The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2)

by Noreen Harrison

  “Marcus,” I said, breathing him in. “You are my addiction.”

  He held me even closer, making my body ache for him.

  “And you’re mine,” he murmured.

  Millie

  I sat in the library, looking up at a newly painted portrait of us together. Being back at Madame Cecilia’s was bittersweet. It was nice that I was going to be with Millie again, but memories of my mother plagued my mind.

  “Alixia, you’re here!”

  Millie came in with a small plate of pastries and a glass of sweet tea.

  “Here, let me help you.”

  I got up and helped her into the leather chair.

  “Merci,” she said, sitting down. “Nice ring.”

  “Thanks. Marcus gave it to me last night.”

  She rolled her eyes, letting go of my hand.

  “He gave you a ring?”

  “Yes.”

  “What can I say?” I sensed her disapproval.

  “You don’t have to say anything.”

  “So, when did you arrive?”

  “A little before sunrise.”

  “Oh,” she said, biting down on her sweet roll. I watched as she chewed slowly and I entered her thoughts.

  “Yes, I was with Marcus most of the night.” She swallowed hard.

  “Really, Alixia. You could have waited until I asked you instead of jumping into my head.”

  “Would you have asked?”

  She put her pastry down and wiped her hands on her napkin.

  “Yes, just so I could lecture you on how stupid you are about caring for this Dark One. What did you do last night? You didn’t…”

  “Millie, no!” I said before she could finish her insinuation.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that anyway.”

  I smiled mischievously at her.

  “But we almost did.”

  “What!“

  “It is getting harder to resist him. When I’m in his arms…” I paused for a second, thinking of his body against mine.

  “Let’s just say my virtue is getting closer to jeopardy every time I am with him.”

  She cringed repulsively.

  “I can’t believe you find him so alluring. I think he’s just another dark, foul monster who needs to be destroyed.”

  “Millie, that’s not even fair. You have never met him, and you’re judging him! He is not like Marcel. He would never hurt anyone I care about.”

  “Alixia, they’re all alike.”

  “Well, he’s not!”

  “Fine, maybe he is different. But all I’ve ever known is that they have always been “Obscurité de mal” and takers of souls. I watched your mother being taken away from us that night.” She lowered her head and tears welled in her eyes. I rushed to her side and wrapped my arms around her.

  “I’m sorry, Millie. Forgive me. I know how horrifying it was for you.”

  ”I just wish I could have saved her.”

  “We will get through this,” I said softly. She wiped her eyes and let out a long sigh.

  “It’s just hard knowing I will never see her again.” She touched her belly. “I just wish she could have been here to see my child born.”

  “Me, too.” I hugged her and she grimaced in pain.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” she said, still holding her belly. “It’s just a little twinge.”

  “Do you want me to help you upstairs, so you can lie down?”

  “No, I’m okay. Just let me sit here for few minutes and compose myself. “

  She seemed so frail to me. Her belly was huge and her eyes looked tired, with deep circles of exhaustion.

  “Millie,” I said asking again. “Sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine now. I just have my moments.”

  “Okay.” We sat quietly for a while, and then Millie broke the silence, asking about someone I really didn’t want to discuss right then.

  “Alixia, I was just wondering about Phillip. Have you talked to him yet?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Are you going to speak with him?” I got up and walked over to the fireplace, looking up at the painting. I answer quietly.

  “Yes, I will…”

  “What did you say?”

  “I said yes, I’m going to. I’m just trying to figure out how to handle the situation.”

  “Well, I hope you can handle the way he takes your choosing the Dark One over him.”

  “I know. It isn’t going to be easy. But he will have to understand.”

  I sensed Madame Cecilia and Henry arriving.

  “Good, you are here.”

  Henry went to Millie, helped her up out of her chair and kissed her, and then gently touched her belly.

  ”I’ll see you in a few days, so don’t have that baby without me.”

  She looked down.

  “I’ll try.” He turned toward me.

  “And Alixia, thank you for watching over Millie. Keep her safe for me.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.”

  Madame Cecilia came over to me.

  “Okay, Gabriel will be here if you need anything. And Alixia, I expect you to apologize to him for your behavior near the airport.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “Yes, just a few bruises. Anyway, apologize. Okay, as Henry said we will be back in a few days. So, please don’t stir up any trouble while were gone. Marcus knows to stay away from here, right?”

  “Yes. Marguerite told us your wishes before I left her mansion.”

  “Good. And by the way, I noticed your car out front. You will not drive it. If you and Millie need to go somewhere, Gabriel will take you. Understood?”

  “Yes.”

  “All right then, we’ll see you when we get back.” She hugged me. “Behave yourself.”

  I hugged her back. ”Don’t worry.”

  “Henry, are you ready?”

  “Yes.” He took Millie’s hand and asked her to walk him to the car. Millie looked at me.

  “Are you coming?”

  “No, I’ll just wait here.” They walked out the door.

  “You abide by my warning and stay out of trouble,” Madame Cecilia said.

  “I will. Oh, wait. About Charlotte: you should have told me.”

