“Marcus, is that you?”
He stepped out of the darkness. I ran toward him and threw my arms around his neck.
“I‘ve been so worried!” We held each other closely. He loosened his embrace and said,
“It’s so good to hold you again, Alixia.” He kissed me softly and the touch of his lips felt cool against mine. I returned his kiss feverishly.
I stepped back.
What am I doing? He’s in danger here and Phillip…
“Marcus, you have to leave.”
“Alixia, are you afraid of me?”
“No, Marcus, but you shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous. The Ambrosines are looking for you.”
“I know, but I came here to warn you.”
“Warn me?” He looked out toward the orchards. “Come with me.” He took my hand and we went deeper into the orchard until we were sure no one could see us. He suddenly stopped. “I don’t have much time.” He said. He seemed nervous.
“What is it, Marcus?”
“Alixia, I want you to know I am not part of Marcel’s Realm and I would never hurt you.”
“I know that. But why did you let her change you, Marcus?”
“I don’t know what happened. I’m still trying to figure that out. All I remember is, she said your name, and that’s when it happened.”
It was true. He had returned to keep me. I felt so guilty. I had to tell him.
“Marcus,” I said softly, “I have something to tell you.” He kissed my forehead. I looked up at him, but before I could find the right words, he said, “I know about Phillip, but I’m back to fight for you.”
“Marcus, you have to understand it’s not the same for us anymore.”
“Please, Alixia, I’m not going to give you up that easily after what I’ve been through.”
He quickly took me in his arms again and looked out toward the darkness. I could sense something wrong, too. There were other presences around us…but where? Then, he quickly said, “Right now, I’m not here to discuss our relationship. I came to warn you that your family is in danger.”
I froze. “My family’s in danger?”
“Marcel is coming for someone in your family Realm, and that’s all I know. When I was with Charlotte, I heard her talking to Marcel about using me as bait for someone in your family. I have to go.” He leaned in to kiss me. My body went weak with his embrace. He let go of me and started walking quickly into the darkness. Looking back, he said, “I did get your message. It was nice to have you in my head again.”
“Marcus, wait!”
“You’ll see me again, I promise.” He was gone, back into the darkness. I sighed, already missing him.
I started walking back to the mansion when I saw Gabriel coming toward me. “Alixia, there you are. What are you doing out here?” I hurried with my answer. ”I was just restless. I thought I would go for a walk. Why? Is there something wrong? Is Millie okay?”
“Yes, she’s fine.” We walked back to the mansion together as I wondered how Gabriel had known I was gone and where to find me.
“Gabriel?”
“Yes, Alixia?”
“How did you know I wasn’t in my room?” He opened the door. “Your mother called.”
“What?”
“She sensed you were in some kind of danger and she wanted me to check on you. When I couldn’t find you anywhere in the mansion, I called her back to let her know. That’s when she told me to check in the orchard.”
She must have had a vision.
I started panicking.
Did she see me with Marcus?
My thoughts began to race.
“Alixia.” Gabriel touched my shoulder. “Are you coming in?”
“Uh…yes.” I walked in and said, “I am sorry I caused you to worry, Gabriel.”
“It’s all right, Alixia.”
“Well, goodnight.”
He laughed. “You mean good morning, don’t you?” He pointed at the window. The sun was just peeking up over the horizon. “I guess you’re right. Well, good morning then.” He grinned and left, shaking his head.
I went straight upstairs into my bedroom. My mind was going crazy. What did Mother see in her vision? I will have to tell them what Marcus told me. I fell back on the bed and sighed.
He still loves me. How can he? When he knows about Phillip and me?
I thought of Charlotte and how she used Marcus to get back at me.
“I will find a way to make her pay for what she’s done.” I whispered. Closing my eyes, I drifted off to sleep with thoughts of Marcus on my mind.
