Angel butted in objectively. “But how do we know he will be truthful with us? You know how they are.”
Oh, truth! This Family has no right to get up on their high horses about honesty and truth.
Phillip glanced over at me then said, “I think he is being truthful in what he thinks is the truth.”
“What are you saying?” Angel asked, eyeing Madame Cecilia with a quick glance.
“I think Marcel is using him for bait to get to us.” Said Phillip.
“Bait!” Madame Cecilia retorted. “Why would he? He’s one of them.”
I was getting irritated, listening to them speak as if he was like Charlotte or Marcel. He wasn’t and I knew it.
Phillip could sense that I was ready to fly into a rage when he entered my thoughts.
Let me handle this, Alixia.
Fine!
He focused back on Madame Cecilia and said, “I believe Alixia. I don’t think he is part of Marcel’s Realm. So, ladies, until we learn differently, I think we should use this opportunity to see what he knows.”
Angel stood and yelled forcefully, “What are you saying? He’s of the Dark Realm now. We don’t collaborate with them or trust them!”
“Angel, calm down!” Phillip said in annoyance. “We’re going to this meeting. So you just back off!”
Madame Cecilia put her hand up. “That’s enough!” She eyed them both, said something in French and then turned her attention back to me. “Alixia, we will trust your judgment that Marcus isn’t a threat to us for now, but if—”
I jumped in quickly and said, “Don’t worry. There won’t be any buts or ifs.”
“I hope you’re right.” Angel said with a displeased expression on her face. “Let’s just end this.” She added.
Phillip took my hand and asked, “Are we in agreement, then? Alixia and I will meet with Marcus without any interference?” They both nodded.
Phillip opened the door to return to the ballroom. “Phillip, thank you.” I said.
“Don’t thank me yet, we still have to see if we can trust him.”
“But you said—”
“He is still of the Dark Realm, Alixia.” Phillip interrupted.
I didn’t debate him. I was just glad he was going to give Marcus the benefit of the doubt.
I turned toward the stage when I heard music. The band started up as it practiced for the ball.
“Dance?” Phillip asked.
“Why, yes.” I replied. He took me in his arms and held me close to him. We moved around the dance floor, enjoying the music. Suddenly, I froze as flashes of images appeared in my mind. I stepped back and out of his arms, trembling.
“Alixia, what is it? What are you seeing?”
“Charlotte she—it’s going to be here on the estate!” He took hold of me. “Did she have someone?”
“Yes, but I don’t know who it is. I can’t see the face. Phillip, I need to find Mother.” I left frantically, calling out for her.
I found Mother in the kitchen with her hands in bread dough. “Mother, I need to talk to you right now, in private, please.”
“Alixia, what is it?” She asked anxiously, as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Just come with me.” I said as I took her hand. We went out on the veranda. There were too many family members there, so I pulled her further. “Come on.” I said, going toward the gardens. She stopped abruptly. “Alixia, enough! We’re alone. What is it?”
“I had a vision.” She looked past me, as we heard Phillip calling to me. I ignored him and kept talking. “Mother, they were of Charlotte and other Dark Ones. They are going to harm someone, but I can’t see who it is. It’s going to happen here and I don’t know who I should protect. I need your help.”
She went pale. “They can’t. I mean, never before have they dared to enter our Realm during the healings.” Suddenly, she became quiet as though she was reflecting on something. She then said with darkness in her eyes, “Except for Phillip’s—” She stopped.
“What, Mother?”
I felt Phillip’s touch on my shoulder. I knew why she went quiet.
“Alixia, didn’t you hear me calling you?” He asked.
“I am sorry, Phillip.” I said turning toward him. “I just needed to talk to Mother.”
“Phillip, please!” Mother said urgently, stepping between us. “I need Alixia to focus.”
She took my hands and said, “I want you to concentrate on what you saw.”
I concentrated on the images. She released my hands and shook her head. “I am not seeing full images either. We will have to wait until it comes to us.”
“We can’t wait.” I said in a panic. “I can sense that we’re all going to be exposed to danger. Something terrible is going to happen.”
In an effort to calm me, Phillip put his arm around my shoulder. Then he said, “When you talk to Marcus tonight—”
“Marcus!” Mother hollered and glared at me. “You lied to me. You are going to meet him! So Robert knows what Marcus is, and he has been taking you to meet him? Alixia, this must stop now!”
“Mother, please. I didn’t mean to lie.” She glared at me, then turned to Phillip and said angrily, “Phillip, you knew about this and you didn’t stop her!”
“Lucida.” Phillip said. “Please, you have to understand. We need to talk to Marcus, especially now that Alixia is having visions of a family member that is in danger. We must find out what he knows, and soon.”
“Mother, he is right. You saw the images. You know something is going to happen!”
