The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2)

by Noreen Harrison

  “My uncle told me what you did last night.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes, he wanted me to thank you. But he did think it was foolish, and so did I.”

  “ So, am I getting a thank you or a lecture here?”

  “I’m just saying things could easily have been worse for both of you.”

  “Well, they weren’t. And it still enrages me how the Family members can witness something so torturous, and do nothing.”

  “Alixia, it’s just the way they are conditioned since birth. You never go against the beliefs of the Family.”

  “It’s ridiculous that somebody can be chastised so severely just for mentioning something they have witnessed.”

  “My Uncle was wrong, Alixia, and you have to accept his punishment as just. “

  “I won’t , because it isn’t. And it seems insane to me that you all justify this, and accept it. Phillip, I’m curious about something last night. How come they told you to leave?” He lowered his head for a second and then spoke under his breath.

  “Because I was like you once. I interfered.”

  “What did you do?”

  “It was a young woman whom I witnessed, and it was brutal. I can still see her in my mind. So I stopped them.”

  “What did they do?”

  “They just threatened me. But they warned me too, as she was being dragged away. The next time I interfere, well, you know.”

  “ Yes. I heard the same thoughts. But hey, you do have a little rebel in you.”

  “Oh, you think so?” He raised an eyebrow, grinning.

  “ Yes, I do.”

  “Girl, I don’t know about you.”

  “Anyway, I have one more question for you and then I will shut up so we can enjoy this beautiful sunrise.”

  “Sounds good to me. So, what is it?”

  “The Pure Ones.”

  “What about them?” He put his arm around me. I snuggled into him.

  “All right. Madame Cecilia told me last night that they’re the ones who have the power to end the lives of all immortals.”

  “Yes, that’s why I told you they are very powerful.”

  “But, I got to wondering this morning. You told me a while back that anyone bearing the mark of immortality was pure, and couldn’t be destroyed.” He took his arm off my shoulder and stood up.

  “Yes, you’re right. I did say that another immortal or an outsider couldn’t destroy us. However, the Pure Ones are not immortal or Outsiders. They are our nemesis, and when they are told to come for us, there is no fighting them. We just have to accept our own demise.”

  He pulled me up to him and looked at me seriously. He was nervous.

  “That’s why I’m afraid for you. You keeping thinking that Marguerite is on your side, but is she?”

  I moved away from him and went to the opening of the gazebo.

  “Phillip, I have to trust Marcus, and he trusts her, so I will too, for now.”

  He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and leaning into me closely.

  “I just want you to be safe.”

  “I know you do.”

  And I hope Marcus is right.

  We stood there for a while, just staring out into the morning and not saying a word. We were soaking up the beauty of the day. And then her voice entered my mind. I looked up at Phillip.

  ”We’d better go.”

  “I know, I hear her, too. Come on.”

  “Alixia,” Madame Cecilia said, walking up to us. “I was just coming out to find you. I need to talk to you.”

  She paused, eyeing Phillip. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing, we just went out to watch the sunrise.”

  “I see. And evidently you’re not getting dressed before you go out in the morning, to watch these sunrises.“

  I grinned, wrapping my robe around me tightly and remembering the same scenario, but with mother.

  “Well, you can blame this all on Phillip. I tried to tell him you’d be upset,” I said, stepping onto the veranda.

  “Alixia,” Phillip said nervously, looking at Madame Cecilia. “You can’t blame me.”

  “Phillip, please. I don’t want to hear anymore. You’re in enough trouble already, dragging me out in the morning half naked.” I opened the door, trying not to laugh. “You’d better stay out here and try to exonerate yourself. I’m going in to get dressed. I’ll meet you both in the library.” I shut the door behind me and went upstairs, laughing.

  Walking past my mother’s room, I sensed something different. I opened the door and looked in.

  “Alixia?” I turned.

  “Good morning, Angel. I just thought I sensed something in there.”

  She walked into the room and closed her eyes, trying to pick up on anything. She shook her head.

  “Well, whatever it was, it’s not here now.”

  I walked around the room, still feeling a trace of the presence. I went to my Mother’s dresser and picked up her hairbrush.

  “I think it’s my mother.”

  “No, that can’t be.” She walked slowly through the room and ended up at mother’s bed, placing her hand on it. I got into her head, and she looked over at me, irritated.

  “Alixia.”

  “Sorry, I’m out. What are you seeing?”

  “Well, you’re right. There was a presence in here.”

  “Is it her?”

  “I can’t see it clearly. Come here. Give me your hands.” She took hold of them firmly.

  “Now, I want you to go back in your mind to when you first sensed it.” I closed my eyes.

  “I’m seeing a shadow of a woman sitting on the edge of the bed. Her head is down. There is an evil darkness around her. Then she dissipates into the air.” I broke our connection. “It was Mother!”

  “Yes,” she said coldly. “The entity does seem to be your mother.” She walked back to the door shaking her head and mumbling under her breath.

  “I don’t understand how she can…” She looked back at me. “Alixia, just hurry along now and get dressed. Your grandmother needs to talk to you about last night’s fiasco.”

  “Angel…”

  “What is it now?”

