Ambrosine

by Noreen Harrison

  I gazed over his shoulder to see what Phillip was doing, but he was gone.

  Good, now I can relax.

  Then I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned to see; it was Phillip. He was dancing with some girl. He winked at me as he twirled her around, which made me smile a little. Then, they stopped beside us and he said, “Alixia, hello. I haven’t seen you since the last family get-together. How have you been?” I got into his mind.

  What are you doing, Phillip?

  Introduce me, Alixia. Marcus is looking at you.

  “Oh. Marcus, this is a very old family friend, Phillip Gautier.”

  Marcus laughed. “Alixia, he doesn’t look like an old family friend. What are you? Twenty?” He took Phillip’s hand and shook it.

  Phillip smiled sheepishly and answered, “Somewhere around there.” Phillip then introduced the girl, June, whom he was dancing with. She thanked him for the dance, excused herself and went back to her table.

  ”Are you dining alone, Phillip?” Marcus asked.

  “Yes, sadly I am.”

  “No sense in you sitting alone, Phillip. Why don’t you join us?” Asked Marcus.

  I got into his head again.

  Phillip, make an excuse and go back to your own table.

  He smirked at me. “Yes, I would like that, if Alixia doesn’t object?” I glared at him. “That’ll be fine, Phillip. We would love to have you join us for dessert.”

  Wait, until I get you alone, Phillip. You are in big trouble!

  Alixia, calm down, you wouldn’t want me to be rude, would you?

  I shook my head in disbelief as we walked back to our table and they both awkwardly attempted to pull out my chair for me. It was humorous watching them. Phillip yielded, letting Marcus pull my chair out. I sat down. Phillip sat across the table from us, smiling at me and enjoying my uncomfortableness.

  We ordered dessert and ate it while I sat there, listening half-heartedly as they both discussed daily events and sports. I watched them interact with each other as if they were long-lost friends. When the music began playing again, I looked at Marcus, hoping he would ask me to dance again. I was getting bored.

  Phillip said, “Do you mind if I have a dance with Alixia, Marcus?

  Phillip, stop reading my thoughts.

  Marcus put his arm around my shoulder and said, “It’s all right with me. Alixia, do you want to dance with Phillip?”

  “Yes, I will dance once with Phillip. But the rest belong to you tonight.” I kissed Marcus lightly.

  “One dance, Phillip. You heard the lady.”

  Phillip stood up and walked around the table to me. He pulled out my chair and took my hand as he escorted me out to the dance floor.

  “Okay, Phillip. What are you doing here?”

  He wrapped his arm around me. “Why, Alixia, I am dancing with you.” I clenched my teeth together. “That’s not what I meant, Phillip!” He brought me closer into him. I felt his lips lightly touch my neck, which weakened me a little as he whispered, “I am just here checking out my competition.”

  “There is no competition here.”

  “I think there is.” He moved me around the dance floor in time with the music, holding me tightly in his arms. As he dipped me, I could sense he wanted to kiss me.

  Don’t you dare!

  He smiled and brought me back up to face him.

  “I don’t want to dance anymore, Phillip.”

  I know you have feelings for me.

  No…

  He stepped away from me as the same sensation hit us both. “She’s here.” I said.

  “I know, but where?” He gazed intensely around the room, looking for her. The music stopped and the dance floor started emptying out. Our view improved. I didn’t like what I saw. There was Charlotte, sitting at our table with Marcus.

  “Phillip, what is she doing here?”

  “I don’t know.”

  We hurried back to the table. Marcus got up to pull out my chair for me. “I missed you.” He kissed my cheek and gently pushed my chair in.

  “I see you aren’t alone. Hello, Charlotte.” I glared at her. “Yes.” Marcus put his arm around my shoulders. “Your cousin came in to find you. I offered her a chair so she could wait for you.”

  “That was nice of you, Marcus.”

  She had a twisted smile on her face. “Bonjour, Alixia and Phillip, it’s nice to see you again.”

