She squeezed my hand and whispered.
”You can do it.”
“I can do what?”
Olitha answered for her.
“Turn the baby.”
I looked at Millie and then back at Olitha.
“What are you talking about?”
“You can do it,” Olitha said, stepping away from the bed. “You’re like your mother. You have her ability.”
Millie put my hands on her stomach.
“Millie, I don’t know.”
“Please, just try.” She screamed again in pain.
I looked frantically at Olitha.
“Help me! What do I do?”
She came up close behind me, so close that I could feel her breath on the back of my neck.
“Concentrate,” she said. “Feel the baby, and see the baby.” I closed my eyes. She guided my hands in a circular motion over Millie’s belly. Suddenly, I saw him as if I were inside her. I felt his soul around me; his tiny heart beat with mine. As amber light engulfed us both, I guided him without touching. His eyes fixed on me. I turned him in the direction of the light, and then everything went dark.
“Alixia, are you okay?”
The darkness evaporated, and before me I saw Olitha holding the crying baby.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Millie reached for my hand.
“Alixia, you saved my baby.”
“Did I hurt you?” I said bending down to touch her belly.
”No. As soon as the light engulfed us, the pain stopped.”
I hugged and kissed her.
“I can’t believe I did that! It was as if I was inside you. How’s the baby?”
Olitha smiled.
“Just fine.”
She placed the baby in Millie’s arms and I sat next to her, looking at him in amazement. His tiny dark eyes opened and he looked at me knowingly. He squirmed in his mother’s arms.
“Do you want to hold him?”
I nodded, and taking him into my arms I smelled his sweetness.
“So, little Rufus.”
Millie laughed aloud.
“Now that you said it, that certainly doesn’t sound like the right name for him.”
I looked down at him.
“So, what does your Mommy want to call you now?”
“James, after your father. “
“What?” I looked at Millie. “Really?”
“Yes, that would be the perfect name.”
“I love you.”
The staff started chanting “ Le Pur” as we looked down at our precious little James.
Phillip
A couple of weeks had passed since Millie had her baby. It was now the middle of April, and still we waited for them to return. Henry had called Millie, but said that he couldn’t leave yet. I was worried about what they were up too.
I looked at Millie sleeping peacefully in her bed. Then I slipped out quietly, and went back to my own room. Turning on the light, I sensed his presence.
“Phillip?”
I looked toward the balcony, seeing his silhouette in the gray dawn. I walked over and opened the door.
“Do you want to come in?”
“No, I want you to come out.”
“Give me a minute.” I walked over to the bathroom, closing the door behind me, and looked into the mirror with dread. I’m not ready for this yet. How am I going to make him understand? I took a deep breath. Just do it.
On the balcony, the sun was just climbing the horizon. The sky had a red cast to it: a storm was coming. But it couldn’t be as bad as the one I was heading into right now. I looked over the railing and spotted him sitting on a bench by the pond, looking at the statue of Madame Correa. When I joined him, he took my hand.
“Phillip,” I said, to break the ice. “Millie had her baby.”
“I know.” He stared at the statue, not looking at me.
“So, do you want to talk?”
“Will it get you to come back to me?”
“No, but we should talk. I still care for you.”
He pulled his hand back.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I just don’t understand why. That is what’s tearing me up inside!”
He stood, and I saw real pain in his eyes. I thought about what I was going to tell him. That I never got over Marcus, even when Phillip held me. That Marcus was always in my mind.
“Phillip, please sit and talk.”
He sat down on the other side of the bench, with a boyish pout on his face.
“So, is this where you tell me that you never got over him and you’re truly sorry, but can we still be friends?”
“Phillip, I know you’re angry at me, and you have every right to be. But I just want to be happy.”
“Oh, so you weren’t happy with me?”
I let out a breath in frustration.
“No, I’m not saying that! Just listen. Of course I was happy with you, but…. “
“Oh, here comes the but.”
“Listen, Phillip! Let me talk.”
“ What’s to talk about when you have already made your choice? ”
It was my turn to stand up indignantly.
“You know what, I’m not arguing with you. “
I started walking away. He grabbed be from behind and turned me around, forcibly. He kissed me hard, leaving me weak.
“I will not give you to him!”
“Phillip, don’t do this.”
He looked at me disappointedly.
“So, you have no feelings for me at all?”
“I have feelings for you, but they not same as those I have for Marcus.”
He stared at me, shook his head and then started walking toward the orchard.
“Phillip, wait.“
I took his arm. He turned, and I could sense the torment in his mind.
” Let me go. I need time to think.”
I let go of his arm. He kissed my forehead, and tuned toward his car.
“Phillip! “
“What?”
“Promise me that you won’t go after Marcus.”
He smiled at me loathingly.
“I’m not promising that.”
