I just stood there, staggered.
“Why would they do that?”
“Because of you.”
“Me!”
“Yes. The day you were born, the Families were told that you carried the birthmark of the Ambrosines. They were all in awe of you. That has never happened with one outsider parent. You were distinguished in all the Families’ eyes, because of what your mother revealed to them.”
“My mother had something to do with them turning my father?“
“No, not intentionally. She was a clairvoyant. She let them see parts of your future during a Blood Moon Gathering. She showed them the gifts and powers that you might eventually hold. Correa and Marcel were not at all comfortable with this, especially as your father was an outsider. It was unacceptable.“
“Wait,” I said, a little unnerved. “My mother shared this with Marcel?”
”Yes, she did. Why?”
I shook my head.
“How’s that possible? I don’t understand. He’s a Dark One.”
“It was the Blood Moon Gathering, Alixia. All the realms gather at that time. It’s been that way since the Change.”
“Are you serious? Marcel’s realm is part of this Gathering?”
“Of course.”
I eyed her suspiciously. “How is that possible? They would go after each other.”
Her eyes widened.
“No, they can’t. It’s forbidden. However, there is a time when it isn’t. The Dark Ones and the Ambrosines will have their powers back for a short while…”
“My powers will come back?” I interrupted her.
“Yes. Yours and Marcus’s will. And they will stay until midnight ends the Blood Moon Gathering. Then, hopefully, after the Gathering, Marcus…”
She paused, putting her hands together. Then she said, without contrition: “He will take care of what we need him to do, which is kill Correa”
“And you will rid us of Marcel, Alixia.”
Olitha said it with excitement in her voice.
“If I do…”
“Alixia, don’t you dare deny us this! I can’t believe you are reluctant. They tried killing you, and look what they did to your parents.”
Henry held Olitha.
“Henry, she needs to know how evil they both are.”
He considered for a second, and then let her go.
“You’re right. Go ahead.”
She rubbed her temples and took a deep breath.
“Alixia, just as your parents were turned into Dark Ones, so my brothers were too. And the reason for that was revenge because we gave sanctuary to Marcus and the others.”
Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. I put my arm around her.
“They did that because you protected Marcus?”
“Yes. They know they can’t harm us. But like your parents, my brothers and others who don’t bare the birthright are easy prey for them to after. They do so in secret.”
I put my hands over my face and thought of Mother.
“So, did they go after my mother?”
Henry hugged me.
“No, they weren’t after your mother that night. They were after my Millie.”
He looked at me with hopeless eyes.
“Alixia, I’m asking you to help us before something does happen to her.”
I was processing every word they said. But it didn’t make sense. Why would they need me, or Marcus?
“Henry, your not telling me something.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why can’t the Pure Ones go after them. Isn’t that what you all do?”
Um, yes.” He turned and looked at Marguerite, as if he needed to get his story straight. “But we can’t.”
“You can’t. Why not?”
It was time for the whole truth.
“They’re protected,” he said.
“Protected?”
“Yes,” Marguerite said, coming toward. “It’s been that way for centuries.”
“But you have killed immortals?”
“Yes, we have. But Correa and Marcel are different. They’re protected because of that first Priestess who took part in the ritual of the Souls. Remember, she’s the one who raised Correa as her daughter? When Marcel protected her, she knew then that he had free will, and could control his desires. She would not allow them to be destroyed, even though the other tribal Priests saw both of them as evil. To her, they were like her children.
“So, to appease the Priests’ fears, she performed one more ritual. She gave the Priests the power of immunity so they could walk freely amongst both realms, without reprisal.”
I eyed her tattoo. “That’s when your birthright started?”
“Yes,” she said, looking at Henry and Olitha with a smile of pride on her lips.
“Anyway, you asked why we couldn’t kill them? As I said the Priestess, made sure that the Ancients and our sanctuaries were safe, and Marcel and Correa were made aware that a violation carried the threat of death. They could never enter our sanctuaries unless invited, and if they did come in without consent, their immunity would be gone. They would be as the rest of the immortals, an easy kill.”
I was confused.
“Marguerite, I don’t get it. If they’re protected, how are we supposed to help you?”
“Easy. After the ritual.”
I turned, hearing Marcus. “So you are all still here,” he said. Then he came over and put his arm around me, squeezing my shoulder. “I was getting worried.”
“She’s fine.” Marguerite said. “Maybe it’s best we all go back now.”
“Wait, you didn’t answer my question. And I think Marcus has a right to know what you are planning for him.”
He looked toward Marguerite.
“What’s going on?” She closed her eyes for a second.
“You’re right,” she said. “He should know.”
“Know what?”
“If the ritual works, Marcus, there is one more thing you need to know. After the ritual, you may have the power to go after your enemy. The blood of the Ambrosine will have no more effect on you.”
I watched his face turn into a gratifying smile. Marguerite turned to me.
“That’s if Alixia agrees. And if she doesn’t, well then I guess you’ll die.”