  Phillip sat next to her. “Yes, it’s nice to see you again, too, Charlotte.” He said uneasily, not knowing what she had on her mind.

  I went into her head.

  What are you doing here?

  Oh, just getting to know my cousin a little better, so get out of my head.

  She turned her attention toward Marcus. “So, Marcus, where did you say you were from?” She leaned across the table, looking at him piercingly. The candlelight flickered in her ice-blue eyes. It was eerie, as if she was trying to draw him into her.

  “Lafayette. I live a couple of miles out of town on our family estate. It’s been in our family for more than a century now.”

  “Your family lineage has been there for a hundred years? That’s amazing.”

  You’re a little older than that, aren’t you, Charlotte?

  She glowered at me.

  Phillip smiled. I made him privy to my thoughts, so that we both could be aware of what she was up to. She tried to push me out of her head, but that wasn’t working for her. I was going to stay there until she left the restaurant.

  We continued with the small talk and it seemed as though Charlotte wasn’t a threat until Marcus brought up my trip to Baton Rouge for Libby’s engagement party. Charlotte suddenly became attentive. “So, you are going back home, Alixia? Will you be staying long?”

  “I don’t know. We will probably stay a little over a week.”

  Why are you asking me these questions?

  You’re in my head, Alixia, you figure it out.”

  Now I was getting frustrated with her. I knew she was trying to bait me into something, but I didn’t know what.

  Phillip stood up and said, “Well, I guess I’d better get going so you two can finish your date. Why don’t you come with me, Charlotte? I will give you a ride home and you can tell me what you have been up to lately.” He pulled out her chair and took her arm to help her stand.

  She looked at us with a full smile, but I could sense a hidden agenda behind it. “It was nice seeing you again, Alixia. Keep in touch, and Marcus, I do hope our paths will cross again.”

  Marcus stood and took her gloved hand. “It was nice getting to meet another beautiful family member.” He said.

  “Merci beaucoup, sir.” Said Charlotte.

  I glared at her.

  Phillip interceded, “Come on, Charlotte.” They walked toward the exit. Phillip winked at me. Gabriel followed them out.

  Marcus put his arm around me again. “I enjoyed meeting Phillip and your cousin, Charlotte. They seem like very nice people.”

  “Yes, they are.” I said keeping up the facade.

  The band played a soft tune. “Marcus, you owe me a dance.” I wanted to change the subject back to us again.

  “That’s right.” He got up, took my hand and off we went to the dance floor. I looked toward the exit and saw Gabriel had returned to watch over us. I moved in closer to Marcus.

  After the dance, we strolled slowly back to our table. I wished the evening would never end.

  “Marcus, do you have to go back so soon?”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry, but my parents are expecting me back by tomorrow evening. Monday we’re looking at schools for next fall. What about you? Have you decided on any schools yet?”

  “No, not yet.” I said sitting down.

  Yeah there’s no rush in that anymore; I have an eternity to find the right school.

  He put his arm around me. “You know, I was thinking that maybe I could come here and stay with my uncle. He could use some help in the restaurant and then we could be together mor
e. What do think?”

  “Marcus, are you kidding? That would be fantastic!” I kissed him passionately.

  He caught his breath. “Okay. For sure now, I’m coming here to help out my uncle.”

  I laughed as we held each other. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying each other’s company until it was time to go home.

  We left the restaurant and walked to the car. Marcus held me in his arms, kissing me good-bye. Suddenly, Phillip popped into my head.

  What was I doing, thinking of Phillip?

  “Alixia, are you okay? Your body tensed up for a moment.” He loosened his arms around me. “I am fine. I just felt a chill, that’s all.”

  “I still think you’re coming down with something. You feel very warm to the touch.”

  “I am fine.” I reassured him with a kiss and a hug and got into the car. “I’ll see you in Baton Rouge for the party.” He closed the door and then tapped on the window. I rolled it down and he leaned in and kissed me. “Alixia.” He said, and then hesitated.

  “What, Marcus?”

  “Nothing. It was fun tonight.” I quickly read his thoughts.

