“I will try to keep an open mind.”
“Good, that’s all I ask. Now, the second ingredient was Marcel’s blood, to mix with his ashes.”
“Marcel’s blood was used for the ritual? Why his blood?”
“To destroy Correa’s mother. Her venom was in his blood, and the Priestess needed a part of her to make the ritual work. In fact, the ceremony included twelve others that night, six mortals and six immortals. One by one the Dark immortals gave their blood to the humans that they had matched with, and did so without any malice. They did it because of a promise that Marcel made to them that night. But he wouldn’t keep it.”
“What did he promise them?”
“Free will.”
“Why didn’t he keep his word?”
”Let’s just finish the story, and then you’ll understand.” I sensed some conflict in her thoughts, but then she continued:
“Correa and the other tribesmen drank the blood mixed with the ashes of her father from gold chalices that night. They then dropped their chalices into a fire-pit in the center of ritual grounds. Flames from the fire grew higher after each cup was dropped, eventually turning the darkness around them into an amber hue that encircled them, and the High Priestess. She then went to her knees, bowing her head and chanting until she was in a trancelike state. She moved back and forth, her arms reaching out into the night.
“Then, as if she were pulling something toward her, the amber hue slowly turned into a red haze, levitating Correa and the others into the darkness. The Priestess continued chanting, bringing the ritual to a point of great intensity.”
I sat there captivated, listening to her. And suddenly I had a horrible thought. The blood of the vampire – is that what she meant by connected?
“Marguerite,” I said. “You said that during the ritual Madame Correa drank the blood of a vampire. Is that what you meant about our blood being tainted? We were joined with the Dark Ones that night?”
Her eyes fixed on me, gauging my reaction.
“Yes, by their blood you got your immortality. But you did not join them. They never unified, because of what Correa and others became that night.”
“This is awful.”
“Alixia, you said you’d keep an open mind.”
“I know. But you’re saying that I’m a vampire?”
“You’re not a Dark One. Correa and the others were never bitten, so their souls were never taken. That night, however, was the start of the Ambrosines’ destiny. When Correa and the others descended to the ground, they awoke to their own immortality and powers. They stood there, smelling the air as if they were animals looking for prey. The Dark Ones sensed the difference right away, and quickly tried retreating back into the darkness. However, Correa and the others moved swiftly against them, not even giving them a chance to beg for their lives. They chased them down, brutally ripping off their heads and throwing their lifeless bodies into the fire-pit. In their rampage, Correa found out that she had a different power than the others, when it came to killing the Dark Ones. As she placed her poisonous, blood-soaked hands on their hearts, her fingers pierced them until they turned into dust.”
“ And Marcel,” I asked, almost in a dream. “Where was he when Correa and the others were destroying the Dark Ones that night?”
”He just stood with the High Priestess, watching, and doing nothing to interfere”
“He did nothing?”
“He knew not to intervene with the Ambrosines. He had been warned to stay close to the Priestess until she could get control of them.“
I felt the plane descending. I looked out the window.
“Are we here already?”
“No,” she said, tightening her seat belt. “We’re just refueling the plane before we go on.” The wheels hit the ground hard, and we taxied into a small private airport. I sat there thinking about Marcel.
Why was he protected and not the others?
“Marguerite?”
“Yes?” She was standing up, stretching and moving her shoulders around.
“I just have this one thing gnawing at me.”
“What is it?”
“Well, I just don’t get why the Priestess would let the other Dark Ones be killed, but not Marcel?”
“Because he had saved her.”
“What?”
“Well, I told you that the Priestess had helped in the raising of Correa, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Marcel knew her too, before he became immortal.”
“How? ”
“She and Correa would come into town together. He knew that she helped Correa with escaped slaves on the run.”
”The Priestess helped her?”
“She had once been one of those slaves, until Correa had helped her.”
“So, she and Correa would work together freeing slaves, and Marcel knew what they were doing?”
“Yes. Correa’s husband, Alexandre, knew, too. They were privy to it all, and they helped as much as they could without being caught.
“When Correa left for France, she had asked Marcel to watch over the Priestess, as the woman was still helping slaves. But of course, after Marcel’s soul was taken, he no longer did. One night, as he hid in the shadows waiting to feed, he heard screams. He saw a couple of drunk soldiers dragging a woman into the ally.”
Marguerite stopped and looked down, rubbing her hands together. “Well, I don’t have to go into what happened. He ended their lives quickly and let the Priestess keep hers. ”
“So, that’s how he saved her?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t because he had compassion for her. He knew that she was a Seer, and he knew of her black magic. By letting her go, he served his own ends. He knew he might need her help later.”
I felt a thrust as the plane took off again.
“So that’s why he was saved that awful night. And what about her Correa’s other? How did they lure her to her death?”
