She looked at me, surprised. “Why would you ask such a question?”
“I don’t know. I’m kind of afraid of what’s going to happen.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. We will be okay, I promise you.” She took me in her arms. I felt safe as she cradled me and caressed my hair. I closed my eyes and began drifting off.
“Alixia?” She moved me away from her and stood up.
“What?” I asked, sitting up, half-asleep.
“There’s a storm coming in.”
I looked up toward the sky and noticed it was getting darker. There were clouds moving in fast. The wind blew in heavy gusts and fat rain drops pelted us as we ran to the house for cover. The staff was already closing windows and doors. Mother and I went upstairs to change our clothes before lunch.
When I entered my bedroom, I ran over to shut the window. The rain had already saturated the floor. I went to the bathroom to get a couple of towels.
Mother came into the room, taking a towel from me. “We’re having a tropical storm. We’d better help the staff with the shutters.”
We then went room to room until everything was closed. The wind blew and the rain hit the outside of the house while we finished lunch. Mother was concerned about her garden and hoped the storm would end soon. Mother didn’t care much for storms. She always said they made her nervous. She started talking about anything and everything to keep her mind off the weather. I kept thinking about all she had told me today. I entered into her ramblings, once in a while with a “yes” or a “no,” to pacify her until the storm passed.
When the storm did end, we went through the house, opening all the shutters and windows. I could feel the cool breeze from the storm’s aftermath waft through the house. I paused to look out on the grounds.
“What a mess.” I muttered.
Mother and I went outside to assess the damage with the staff. The porch was cluttered with branches and broken flower pots. Tables and chairs were turned over. I couldn’t believe what the storm had done.
Mother left me and went to her gardens right away to see how much damage took place there. I stayed behind to help the staff.
As I finished cleaning the front area, I made my way toward the back end of the porch, sweeping and wiping tables. I noticed a couple of chairs which needed repair. Picking up one of the chairs, I went around to the other side of the house to the work shed. Heading back to get the other chair, a dark, shadowy mist began to engulf me. I froze. All at once, I felt I was under siege by something treacherous that was trying to control me. I could hear someone or something calling my name. I screamed. My body and mind began fighting with the entity that was trying to get inside of me. Its cold touch went through me like an icy knife. Suddenly I was in the dark, yelling, “No!” Inside of my mind, I used all the power I had to push it away from me. Then, as abruptly as it had taken hold of me, this creature, spirit, ghost or whatever it was started slowly letting go of me. I felt myself regaining control as the darkness faded. I was free of it. I fell to my knees in a daze.
Mother suddenly was there by my side. I was confused and still frightened. I spoke softly. “Mother, something tried to…” I went faint. I could hear her voice as she held me.
“I am here, Alixia. You’ll be safe now.”
She had the gardener carry me into the house and put me on the sofa. Mother said something to him in French, and he nodded and left the room. Anna brought a glass of water to me. Shaking, Mother held the glass for me as I took a few sips. I saw the fury in her eyes as she looked down at me. She told Anna to stay with me. “You will be safe now.” She said, trying to sound reassuring, as her eyes and voice still held onto her anger.
“Mother, what’s happening?”
“I will tell you when I get back. I have to make a telephone call now.”
She left. I lay on the sofa.
Can this all be true? What was that?
Mother returned shortly.
“Thank you, Anna.” Mother looked at me with tears in her eyes. “Alixia, I am so sorry this is happening to you. I should have brought you to the family as soon as your father passed away, but I still wanted to honor his wishes. I was so foolish! I put you in danger.”
“What are you talking about?” I was even more confused.
“Remember when I told you that there are families that would try to stop you? To hurt you?” I nodded fearfully. “Well, they’re seeing how strong you are. This is not over yet. They know that you will be moving forward soon and they will keep trying.”
“What! Why?”
“They know you’re vulnerable now.” She paused for a minute and said, “We’re leaving here tomorrow. It’s not safe here anymore.” I was stunned. “We have to leave?”
“I can’t protect you here. We need to be around the family in New Orleans until you come forward to keep them from trying this again.”
“What’s coming after me?”
“I am not sure. It could be someone in the family of Dark Realm. They know about you already and the special abilities that you will hold when you come forward. That’s why it’s best we leave now!” I just shook my head in disbelief. “But I am not ready to leave yet.”
She stood up and said with firmness in her voice, “We’re leaving early in the morning and I don’t want to hear any more. Pack tonight and bring enough clothes to last a week. The rest of our things should be there by next week. I have called Madame Cecilia and she will be at the train station to pick us up tomorrow. Come on now, I’ll help you upstairs.”
When we got to my bedroom, Mother walked in, looking around the room uneasily. Then she said, “You will stay with me tonight.”
“Sure.” I said without an argument.
Did she think I was actually going to stay by myself tonight?
She left me and went to her room. I sat on the bed, restless and nervous.
This is just plain creepy. Did I stop whatever it was with just my mind? Is this really happening?
I needed more answers. I quickly finished packing and went into Mother’s room.
