Ambrosine

by Noreen Harrison

  “Alixia.” I was interrupted by a female voice. “Maybe I can help you.” The voice said.

  “What?” I turned toward the fireplace and saw Angel getting out of a chair. “What are you doing here? Do you have some news about Marcus? Please tell me he’s okay.”

  She kissed my cheeks as though there was no big urgency.

  “Bonjour, Alixia. It’s nice to see you again and, yes, I do have something to tell you about Marcus.” She added somberly. Before she could say anything further, Phillip and Charles entered the room and she went to greet them.

  “Angel.” Phillip said kissing her cheek then walked over to me and took my hand. I gazed at Mother. I saw her staring at us. I knew she was wondering what was going on, but she didn’t ask. Instead, she casually said, “Phillip and Charles, I am glad you’re here. Angel was just about to tell Alixia about Marcus.” Phillip squeezed my hand and I got into his thoughts.

  Phillip, Mother’s watching us.

  Good.

  What do you mean ‘good?’

  Angel broke up our mental debate when I heard her bringing up Marcus’ name. “Alixia, your Marcus has joined the family of Levesque. He is part of Le Royaume Sombre.”

  “Angel, in English, please!” I spoke impatiently, letting go of Phillip. She hesitated for a moment and said, “He’s part of the Dark Realm now.”

  Suddenly I was terrified. I remembered what Phillip told me about his parents. I blurted out, “He’s immortal?”

  “Yes, Alixia. But it was his decision. He was given the choice to—”

  I stopped her in mid-sentence. “His choice? I don’t understand—he was given a choice?”

  Angel looked at Mother for help. I could sense she didn’t want to tell me. I tried reading her thoughts but they were all over the place; nothing making sense.

  “Alixia, please.” Mother said.

  “He did it for you!” She added.

  Panic-stricken, I shouted in disbelief, “No!”

  Angel came quickly to my side, took my hand and said, “Alixia, yes, he did change for you. Charlotte told him about your immortality. So he chose the Dark Realm.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “Because she exposed him to her world, and to ours. She told him that immortality was the only way he could be with you. He made his choice.”

  I screamed in anguish, “I don’t believe it! Why would Marcus give up his life? She must have tricked him or changed him by force. I know he would never want to turn into an evil creature like her!”

  “Well, whatever. He is one of them now.” Angel said with detachment in her voice. “He has to be destroyed.” Suddenly, I could sense her animosity toward him.

  “No he will not!” I said enraged. “If anyone is going to be destroyed it will be Charlotte, not Marcus!” They all looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

  Phillip took hold of me firmly and said, “That’s ridiculous. You know Marcus has to be destroyed before…”

  “No!” I pushed him out of my way and started to leave the room. Mother called out to me, “Alixia, please understand.”

  I turned back and said defiantly, “I know he didn’t change on his own, and even if he did, it wasn’t for power. He changed because he loved me.” Then, I added a threat which I knew they didn’t want to hear. “Charlotte will breathe her last breath for what she did to him, I promise you that!” I could feel anger building deep within me. I looked at my hands. The symbol was starting to form and the red mist was engulfing me. I glared out at them. I must have disappeared into the mist, by the look on their faces.

  Angel shouted out, “Enough, Alixia! Calm down. Come back! This outburst of yours is not helping the situation.”

  Reluctantly, I relaxed my thoughts and returned. I look at my hands; the symbols were gone. I sensed they were all astonished by what I just did as Mother said, “Alixia, don’t you ever…”

  I turned and left the room. Not wanting to hear her reprimand, I rushed up to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

  I flopped on my bed and lay there, thinking.

  What have I done? I should have never brought any of my friends into this world. I have to cut all ties with them. Then nothing like what happened to Marcus will ever happen to them.

  “Marcus, where are you?” I cried out softly. I had to find him, but how? Even Mother wouldn’t help me, now that Marcus had become part of the Dark Realm.

  Madame Cecilia knocked softly and opened the door. “Alixia, we have to talk.”