“Marcel knew that she was reading his thoughts. So, he let her know telepathically that he had Correa with him. That brought her to the ritual grounds, and that’s when they took her life. ”
I lowered my eyes, remembering the anguish and pain on Correa’s face in that painting at Marguerites house, where she was holding her mother.
“Now, there should be no more questions about your legacy.”
“No, I guess not. I just can’t believe it all began by Correa drinking the blood of a vampire mixed with my ancestral grandfather’s ashes.”
“It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? Hopefully, knowing will help you keep an open mind about the ritual. That is, if you choose to help Marcus.”
“How am I supposed to help him?”
“Your part will be your blood, and your choice will be to give it freely.”
I was suddenly terrified, knowing now what my blood would do to him.
The West Indies
Getting off the plane, we were still discussing what we were here for.
“Alixia, please just think about what I said. You have a few days before the ritual.”
“I have to talk to Marcus first.”
“I understand. Marista will take you to him.” And there she was, at the bottom of the ramp.
“Why her? Where are you going?”
“Alixia, just go with her. I have something to attend to. I’ll catch up with you shortly.”
At the bottom of the steps, she spoke to Marista.
“Take Alixia to the village, to Marcus.”
“Okay,” she said, still looking a bit surly. “Come on, Alixia.”
“Wait,” I held Marguerite’s arm. “You won’t do anything until I talk to Marcus, right?”
“Right. But time will run out soon. Oh, good. There’s my car.”
The driver opened the door for her.
“Make the right choice, Alixia. And remember, we only have a short window of time until the Blood Moon Gathering.”
“Okay, I’m ready,” I said to Marista.
/>
“I should just leave you here,” she mumbled. “Come on, then.” She ran toward the jungle, leaving me standing there. I took off behind her, following through the trees. Then she stopped at the base of a mountain.
“Why did we stop?”
“Because we’re going up.”
I followed her halfway up the mountainside, landing on a cliff that led to the opening of a grotto. It was dark inside, a maze with many turns that seemed to have no end. Then she suddenly jumped down into a shaft. I stopped, not following her. I had an unusual sensation that I’d never experienced before.
She came back up.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” I said, sensing it wasn’t dangerous, but it still had an eeriness about it.
“Well?” she said, irritated. “Are you coming?”
I jumped and she followed. At the bottom, a gray cool mist engulfed us right away, making me feel that something wasn’t right. But I couldn’t sense a definite threat. It was just a gut instinct.
We walked a few feet into a large corridor, and all I could see in front of me were shadowy figures that moved to the side and bowed as we walked between them.
“Marista, who are they?” I asked, as the fog got more intense around us.
“They’re the Ancients.”
“Why are they bowing?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen them come this close before, where I can actually make out their form.”
We walked up some steps to a stone entrance. The gray mist dissipated as we moved into a hall. There was daylight ahead of us. I felt warmth on my face, as the sun started to rise. I turned back to the opening behind me.
“It’s not going to do you any good,” Marista said with a smirk on her face.
“The fog has lifted. I want to see what they look like.”
I walked closer to the doorway and suddenly the gray mist appeared again, blocking out the light.
“The fog came back!”
“Yes, that’s what happens. We’re not allowed to see the Ancients.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, turning and seeing the sun appear again. “Why can we see Marguerite, and not them?”
“I don’t know, Alixia. All Marguerite has said is they are Ancients, and we will never see them, so that’s all I need to know. I don’t ask her any more questions.”
I followed her into another room. The walls, floors and ceiling were gray stone, and in the center of the room there were six high back wooden chairs encircling a white alabaster altar. Placed upside-down upon the altar were two gold chalices.
“Is this where the ritual will take place?” I asked, walking over and picking up one of the chalices.
“No, not in here.”
“Marcus!” I turned to see him coming through the doorway. I ran into his arms, dropping the chalice to the ground and hearing a clink as it landed. He brought me into his arms and his lips met mind hungrily.
“Hey, I’m right here, you two!”
Marcus and I looked over at her.
“Marista, would you excuse us?” he said, holding me tighter. She shrugged.
“Fine, I’m going. But I still can’t see why you would trust her. I told you she was with Phillip the night I went to check on your brother.“
“Marista,” I said, stepping out of Marcus’s embrace. “Phillip was there to protect Robert from…”
“…from me!”
“No, it wasn’t from you. It was Marcel. He had been seen in both Baton Rouge and New Orleans.”
Marcus looked grim.
“Is Marcel going after my family?”
“We don’t know for sure, yet. He might just be using them as bait, to lure you out of hiding.”
He picked up the chalice and placed it back on the altar.
“If he tries anything, he will pay.”
“There is something else you should know.”
“What?”
“Besides Marcel trying to find you, your parents are, too. They’re starting to ask questions again.”
