“Why would you do that?” I asked, moving forward on the couch.
“Because I want you to rectify the wrong that was done against Marcus’s Family regarding the killing of that young girl.”
“Well, of course I will do it. I just don’t understand how I will defend him. I mean, it happened.” I looked at Marcus. “I’m sorry, but I did warn you that Ethan couldn’t be trusted.”
“Alixia, it didn’t happen that way.”
“I want to believe you, but he was there.”
“Yes, he was there, but he never took that girl’s soul.”
I shifted to face him better.
“He was caught, Marcus. Why are you protecting him?”
“Alixia, listen. They are deceiving you.”
I looked over at Marguerite, and she nodded.
“Just tell me what happened, Marcus.”
“After leaving you, I sensed that Ethan was in trouble. I took off as fast as I could to New Orleans and arrived at the waterfront near the Vieux Carré, where his scent was the strongest. But I was too late. They were already taking his headless body to be burned in the swamp. But the young girl was still alive. I watched as they engulfed her, listening to her screams, and then I saw her lifeless body turn into ash.”
“So he did do it, just like Phillip said.”
“No. If he had taken her soul, she would not have turned to ash. The Ambrosine’s blood can’t harm us anymore, so it would have just been a clean kill. That’s why they carried out Ethan’s body and burned it.”
“Alixia,” Marguerite said. “They can’t be trusted. That’s what we’re trying to tell you. So, that’s why I want you to challenge this judgment, to make sure the other Family members see the truth. Marcel was the one that took that girl’s life last night. He framed Ethan. Marcel left him there when he sensed the Ambrosines were coming, knowing that he would be destroyed.”
It made sense, but one thing still bugged me.
“Marguerite, I just don’t understand. Why didn’t Ethan run when the Ambrosines arrived?”
She leaned back in her chair, angry.
“Why would he, Alixia? He’s been helping Phillip go after the Dark Ones. So, he thought he could trust the Ambrosines.”
Marcus was angry, too.
“I’m sure they didn’t listen to his pleas of innocence last night either. They just killed him without question!”
He walked over to Marguerite, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“And just like the justice Ethan received, the Dominions voted to curse the Pure Ones because one of their own, Angel, lied.”
“ Marcus,” I said. They didn’t only vote for Angel to bring on the curse because of what happened at the ritual, or even because of the girl last night. They told me it was insurance, to keep you all under control.”
“The High Council wanted control of us?” He looked down at Marguerite. “Did you hear that? They cursed you to keep us under control?” She reached up in a motherly fashion, patting his hand.
“They will never control us,” she said calmly. “Once I get back to the island and find out who’s helping her, I will reverse this curse and they will all wish for their punishment to come swiftly.”
She got up and walked over to the mirror, staring at herself for a moment.
“The Gathering will be in two days. That should give me enough time to find out what I need.”
“But what if they don’t want to hear the truth?” I asked.
“I don’t care if they believe you or not. The Gathering is a diversion to make them think they are safe. Alixia, as long as we show concern about the curse, they will believe they still have control over us. And once I get rid of the curse, we will strike.”
Marguerite and Marcus looked at each other, sharing thoughts of sweet revenge against Angel.
“Okay, I will do it.”
Marcus came over and kissed me.
“I’m sorry for the outburst. I was just angry about Ethan.“
“I know. That’s how I felt watching Olitha die.”
“So, we’re good.”
“Yes,” I smiled. “Alright then, when I return from taking Marguerite, we will…”
“No, Marcus!” Marguerite exclaimed nervously. “You’re not coming with us.”
“What?” he asked. “I’m going with you, to make sure you get to the island safely.”
“Thank you for your concern, but you must stay here now, in case Alixia needs you. With Angel controlling everything now, we need both of you keeping an eye on her until I find the other person.”
Michael entered the room.
“Marguerite, I have what you needed.” He walked over to her, carrying a small, wet, dirty gunnysack that was filled with something that reeked vilely.
“Take it into the secret room, please.”
“Very good.”
“Okay, we have to end this conversation now. I have something to get done before we leave. Alixia will you go find Henry and tell him I need his help.”
“Sure.” I said. “So, what’s in the sack?
“Something you don’t need to be concerned with. Just go get Henry.” She went into the room and closed the door behind her. I turned toward Marcus.
“What do you think it was?”
“I don’t know, but it sure smelled awful.”
“I wonder what she’s conjuring up in there.” We both looked toward the secret room.
“I don’t think I want to know,” he said. “I’ve seen some of her rituals when she’s been displeased, and it’s not good.”
“Okay. Come on, let’s go get Henry.”
“I’d better not go with you. I don’t want to upset Millie again.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
“I’ll meet you in the solarium.”
“Okay.” He kissed me softly, and left.
I went down the hall to the foyer and started heading upstairs. I saw Henry on the upper landing.
“Henry,” I called out. “Marguerite needs to see you.”
He didn’t even look at me. I walked up to him.
“Henry, did you hear me?” He looked like he was in shock.
“Henry, what’s the matter? Is it the baby?” I started moving past him. He grabbed my arm. “No, it’s not the baby. It’s Millie. She’s not going with us to the West Indies.”
“Why?”
“She wants to take care of Angel herself. I tried talking to her and she told me to leave.”
“Henry, she can’t seriously want to try to take on Angel?”
“I know, she’s not thinking right. Please talk to her, Alixia. We will be leaving soon, and I don’t want to go without her.”
“Don’t worry, I will make sure she leaves with you.”
“Merci, Alixia.” He squeezed my hand and left.
I knocked on the door.
“Millie,” I said, and waited for a response.
She opened the door without saying a word, then turned around and went back to the bed. She lay down next to her baby, so I walked in.
“Millie, Henry told me what you’re planning.”