  “You’re just going to walk away, as if this is no big deal? It was my mother!”

  She walked back over to me, calmly.

  “Alixia, it’s alright. Why are you disturbed about this?”

  Is she crazy? I shouldn’t be upset about seeing my dead mother’s ghost?

  “It was my mother, Angel. I’m just supposed to accept it? ”

  “It shouldn’t bother you. It’s just Lucida’s soul returning for a fleeting moment. It’s not uncommon for the Dark Souls to appear once in a while.”

  I stood there, not knowing what to say or think.

  “Alixia?” She came over and touched my shoulder.

  I stood there, staring at the bed.

  “Will she return?”

  “I don’t know. They’re just flashes in time. Go get dressed.”

  I walked past her.

  “So, what if I do see her again. Can I speak with her?“

  “You won’t. Now get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  I watched as she walked away angrily. I looked one more time around my mother’s room, and then shut the door. I went into my room.

  This is too weird. I wonder if it will happen again.

  “I have to talk to Madame Cecilia,” I said aloud.

  From the closet I took a pair of jeans off the shelf. Pulling them on, I grabbed a yellow blouse from a hanger and walked out, slipping it over my head.

  When I entered the library, they were all three waiting for me. I went over and sat by Phillip as Madame Cecilia spoke.

  “So, Angel says you saw the manifestation of your mother?”

  “I just can’t believe it was her.”

  Phillip put his arm around me. “Did she say anything?”

  “ No. Madame Cecilia, have you seen her, too?”r />
  She looked cautiously at Angel, who nodded.

  “No, I haven’t seen her, but…”

  “Madame Cecilia!” Angel said cutting her off.

  Madame Cecilia glared at her. Then she said, “no, Alixia. I haven’t.”

  “What’s going on here ?” I asked, looking at them and getting into their heads.

  “Stop trying to read our thoughts!” Angel blurted out. “Your grandmother and I just had a disagreement, but it’s okay now. Right, Madame Cecilia?”

  “Yes. There is nothing for you to be concerned with,” she said, pressing her lips together.

  I was reading them anyway. As if I was going to let Angel stop me. However, most of their thoughts were in French and what I did get from them in English was just something about mother’s burial.

  “Madame Cecilia, so you haven’t seen her or sensed her?” She stared up at the portrait of us and spoke with sadness in her voice.

  “No, I haven’t seen your mother, but I do miss her.”

  Angel spoke up, irritated.

  “Madame Cecilia, no more talk about Lucida now. You need to ask Alixia.”

  She glared at Angel.

  “Ask me what?”

  “The Dominions, are you going to do as you were told about Marcus?”

  “Of course not. Why would you even ask me that?”

  “Stupid girl, what’s wrong with you?” Angel said.

  “Okay, that’s it!” I stood up.

  Phillip gabbed my arm.

  “Alixia, no!” I pulled away from him.

  ”Oh, let me go. I’m not going after her.“

  I headed for the door, but Angel moved quickly to block me. We stood face to face.

  “Get out of my way!”

  “You are not leaving.”

  “You think you can stop me?” I felt anger rising.

  “Enough!” Madame Cecilia yelled crossly. “This is not the way to handle the situation with Marcus. Alixia, come and sit down. Angel, you too, please.”

  I stepped aside, letting her pass. She stared at me, speaking scornfully.

  “You are a fool, Alixia. He’s just a thorn in the side of this Family. One that needs to be removed quickly.”

  “Angel enough! “ Madame Cecilia said. “Alixia, we just want to talk to you.”

  “No, there’s nothing that hasn’t been said.” I walked over and kissed her. “I need to go home now, before I lose my temper and do something I’ll regret.”

  She took me by the shoulders. I could sense her torment.

  ”Alixia, we can’t help. You do understand, don’t you?”

  “I know that. ”

  Phillip got into my head. I’ll help you.

  “No, Phillip!” Angel yelled.

  “Now what’s going on?” Madame Cecilia asked anxiously. Angel glared at me.

  “Phillip thinks he’s going to help her.”

  “Stay out of it, Angel!” Phillip said, walking over to me and taking my hand. ”And stay out of my head, too.”

  “No! I will not lose you because this foolish girl doesn’t want to listen!”

  “This is my choice, Angel!”

  “Phillip, please don’t!” She reached out for him. “She is as evil as that Dark One. I’m warning you!”

  “Stop it, Angel!” He pushed her away. “Come on. Alixia, let’s go.”

  We went outside to my car. Before getting in, I looked up to see Madame Cecilia standing on the veranda. I sent her a thought. I’m sorry. She looked at me, wounded, and then turned and walked back into the house.

  I started the car and looked over at Phillip.

  ”You don’t have to do this.”

  He smiled.

  “Marcus isn’t the only one who’s willing to give up everything for you. And besides, didn’t you tell me that I had a little rebel in me?”

  “I did, didn’t I?”

  “Yes. So, you’re stuck with me.”

  I put the car in gear.

  “Phillip, I love you.”

  “I know.”