  She stared at me.

  “So, you know whose child she was?”

  “Yes, I do now.”

  “I suppose we should have told you.”

  “Yes, you should have.”

  “Would you have still gone after her, if you knew.”

  “Yes.”

  She shook her head and went out the door.

  I walked over to the window, moved the curtain aside and watched them get into car. She wants me to trust her. That will be a cold day in Hell.

  Millie returned, looking upset.

  “Are you hurting again?”

  “No,” she said, finding a chair.

  “Then, what is it?”

  ”I’m worried about you.”

  “Why, did they say something to you?”

  “No, and that’s what is bugging me. Not even Henry will talk about what they’re going to do there.”

  She paused.

  “I just wish you could let go of this Dark One.”

  “Well, I can’t.”

  “Oh, Alixia.” I sensed her fear for me.

  “Hey, let’s not talk about this any more.” I picked up her plate. “Do you still want your pastry and tea?”

  “No, I’m not hungry now.”

  “So,” I said looking around the room and trying to think of something to cheer her up. “Let’s talk about this baby. That always cheers you up. Have you picked out any names?”

  She smiled, and reached for a book.

  “Okay, I do have a couple of names picked out if it’s a boy.” I laughed quietly. Pregnant women sure can change their moods fast.

  “Come here, Alixia. I want to show you something.”

  She sat on the couch and I joined her.
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  “Okay, I could use your opinion on these two names.”

  She opened the album and flipped through the photos.

  “Here,” she pointed. “This was my great grandfather, whom I loved dearly.” I looked down. It was a black and white photo of an old man holding a baby.

  ”Is that you, Millie?”

  “Yes, I was three months old there.”

  “You were a cute baby.”

  “Merci! Okay here’s the deal. Henry and I have been having a little battle about what to call the baby, if it’s a boy. I want to name him after my grandfather. His name was Rufus Edward.”

  “Okay.” Rufus? Is she kidding?

  “And the other name you picked?” I asked, hoping it was better. She flipped through a few more photos.

  “Here, this is Henry’s uncle.” I looked at the photo. He was a younger man dressed in a suit, with a derby cocked jauntily on his head.

  “So, what’s his name?”

  “Moses.” Oh,…

  I glanced at the photo again, noticing the blackbird tattoo on him, too.

  “So,” Millie asked anxiously. “Which name do you prefer, Alixia?”

  “Well, even though I know you loved your grandfather, I just can’t see saddling a little kid with a name like Rufus.”

  “Oh, so you like Moses?”

  “Kind of.”

  She sat there quietly for a few seconds with a little pout on her face.

  “But I like the name Rufus. I can’t believe you’re going to be on Henry’s side in this.”

  “Hey,” I said, showing my palms in surrender. “I’m not taking sides here. You and Henry need to battle this one out on your own. However, I’m telling you right now that if it’s girl, there is no way I’m calling her Rufus.”

  “Very funny,” she said, closing the album. “Anyway, you don’t have to worry about that. We’ve already chosen a name if it’s a girl.”

  “You have? What is it?”

  “Jessie.”

  “Oh, I like that name. Hopefully, it’s a girl.”

  “Alixia!” She elbowed me.

  “I was just kidding. I’ll love little Rufus too.”

  She got up and put the album back on the shelf.

  “Millie,” I probed. “I noticed in the photo of Henry’s uncle that he had a tattoo of the blackbird. So, how come you never told me about the Pure Ones?”

  “I guess Madame Cecilia and your mother thought it was best that you learn about the Families first. “

  “But Marguerite told me that they’re connected to the Family.”

  “Oh, she did? Well, I guess they would be in a way, considering what they do.”

  “What do they do?”

  “They’re overseers.”

  “Overseers?”

  “Yes, they keep the balance between both worlds. You know, between good and evil.”

  “What? How do they do that?”

  “I really don’t know. All Henry has ever told me is that they oversee conflicts between the two realms, and they help with judgments that have been ordered by the realms.”

  “Pure Ones help in the judgments?”

  “Oui, they make sure the punishments are followed without any inference. And if someone does try to interfere, well, they will take action against them.”

  “What action?”

  “I don’t really know.”

  “Maybe when Marguerite gets back, I’ll ask her.”

  She stood up.

  “Good luck with that. They are very cryptic about their beliefs.”

  “You mean, Henry never lets anything slip?”

  “Never. Henry is very open with me on everything, accept his birthright.”

  “So, he’s never told you about any conflicts since you’ve been together?”

  “No, just like we don’t discuss what we witness either. Right?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Okay, touché. I get the point.” Then I smiled at her mischievously.

  “But I could accidently find out. Remember, I do have other means of finding out things.”

  “Alixia, remember that curiosity killed the cat. Come on, I’m getting my appetite back. Let’s go to the kitchen.”

  Walking down the hall, I saw Gabriel entering the kitchen.

  “Oh, great,” I said aloud.

  “Don’t worry,” Millie said, laughing. “You can take him.”

