Ambrosine

by Noreen Harrison

  “I will, and if you find out anything would you please let me know?”

  “We will.” He paused for a second and then said, “Oh, by the way, wasn’t there a driver with you the whole night?”

  Mother quickly answered for me, “Yes, Gabriel. He was Alixia’s driver for the evening.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Cavelier.” He wrote down what Mother said and asked, “Do you think I could speak with him?”

  Mother didn’t hesitate to reply. “I don’t think he would mind. He’s probably in the kitchen with the cook, having his morning coffee. I’ll take you to him.” Mother stood and walked toward the door. The detectives followed her.

  Detective Richardson glanced back to me. “Remember, if you hear anything, let us know.”

  “I will.” I said holding up his card.

  The two detectives left with Mother. I couldn’t help but think of Marcus’ family and their fear of not knowing what had happened to their son. I wished I could do something to ease their minds. I shook my head. But what could I tell them. That their son is immortal now and they shouldn’t worry. Oh, I bet that would go over well. I sighed.

  Marcus, where are you now?

  Mother came into the den, and excitedly said, “Alixia, you did very well in protecting the family. They didn’t even ask about Phillip or Charlotte.”

  “Did they leave?”

  “Yes, they just left.”

  I let out a deep breath. “Good.” I put my hands over my face in relief.

  “What’s the matter, Alixia?” She came over to me and put her arm around me. I shook my head. “I am just so worried about Marcus’ family. I wish we could ease their pain. I feel this is my fault. Madame Cecilia did try to warn me of possible danger if he came to New Orleans.”

  “Alixia, it’s not your fault!” She stood up and faced me. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I should have never raised you as an outsider. You’re way too sympathetic toward them now.”

  “What are you talking about? When did you decide our friends weren’t worth caring about?” I was infuriated.

  “I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “Then how did you mean it?”

  She walked over to the window and looked out at the grounds. Her back was turned to me now. “What I am trying to say is that Marcus made his choice. Now it’s up to him to ease his own family’s grief. It’s not up to you to bring any more outsiders into this situation.”

  I looked at her as the sunlight through the window cast a white glare around her. “Mother, look at me!” She turned. “How is he supposed to do that? He’s immortal!”

  “Alixia, Marcus is like Charlotte now. He can move freely in the outside world, so if he wanted to contact his family, he can. And, let me tell you, he will contact them because the police are looking for both him and Charlotte and Marcel will not tolerate the outsiders being involved in his Realm.

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “He will contact them and hopefully his family will stop searching for him, if for nothing else, their own safety.”

  Concern set in. “So if his family keeps looking for him what will happen to them?”

  She moved toward me. I sensed her lack of feeling as she said, “They will be killed.”

  I was chilled by her reply, but I didn’t show any reaction because I knew I would get lectured again. She had no regret for Marcus’ family. “Well, I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  “I do, too, Alixia.” She looked at her watch. “But for now, we must put this conversation aside and start preparing you for the Mardi Gras Event. Madame Cecilia is waiting for us in the ballroom.”

  “Good.” I said as I nodded. This was one time, I was happy she changed the subject because I didn’t want to debate this issue any longer. Mother had changed so much.

  “Alixia, are you coming?”

  “Yes.”

  As we walked down the hallway toward the ballroom, I sensed Phillip’s presence. He was coming out of the library with Angel. “Bonjour, Lucida.”

  “Bonjour, Phillip.” Mother didn’t waste any time letting her frustration be known. “So do you think it’s appropriate for you to be running around with my daughter in the early morning hours while she’s still in her night clothes?”

  Phillip looked at me.

  She knows?

  I nodded.

  A slight smile crossed his face, but he quickly removed it. “I apologize, but the sunrise was so beautiful this morning, I thought Alixia would enjoy a little serenity from all the chaos surrounding her lately.”

  I quickly read Mother’s thoughts.

  She is taken with how much he cares for me.

  “Well.” She said with a little less harshness in her tone. “I still don’t think it’s appropriate for you two to just disappear without letting anyone know, especially now.”

  “I agree and it won’t happen again.” He said. I looked at him in disbelief. He slyly winked at me and then I knew he wouldn’t keep that agreement.

  “I am glad we have an understanding, Phillip.”

  He nodded and said, “Lucida, the reason I am here though, is to talk to Alixia, so do you mind if I take her away from you for just a short time?”

  “No, I don’t mind, Phillip. Alixia, don’t take too long. Madame Cecilia is waiting for us.”

  “All right.”

  She eyed Phillip. “Remember, not long. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Angel eyed Phillip as he said, “Let’s go for a walk.” He took my hand and we went toward the gardens. I could sense uneasiness about him. “What is it, Phillip?” I started to read him.

  “Alixia you don’t have to get into my head. I am going to tell you.” I smiled at him. “I’m sorry. It’s just a habit with me now.” I said light-heartedly as we walked toward the pond. “So what is it?”

  “I’ve been summoned by the High Dominion. I will be leaving tonight with Angel.”

  “Why?” I asked anxiously.