  I’ll miss you.

  “I’ll miss you, too.” I said out loud.

  He looked at me, confused. “How did you know?”

  “What you were thinking? Easy.” I leaned my head out the window and kissed him again. “Women’s intuition.” I smiled slyly. A boyish smile appeared on his face as he pushed away from the car.

  Gabriel looked back at me and asked, “Are you ready, Alixia?”

  “Yes.” I waved goodbye until Marcus was out of sight.

  On the way home, I wondered again what Charlotte was up to. I asked Gabriel, “Did Phillip take Charlotte to her hotel?”

  “No, she went with her driver, and Monsieur Gautier left in his car.”

  “Thank you, Gabriel.”

  Finally, we pulled up in front of the mansion. Gabriel opened the car door for me. I thanked him and went inside. I saw a light in the den. Madame Cecilia and Mother were reading. I sat down by Mother and she put her arm around me.

  “How was your date with Marcus?” She asked.

  “It was good until Charlotte showed up.”

  “What?! She was at the restaurant?”

  “Yes she came looking for me.” I went on and told them what happened, especially about her curiosity over Libby’s engagement party.

  Madame Cecilia interlaced her fingers and brought her hands up to her chin. “Lucida, I wonder whether you or Alixia should go back home? She asked with concern. “Bringing outsiders into our world could be dangerous.”

  “I’m not ready to give up my friends.” I stood up and shouted, “I have to go! I promised Libby, and you said I could be with friends!”

  “We will go, Alixia.” Mother said calmly. “Quiet down. Your grandmother was only suggesting that it might not be safe for your friends to be around you right now.”

  “Why? Because of Charlotte?”

  “Alixia.” Mother took my hand. “Sit back down. There is something you should know about Charlotte. She’s an Ambrosine.”

  I looked at them, pretending to be stunned. I had to keep my promise to Phillip. “She’s an Ambrosine?”

  “Yes.” Mother continued. “She left the family and chose to be part of the Dark Realm. Now her allegiance is to Marcel and his family.”

  “So why don’t you destroy her, like you do with the other Dark Ones?”

  They stared at me as though I just lost my mind.

  They were troubled that I would even consider doing away with another Ambrosine.

  “Alixia!” Mother said angrily. “That’s not acceptable.”

  “Why? She’s not really an Ambrosine anymore, is she?” Mother shook her head. “I know you’re not aware of many of our beliefs, but we never take an Ambrosine’s life unless the High Dominion in France orders it. Charlotte is still an Ambrosine, even though she‘s of the Dark Realm.”

  “I can’t believe this. Charlotte is allowed to attack me and do whatever evil she wants. That doesn’t sound right.”

  “The Dominion takes care of Charlotte, as I said.”

  “Yes I heard you. So we have to wait for this High Council’s permission to say if we can get rid of her or not?”

  “Alixia.” Mother said with sharpness in her voice. “She hasn’t done anything yet to provoke that kind of spitefulness from you.”

  “Did you forget about what happened at home? Why are you defending her?”

  Madame Cecilia said, “Alixia, please. We’re not dismissing what you’re saying. We will try to keep a vigilant eye on her.”

  I moved toward the door.

  “I just want you two to know…” I stopped. I sensed Phillip’s presence in the room. I turned to where it was coming from.

  “Alixia, what’s wrong?” Madame Cecilia asked. Are you sensing a threat?”

  “No.” I took a breath. “I’m okay, I thought I saw a shadow in the corner over there, but it was nothing. I guess I am a little on edge after running into Charlotte tonight. Anyway, what I was going to say is that she’d better stay away from my friends.”

  In a consoling voice, Mother replied, “Alixia, don’t worry. I haven’t had any visions of danger at all. Just go to bed, it’s late. We will discuss this further tomorrow.”

  Figures she’d just dismiss what I have to say.

  I went to my room and sat down on the bed.

  Maybe they’re right. I should give up my friends for now, just in case.

