The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2)

by Noreen Harrison

  “Alixia,” Millie asked. “So, Madame Correa… Marcus will take her life?”

  “Yes, so don’t worry.”

  She grimaced. I could sense that she was bewildered because everything she had been brought up to believe was being questioned.

  “Well, if it has been ordered. But I still can’t believe they are going to let a Dark One take an Ambrosine. Henry, let’s go back please.”

  They went to the opening.

  “Millie,” I said before they jumped. “It has to be done.”

  “I know.” She kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to accept this change, too.” Henry wrapped Millie in his arms.

  “We’ll meet you at Marguerite’s,” he said, and then he jumped.

  I moved to the opening of the cave, seeing the sun.

  “Alixia,” Phillip said. “Did you want to return right away?”

  “No, not really. I’m kind of enjoying having my powers back, and I like seeing the sun instead of being in the gray mist. Can we just stay here for a little while?”

  “I don’t know. It might not be safe.”

  ”I don’t sense anything. Do you?”

  “No,” he said, coming toward me.

  “Then, come on,” I said, taking his hand and leading him to the opening. We sat down on a ledge outside the cave. Looking out over the countryside was incredible. The green foliage blanketed the island all the way to a strip of white sand along the coast. The sun was about to set on the western horizon, sinking slowly into the ocean as its yellows and reds painted the sky. I smiled in awe. Phillip put his arm around me, holding me close to him.

  “Phillip, can you believe this place?” I leaned against his shoulder.

  “It’s nice,” he said. “But I still enjoy New Orleans sunsets better.”

  I smiled.

  “You’re right, there is nothing like a New Orleans sunset.”

  “Yes,” he said, kissing my forehead. “And our sunrises. Those are even better, when they’re shared”

  I pushed him gently.

  “Phillip, I can read your mind.”

  “Hey, I have my memories.”

  “Me, too. And they…”

  I froze.

  “What is it, Alixia?”

  “The images of you and Marcus!”

  “What are you seeing?”

  “Wait,” I said, frustrated. “There are still only bits and pieces. And who is that woman? Why can’t I see her?”

  I lowered my head.

  “Alixia, are you okay?

  “Yes, I’m fine. The images are gone. But there’s danger tonight, Phillip. I know it.”

  He hugged me closer, as if he could sense it, too.

  “You said you couldn’t see a woman?”

  “Yes,” I said frustrated. “I know she’s there, but I can’t see any detail. It’s driving me crazy. I know if I could see her, I’d recognize her.”

  “It’s okay, Alixia. Just relax.” He cupped my chin, raising it so that I could look into his eyes.

  “We will just have to be more vigilant tonight. And tomorrow night, too. Okay?”

  I let out a breath.

  “You’re right Phillip. At least we know that something is coming.”

  “Yes, so until your vision reveals more…”

  He kissed my lips.

  “Let’s just enjoy this sunset,” he said.

  Before everything changes…

  The Ritual

  As we walked back into the Ancients’ realm, our powers were drained, step-by-step, by the foggy mist. The Ancients surrounded me, whispering and touching me. They didn’t pay the same attention to Phillip.

  “They really revere you,” Phillip said, as we passed through them.

  “They do? What are they saying?”

  ” Vous avez été choisis.”

  “What does that mean?”

  ”You were chosen.”

  “Chosen for what?”

  I looked back at them, veiled in the mist, and only saw their silhouettes.

  “Maybe it has to do with Marcus, as you’re helping him.”

  “Yes, that might be it.”

  Marguerite and the Priestess were standing by the shelves that held the jars.

  “There you two are,” she said. “Marcus was looking for you.”

  “Where is he?” I asked.

  “He and the others already went to the ritual ground to wait for us.” She took a jar from the shelf. “Are you ready to begin, Alixia?”

  “Yes.” I said. “I guess it’s time to get this over with. Come on, Phillip. ”

  “Phillip, you may go ahead,” Kiarah said. “Alixia, please stay with us.” He leaned over and kissed me.

