”
I wrapped my arms around him, kissing him reassuringly.
“I can’t lose you again,” he whispered.
“And you won’t. You have to trust me now.”
“I do,” he said, breathing me in. “But when you see Phillip…” He stopped in midsentence and kissed me again.
And then I noticed the red roses – my mother’s favorite. A rush of emotion washed over me. I felt as if someone had pounded a knife through my heart. I pictured the garden she loved so much and would never work in again, and the spring growth that she brought to life every year.
I wiped tears from my cheeks.
“Alixia what is it? Are you okay?”
“The roses,” I said. “They made me think of Mother.”
He didn’t say a word, just cradled me in his arms. I sensed his remorse for my mother, and his wishing that he could have done more. However, in my mind, I knew there was nothing we could have done. She hadn’t been allowed a choice, and that was why the Ambrosines took her life.
We sat there for a while, just holding on to each other, wrapped up in our own thoughts.
“Alixia...”
“Yes?” I asked tenderly, moving closer into his arms, enjoying the sense of his body next to mine.
“You know things will get better for us. Remember when we were in the woods and I told you that Marguerite has plans to turn this all around?”
“Ah, yes, the plan,” I said teasingly. “And what is she going to do? Use some kind of black magic on them? That should be interesting to watch.”
“Actually,” he said, raising an eyebrow at my skepticism, “she did say it had to do with some ancient ritual.”
“Really?” I sat up straight. “An ancient ritual? Are you kidding?”
“No. She said if she could get what she needs for the ritual, there may be a chance that I can see my parents again. And hopefully…”
“No!” I yelled, standing up frantically. “Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish for them? I told you they could be killed if the Ambrosines found out about you!”
He reached out for me.
“I’m not going to tell them what I’m doing. I was just saying if…”
“Marcus! I don’t care what you think she can do. I know if the Ambrosines or Marcel ever found out that you were exposing yourself…”
“Alixia, you have to understand!”
“I do understand. You don’t get it. You will be in danger.”
He looked at me, rolling his eyes.
“You know what, never mind. I’m not going to argue about this. Anyway, she still needs to get Madame Cecilia on our side, before she can start anything.”
I flipped my hair over my shoulders, indicating there was no hope of that happening.
“Well, that’s another thing,” I said. “I think her coming over to our side is crazy. And why do we need her, anyway?”
“I guess it’s the same reason you want Phillip on board.”
I looked at him in exasperation.
“Nevertheless, I still wonder if we can trust Grandmother. I know how she feels about you.”
“Alixia,” he reached for me, taking my hand. “It’s okay. I know what you’re saying, but you have to trust Marguerite when it comes to Madame Cecilia. She knows what she’s doing.”
“I’m not so sure. This all seems too weird. I know the Ambrosines and...“
He put his finger to my lips, touching them softly.
“Alixia, it will be okay. I promise you.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Olitha called his name.
“We’re over here, Olitha.”
As she walked in, she handed me my keys.
“I ran into Phillip,” she said. “He was standing by your car when I got there, angrier than a crazed dog. He demanded to know where you were and when I told him you were on your way to Madam Le Boueff’s mansion, all he said was ‘Marcus!’ and then he got into his car and left.”
“Yeah,” Marcus said edgily. “We’ve already had an encounter with him.”
She looked at Marcus and then turned back at me.
“Well anyway, Alixia, you’d better talk to him. We’ll need Phillip’s help in this situation with Marcel.”
“I plan on it.”
“Good. And Marcus, remember your friends will be here soon.”
“I know. “
“Alixia, when Marcus leaves, Michael and I will be in the study. You’ll show her the way, Marcus?”
“Yes, of course.”
My heart dropped. That’s what he had meant when he said that we didn’t have much time together. Why is he even thinking about leaving? The Ambrosines will be looking for him.
“You can’t leave. Please.”
“I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t tell me not to worry. I’m going with you.”
“Alixia, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
He put his arm around me, bringing me close enough that I felt his sweet breath on my face.
“Because the
people I’m leaving with tonight don’t trust you.”
I stepped out of his embrace.
“Seriously?”