  I closed my eyes.

  She is probably coming up here to lecture me on my behavior again.

  “Madame Cecilia, I don’t want to talk right now.”

  “Alixia, sit up.”

  I closed my eyes, hoping she would go away. She came and sat beside me and soothingly touched my hair. “I can’t help you unless you talk to me.”

  I looked up at her, knowing she wouldn’t leave. I sat up and shifted so that I could look straight into her eyes. “I am going to tell you right now, I am not going to let any of you destroy Marcus. Do you understand me?”

  “I understand. Your mother and Angel let me know about your outburst and what you were planning to do with Charlotte. But I’m here to tell you, let us deal with her. She will pay, but not by revenge.”

  “Oh, you will handle her?” I retorted. “It doesn’t seem that way to me. It seems as if you are all protecting her more than dealing with her.”

  “Alixia, let us handle it!”

  “Why should I? Don’t you see? I know she’s going after everyone I care about?”

  Madame Cecilia frowned. “I do agree with you on that point. She does seem to be obsessed with finding your weakness and tearing down your senses. It’s to keep you focused on other things, instead of her. She and Marcel must be planning something.”

  “Oh, now you’re starting to figure it out.” I got up and walked to the foot of the bed. I was nervous about what I was going to ask her next, but I asked anyway. “What about Marcus? How can we help him?”

  She looked at me straight on. “There’s nothing we can do, Alixia. He’s part of the Dark Realm now. He chose to be immortal, even though it was to be with you.”

  Suddenly, I was even more frustrated. I needed her on my side and to understand. “Madame Cecilia, please. I know he was changed by the Levesque family, but I just can’t believe he is one of them. I know he would never hurt anyone. That’s why I have to find him.”

  Madame Cecilia went to the window, trying to avoid eye contact with me. I could sense her uneasiness as she said in an unsympathetic tone, “I wouldn’t worry about finding Marcus. I know from experience he will try to contact you, and then you will have to let us help you.”

  I could read the unspoken thoughts and shouted, “You’re not going to kill him! Please let me handle Marcus. You and the others can deal with Charlotte.”

  She turned to face me. “You think he is going to be the same, but he’s not. Alixia, it’s unacceptable in the family Realm for you to protect him!”

  “I can’t believe what you’re saying!” I cried, raising my hands up in protest. “Charlotte can get away with attacking me and telling Marcus about my immortality and there’s no punishment for her?” I shouted.

  “Alixia, I have already been through this with you.” Madame Cecilia was losing patience. “Charlotte is still Ambrosine, so she will be brought to the High Dominion for her actions. As for Marcus, he is even more dangerous to us now that he’s part of the Dark Realm.”

  I was unnerved. “Why is he dangerous? I didn’t think Marcel’s family could kill us.”

  “Those of us who bear the symbol cannot be killed, but everyone else in our family Realm is vulnerable.”

  She went quiet for a second then said, “I’m curious, though.”

  “About what?”

  “That Charlotte gave Marcus the choice. Usually they just take outsiders and control their souls. They’re not given a choice because Marcel can destroy them anyt
ime he chooses; which is what he prefers to do with outsiders.”

  “So Marcel can’t destroy Marcus?” Suddenly I felt some relief. At least he would be safe from him.

  “Yes and no. Some can be destroyed, it just depends. But I do wonder, since Charlotte gave him the choice…Marcel isn’t going to be too happy with her decision.” She closed her eyes for a second. I noticed a little smile on her lips.

  “Madam Cecile.” I said bringing her attention back to me. “What?”

  “Marcus, you’re saying he is not controlled by anyone?” Her face went from a smile to worry. “Yes, and that’s what I am trying to tell you. No one can control him, Alixia. That’s why he’s dangerous. He’s not part of any Realm. He could go after either side if he wanted to, or start his own family Realm by taking souls.”

  Fearful for him, I took her hands in mine and pleaded, “Madame Cecilia, I just want you to promise me that you will let me talk to Marcus first before anything happens to him.”