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  “Be careful,” I said, letting go of his hand.

  “I will.” He bowed and left.

  “Come and sit here, Alixia.” The Priestess motioned to me.

  What now?

  “Alixia,” the Priestess said, taking my hands. “Is it your free choice to share your soul with Marcus?”

  “Yes, it is.” I said apprehensively. Marguerite placed a gold knife with an inlaid handle, a chalice, and a small woven basket in front of us.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  Marguerite picked up the basket.

  ”We need your blood now.”

  “Ah,” I said, taken aback. “Now?”

  “Yes,” she said, opening the small basket and tilting it. From within, she poured black ash into the chalice.

  “You and the Priestess will give your blood now.”

  I looked at Kiarah.

  “You’re giving blood, too?”

  “Yes. Let’s begin. Time is running short. Marguerite, are you ready?”

  “Yes.” She picked up the lit candle from the table, tilting it to let the wax drip into the chalice. A white glow appeared. I looked at the Priestess, whose eyes were reflecting the light. She nodded to Marguerite.

  “Maintenant,“ she said.

  Marguerite put her hand out.

  “Alixia, give me your hand.”

  I reached my right hand out to her, palm up. She brought the knife’s edge to my skin…

  Suddenly, I jerked my hand back.

  “Wait!”

  “What is it, Alixia?” Marguerite asked, staring at me gravely. “Have you changed your mind?”

  “No, it’s not that.”

  Kiarah spoke up angrily.

  “Qu'est-ce que c'est?”

  Marguerite turned to me with a disquieted look on her face.

  “Alixia, what is it?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, trying to hold back a smile. “It was just a reaction.”

  “To what?”

  “To you cutting me.”

  “Alixia, you’re immortal. I don’t think a little cut is going to hurt you.”

  “I know that,” I said, still smiling about my reaction.” “Evidently, I still have a little human in me.“

  She grimaced.

  “This not a time to be humorous,” she said looking over at Kiarah.

  “I know,” I said, seeing the disapproval in their eyes. “Please go ahead, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”

  I gave her my hand. I felt the knife go deep into my palm, and then I watched my blood drip into the chalice through my fingers. She then took my fingers, closing them into my palm.

  “La lumière,” she said. Then she released my hand, and when I looked at it my skin was completely healed, leaving no evidence whatsoever of the cut. She turned to Kiarah, took her hand, and performed the same procedure.

  Marguerite then mixed our blood with the ashes, swirling the chalice three times.

  Each time, she repeated: “La lumière.”

  I looked over at the Priestess who had taken a white cloth and wrapped her hand from her cut. She was looking at me, too.

  “C'est chose faite.”

  “Oui,” Marguerite replied, and then placed the chalice on a gold
tray.

  “Come,” she said. We walked out, into the mist. The air started filling with the sweet flowery scent that I now associated with such events. The Ancients moved toward us, placing robes on our shoulders and whispering in chant…

  “L'immortalité de l'âmes.

  As we moved toward the ritual grounds, my heart was pounding in my chest with fear and hope that I wouldn’t be losing Marcus tonight. Walking beside Marguerite, I wanted to talk about the latest images that I had seen.

  “Marguerite, that vision of Marcus and Phillip, I think it might happen tonight.” She didn’t stop walking. She just kept looking straight ahead, as if she didn’t hear me.

  “Marguerite?”

  “Alixia,” she said in a low voice, still not looking at me. “Don’t worry, remember that your powers will return tonight.”

  “But when?” I asked. She turned her head.

  “Once we are in the ritual grounds. So, be watchful, if you think your vision will come true tonight.”

  I stopped, watching her go on, and thinking back to Correa’s threat. Millie came up behind me with Henry, taking my hand.

  “Alixia, are you okay?”

  “Yes, now I am,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Let’s go.”