  Meeting Robert

  Sitting down on the cool grass, I brought my knees up to my chest and gazed over the moonlit water. I was waiting for Robert. Phillip was close by, just in case there was trouble tonight. Marcel had been seen in New Orleans, which made me nervous about meeting Robert here. I tried calling him earlier to break our date, just to keep him safe. But he was adamant about seeing me tonight.

  Down the road, I saw headlights. Pushing myself up, I wiped off my jeans and watched his car door open.

  “Robert, over here!” I called out. He waved.

  Keep him safe, Phillip.

  I will.

  “Alixia, you’re as beautiful as ever!” He reached out to take my hand, and then kissed my cheek.

  “And you’re such a flirt.” I gave him a quick hug. “So, have you heard from Marcus?”

  “No, not for a couple of weeks. He only wrote one letter telling me that he was okay, and I was supposed to let you know.”

  “That’s all you have heard from him?”

  “Yes, and that’s why I wanted to see you. I thought maybe you had been in contact with him. “

  “No, not at all. I haven’t heard anything. The last time we met, he told me that he was going up north. He didn’t tell you that?”

  “No, he didn’t mention it. Alixia, did he tell you when he would return?”

  “No, he didn’t. What’s bothering you, Robert?”

  “I’m being shipped out.”

  “When?”

  “Right after my wedding.”

  “What?” I asked, stunned. “Your wedding? You’re getting married?”

  “Yeah. Claire didn’t tell you yet?”

  “No. And I was just with her. When did this happen?“

  He grinned. “A couple of days ago. I didn’t want to be without her, so I just popped the question. In fact, I purposed to her right here, in the very place we met.”

  “You did? Well, I am so happy for you both!” I gave him a hug. “I can’t wait to see her.”

  “Don’t tell her I told you. She probably wants to do that herself.”

  I kissed his cheek.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t say a word.”

  “Thanks,” he said, shooing away some fireflies. “And after the wedding, she will be joining me in Germany, where I’ll be stationed.”

  “Germany! Claire will love that. She has always talked about going to Europe.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it. If we could leave right now, she’d be ready.”

  “That’s my Claire, always up for new adventures. So, when is this wedding?”

  “It’s the same time as Davis and Libby’s wedding.”

  “Are you serious?

  “Wait, let me finish my sentence.” He put on a halfcocked smile. “I was going to say, it’ll be a double wedding. “

  “A double wedding! This is so cool.”

  He looked out over the water, and his demeanor turned more serious.

  “Alixia, you have to let me know if Marcus contacts you. I’m worried. My parents are really anxious about him returning home for the wedding. I need to talk to him.“

  This is not good. I need to find Marguerite, before his parents start bringing up questions again.

  “Robert, I’m sure he will contact you.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Well at least now I know he’s up north, and safe.”

  I touched his shoulder.

  “If I hear from him, I’ll tell him that you need to see him.”

  “Thanks, Alixia.” He bent over, picked up a stone and skipped it across the water.

  “But I still wish that you weren’t involved with him. You might get hurt.”

  “Robert, please try to understand. Your brother will never hurt me.”

  “Well, I’m just saying…”

  He thinks his brother has me under some kind of spell. If I could only tell him the truth…

  Don’t do it!

 
I’m not, Phillip. Geez…

  ”Alixia, did you hear me?” Robert said, getting my attention.

  “Sorry, I was miles away. What did you say?”

  “I said I know you care for my brother. But I can’t understand why you would want to be with him, knowing what he is and all.”

  Hey, I agree with Robert!

  Stay out this conversation, Phillip!

  I took Robert’s hand, trying to ignore Phillip.

  “All I can say is I can’t give him up, no matter what he has become.”

  “But he’s not like us, Alixia. I’m just afraid for you. You need someone from our world, someone normal like that Phillip guy you’re bringing on Saturday night.”

  See, even he thinks I should be with you. And what are we doing Saturday night?”

  Phillip, get out of my head right now!

  Robert,” I said, blocking Phillip. “I won’t give him up. I can’t.”

  ”Alright, I’m not going to say any more.” He hugged me.

  “Thank you, Robert. ”

  “Well, I’d better get going. Claire wants me to stop by and see her tonight, before I head back to the base.”

  We walked to the cars and Robert opened my door.

  “See you Saturday night.”

  “I’ll be there, and don’t worry about Marcus. When he gets back, I’m sure he will contact you.”

  “I hope so.” He shut my door, and I watched as he went to his car.

  I’m glad Robert’s leaving. One less person to worry about.

  I followed him out to the main highway. He went left back to Baton Rouge, and I drove right, going a mile or so up the road. Then I stopped, waited on Phillip. I was listening to music when I sensed her.

  Phillip!

  I have her.

  I quickly got out of the car and accelerated through the trees. I picked up their scents, afraid of what he might do to her. Phillip had her pinned up against a tree, his hands around her throat.

  “Phillip, stop!”

  He turned toward me, his eyes dark with rage.

  “Marista,” I said, moving toward them. “What are you doing here?”

  “You know her?”

  “Yes, she’s one of Marcus‘s Family.”

  He loosened his grip on her throat, still looking at her with revulsion. She stepped away from him.

  “So why are you here, Marista?”

  She flipped her hair back dramatically, as if she were owed an apology.