I woke up to the sun shining brightly through my window. I quickly washed up, got dressed and put my hair up in a ponytail. Rushing downstairs, I went into the dining room, hoping to find Millie. She was there, but so were Mother and Madame Cecilia.
“Good morning.” I said. I could sense the tension in the room as I sat down by Millie.
“Alixia.” Millie replied nervously. I looked over at Mother and quickly read her thoughts. She knows about Marcus. “Mother, about Marcus, let me explain.”
“What were you thinking?” She shouted at me. “You could have been in danger!”
“It was Marcus. He would never hurt me.” She stood up and glared at me. “Alixia, Marcus wasn’t the only one out in the orchard with you. In my vision, I saw others hiding in the shadows.”
“I know. I sensed their presence, too. But, as you can see, nothing happened to me.”
“Alixia, that’s not the point!” She slammed her fist on the table. “They were too close to the family.”
“Mother, listen to me! Marcus came to warn us about Marcel.” She sat back down on her chair. I sensed her mistrust of Marcus, but also her curiosity about what I just said. “What do you mean?”
“Marcus wanted us to know that Marcel is coming for someone in the family, here in New Orleans.”
“When is this supposed to happen?” Madame Cecilia asked. “I don’t know. Marcus told me he overheard Marcel and Charlotte talking and they wanted to use him as bait to lure one of the family members.”
They all went right into speaking French, leaving me out of the circle again. “English, please.” I said irritated. “Alixia,” Mother said with caution, “are you sure Marcus can be trusted?”
“Mother, it’s Marcus. Why would he risk danger by coming to warn us about Marcel? I know he can be trusted.” Millie moved closer to me. “I think Alixia is right, why would Marcus come here knowing that the Ambrosines could destroy him easily?” I cringed at the thought and asked, “You’re not going to hurt Marcus, right Mother?”
Madame Cecilia stood up and walked behind Mother. I could sense she was in alliance with her. “Alixia, we can’t promise you that now. He came too close. We have to protect the family, and Marcus can take souls.” Said Madame Cecilia. I shook my head. I knew it wouldn’t do any good arguing my point anymore. It was their way or nothing. They would never trust him. He would always be part of the Dark Realm no matter what I said, so I just quietly stood up and left the room. I heard Mother calling me as I walked out the front door, but I didn’t look back.
I took off down the drive, and started to run as fast as I could, not caring where I went. I just needed to get away from them and clear my head. I felt the rush of cool wind on my face as I turned off on a path which went into a wooded area. I slowed my pace down to a walk.
They don’t understand! I know he’s not dangerous. He was tricked into immortality; just like I was. I don’t want to be part of this anymore.
I walked deeper into the woods until I came across a creek. I sat down and took off my tennis shoes, rolled up my jeans and stuck my feet in the water. It felt cool against my bare feet for just a few minutes as the heat from my skin warmed the water a bit. I laughed to myself as I kicked my toes through the warm water. “What was I thinking? I can’t hide who I am or get away from it, and Marcus can’t hide who he is either, a vampire of the Dark Realm. This is our fate.”
; I need to protect Marcus. I have to get into his head again to warn him not to come near me anymore. I don’t trust any of them.
I closed my eyes and concentrated, going deeper into my thoughts until I sensed him around me again.
Marcus, you’re in danger. Stay away.
His presence faded away. I sighed.
Hopefully, he heard me.
I put on my shoes and headed back toward the mansion. I was cooled down enough to deal with them.
Almost to the road, I saw a figure coming toward me. It was Madame Cecilia.
She must have the ability to track or pick up scents.
“Alixia, there you are. We have to talk.”
I wanted to go the other way, but I knew now it wouldn’t do me any good. She would be right there. I walked up to meet her. “I don’t feel like talking right now, and I am certainly not going to have another exchange of words with you about Marcus.” I kept walking and she followed beside me.
“Alixia, I don’t want to quarrel anymore either. Evidently you care about this Dark—”
“He has a name. It’s Marcus.”