  I put my hood over my head. The air grew even heavier with the sweet, flowery scent as we approached the ritual grounds. Entering the clearing and looking through the gray darkness, I saw Marcus standing by the altar with Marista, Ethan, Jon, Paul and Ryan. They were watching everything intently, their eyes flitting from face to face, alert and nervous. I walked up to Marcus, whose back was turned to me. I touched his shoulder.

  “Alixia!” I leaned into him and whispered.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Yes,” he said, removing his hood. “I have no fear. I know our souls belong together.” He squeezed my hand. “I love you.”

  “I hope I can hear you say that after you drink.” He moved in, kissing me softly.

  “You will, Alixia.”

  “Marcus, enough!” Marista said. “Here comes the Priestess.” I released his hand.

  “I’d better go, Marcus. See you after the ritual. Marista, stay close to him.”

  She nodded, saying snidely, “Oh, I will.”

  I shook my head at her jealousy, and walked back to where Millie was standing. The Priestess appeared with a lit torch and walked toward the altar. Drums started beating out a haunting rhythm through the darkness.

  “Alixia, kneel,” Millie said, pulling me down.

  Bending to one knee, I was still watching the Priestess as she took the torch and placed it on the altar. The flames shot high in the air.

  “Les âmes ont été rejoint,” she said.

  Moving from the altar to the center of the ritual grounds, she held her hands high.

  “La lumière,” she cried, and then went to her knees, bowing her head. Millie took my arm.

  “Stand up now, Alixia.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Watch.”

  I removed my hood, looking at the Priestess. My eyes widened. The heavy mist was being sucked into a whirlwind surrounding her, as if she were the eye of a hurricane. I could feel the energy and power of it, as lighting flashed all around her. She raised her hands, bringing the mist into her, as the drums got louder and louder. Then she lifted her head slowly, her eyes fixed as if she was in trance.

  “Arrêt!” she cried.

  The mist was gone. Completely gone.

  I was astonished.

  “Millie, how did she…?”

  “Hush, Alixia. Not now! I’ll tell you later.”

  “Alright,” I said quietly, looking up into the night sky. It was clear. The full moon was huge, and in its light another surprise was revealed. The Ancients who had only been ghostly figures to me were now completely visible. I stared into their faces as they stared chanting. They were mostly old; only a few young ones stood out amongst them, and they kept their focus on the Priestess. She stood up, motioning for Marguerite to come to her.

  Suddenly, I heard Phillip in my mind, calling my name. My powers were back!

  Phillip, where are you?

  To your left.

  I turned to see him standing by Olitha. He waved slightly.

  I see you. Wait…”

  I turned back to the altar, sensing that something important was happening. I looked at Marguerite as she beginning ritually chanting:

  “L'immortalité de l'âmes.”

  She handed the chalice to Marcus.

  “Marcus, is it your choice to…”

  She stopped, looking out into the darkness.

  I sensed Correa too, as Marista screamed.

  Correa stepped into the clearing. She put her blood stained palms up, as Marista accelerated in the air toward her, trying to stop her from getting to Marcus. I moved quickly to help her, but I was too late. I watched Marista fall to the ground, screaming, as Correa brutally pierced through her heart. Marguerite cried out, going to her daughter’s side. Correa jumped over Marista’s lifeless body, going for Marcus. I grabbed her, taking her to the ground.

  “Alixia, behind you!” Phillip yelled.

  Nicolas seized me, pulling me off her. I looked up to see Olitha’s brothers running toward Correa.

  “No, don’t!” I screamed, watching her take them out in seconds. Phillip took hold of Nicolas by the throat, breaking his hold on me, but knocking me back to the ground. Getting up, I saw that Marguerite and the Ancients had encircled Correa, bringing her down to the ground as she kicked and screamed for her life. The Priestess walked toward them, looking at me with a smile.

  She knew that Correa would come tonight, breaking the covenant about crossing over.

  Kiarah walked into the circle, raising her hands.

  “Now she is like the rest of the immortals,” she said. The vow has been broken.”