I stood there looking at him as he got into his car and drove away. The ground felt unsteady. I walked to the veranda and sat in one of the wicker chairs.
The front door opened and Olitha joined me.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yes, but we’re going to have trouble.”
“What do you mean, trouble?”
“Phillip. I don’t think he’s going to help us if the Ambrosines decide that they still want to go after Marcus.”
She stared at me. A strand of hair hung over her right cheek, covering her blackbird tattoo. The rest of her hair was neatly tied back in a ponytail. She reached over and took my hand.
“Come on now, you shouldn’t worry about Phillip. He will be back. He cares too deeply for you.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I‘m pretty sure I am. Anyway, Alixia, I have to leave for a while. I have an appointment with a client. I’ll be back tonight, to check on her.”
And then she hugged me close and whispered.
“I know we’re not supposed talk about what we witness. But what you did for Millie, well, you are a true Ambrosine. I just wanted you to know that.”
She kissed my cheek and left.
Millie looked like she was still asleep. I glanced into the bassinet. Little James was sleeping too, one tiny little fist half in his mouth, sucking it as if it were a pacifier.
“Alixia.”
Millie was awake, and stretching.
“Did I wake you?”
“No, I was just resting.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine, but I wish Henry was here.” I put my arm around her.
“He’ll be here soon.”
“I know, but it’s been a coupl
e of weeks.”
She looked toward the bassinet.
“Is he sleeping?”
“Yes, just like a baby.”
“Funny.” She giggled, giving me a little push.
I moved a pillow behind me.
“Millie, I had visitor this morning.”
“You did? Who?”
“Phillip.”
She looked at me with concern.
“Oh, how did that go?”
“Not good at all.”
“I’m sorry. What happened?”
I brought my knees up to my chest.
“Nothing, really. He just hates me now.”
“Alixia, I don’t think he hates you.”
“Well, pretty close to it.”
She got out of bed and picked up the baby, who was stirring. She kissed his little forehead.
“How’s my baby boy?”
When they were back in bed, I touched James’s little fingers.
“So, do you think Phillip will come around?”
“Come around to what? What do you want from him?”
“I don’t know, I just need him in my life. I don’t want him to leave me.”
She looked down at James and smiled.
“Alixia you can’t have both of them.”
“I know that. This is all my fault. I should have been honest with Phillip about my feelings for Marcus.”
“Yes.” She handed me the baby. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Are you okay?”
“I think I have a little touch of stomach flu.”
“Well, little one,” I said, laying him down next to me. I opened his baby blanket and watched him yawn and try to find his fist again. My eyes went right away to the small tattoo of the blackbird on his left shoulder.
“ James, you are a Pure One. So what kind of powers are you going to hold?”
”Okay, Phillip,” Millie said, coming right back to our conversation. “Yes, you should have told him the truth.”
“I know that now,” I said wrapping James back in his blanket. “Maybe if I had been more honest, they could have become friends instead of rivals.”
“Alixia! Really, girl. Haven’t any of the Family beliefs sunk into that head of yours yet? You can’t bring these two worlds together. Marcus is a Dark One and even though Phillip tried to befriend him, he will never accept Marcus as anything but evil. Even I’m having a hard time understanding why you want to be with him.”
I bent down and kissed little James.
“Because I love him, Millie. And he is not evil, so stop saying that he is.”
“Alixia, it won’t work.”
“Oh, I’ll make this work somehow. You’ll see.”
“Well, whatever. I’ll always be there for you, you know that.”
“Yes, I know. And thank you.” I kissed her cheek. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you, too.”
“That will never happen. Anyway, enough talk. James is hungry.” She picked up the baby and brought him to her breast.
“Oh, okay, while you’re doing that, I’ll go and get cleaned up.”
She smiled at my awkwardness as I got off the bed quickly.
“Yes, go ahead. We will be okay.”
Back in my room, I stripped off my clothes. Going into the bathroom, I ran a cold bath. It felt good against my skin. I lay there thinking of Marcus, closing my eyes, concentrating on him and trying to reach out. The sensation of him encircled me quickly. I went into my ghostly state, walking down a long hallway and hearing voices. I came to a door and passed through it without opening it. I stood there in a half-lit room. It looked like a den or study. Leather furniture and books were everywhere. I turned to the left and saw Marcus. But he wasn’t alone! There was a girl with him. Her arms were around his neck. I moved in…
”Alixia!”
There was a hard knock on the bathroom door.
“Yes,” I said, coming out of my traveling state. I grabbed a bathrobe and stepped out of the tub.
“It’s Angel.”
Angel, what is she doing here?
I opened the bathroom door.
“Hello, Alixia.”
“Angel!”
She was so beautiful, with that ebony hair and her flawless dark skin. She kissed both of my cheeks and sat down in a chair next to the window.