  “I can’t. It’s against the beliefs.” She shook her head stubbornly.

  “Please! I am begging. Just let me talk to him. I need to see for myself, if he is dangerous.”

  “Alixia, you’re exasperating. I know we will just keep going round and round about this, so I will give you the time you need for now. But this does have to be resolved. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, yes, yes.” I hugged her.

  “Listen though. If Marcus does approach you, stay aware of everything because he could bring others with him.”

  “I will.”

  “Good.” She started walking toward the door and turned and said, “Oh, by the way, there was another reason I came up here, other than to deal with your little outburst downstairs.”

  “You came for another reason?”

  “Yes. The police will be here in the morning to talk to you about Marcus.”

  “I’m not surprised. Charles told me they would. “What time?”

  “They will be here around nine, so be prepared to answer questions tomorrow and remember, Alixia,” she touched her pendant, “protect the family.”

  The next morning, I awoke early and noticed the sun hadn’t yet broken through the darkness. I was actually getting used to the hypnotic sleep. Having the ability to be aware of sensations around me while I slept was strange, but everything about me since my seventeenth birthday was strange now.

  I snuggled deeper into my bed when I heard a tapping sound. I peered out over my sheets; it was Phillip. I got up, slipped on my robe and went over to the balcony door. “Before I open the door, Phillip, you need to know I am still mad at you for siding with them. You promised to help me find Marcus.”

  He put his hands on the glass. “I can’t do it, Alixia. He’s part of the Dark Realm and they are our sworn enemies. Please let me in. I’m sorry.”

  I shook my head as I unlocked the door. I started walking back to my bed, when suddenly, he grabbed me fiercely into his arms and took me to the balcony and jumped. “Phillip, what are you doing?” I asked as we hit the ground. He kissed me, and then let me down. “I just thought it would be nice to watch the sunrise with you this morning and beg for forgiveness.”

  “Oh you did? Did you think I would forgive you that easily?”

  “Yes.” He put a confident smile on his face as he held his hand out to me. Taking his hand, I said sternly, “I’m telling you right now, you’re still not forgiven.”

  “Fair enough.”

  We walked toward the orchards and found a gazebo. “After you.” He said as he motioned to it.

  When we sat down, Phillip put his arm around me. We just sat there, not saying a word and watching the sunrise. We enjoyed the peacefulness and feeling of warmth the day brought, until a couple of black birds interrupted the quiet, making noise in the nearby trees.

  “Alixia.”

  “Yes?” I asked as I looked out to see the black birds fly from the tree and circle in the sky above us.

  “I know you probably don’t want to talk to me about Marcus, right now, but I have to know. What are your feelings for him now that he is part of Marcel’s realm?”

  I turned to him and didn’t hesitate. “My feelings haven’t changed. I wouldn’t be out looking for him, if I didn’t care for him still.” He lowered his eyes. “I understand, but he is…oh forget it.” He pulled me into him. Our lips met, his kiss was passionate. My body trembled in his embrace. I could sense my own rising excitement in me, wanting more of him. But I knew I had to stop. Something was holding me back. I pressed my hand against his chest, trying to regain my self-control.

  “Phillip.” I said breathlessly. “We better get back to the mansion before Mother wakes up.”

  He stood up, and reached for my hand. He pulled me up toward him. “Alixia, you’re my fixation.” He whispered softly. Then he kissed me tenderly before we slowly walked back to the mansion.

  When we neared the pond, I looked up toward the veranda and noticed three figures standing there. “Phillip.” I said anxiously. “You better go.” I pushed him toward the tree line where his car was hidden.

  “No! We’re going to tell them that we are together!”

  I smirked and said half-heartedly, “You see those three women up there with their arms folded across their chests and the glare in their eyes? It’s best if I handle this myself or your immortality might end today.”

  He gazed up at them. “Maybe you’re right, but I’ll be back.” He kissed me quickly and headed down the path.

  I walked as calmly as I could to the veranda. I knew this was not going to be easy judging by the look on Mother’s face. “Good morning.” I chirped brightly.