“Mother?”
She looked at me. “What is it?” She asked, dropping her blouse in the suitcase. “Are you—”
“I’m fine.” I interrupted, quickly easing her fears. “I just wanted to ask you, do you think I’m getting my powers?” She looked at me, perplexed. “I am not sure; you weren’t hurt, just shaken. So maybe you did hold them off by yourself. But, we will know more when we get to New Orleans.”
I walked over to the side of the bed. “It’s really happening, like you said.”
Closing her suitcase, she answered, “Yes, I’m glad you’re starting to understand this is all real.” She walked toward me. “I was thinking about whom else might have an interest in you.”
“Who might that be?”
“Charles Gautier.”
“Your old boyfriend? Why would he want to hurt me?” I sat down on her bed. She moved her suitcase to the floor and sat down beside me. “I’m not sure if he would actually want to hurt you. He could have used his telepathic abilities to enter your mind to test you, to see if you could resist him or not.”
“Why?”
She sighed. “It’s a long story, but Charles was angry with me and swore revenge on my family because I left him for an outsider. But,” she shook her head, “I can’t see him harming you, he was probably just curious and testing you.”
“What are you thinking? That wasn’t curiosity. Something was trying to possess me!”
She grimaced. “I know how strange this sounds, but whoever it was, like I said, I think was just trying to see how strong you are.”
“Okay, so you’re telling me I’m an oddity and, he or whatever, was just checking me out?”
“Alixia, I didn’t mean it that way.” She held back her laughter and smiled. “Anyway, until I get an image of who it was, you will be safer in New Orleans for now.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to leave. This isn’t
fair. What about my friends? They’ll be wondering where we went.”
She stood up. “We will take care of that after supper. Just call them and let them know we have to leave early because of some problems with our home in New Orleans.”
“Okay.” I replied. I wanted to argue, but I didn’t know how. She seemed to have everything under control.
I wonder if Mother had always covered her steps, making sure no one would ever discover the cryptic lifestyle of her family?
****
The next morning, everyone was rushing around, packing up things and getting ready for our move. Mother and I hurried through breakfast. She gave everyone a list as usual. I finished my list and decided to take a walk. Mother cautioned not to go far, as we would be leaving soon.
The morning still had a chill in the air and a light fog covered the ground. I wrapped my coat a little tighter around me and headed down the path. There were two crows sitting on the fence post. As I got closer, the birds didn’t fly away; they just watched me pass without stirring. I went into the orchard and back toward the gardens, trying to take in all the familiar smells to have with me until we returned home again. As I walked closer to the gardens, I began to experience the sensation I’d had yesterday, but it wasn’t as strong. It felt more like I was being observed this time. I quickly turned around to see if anyone was there. I saw nothing but the two crows flying around in the trees and squawking. I picked up my pace as I headed toward the garden. In the fog I thought I could see a faint figure of someone standing by the garden gate. I felt my heart beating wildly as I called out, but the figure didn’t answer. I suddenly turned sharply, hearing something. It was a rabbit running through the bushes. I turned back toward the gate and the figure was gone. Cautiously, I entered the garden. No one was there.
It must be my imagination after yesterday’s nightmare. They’re just shadows in the fog, that’s all.
I tried to reassure myself.
I started back toward to the house, but I decided not to let Mother know about my paranoia this time.
I returned to the house just in time. The driver was putting our luggage in the car. Mother was standing on the porch saying goodbye to all the staff. I ran up and hugged Anna and the rest of the staff. I was going to miss everyone so much. I turned around and looked at our home and sighed. We really were leaving.
As I got into the car, I came to a realization.
Mother is right. I had to go where I could be safe.
The driver closed the door and we were on our way.
The Deception
The train finally reached New Orleans. We got off and looked for Madame Cecilia. She was waiting on the platform, waving at us.
We hugged each other and then went to the car. The driver was retrieving our baggage and as we waited, Madame Cecilia told us that the house was ready inside, but they were still painting the outside.
“It should be finished by the end of the week.”
“It sounds good, Cecilia.” Mother said as the driver returned and we were on our way.
I sat between Mother and Madame Cecilia, feeling anxious because I did not know what to expect. Madame Cecilia took my hand and reassured me that it would be okay. We left the city of New Orleans and headed to our new residence.
We traveled the main road for about a mile until we turned right onto a side road. As I watched the scenery pass by, I noticed the overgrown oak trees intertwined with each other, making a tunnel as we drove down the road until we arrived at a clearing. An old, southern mansion loomed at the end of the road.
“This is our new home?” I asked in disbelief as we drove up to the front entrance. The car stopped at the front door. As I got out, I asked, “Mother, this is where you lived as a child?”
“Yes, this is my home and yours, too now.”
Madame Cecilia wrapped her arm around me. “Come on.” She said.