Marcus looked at me gravely.
“What is she talking about?”
I swallowed hard closing my eyes.
“That you could die, if I don’t do it.”
“No,” Marguerite said. “Not could. Will. He will die. Marcus, what Alixia is not saying is. When the Blood Moon Gathering starts, if she refuses to give her blood freely for the ritual, you and the others will no longer have sanctuary with us. The Ambrosines and Marcel will be able to come after all of you.”
“What?” he yelled. “You brought us here to kill us all?”
“No,”Olitha shouted over his outburst. “We brought you here for the ritual, as promised. It’s Alixia who is having reservations. She hasn’t given us her answer yet. Right, Alixia?”
I glared at her.
Why was this being turned on me?
“Marcus, please try to understand. When I talked to Phillip…”
“Phillip! You’re having reservations because of him?”
“No, I mean, it’s about the Ambrosines. I did…”
I stopped. What was I doing? I can’t let Marcus die.
“Alixia?” Marguerite said.
“What?”
“You have made a choice, then?”
“Yes,” I said.
I looked west, and my heart sank.
“I will do it.”
Correa
Walking out of the mist into the Ambrosine side that night, the sky was beautiful and full of stars. I connected with Phillip, asking him to meet me. I sat down in an open area on a hillside, slipped off my shoes and looked into the darkness of the countryside. I was thinking back on the conversation with Marguerite, just before I left to
come here. She told me that I had to give my blood freely to Marcus, without hesitation, and I shouldn’t interfere once the ritual starts, no matter what I witness.
I didn’t know if I could do that.
However, that wasn’t the worst part of our conversation. She said that Marista and the others wouldn’t be part of the ritual, and that disturbed me. She then let me know that, even if the ritual worked, Marcus would not be able to change the others, because they had no free will. Their souls had been taken when they were bitten.
That concerned the Ancients, who were wondering if they could be trusted. Marcus’s family members were still having a hard time controlling their urges. So, the Ancients decided they could be observers at the ritual, but would not take any part in it.
Marguerite told me that she would go along with that decision for now.
Suddenly, I sensed that I had company and blocked my thoughts. I stood up as they approached.
“Alixia,” Correa said in her raspy voice. “You’ve come to visit again, I see.”
“Where’s Phillip?” I said, reaching down and putting on my shoes.
“We will take you to him after we talk.”
I stood, taking a defensive stance.
“Why couldn’t he come on his own? Did you hurt him?” I said, jumping into her head quickly.
“No, he’s at the village. No harm has come to him.”
She was telling the truth.
She reached out for me and I stepped back.
“Still not trusting your Family, I see. Did you take care of Marcus yet?” She looked over at Nicolas.
“No. And you know that I won’t.”
“That’s too bad, isn’t’ it Nicolas?”
“Oui,” he said in French.
“I didn’t come here to talk to you,” I said, and started walking away.
“No, that’s right! You didn’t come here to honor the Family either, did you? In fact, you came here to discuss with Phillip how you were going to destroy it!”
I was trying not to lose control.
“I’m going to find Phillip.”
I tried to move past them, but she took hold of my shoulder.
“You will stay and speak with me,” she said furiously, “since I’m the one whom the Pure Ones want to destroy.”
I wriggled out of her grasp.
“I’m not going to let them destroy you.”
She looked at me apprehensively.
“You’re not going through with the ritual?”
Nicolas jumped in.
“Elle est des mensonges!”
Madame Correa touched his shoulder. “No, I don’t think so. Alixia, are you going through with the ritual?”
“Yes,” I said with a slight hint of revenge. ”I didn’t say I wasn’t going to help him. What I said was that you will be safe. But if you come after Marcus, which I know you will, at least I know our blood won’t be poison to him any longer. So it should be a fair fight for everyone. ”
Her eyes went dark.
“No, you can’t do this! Can’t you see he will be able to give his venom to others, and they will be able to resist us, too. The order of thing will change. Don’t you understand that?”
“ Yes, so I have been told. I‘m sorry, but I really don’t have a choice in this. Marguerite told me about Marcel and…”
“Enough!” she said, grabbing my hand anxiously. She was afraid I sensed fear from her. “We need to talk. Walk with me.”
“No,” I said pulling my hand back from her. “I’m going. Where’s Phillip?”
She looked over at Nicolas, nodding her head slightly. Then she spoke in a more restrained voice. “You can see Phillip, but you need to talk with me first.”
“About what?”
“Let’s just take a walk. We won’t go far. In fact, to make you feel more secure, I will send the others back to the village.”
I sensed their anger and wondered if this was going to be an ambush.
“Nicolas,” she said. “You and the others go back to the village and wait for our return.”
He bowed.
“Correa, Qu'en est-il de Phillip?”
Hearing Phillip’s name, I questioned him.
“Nicolas, what did you say about Phillip?” He didn’t answer, and just stood there unresponsive. I tried getting into his head, but his thoughts were in French.