“You can’t blame them,” he smiled. “Did you forget that you’re an Ambrosine?”
“No,” I said, a little spitefully. “But, they really don’t trust me? I’m not the one here who takes souls!”
“They’re not like that! They have nothing to do with Marcel.”
“Yeah right,” I said, rolling my eyes. “So, you’re telling me they’re not controlled by anyone?”
He froze suddenly, and then turned his head toward the glass doors at the end of the room. I sensed them, too. They were close by, standing in the darkness, waiting for him. He looked at me.
“I have to go…”
“Wait, please.” I held him tightly. “Why do you have to go? I need you to stay here with me tonight. I don’t want to be without you.”
“Alixia, I don’t want to be without you either. Do you think I want to leave you? I just got you back. But I have to feed tonight. It’s been a while, and we have to go up north where it’s safer.”
I let go of him, suddenly questioning myself about even being with him. Our immortality is so different. He kills to survive and I kill to protect.
“Marcus, are you going to kill someone tonight?”
He stepped back from me, grimacing nervously as he ran his hand through his dark, waving hair.
“No. I haven’t done that since meeting Marguerite. She’s been trying to help me with other ways to feed, although I’m not going to lie to you that the urge is always there.”
I touched one of the roses, staring at him.
“Then, what are you going to feed on? If it’s not….you know?” I couldn’t finish my sentence, seeing a vision of him in my head as he took a soul from some defenseless person in the darkness.
I heard them calling to him.
“Alixia, I have to go.”
“But...”
“Please just stay here until I return tomorrow night.”
I looked up at him dejectedly.
“I wish you’d let me just come with you. I’m afraid of the Ambrosines…”
He leaned into me, brushing my lips with his and stopping me saying any more.
“It will be safer for us if you stay here.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Alixia, your Family is like ours. We can find each other easily. Now, think about that. They’re probably homing in on you right now.”
“Ah! You’re right.” I dropped my head in defeat, knowing the debate was over.
He kissed my forehead.
“Come on. I’ll take you to Olitha.”
“It’s okay, I’ll find her myself.”
Opening the glass doors, we stepped into the night air. I sensed them immediately – five of them. Images of shadowy figures appeared in my head as they wrapped themselves in darkness. Marcus slid his arms around my waist, holding me firmly.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“But I still think…”
“Alixia.”
I shook my head.
“You’re right. Just be careful.” He kissed me tenderly and as he walked into the darkness I heard a female voice.
“You’re a fool Marcus, if you think you can trust her.”
I stepped back into the solarium, closed the door behind me and said defiantly:
“He can trust me!”
And I wondered who she was.
Leaving the solarium, I noticed a dark and intense painting on the wall in the hallway. The subject was Madame Correa (I had seen her likeness in a portrait at Madame Cecilia’s). Here, she seemed to be in anguish. There was a woman lying in her arms, half nude, with alabaster-white skin and jet-black hair. Her face was partially covered, but her chest was exposed, revealing a dark hole where her heart should be. Madame Correa was looking down at her sorrowfully, the pain on her face heartrending.
“Alixia, there you are.” Olitha came up behind me, holding a glass.
“It’s disturbing, isn’t it?” I asked, nodding at the painting.
“Yes, it’s your ancestor, Madame Correa Ambrosine, and her mother. “
“Her mother?”
“Yes. She was a Dark One who had to be destroyed.”
She paused for a second and then added softly, “like your mother.”
I felt a shiver as though something cold had touched my soul.
“I don’t want to talk about my mother.”
Olitha put her arm around me.
“I understand. Come, I will show you to your room. And this drink will help you sleep tonight.”
Tainted Blood
Nightmare.
A presence surrounded me.
I could feel its fiery touch on my skin as it tried to take hold of my heart. Its haunted chanting pierced my mind. My body thrashed in the bed, fiercely trying to keep it from my soul. I was in a battle for my life. The entity was inside me. I reached through the darkness, sensing its thoughts. And just as suddenly as it had arrived, it was gone, stopping me from going further into its mind.
I heard a knock.
“Alixia, its Marguerite. May I come in?”