He frowned.
“Why, what’s going on?”
I smiled.
“It’s your bother. He’s getting married.”
He stepped back, shaking his head.
“I’ll be damned. When did this all come about?”
“He asked Claire a few days ago.”
“Well, I knew they had been seeing each other, but marriage?”
”Yes. And it’s going to be on the same day as Libby’s wedding.”
“This so great. I can’t wait to see him, to congratulate him myself.” He smiled at me.” And don’t worry; I’ll take care of my parents. I’ll write them a letter to keep them calm.”
“Good, I don’t want anything happening to them.”
“Marcus,” Marista said, trying to get his attention. “It’s nice that your brother’s getting married, but I think we’re getting off the subject here. It was about Phillip.”
“Alixia already answered that. He was there to protect my brother.“
She glared at me.
“Marcus, you’re making a big…”
“Marista!” There was a warning in his tone.
“I’m leaving!” she said.
Marcus breathed me in, whispering how much he missed me. He kissed me passionately.
“Come on,” he said.
“Wait, we have to talk first.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Marguerite told me what she needed for the ritual, and I don’t know if I can say yes to it.”
“Why?” He looked at me surprised, as if I shouldn’t have any reservations.
“Marcus, are you crazy? You could die!”
He stood there quietly for a second.
“It’s my choice to make.”
“Marcus, you know my blood can kill you. How do you know it isn’t a trick?”
“Alixia, I’m not being reckless here. It will work. Marguerite said it would.”
“Sure, like the last time they tried it.”
I watched his look turn to confusion.
“They’ve tried it already?”
”Yes, we’ve tried it before.”
Marguerite walked into the room.
“Marguerite, you didn’t tell him?”
Marcus looked at her, perplexed.
“What happened before?”
“It didn’t turn out well. But as I told Alixia, this time should be different.”
“Did you hear her, Marcus?” I asked, angrily. “She said it might be different. There are no assurances here. You could die!”
“Alixia, stop it!” Marguerite said, moving toward the altar and picking up one of the chalices. “I told you that you must keep an open mind.”
“You expect me to just go along with this, without any discussion?”
She placed the chalice back on the altar.
“No, I knew you wouldn’t. However, I think Marcus has a say in this, too.”
“Marguerite, I need to talk to Alixia alone,” he said.
“Go ahead. I have to see the Priestess anyway.” And then she looked at me pleadingly. “Alixia, this will work.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t see how.”
“Alixia, let’s get out of here. Marguerite, let us talk.”
“Remember, Marcus, that time is short.”
We followed the stone passage until we came to the cave’s opening. Before us was the jungle. Marcus bowed dramatically and waved me through.
“After you,” he said.
I walked past him and stepped into the gray mist. It just appeared!
“This is crazy,” I said.
“I know, but you get used to it.”
Marcus took my hand, leading me into the jungle’s ghostly environs.
“How much further?” I asked, looking up in into the trees. I could hear the sounds of birds and other animals, all calling out to each other through the mist.
“We’re almost there,�
� he said squeezing my hand. Then I heard a waterfall, and walking forward was able to see the water cascading down softly, like a spring rain.
“Ready?” Marcus said.
“Ready for what?”
“Come on.” He pulled me into it the coolness of the water. It felt so good against my skin. I just stood there, looking up, and letting water gently wash down upon my face. He kissed me, and I felt the hardness of his chest through our wet shirts. My body was weak in his arms. I looked deep into his eyes.
“I don’t ever want to lose you.”
“You won’t, I promise.”
Taking my hand, he guided me into a cavern behind the waterfall. I turned around to sit looking out through the water, watching the same strange phenomenon as before. The gray mist melted away and the sun glistened on the water in a spectrum of color, leaving us in the darkness of the cavern.
“There it goes again,” I said, moving a strand of wet hair from my face.
“What?” Marcus asked.
He sat next to me and pulled off his wet shirt to wring it out.
“Over there, see? The sun is shining, and if we move toward it, everything will turn back into that gray mist.”
“Well, I kind of like it.”
I smiled knowingly.
“I guess you would. But I still think it’s weird, and who are these Ancients? Marista said that we could never see them.”
He shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“Yeah, Marguerite said something about them being so powerful that neither realm can look upon them.”
“It’s strange, don’t you think?”
He moved my hair to one side and kissed the back of my neck lightly.
”That’s what you find strange, after everything that’s happened to us in last few months? I mean, look at you. With that body heat of yours, you’re already dry!”
I laughed quietly.
“You’re right, nothing should surprise me anymore.”
He wrapped his arms around me, holding me against his chest. I moved my hand on his body, feeling the ripples in his abs as he leaned down, brushing my lips with kisses.
“That’s why you shouldn’t be surprised that I want to go through with this ritual”
The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2) Page 17