”Madame Correa, I want to know what he said about Phillip.” She looked over at Nicolas.
“Nicolas, you have poor Alixia worried now.”
He turned away from me.
“What about Phillip? Do you have him under guard?”
She couldn’t hide her thoughts from me. She did!
“No, not really. He was just told to stay there until we returned. It was just a precaution that we took“
“I want to see him now!”
She sucked in a breath angrily.
“You will, after we talk!”
I controlled my anger, remembering what I had just seen in her mind. I knew that he could be punished harshly.
“Fine, but if you hurt him...”
“Alixia,” she said, satisfied that she had the upper hand now. “He won’t be hurt. Come.”
We walked toward the jungle. I turned back to see Nicolas talking to the others and still watching me as we moved into the trees.
Going quickly through the jungle, we came out onto the beach. The full moon was high above us now, illuminating our path as we made our way down to the water.
“So, what did you need to say to me?” I asked.
“I guess this is a good place to talk.”
She looked up at the sky.
“The moon it’s starting to turn for the Gathering.”
I was getting ticked off.
“Yes, I know. Is that why you brought me out here, to gaze at the moon with you?”
“No,” she said, grimacing at my sarcasm. “I just didn’t want you to say anything more in front of the other Family members. There are only a few of them that know.”
“Know what?” I said impatiently, still not understanding what was making her so afraid. I was ready to jump into her head, and then she spoke.
“That Marcel and I have always been joined together. You know this, right?”
“Yes. Marguerite told me everything, and you’re lucky I don’t take you out myself for my father.”
She looked out over the water, as if what I said didn’t faze her.
“I knew she would tell you. But, was everything she told you the truth?”
“Are you saying that you and Marcel are not joined together?”
“No.” She turned toward me with a slight smile. “Marcel and I are one, I will not deny this. But there are others who know, too, and they accept that we sometimes must go to peculiar lengths to keep order in the Family realms. However, now the Ancients want you to help this Dark One change everything.”
She touched my shoulder.
“Alixia, they’re the ones who should not be trusted, especially the Pure Ones.”
She held both of my shoulders and stared into my eyes.
“You must understand,” she said earnestly. “They’re not who you think they are.”
“Funny, that’s the same thing they said about you.”
She frowned, holding back her anger, and moved past me. Then she turned and spoke with a strain in her voice.
“Then I guess it comes down to you, and who you will trust.”
I threw the shell into the water.
“Trust,” I said. “That word has been misused a lot since I was made privy to my legacy. I don’t know if I can trust any of you. All I know is this: I will not let Marcus die. So, I will go through with the ritual.”
“You can’t!”
She now spoke with contempt, showing her true self.
“I’m tired of your rebelliousness, first taking my daughter, and now changing the whole order of our existence. If you go through with this, I’ll warn you now that Marcel a
nd I will not hesitate to go after everyone you care about. This is a vow that I will keep.”
“You’re threatening me? Marguerite was right. You and Marcel need to go. This is my choice. I have two days left, and if you go after anyone I care about, I swear I will help Marcus take you out. Do you understand me?”
She pursed her lips tightly, and then grabbed my arm and spoke in her raspy voice.
“No, child. You will understand me. I will do what I said.”
“Get out of my way. I’m going to find Phillip and get him out of here. And if anything has happened to him…”
She sensed my anger building, and moved out of the way.
“Go, but remember this, Alixia. It’s up to you to save those you love. So, think about the choice you are making.”
I walked back up the beach toward the jungle
I must get this ritual over with, and get back to New Orleans. I knew she would act on her threat.
Entering the trees, I sensed his presence. I turned and took a step back onto the beach, looking back to where I had left Correa. There was Marcel, cradling her in his arms. I couldn’t believe it. He must have sensed me. Why was he here? I rushed toward him, preparing myself for the chase and the kill. He just stood his ground as if he wanted the encounter.
I glared up at him, as moonlight hit his face. Never having seen him before, I was stunned by his countenance. His features were chiseled, as those of a Greek statue. His hair was wavy and dark, but he stared at me with the same soul-less eyes as Correa had.
Then, he stepped forward and spoke.
“Elle doit mourir.”
I felt the heat rise in me. I lifted my hands to go for his heart. Correa jumped in front of me to save Marcel from my touch.
“No!” She knocked me into the air. I reacted quickly, coming at him again. She yelled, "Marcel, now is not the time! Allez!” She grabbed hold of me and we fell to the ground. I looked up just in time to see Marcel making his escape into the darkness. I let go of her and ran toward him. She grabbed me around the neck, bringing me back to her.
“You will not take him!” she screamed. Then, suddenly, she released me, stepped back, and bowed. I looked to my right to see Kiarah coming toward us.
“Alixia, go back to the Ancients’ realm,” she said, moving toward Correa.
”No, I need to see Phillip.”
The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2) Page 19