We walked up the porch steps onto a covered veranda and through the front doors into the mansion. Madame Cecelia’s staff was there to greet us. I looked around in amazement at the grand surroundings. The foyer was enormous and beautiful. The entire area was off-white in color from the walls to the ceiling. Even the floor was covered with white marble. A chandelier hung in the center of the room, its crystals glistening in the afternoon sun. My eyes followed a mahogany staircase leading up to open second floor.
“Millie!” I shouted as I saw her.
She waved and hurried down the staircase. She wrapped her arms around me.
“It’s so nice to have you back again, and this time to stay, I hope?”
“I guess so. Mother wants to be close to her family again and her charity work. But enough of that!” I stood back noticing her difference. “Look at you! You’re going to have baby!”
Millie patted her stomach. “Yes, we can’t wait. Henry and I have been counting down the months.”
“Well, if you ever need a babysitter, I‘ll be there for you.”
“Thank you, Alixia.” She hugged me and then asked, “Where’s your mother?”
“Right behind you.” I pointed.
“I’ll be right back.” She said.
I watched as Millie went over to them. I noticed that Mother and Madame Cecilia were discussing something and then Millie joined in after hugging Mother. It caught my attention a little because Mother seemed upset and Madame Cecilia looked concerned, while Millie shook her head a couple of times, like she was disapproving of something. I walked over to see what was going on, but they all composed themselves by the time I approached them.
Before I could say anything, Madame Cecilia said, “Come on, I’ll show you where your bedrooms are.”
I turned and looked at Millie. “Do you want to come with us?”
She gazed over at Madame Cecilia. “No, I’ll see you tomorrow. Henry will be picking me up soon.”
“All right then, tomorrow.”
“Yes, tomorrow will be better.” She kissed my cheek and said, “Au revoir.”
Madame Cecilia took us upstairs to Mother’s room first and then mine. Both were beautiful, spacious, and each had its own balcony. I was glad I was right across the hall from Mother. It made me feel safe. Madame Cecilia’s bedroom was at the end of the hall.
Mother put her arm around me. “Alixia, I am going to lie down for a little while before supper. Will you be okay?”
“Sure. I’ll keep touring the house with Madame Cecilia.”
We went from room to room. I was beside myself with how beautiful each room was. The walls were white with a light gold trim and touches of red. Each of the rooms was lavishly furnished and accented with beautiful, fresh flowers.
The ballroom was phenomenal. When we walked in, I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were mirrors on every wall and light fixtures of gold and crystal hanging from the ceiling.
“This is incredible!” I said. “I’m glad you like it.” She answered with a smile. “Come on now, there is a lot more to see.”
We walked out onto the veranda. The grounds were also beautiful. There was a pond right in front of us, with a statue of a young woman looking into the water. The gardens were behind the pond.
Madame Cecilia took my arm in hers as we walked down the path toward the gardens. I started thinking about what I had experienced earlier that morning in the gardens at home.
“What happened to you this morning?”
I looked at her with astonishment. “How did you know what I—” I couldn’t even finish my sentence. She smiled and said, “That’s one of my abilities. I can read people’s thoughts by touching them.”
I jumped back. “What?!”
She laughed. “It’s all right. I am not going to hurt you, Alixia. You have so much to learn about being Ambrosine.”
I was in such a state of disbelief, I couldn’t move. I just stared at her and stammered, “Uh…you can read minds by touching people?”
“Yes, I have many abilities and powers.” She said. “And you have them too. I am going to
teach you how to use them all. But right now I want you to answer my question. What happened to you this morning?”
“It was nothing, really.” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. “I just had a sense of something watching me when I was walking through the orchards this morning, but there was nothing there except two crows making a lot of noise.” I paused. “Although, I thought I saw a figure in the fog. But, it was probably just my imagination.”
I watched her eyes narrow. “Do you think it was your imagination?” She asked.
“I don’t know. It seemed real. But I couldn’t swear to it.” She was quiet for a second. Then she asked, “Are you sure the birds weren’t ravens?”
“No, they were crows. Well, I think anyway.” I looked at her, confused. “Why is that important?”
Madame Cecelia looked at me soberly. “Alixia, some families can send animals or birds and use their telepathic abilities to see through the animals. They can observe or warn the family members of impending danger. Ravens are usually their bird of choice.”
I laughed. “Now I have to be conscious of animals, too?”
She looked annoyed that I was taking what she said so lightly. “Anyway,” she said furrowing her brow, “about the shadowy figure you saw, I am not sure. It could have been one of the entities that attacked you.”
“What?”
“It’s okay.” She said in a slight, panicked rush. She realized that I was upset. “You’re safe for now. We will have to start working on abilities though, soon.”
“Abilities? What are these abilities?”
“I can’t answer that right now because it all depends on you.”
“What do you mean by that?” I asked, taking a step back from her.
“You have to accept who you are first.”
“I accept it. There is no other choice here. There have been too many weird things going on for me not to believe anymore.”
“Good.” Madame Cecelia smiled. “We will start right away. The first step is to find out what you can do.”
Walking back to the mansion, I was getting excited to see what abilities I did have. Especially after seeing what she could do.
Ambrosine Page 7