“Yes!” I was unnerved. I moved the covers around my half nude body as she walked in, bringing daylight with her as she opened the curtains. Her smile was full and beautiful. Her hair was down today, parted on the right side, with a slight flip to it. She was wearing a long dress the color of sunshine, and it complimented her dark skin. It had a scooped neckline. I could see the top of her right breast, and there lay the same blackbird tattoo that I had seen on the others.
“Did you sleep well?”
I yawned.
“Yes, if you can call it that. I’m still not used to this half sleep state that I’ve inherited, and all the crazy dreams that never seemed to stop.”
She smiled knowingly and sat in a chair.
“Well, there are a lot of challenges to being immortal. You just have to accept it for what it is.”
“Yes I know, even if I didn’t have a choice in my immortality.”
“Oh, stop playing the pathetic victim. Your immortality is part of you. There is no choice. Your path was fate, just like everyone else in the Families.”
The outburst caught me off guard.
“I’m sorry,” I said, with a little bit of sarcasm in my voice. “I didn’t mean to sound so pathetic.”
I sensed her disapproval.
“You should be thankful.”
“Oh, forget it.” I pushed a pillow to the side of the bed. “Let’s just change the subject.”
“Fine with me.”
She crossed her legs, smiling and smoothing her dress. I sensed her delight in thinking that she had won the argument. I smiled, too.
“So, what’s with that tattoo? I’ve seen it on Olitha, Michael and even Millie’s husband, Henry. Are you all part of a secret society? Like the Ambrosines?”
“Oui “She said touching the top of her breast as she looked down. “This tattoo is a symbol for anyone born pure, without tainted blood. It is given to us at birth.”
“They tattoo you when you’re babies?”
“It’s a ritual that’s been passed down through the centuries. It is our birthright. Something that we’re very honored to receive.”
“Okay, if you say so. But I think it’s a little cruel. This is 1971, you know?”
“It’s not barbaric. Its part of who we are. Our blood isn’t tainted like yours or the Dark Ones, and it never will be.”
She got my attention, making me feel as though I had something foul running through my veins. “
“My blood is tainted?”
“Your blood is of the Ambrosines.”
“That’s not what I asked. What did you mean by saying my blood is tainted?”
“All I meant…” she hesitated. “You are like the Dark Ones.”
“Why?”
She got up and went over to the dre
sser, looking in the mirror. I, too, could see her reflection. I visited her thoughts: she was uncertain about something.
“Marguerite, are you going to answer?”
“Yes, I will. And I hope you’ll understand. It’s because of who you are.”
“You’re not making sense.”
She grimaced, coming back and sitting on the bed.
“Alixia, did you ever wonder how the Families got their immortality?”
”Well, not really.” I got out of bed, picked up my jeans and slipped them on.
“I just figured it all started with Madame Correa and it was some kind of birthright, like yours. Why? Is there something about my immortality that I need to know?”
I put one arm through a sleeve of my blouse.
“Yes, there were a few things that you should have been told, and I don’t understand why you were kept in the dark about them. So I will tell you, but you have to promise that what I tell you will stay secret. You can’t speak about it to any Family members, or Outsiders. Do you understand me?”
“Okay, sure. You have my word.”
She moved to a chair and leaned back in it, musing.
“Okay, then. You’re right about one thing, le pouvoir de l'immortalité did start with your grandmother, but it wasn’t a birthright for her. It was a choice she had to make.”
“Really?” I said. Now she had my curiosity. Buttoning the last button on my blouse, I sat down in the chair across from her.
“So, she had a choice?”
“Yes.” She picked up a pen on the desk and distractedly twirled it between her fingers.
“The way our history reads, there was actually a time when Marcel and your grandmother Correa stood together, to fight a Dark One.”
“Are you kidding? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Well, it happened. In fact, they even cared about each other as friends before the Change.”
“They were friends? That’s hard to believe.”
She placed the pen on the desk.
“Alixia, you have to realize that things were different before your grandmother Correa received her immortality.”
She smiled slyly.
“Anyway, why would that be so hard for you to understand? What about you and Marcus?”
The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2) Page 3