  I kicked off my shoes and went out onto the balcony. I looked toward the gardens and jumped to the ground. I could feel the coolness of the dirt under my bare feet as I walked to the pond. I sat on the bench looking up at the statue and studying it. Libby and Claire were right. It did look a little like me.

  I wonder what she was like.

  I turned slowly, looking toward the gardens, sensing his presence.

  “Hello, Phillip.” He came out of the shadows and into moonlight.

  “Alixia, you are so extraordinary.”

  “Oh, I am?” He sat beside me. “Yes, you are. It’s taken me years to even get close to what you can do with your abilities.” I touched his hand. “Well, I still wish I’d had a choice in my own destiny.”

  He put his arm around me and said softly, “We’ve all had that wish, Alixia, but this is who we are. The only difference between us is I knew of my destiny of immortality from a young age and you didn’t. So as I said, no one gets a choice. You have to accept who you are.”

  “Accept what? That my whole life is changed? And now, my mother and Madame Cecilia are telling me I should give up my friends.”

  He moved closer to me, wrapping his arm around me. “Alixia, it’s not good to have the outsiders as friends; they are vulnerable. As was evident tonight with Charlotte. We all know she’s up to something, but none of us knows what yet. It’s not like we want to keep you from your friends, but for now, it’s not safe for them.”

  “Do you really think they’re in danger?” I asked quietly. He lowered his head and said quietly, “I don’t know. But until Charlotte returns to the Dark Realm, I think it’s best you stay away from the outsiders.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  Nothing else was said. He pulled me closer and we sat in silence until he broke the stillness.

  “Alixia, are you in love with Marcus?” He asked quietly. I was taken aback for a moment. With hesitation in my voice, I said, “I don’t know about love yet, we’ve only been on two dates. But I do care deeply about him. I feel in my heart that our fates belong together. But now, I’m afraid that if I stay with him…” I paused for second, and then said, “Let’s just say I couldn’t bear anything happening to him.” I looked up at Phillip and added, “Or you either.”

  He smiled. “You care for me the same way as Marcus?”

  “Yes, you are both…”

  He brought me closer to him. He started kissing my neck lightly and moved up slowly
until he met my lips. The sensation was overpowering. I returned his kiss.

  What was I doing?

  I pushed him away from me. “Phillip, I can’t.”

  He gazed passionately into my eyes. He put his finger to my lips and whispered, “You’re my destiny, Alixia.”

  Missing

  As we were getting ready to leave for Baton Rouge, I felt excited about seeing my friends again, but not about seeing Marcus. I didn’t want to hurt him. I was confused now that I realized I had feelings for both Phillip and him. It was crazy. But Phillip was right; Marcus could be in danger, being with me now. I had to make a choice. Phillip said I needed to keep Marcus safe and I hoped I was making the right one.

  I heard Mother calling me from downstairs. I picked up my luggage and hurried down. She and Madame Cecilia were waiting for me.

  “There you are.” Mother said, going out the door, irritated. “It’s about time. We are going to miss the train.”

  “I’m sorry.” I handed my luggage to Gabriel and got into the car. Mother slid in beside me. “Remember, Alixia, we have to keep our guard up while we are there.”

  “I know.”

  Arriving at the train station, I noticed the train was just pulling in. We got out of the car and walked to the platform, waiting for the passengers to depart so we could board. I looked to my right and saw Phillip. He was boarding another car with his Uncle Charles. They had decided to come along just in case there might be trouble with Charlotte. I could hear Phillip in my thoughts telling me to meet him in the dining car. I acknowledged him with a nod as we went inside.

  Finally, we took our seats. I could sense Mother was excited and nervous about going home. As the train started moving, I tried to think of a way I could excuse myself to be with Phillip. I wished I could tell them about him and me, but I knew the Ambrosines and the Gautiers were only in agreement when they had to defend the families.

  Phillip passed our compartment and winked at me. I laughed quietly to myself. I got up and stretched. “I think I will go to the dining car for something to drink.”

  Mother looked at me with concern. “Alixia, I’m not sure.”