“Of course, Marcus.” She said. I eyed her. “Yes, I do care for him and I will protect him.” I heard the crunch of gravel under her feet when she stopped abruptly. I smiled to myself and kept walking. Madame Cecilia caught up to me. “Alixia, what do you mean by protect?”
“I mean exactly what I said.” I informed her in a cold, flat voice. “I will protect him, and neither you nor Mother nor any other Ambrosine can stop me.”
“Alixia, I…never mind.” She stopped with her reply and didn’t say another word as we walked the rest of the way back to the mansion. But I could sense she was up to something; this wouldn’t be the end of this conversation.
The driver was putting the last of Millie’s luggage in the car when we walked up. “Alixia, good you’re back.” She hugged me. “Is everything all right now?”
I looked at Madame Cecilia. She was nodding. I quickly read her.
I know you’re in my head, Alixia, and we’re still going to talk.
“Yes.” I said aloud with a little smirk. “I think we have come to an understanding when it comes to Marcus.”
“I hope so. We don’t need any more turmoil in the family, with Mardi Gras so close.”
“I agree. Don’t you Madame Cecilia?” I went over and put my arm around her. I noticed she had a smile on her face.
“Yes, I agree for now. But there are a few issues we will discuss later, right Alixia?” I nodded. She kissed Millie’s cheek and said, “Au revoir. I will see you tomorrow.” She left us to go inside.
Millie got into the car and the driver closed the door. She rolled down the window and said, “Oh, by the way, I will be here for the Mardi Gras Gathering after all.”
“You will?”
“Yes, Henry promised I could have one night of festivities.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I will be fine, Alixia. Au revoir.” She rolled up the window and the driver drove off.
I waved as she drove down the road. Then I saw another car coming toward the mansion. It was Charles. “Bonjour, Alixia. How are you today?”
“I am fine.” I mumbled. He came closer to me. “Ah, a little down I see. I have something that will cheer you up—Phillip called me.”
“He did?”
“Yes, he wanted to let me know he would be here tomorrow evening. I wasn’t supposed to say anything to you because he wanted to surprise you, but you look so downhearted. Did it cheer you up?” I hugged him. “It did. Thank you.”
“Are you coming inside?” He looked back, taking a step. “Yes.” I said, thinking about how Phillip would be back tomorrow evening. Then, anxiety hit me.
Marcus! I had to make sure he got my warning.
“Excuse me, Charles.” I passed him, heading for the stairs as mother came into the foyer. “Alixia!” She called out. I stopped. “Yes?” I turned. “I need to talk to you for a minute. Will you excuse us, Charles?”
“Of course, Lucida.” He walked away, but looked back at us with a disquieted look.
Did Mother tell him about Marcus? Is that why he was bringing up Phillip?
“Alixia, come with me please.” She said.
I followed her into the den. “Close the door.” She had a look of frustration in her eyes that I had seen several times since we moved here. Mother stared out the window for a second, then turned and said, “I am not going to lecture you on your behavior, because I know you’re having a hard time accepting our ways about how we deal with certain situations. Your grandmother told me what you said about protecting Marcus.”
“Yes, I plan to protect him and no one is going to stop me.” I said defiantly. She frowned. “I am against this obsession you have with protecting Marcus, but your grandmother decided that we would wait until after Mardi Gras to discuss this further. But, after the Gathering we will talk.” Her tone grew stern. “Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” I said suspiciously. “I hope you will all stick to that promise.”
“We will, but don’t you do anything foolish.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.” She said, raising an eyebrow. “Now, go tell Charles to come in. We have business to finish.”
I walked out and said to Charles, “Mother will see you now.”
“Merci, Alixia.” He walked into the den, eyeing me with a long stare. I shook it off and ran upstairs to my room. I knew they were up to something.
I started pacing back and forth. “Okay.” I said out loud. “Think, Alixia!” I knew I had to come up with a plan. First, I’d get a hold of Millie and see if she would cover for me. Then, I needed to find a safe place for Marcus and me to talk. But where?