  The Ancients cheered loudly. I looked behind me, seeing Olitha and Phillip bring Nicolas with them. They walked over to the Priestess, throwing him down in front of her. Olitha’s eyes were dark with hate.

  “Go, Alixia,” she said. “We can handle this.” I stood there, not moving, and looking at the fear in Nicolas’s eyes.

  “I said go!”

  “But…”

  “Alixia,” Phillip said, shaking his head to stop me talking. He put his arm around me. As we left, they were dragging them both into the jungle. I looked back to where Marista and the brothers had gone down. I felt profound sorrow, knowing they had died to protect Marcus.

  Marcus! I turned toward the altar, seeing the chalice on the ground.

  ”Where is he?” I asked, moving out of Phillip’s embrace.

  “Who?”

  “Marcus.”

  I ran over and bent down to pick up the gold chalice, which was lying upright, next to some ashes.

  “No!” I cried. A sick feeling came over me. I tried to get into his head. There was nothing but silence. My heart felt as though it were exploding into tiny pieces inside me. I looked up at Phillip.

  “He can’t be dead.”

  He knelt behind me, putting his hand on my shoulder.

  “Alixia, let’s go back to village and see…”

  He tried helping me up. I pulled away from him, screaming angrily.

  “See what? See if my blood killed him?”

  My mind went back to watching Marcus take the chalice from Marguerite.

  “Alixia, please. I’m just saying that he could be safe in the village. Maybe the Ancients took him there.”

  “Or, this could be him.” I picked up a handful of ash, holding it tight. I rocked back and forth, in desperation.

  I can’t sense him at all.

  “He has to be alive,” I said aloud.

  Phillip closed his eyes, grimacing. He was questioning, too.

  “Let’s just go.”

  I picked up the chalice and set it on the altar, watching the last of the flames die.

  “What
about Marguerite? She would know if the Ancients took him. Maybe Marcus is with her.”

  He lowered his eyes.

  “He wouldn’t be.”

  “Why.”

  “Because Marguerite and the others are with the Ambrosines.”

  “The Ambrosines?” I looked at him, perplexed. “What are you talking about? Madam Cecilia told me that they are not allowed to witness the death of one of their own.”

  “Alixia, it has nothing to with that. Let’s just go back to the village and see if…”

  “No!” I stepped back from him. “What’s going on?” He moved his hand through his hair. He shifted his body, looking in the direction they had taken.

  “Phillip, tell me! Don’t make me get into your head!”

  “They’re taking the bodies back to be burned, okay?”

  “Burned?”

  “Yes. After the Pure Ones take their lives, bodies are returned to the Ambrosines to be burned so that their souls never return. That is the ritual.” I took his hand, not questioning anymore. I was glad their souls would never return.

  “Let’s go to the village and see if we can find Marcus.”

  When we entered the village it was quiet. In fact, it was a bit too quiet.

  “Where are they, Phillip?”

  I turned suddenly, hearing Millie in the darkness. I ran toward her. She was with Henry, entering the cavern to leave.

  “Millie!” I yelled, and she turned.

  “Alixia,” she hugged me. “I’m so glad I’m getting to say goodbye to you. Henry is taking me back to New Orleans now.”

  Henry wrapped his arms around her protectively.

  “Yes, so let’s keep moving.”

  “Henry, before you leave, do you know what happened to Marcus?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “ He’s not dead, is he?” I asked, frantically.

  “I don’t know, Alixia. We have to leave. I’m sorry. Talk to the Priestess.”

  “Henry,” I cried. “Did you see Marcus at all?”

  “We left when Correa took down Marista. Find the Priestess. She might know.” He moved Millie back into the entrance.

  “Henry, what’s going on?” Phillip asked, grabbing his arm. “I know there is more to this.”

  “Phillip, I don’t know anything. But I will find out. Now, I have to get Millie out of here. She won’t be safe when it starts.”

  “Yes, I know. Where’s the Priestess?”