  Mother had told me that the Ambrosines never summon family members unless one of the Realms was in danger or a family member asked for an audience.

  “Here, let’s sit down.” As we sat on the bench near the pond, I noticed he was attempting to act somewhat indifferent. “This has to do with Marcus. The Dominion wants Angel and me… ”

  “You’re killing him.”

  “Alixia, listen. We’re going to find out how to handle the situation with Marcus.”

  “Really, Phillip. There isn’t a situation with Marcus. Go after the person who started all this, Charlotte!”

  ”Alixia, you have to stop being vindictive when it comes to her.”

  “Why should I? It infuriates me that everyone is so cautious when it comes to her.”

  He grimaced. “I know, but Charlotte has to be dealt with differently because she is an Ambrosine. Marcus and his family, on the other hand, are our biggest concerns right now since more outsiders are becoming involved.”

  I stood up and shouted, “So are you and Angel going there to get permission to kill Marcus and his family?!” I read him quickly. He couldn’t deny it.

  “Alixia,” he said with coolness in his voice, “we have to protect the family. This is just the way it is. You must start abiding by our beliefs.”

  “What? Are you crazy? I’m not letting anyone harm Marcus or his family!” I started to walk away.

  “Alixia!” He grasped my arm tightly.

  “Let go of me!”

  “I’m sorry I upset you. I am trying to understand why you are so protective of them.”

  “They are innocent victims just like the ones I’m supposed to protect in this family!”

  He stood quietly for a moment then said, “Alixia, I see your point. I don’t want to argue about this anymore. We both have different opinions on how to handle this situation; I will try to persuade them to wait until you can talk to Marcus.”

  “You will, Phillip? Thank you. That’s all I’
m asking.” He took me into his arms and said, “You have to promise me something, though.”

  “What?”

  “That you will wait until I come home before you look for him.”

  “Sure…I think I can do that.” He kissed me and said in a whispered voice, “You’re not going to wait are you?” I kissed him back and said, “Don’t worry.”

  He shook his head at me in frustration. “Alixia, please, I mean it.” I kissed him again and he broke our embrace. “I know what you’re doing.” He said. I looked at him innocently, as he grumbled something to himself and then said, “Just please, be careful.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  He took my hand and we walked back to the ballroom. Madame Cecilia spoke to us first. “There you both are. I was about to send Angel out to retrieve you.”

  “Well, we’re done talking, but I need to talk to Angel now.” Phillip said. “I wanted to…” He paused, noticing one of the ballroom’s secret doors open. Millie walked out of the room, carrying robes in her arms. “Millie.” He walked over to her and took the robes.

  “Merci, Phillip.” He put the robes in a chair and turned back to Angel and said, “I’ll meet you around seven at the airport and I wanted to remind you to bring what is needed.”

  “Yes I’ll have it. Don’t worry.”

  Phillip took my hand. “Well I guess I better go. I have some things to do before I leave.”

  “Let me walk out with you.” I said. “Mother, I will be right back.”

  “Well hurry.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  We walked to the front door. He wrapped his arms around me and said with concern, “You will try to stay out of trouble while I am gone.”

  I didn’t respond to him. He knew I was going to try to warn Marcus somehow. He picked me up in his arms and kissed me. “I am going to miss you so much.”

  “Well, you better hurry back then.”

  “Oh, I will.” He kissed me and left.

  I returned to the ballroom. Everyone was waiting for me. “Okay I’m back. What’s going on?”

  “Alixia.” Madame Cecilia said coming toward me. “Remember what we had discussed about Mardi Gras and what was expected of you?”

  ”Yes.”

  “Good, then come with us.” She pushed on the mirror to another secret room. “What’s with all these secret rooms? How many are there anyway?” They laughed. “Come on.” I followed her in.

  This was different. We walked down steps and into a large, dimly-lit room. It had a sweet scent to it. Five high-back chairs were on a stage in the back of the room. An altar that was draped in a red covering was to the right of the stage.

  Mother came over to me and said, “This is where the requests take place. We each use our special abilities to help the outsider and the family members with their requests, and like I said before, when we’re done, they return to the ballroom, unaware of what just happened and are able to enjoy the rest of their evening.

  I looked around.

  “Now, Alixia.” She put her arm around me. “We’re going to test your powers to see how many you have that haven’t come forward yet.”

  “Do you think I still have more powers?”

  “You might.”

  Angel said, “Let’s see. Start with me.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  Angel just walked out of the room without saying a word. “Where is she going?” I asked, still not trusting any of them.

  “It’s all right.” Mother responded. “Angel left because she didn’t want you to focus on her in this room.”

  “What? I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do?”

  “Listen, Alixia. I don’t want you to travel this time. This is different. I want you to go into Angel’s thoughts. Focus on images of whom she has been with or things she has done today.”

  “That’s silly. You want me to think about her in my head?”

  “Just follow your mother’s instructions please!” Madame Cecilia said sternly. Stop with the attitude.”