I got on the phone and began dialing Millie’s number.
“What am I doing?!” I hung up the phone, as I realized that I couldn’t involve Millie in this. There had to be another way to reach Marcus. “Traveling! Why not? It’s worth a try.” I said under my breath.
I closed my eyes and concentrated. Getting deep into my thoughts, I tried to see Marcus’ image. Then, I called out his name. A flash of him entered my mind, and then it disappeared. I went deeper and focused even more on him. I saw his car; I moved toward the image. I wasn’t just in his mind, I was actually near him. I couldn’t believe it! I was standing by the car and looked out at my surroundings. I was shrouded in mist. I was in a swamp.
What was he doing out here?
The sun was just setting, its light shone the through the Spanish moss which hung from the gnarled branches of the cypress trees. I watched an alligator sunning itself on a log that free floated on the water. I started to follow a path leading up a hill. I listened to the sounds around me as I glided through the swamp, leaving just my shadow on each tree as I passed it.
Along a hillside, I crossed a small bridge and reached a cabin. I passed through it. The room was old and rustic. I looked around, seeing traps and fishing gear in a corner to the right of me. There were stuffed animal heads mounted on each wall, their eyes shining at me as the sun came through the windows to half-light up the room. Down a hallway, I could hear voices. I entered the room; it was darker than the rest. Marcus was sitting at a desk and someone was standing by him. It was Robert!
Was he changed, too?
Marcus put down his pen and said, “Alixia, are you here?” He looked directly at me. I panicked for a second. He must be able to feel my presence. When I moved closer to him, I could feel his essence all around me as I entered his mind.
I came to warn you, Marcus.
I heard a knock on the bedroom door. The cabin, Marcus and Robert disappeared and I was back in my own bedroom. “Come in.” I said, trying to compose myself. The door opened. It was Jenny, one of the staff. “Madame Ambrosine would like to see you in the library.”
“Thank you, Jenny. Tell her I’ll be right down.”
“Oui, Alixia.”
I brushed my ha
ir and put it back up into a ponytail before going downstairs. I was almost to the library when I heard the phone ring in the den. I walked in to see Mother answering it.
“Yes, she is here. Who may I ask is calling?”
I came up behind her. “Is it for me, Mother?” She hadn’t seen me come in. “Oh, Alixia…yes, it’s for you.”
“Is it Phillip?” She shook her head no.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hello, Alixia?”
“Yes.”
“This is Robert.”
“Robert, hi…how are you?” I stammered. Mother shook her head in disapproval and walked out of the room.
“I am fine, Alixia. The reason I am calling is…I…uh, I know this isn’t much notice...” He hesitated for a moment and said, “Are you alone?”
“Just a minute.” I put down the receiver and went to the door and closed it. “Okay.”
“Alixia, could you have dinner with me tonight?”
“Ah…Robert?”
“No, no! I want to talk to you about Marcus. It’s about a warning.”
Marcus did get my message.
“Yes, I understand. What time?”
“I’ll be there around seven to pick you up if that’s okay?”
“That will be fine. I’ll be ready.”
I hung up the phone.
Robert couldn’t have changed. He wouldn’t dare come here. But what was he doing with Marcus?
I entered the library. Mother remained seated, but Madame Cecilia got up and walked toward me. I knew she was trying to get information, but I blocked her, allowing her only certain parts of my thoughts as she took my hand. “Come, join us.” She said.
I gazed at Mother, knowing she had probably told her about Robert’s call. I sat down. “So, you wanted to see me, Madame Cecilia?” She sat by Mother. “Yes, I wanted to let you know that Elliot is coming by tonight to finish sketching us for the portrait.”
“Oh, well I am not going to be here. I am going to dinner with Robert.” I braced myself for the predictable eruption. The only question was which one would erupt first, Mother or Madame Cecilia.
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