”So what brings you here?” I asked, going to the closet for some clothes.
“You know perfectly well why I’m here.”
I pulled on some jeans, rolling my eyes.
“I’m not discussing him with you.”
I came out of the closet carrying a blouse.
Her lips were pursed and her eyes glared at me, trying to hold back her anger.
“So, what else do you what to talk about?” I asked, putting on my blouse.
“Alixia, I didn’t come all this way to put up with your attitude.”
I went over to the bureau and picked up my hairbrush.
“What attitude?”
She rubbed her forehead in agitation.
“I’m not going to be baited into arguing with you. I came with Henry and…”
“Henry’s here?” I interrupted her. “Are Madame Cecilia and Marguerite here, too?”
“No, they had some unfinished business.”
My heart dropped, sensing her pleasure.
“What kind of unfinished business?”
She smiled vilely at me.
“The Dominions are deliberating right now, and if they decide it’s time to end this situation with Marcus, it will be done. That’s why I’m here, to warn you not to interfere.”
I sat down in a chair, horrified, and tried to plead with her.
”Angel, please listen. He had nothing to with destroying Charlotte. It was all my doing.”
She kept that taunting smile on her face, as if she were delighted to see my anguish.
“It’s nothing to do with Charlotte. “
”What?”
“He’s becoming dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?”
”This Dark One of yours is starting his own Family, and that’s makes him very dangerous. We can’t allow that.”
“Family? They’re just his friends. Marguerite knows that. Didn’t she tell you?”
She glared at me.
“Marguerite is not part of this decision!”
“What do you mean she’s not part of it?”
“Let’s just say she is too close to these Dark Ones. Anyway, Marguerite isn’t your biggest concern right now. As I said, once they decide his fate…”
I interrupted her. “So they haven’t decided yet?”
“No, but the decision will be against him, I can promise you that. You will not get to change the order of things. We will never allow that to happen. And you will not get in our way. If you do, your Dark One will suffer even more.”
I stood up, walked over to the dresser and grabbed my keys.
“Alixia, where are you going? I haven’t finished with you yet!”
“Well, I’m finished.”
“Alixia, you come back here!”
I turned to face her.
“Just watch over Millie for me, okay?”
Looking at her, I felt my temper flare.
“And never, ever threaten me again.”
For a second, I sensed her genuine fear.
Hmm. Strange…
The Lie
I knocked on the Gautier’s door, hoping that Phillip could shed some more light on all of this. I knew that he and Angel always shared confidences.
What was I doing, being defiant with her? She was probably contacting the Dominions right now, and I don’t even know how to fight them yet. Phillip just has to help me...
The door opened and a well-dressed man stood in front of me.
“Alixia,” he said, with surprise in his voice. I sensed that he knew about Phillip and me. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, is Phillip here?”
He
opened the door wider.
“Come in. I’ll tell him you are here.”
“Thank you.”
He took me to a study and told me to wait. This was the room that I visited when traveling through that photograph of Charles. It was where I had my first encounter with Phillip.
“Why are you here?”
Phillip had a grim look.
“I need your help.”
He walked over to the desk, pulled out the chair and sat.
“Help with what?”
“Marcus. And I need to know if Angel is…” A voice from behind cut me off.
“Alixia.”
I turned and saw Charles. He was the last person I wanted to see right now.
“Hello, Charles.”
I entered his mind quickly. Yeah, he was fuming.
“You don’t have to get in my head, Alixia. I assure you, I will let you know everything that’s on my mind.”
“Yes, I know you will. You’ve never been shy.”
“Uncle, please.” Phillip said in apologetic voice. “Alixia I were just having a conversation here.”
“About what? Is she telling you how sorry she is for tearing your heart out, as her mother did to me?”
Biting down on my lip, I knew he was actually a little justified in his accusations.
“Listen, Charles,” I said with empathy. “I know you’re concerned for Phillip, but please believe me when I tell you that I never meant to hurt him.”
“You never meant to hurt him? You’re with the Dark One! That’s even more disgusting than your Mother being with that outsider!”
“You’re speaking of my father, here! I’m tired of you tearing him down, so just shut up!”
“Alixia!” Phillip was shocked.
I shook my head, looking at him. “I’m sorry, Phillip. But I’m tired of his arrogance. I can be with whomever I choose, and nobody is going to stop me. Do you understand, Charles?”
He moved toward the window, mumbling.
“What did you say?”
“I said you’re just like your mother. She defied the Family, and now you are doing the same thing with this Dark One. No doubt he will be taken out as your father was.”
I stood there frozen, staring at him.
“What are you talking about?”
He stepped back, realizing what he had just said.
“Charles,” I yelled angrily. “What did the Family do to my Father?“
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Phillip stand.
The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2) Page 7