  “Alixia, where have you been? And what are you doing out in your pajamas, with Phillip?”

  “I am wearing my robe.” I said, with a slight smile.

  “This is not funny, Alixia. We were worried.” I could read their panicked thoughts, wondering what I might be up to after yesterday’s outburst of over-protecting Marcus.

  “I am sorry. I thought we would be back before you got up this morning. ”Mother looked at me perturbed. “Back from where? And why are you with Phillip?” “Phillip and I went to watch the sunrise together this morning.”

  “You went to watch the sunrise?”

  “Yes, we’ve been kind of seeing each other.”

  I watched their expressions. Mother’s eyes widened as the revelation of Phillip and I being together sank in.

  Madame Cecilia sat down on one of the wicker chairs in disbelief. I heard her thoughts, How could this happen again? Another Gautier?

  The only one that had favorable thoughts was Angel.

  Bravo, Alixia.

  She winked at me.

  Mother took hold of my arm and said, “What do you mean, you’re seeing Phillip? How long has this been going on behind my back?”

  “Just for a short while.”

  “Oh I see, and Marcus?”

  “I care for him still.”

  She stood there for a second, taking in what I said, and then looked down at her watch. “So that’s why, ah…we will talk more about this later. Get upstairs and get dressed. The police will be here within the hour.”

  “Okay. I’m going.”

  We walked in. As I reached the first step on the staircase, I heard all three of them speaking loudly in French. This time, however, I smiled. I didn’t have to wonder what the conversation was about.

  The Enquiry

  I stood by the study door seeing two detectives waiting for me, drinking coffee. Sitting across from them was Mother, engaged in conversation. I noticed immediately that Madame Cecilia and Angel weren’t there.

  “Hello.” I said walking in. The detectives stood when I entered the room. One of them said, “Miss Cavelier. Hello, I am Detective Richardson and this is Detective Bodine.”

  I sat beside Mother and said, “It’s nice to meet you.” He put up his notebook. “We’re here to ask you what you know, if anything, of Mr. Marcus Blondeau’
s plans while he was visiting New Orleans. Where did you two go?”

  Taking in a deep breath and trying to hold back my emotions I replied cautiously sensing mothers worry, “Well, I picked Marcus up at the train station and we went straight to dinner at his uncle’s restaurant and that was the last time I saw him. I still can’t believe he’s missing.” He looked at me flipping over the page in his notebook, and then asked, “What time did you leave the restaurant?”

  “I don’t know. I think around ten.”

  “Did he say what his plans were for the next day?”

  “Yes, he had to meet his parents on Monday to interview for schools for next fall.” I watched as he wrote down my every word.

  “So, he never mentioned staying here for a few days?”

  “No, I didn’t even know he was missing until his brother, Robert, told me when I arrived in Baton Rouge.” He nodded and said, “Yes, that’s what Robert Blondeau told us, and he also mentioned there were other people with you and Marcus that night?”

  “Oh, yes. They were just some family friends. They stopped at our table to visit, but they left long before we did.”

  Please don’t ask any more questions about them!

  Mother could sense the tension I was feeling. “Would you like some more coffee, Detectives?” She asked as she reached for the coffee pot. “No, thank you, Mrs. Cavelier.” The detectives refocused on me.

  “We have one more question to ask you, miss.” He hesitated, and then asked, “Do you know if Marcus Blondeau was here to see anyone else?”

  “Not that I know of, he was here just to see me that night.” I looked at Mother with concern. I knew they were referring to Charlotte and Marcus at the train station. I had to show I was upset with their question. “Why, did someone see him with another person?”

  He eyed me with a look of hesitation. “Not really…it might be just a coincidence. Nothing for you to worry about.” I read detective Richardson’s thoughts. He was afraid to tell me that Marcus was seen leaving town with another woman.

  The detectives stood up to leave. “Thank you, Miss Cavelier.” Detective Richards added with thoughtfulness, “Well, if Marcus does contact you, give us a call.” He handed me his card.