  In the kitchen, Gabriel was standing by the stove with Sofia, pouring himself a cup of coffee. Sofia addressed me first.

  “Oh, Alixia, come here!” She hugged me and asked if I was okay.

  “Yes, but that question should go to Gabriel.”

  I looked directly at him.

  “Gabriel, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  He put his coffee cup to his lips, took a sip as if he didn’t hear me, and turned away.

  “Gabriel, please,” I said.

  He turned around with a huge grin on his face.

  “You really pack a punch, young lady.” He gave me a little nick to the jaw and took another sip of his coffee.

  “You’re forgiven. Come, sit.”

  We chatted about the Mardi Gras Ball at the mansion this year, and how the guests had really enjoyed the ‘Gone with the Wind’ theme. At one point I found myself wondering, How strange that my mother died the night before, and they still went on with everything, as if nothing had happened.

  Eventually, Millie broke up the conversation, saying that she needed to lie down. She was having twinges again. We left the kitchen and headed upstairs for her room.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, watching her grimace from pain again as I helped her lie down.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’ve been through this several times before.” She heaved an uncomfortable sigh. “It’s just false labor.”

  “Do you want me to stay with you?”

  “No, you don’t need to. I just have to rest.”

  I pulled the blanket over her.

  “If you need me, I’ll be right next door.”

  “Fine.” She turned on her side, grimacing. “I’ll yell for you if I need you.”

  “Okay.”

  Walking into my bedroom, everything was the way I had left it the night of my mother’s death. I went over to the chair and picked up the ball dress that I never got to wear. Holding it up in front of me, I turned to the mirror, reawakening thoughts of my parents. Moving the dress around in a dancing motion I smiled, remembering my life when they were both alive. How everything seemed so perfect and safe. But, now it was all so different. They were both gone and I was left with only memories, and so much uneasiness about the future.

  Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a painful scream. I ran into her bedroom.

  “Millie! What is it?”

  “The baby, it’s coming!”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Alixia, go get help. Now!”

  “Okay!” I ran down the hall and yelled over the banister for Sofia and Gabriel. Gabriel showed up first.

  “What is it, Alixia?”

  “It’s Millie. She’s having the baby. Hurry!”

  Sofia yelled as she came from the hallway, heading for the stairs.

  “Gabriel, find Olitha and tell her it’s time! And then come help.”

  I walked back to Millie’s room, thinking: She wants me to help her, but I don’t know anything about delivering babies.

  She opened the door. Walking in, Millie was sitting up now, and obviously not in any pain. Sofia took her hand.

  “How far apart are they, Millie?”

  “I don’t know, they just started. Owww… Here it comes again…” She bent over in excruciating pain.

  “Can’t we do something?” I asked, panicking.

  “Alixia, get some fresh towels and bed sheets.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.” I ran down the hallway to the linen cabinet and pulled out towels and sheets until I had an armful of them.

  Running back into the room, I s
aw that Millie was composed again. She actually smiled at me.

  “Think you brought enough?”

  I looked down at my full arms.

  “Why, do you think we’re going to need more?” I was serious.

  “No, it’s okay,” she laughed.

  “Where do you want me to put this stuff?” I asked Sofia. Holding back her laughter, she told me to put everything on the dresser.

  “Do you need anything else?” I didn’t get the answer I wanted – just another ear-piercing scream from Millie.

  “I think she’s getting close. Go boil some water.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  I opened the bedroom door to see all the staff standing in the hallway. A few of the women went inside as I left. I headed downstairs quickly. As I hit the last step, the front door opened and Olitha and Gabriel walked in.

  “Where is she?” Olitha asked, taking off her jacket. I pointed upstairs.

  “She’s up there. I’m going to boil water.”

  She smiled at me.

  “Yes, you go do that, Alixia,” Gabriel said. “Come on, I’ll go with you.”

  In the kitchen, I grabbed the kettle from the stove, went to the sink and started filling it.

  “Gabriel, is she going to be okay?”

  “She’ll be fine.”

  I put the kettle on the stove and turned on the flame.

  Sitting at the table, I kept watching the kettle, hoping it would start whistling. And a thought…

  “Has anyone contacted Henry?”

  “Yes, it’s already been done.”

  “That’s good,” I said tapping my fingers on the table nervously.

  “Okay, that’s it! I can’t wait down here any longer.” I stood up and headed for the door. ”Gabriel, will you bring the kettle when it whistles?”

  “Yes, go ahead.”

  I ran toward the stairs and heard her scream again. All I could think about was that having a baby had to be the most tortuous thing in world. When I got to the hallway, the staff were kneeling down and chanting the name Ambrosine. I sensed uneasiness the nearer I got to her room. I opened the door and walked into a sweet smell of some kind of incense. Millie lay there groaning in the bed. I looked over at Olitha.

  “Is she going to be all right?”

  “The baby is turned the wrong way. We have to get it out quickly before it’s too late.”

  “Well, let’s get her to a hospital!”

  “No!” Millie screamed.

  “Millie, you need to go to the hospital. They can help you.”