“So?” she said, caressing little James’s hair.
“Well, it’s stupid.”
I sat on the other side of the bed.
“I don’t care if you think it’s stupid or not. I’m not going to the West Indies. She attacked my family, and I will not allow her to keep us under siege.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to go to the High Council and demand that she sets my child free.”
I looked at her.
Why would I even argue with her about this? If it were my baby, I would be doing the exact same thing.
But, for her safety, I continued.
“You need to go with Henry.”
“No, he can watch over James. There is no reason for me to go there. I’m not a Pure One. Henry is the one who is not safe here, along with James. So, I will stay here and fight for the both of them, and there w
ill be no more discussion of it. Alixia, do you understand me?”
“Yes, Millie you’re right. But we will go together.”
“Thank you, Alixia.” She reached over, touching my hand.
“Fine, then,” I said, getting off the bed. “Wrap up James and let’s get him to where he will be safe.”
“Okay. Just give me a few more moments with my baby.”
I bent over the bed, giving James a kiss.
“He will be safe,” Millie said moving him closer to her. “I will make sure of that, no matter what.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling her wrath for Angel and the others. “I’ll be downstairs, waiting on you, so that we can tell the others your decision.”
I opened the door to leave, and looked back to see her picking up James. Then, suddenly, her thoughts were in my mind.
“No, Millie!” I screamed.
“Alixia, get out of my head! You are not going to stop me! I know that it wasn’t Marcus’s doing. But if she doesn’t release my child, I will do it. That’s the only way I will have the power to destroy her. She will pay!”
“You can’t be serious about this, Millie.”
“I will do anything to protect my child.”
“But, not that. What about Henry?” Millie laid James down and came at me, frantic.
“Alixia, please don’t tell Henry anything.”
“But you are talking about turning into a Dark…”
“Hush, Alixia,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me back into the room. She closed the door.
“Please just listen.”
”Listen to what? That you’re insane.” The baby started stirring and she picked him up. Walking over to a rocking chair, she sat down.
“As I said, I’m not going to do it unless they refuse to release my child.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at her and not wanting to believe that she would actually do it.
“Millie, I understand you want to protect your child.“
“It’s not protecting him. I’m saving him from death.”
Tears filled her eyes. I walked over to her, giving her a hug. I decided not to push the issue any further now.
“Hopefully, they will release him.”
Little James stretched out his tiny hand and I saw the bandage on his cut.
“Come here, my little boy.”
Millie handed him to me. I kissed his little hand.
“Your Momma will keep you safe,” I said.
Millie got up and kissed my cheek.
“Don’t worry.” She wiped her tears before taking James from me, giving him a kiss and speaking softly to him.
“I’m going to miss you, but Daddy will take good care of you.” She picked up his blanket and handed me the diaper bag. “Let’s go.”
Walking downstairs, Millie made me swear to keep her secret. But I wasn’t worried about that right now. I was more worried about what Henry was going to do when he heard she was staying here.
“There you are,” Henry said, meeting us in the foyer. “The driver is ready, out front.”
“Alixia, will you give me a moment with Henry?”
“Yes, of course.” I gave James a kiss, and handed Henry his diaper bag.
“Thanks, Alixia. Is everything okay?”
“Henry, just listen to her.” I left to go find Marcus.
Opening the solarium doors, I found Marcus with Marguerite.
“Alixia, how did it go with Millie?” Marguerite asked, touching one of the roses. “He told me about her not wanting to leave.”
“She’s staying here. She’s adamant about talking to the High Council tonight.”
“You couldn’t talk her out of it?”
“No, and I didn’t argue too hard because, if it were my baby, I would be doing the same thing.”
She walked over to me, putting her hand on my shoulder and smiling. “I knew you would see it her way.”
“Yes, how could I fight her on it? She is as stubborn as I am, and needs to try, at least.”
“I agree. But she still has to be careful going up against them.”
“I know. Marguerite, are you sure Angel can’t get to you or the baby in the West Indies?”
“I’m positive. Although, I was just thinking about something that might cause a problem with our plans.”
“What’s that?
“Millie’s thoughts. Make sure you block them. The Dominions and the High Council will try to get her away from you, so keep her close.”
“I will.”
“Alright, then. It’s time. Marcus, move the Family around New Orleans to keep watch tonight.”
“It’s already being done.”
“Good. Come see us off, now.”
Back in the foyer, Henry and Millie were kissing goodbye. Little James was between them.
“Henry,” Marguerite said, interrupting them. “Did Michael give you the ashes?”
“Yes, they’re in the car.”
“Then I guess we’re ready. Millie, we will take good care of your baby.”
“I know you will.”
“Millie,” Henry said, looking over at Marcus.
“Oh, yes,” she said, going over to him. “Marcus, I want to apologize. I know this was none of your doing.”
“Thank you,” he said, and kissed her cheek.
“Okay, then, ” she said, a little flustered as she stepped back from him. “Take my baby to safety.”
We went out on the porch. Millie walked down the steps with her baby in her arms and Henry by her side, saying their goodbyes.
Marcus hugged me tightly, and whispered in my ear.
“I read Millie’s thoughts.”
“I know. Don’t say anything now.”
“I won’t.”
The Ambrosine Series
The Legacy-Ambrosine is the second installment of the Ambrosine Series by Belle Fourche, SD resident and author, Noreen Harrison. While the first book, Ambrosine, follows the unexpected life of a young girl in 1960’s New Orleans and the peculiar circumstances that take her reluctantly into a hidden and dangerous world dominated by her family, The Legacy-Ambrosine propels you deeper into their dark secrets and societies.
Soon to come, book three, Path of Descent – Ambrosine.
The Legacy (Ambrosine Book 2) Page 32