  “Okay, I’m doing it! Geez.” I stepped away from Mother and closed my eyes as I concentrated on Angel. I tried to picture her in my mind, but nothing was happening. I opened my eyes. “It’s not working.” Mother came closer. “Just relax, Alixia. Take a deep breath and let it out. When I visualize, I just let the images come to me, I don’t force them.”

  “I don’t think this...” Suddenly, I saw flashes just as I had at the train station.

  Mother felt me tense up. “What is it? What do you see?”

  “She’s arguing with Phillip, but I am only getting small bits of images of them.”

  “Where are they?”

  “I don’t know. All the images are coming so fast in my head. It’s like looking into a lens of a camera and snapping pictures one right after another.” The flashes suddenly stopped. “They’re gone.”

  “Could you focus on any of the images?” Mother asked, eyeing Madame Cecilia. “Just a few.” I said, trying to regain my thoughts. “Most were of Angel having an argument or disagreement with Phillip, but I’m not sure. They were standing by a car—”

  Mother interrupted. “Millie, go get Angel.”

  Madame Cecilia came to my side. “Bravo, Alixia, you’re doing so well! Soon you will be able to take my place when I go to France.”

  I looked at her, stunned. “What do you mean take your place? I am not ready for that yet, and I don’t know if I even want to.”

  Her eyes expressed displeasure as she said, “Alixia, don’t get upset. I am not going anywhere for a while. I’m just saying, when the time comes, you will be ready.”

  “If you say so.” I said, unsure about any of this, but not wanting to debate her.

  The door opened and Millie and Angel hurried toward me. “So, Alixia, what did you see?” Angel asked with intensity.

  “They were just flashes. You were with Phillip talking by a car. It was dark and there was someone or something to your right a few feet away, but I couldn’t make it out.” Angel’s eyes widened and she looked anxious.

  “Are you okay?” I asked her.

  “I am fine, go on.”

  “All right, but before I go on,” I said, still looking at her curiously, “I do have a question.”

  “What is it?”

  “What were you and Phillip arguing about?”

  She looked at me, surprised. “How could you know we were arguing? Could you hear us?”

  “Not clearly. The sound was more muffled when I saw the flashes. But I could tell by your actions neither of you were too happy. What were you discussing?”

  “Alixia, you’re astounding! Everything you saw did happen to me.”

  “Thank you.” I said. “But you haven’t answered my question yet. What were you arguing about?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re not going to quit until I give you an answer are you?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, if you must know, Phillip and I were arguing about you.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “He wanted to take you with us to France.”

  “Why?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. Angel’s face took on a troubled look. “Why do you think? To keep you from trying to find the Dark One by yourself.”

  I glared at her and said, “His name is Marcus.”

  She snarled her upper lip. “See, that’s what we argued about. You’ve been quite difficult with this Charlotte thing, and trying to protect this Dark One! I can’t trust you yet.”

  “Trust me! I don’t care if you trust me!”

  Mother stepped between us. “Alixia, that’s enough. Apologize to Angel.”

  “Why? I’m not the one who…”

  “Alixia!”

  “What?” She looked toward Angel and yelled, “Now!”

  “I am sorry, Angel.”

  Angel nodded at Mother and looked at me. “Alixia, I want you to understand, I am trying to be empathetic with your willingness to
protect the Dark One. But you do understand, don’t you that we must protect the family first?”

  Everyone stared at me, waiting for an answer. “Yes I know but—”

  “There are no ‘buts.’” Mother said, putting her hand up to stop the conversation. “This discussion ends now. There will be no more talk about Marcus.”

  “But—”

  “Alixia, enough!”

  “Fine!” I glared at her. “I never wanted Marcus brought up in the first place. Especially around all of you!”

  “Alixia!”

  I turned my attention toward Madame Cecilia. “So, what else do you want me to try? To please you all.” I said sarcastically.

  She wrinkled her forehead with a worried expression and said, “All right, let’s just get past this.” She put her hands up in a calming motion, and then said, “There’s just one more for now, so please follow me.” We walked up on stage to the altar table.

  “What is it?”

  “Your Mother’s healing ability.”

  I gazed over at Mother and shook my head. “That’s one I know I don’t have.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I threw my hands up into the air. “I am positive and I don’t even want to try it.”

  “I know you have more of the psychic abilities, but are you sure you don’t want to see if…”

  I didn’t let her finish. “No! The last time I was levitating in the air it wasn’t the greatest of experiences for me as I remember.”

  “Alixia!” She said furiously. I looked at Mother; her face turned to exasperation.

  “Alixia.” Mother said in a frosty tone. “It is time for you to start accepting your birthright.”

  I shouted back, “I need more time! I am not ready to be levitated or to say goodbye to my friends. I’ve had to deal with too many changes in such a short time. You all have to understand this isn’t what I wanted and I’m having a hard time understanding it all right now.”

  Quietness filled the room. Millie came close to me and took my hand. I could sense she understood how I felt. But the other three standing in front of me, huddled together, were a different story.

  Madame Cecilia spoke first. She was unsympathetic. “You are Ambrosine. You don’t have time to deal with all the changes in your life. There is urgency now for you to fulfill this part of your destiny.”