She looked at me with resignation, knowing I was just trying to protect the family. “Do you really trust Marcus wanting to protect our family?” She asked.
I put my arms around her and spoke close to her ear. “Yes, Mother, I do. Please let me go.”
She stepped out of my embrace and said in a murmured voice, “Go.”
Retribution
Robert opened the car door for me and I got in. I watched as he slowly walked around the car with his head down. He got in and turned the key in the ignition, starting the car. He put both hands on the wheel as he took in an exasperated breath. He then turned toward me and asked, “So, why did you need to see Marcus tonight, Alixia?”
“Uh...” He caught me off guard. Quickly, I recovered. “I just wanted to talk to him about Mardi Gras.”
“That’s why?” He shifted into reverse, backed up and put the car into gear. Robert sped away from the estate. I could sense he was upset. “Alixia, you don’t expect Marcus to take you to the masquerade ball, do you?” He asked.
“What? No, that’s not at all what I want to talk to him about. I know that can never happen now.”
“Then what is it?”
“I have a favor to ask him.”
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
“I can’t tell you.” He frowned. “Why not?”
“I can’t, Robert.”
“It’s okay.” He shook his head. “I don’t think I can handle anymore secrets right now, anyway.”
“Thank you for not asking more questions.” I said.
He shifted the car, turned off on a side road and stopped. “Why are we stopping here?” I asked, confused. Robert shrugged and said, “This is where Marcus wanted to meet you.”
“Oh. We just wait then?”
“Yeah, he should be here shortly.”
I turned a little in my seat to face him, sensing his concern for me. I asked, “So, Robert, are still planning your trip to Europe?”
”Well, yeah, you might say that. I joined the military.”
“You did what?”
“Yes, I leave for boot camp right after Mardi Gras. He paused for a second, and then said, “I’ll probably end up overseas.”
“Did you tell Marcus?”
“Yes, he knows. He said he may not even stay in New Orleans after I leave.”
“What do you mean?” Before Robert could answer, Marcus arrived. He drove up alongside us and parked his car. Robert
got out of his car and Marcus came over, opened my door and reached his hand out for me. As I got out, he pulled me tightly into his arms. He felt cool against my body as he kissed my forehead. “Alixia, are you ready to go for a walk? I have something to show you.”
“We’re walking?”
“Yes.” He turned to Robert and said, “We will meet you in New Orleans in an hour. You know where.”
Robert nodded and said, “I’ll see you in an hour.” He got back into his car and left us.
“Come on, Alixia.”
”Marcus, wait a minute. Before we go, the reason I needed to see you tonight is Phillip wants to meet with you.” He stepped back. “Why?”
“Marcus, just listen. We need your help. I’ve been having visions that something terrible is going to happen.”
He looked at me uneasily. “What kind of visions?”
“I see images of Charlotte and other Dark Ones. They’re attacking someone in the family, but the images are hazy. I can’t see who they’re going after. That’s why Phillip needs to talk to you; he thinks maybe there’s something—”
“Wait.” He said shaking his head. “Alixia, I don’t know if I can help you or if I can trust Phillip.”
“Please! We have to meet him tonight!”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t sound safe.”
“I’ll be there to protect you, Marcus.”
He grumbled, “Alixia, I don’t need protection.”
“All right, I won’t protect you.” I said sarcastically. “But will you please come with me to talk to Phillip?” He stared at me for a minute. “All right, but it must be on my terms. We will meet in New Orleans at the Rouge Restaurant and Bar on Bourbon Street. You can tell him to meet us there.” He took my hand. ”Let’s go back to the car.”
“But Marcus, what did you want to show me?”
“It will keep until our next outing.” He said as he opened the door.
“Marcus?”
“Yes?”
“Promise me, when you and Phillip meet, you will behave yourself.”
He started the car and said, “What do you mean by that?”
“You know exactly what I mean. Tonight, Phillip is not your rival. Tonight is for one thing and one thing only, joining forces to stop Charlotte and her cronies from coming after my family.” He laughed under his breath. “Okay, I’ll be good, Alixia, but I am going to get you back, you know.”
“Marcus, I care for Phillip now, you must under—” He didn’t let me finish. He reached over and took me in his arms and kissed me hungrily. My heart raced, as my body quivered in his embrace. I caught my breath. “Marcus, you have to stop doing that!”
He smiled, put the car in gear and we were on our way. I looked out into the darkness, still fearful of how this meeting might go between them.
When we reached New Orleans, we parked in a back alley. Robert pulled up behind us and we got out and walked back to his car.
“Plans have changed, Robert.” Marcus said. “We’re going to the Rouge. We decided to go dancing instead of our little rendezvous in the woods.” He put his arm around me. “Right, Alixia?”
“Yes.” I glanced carefully at Robert. He looked at Marcus with suspicion. I read his thoughts. He was worried if I would be safe with Marcus tonight.
“I can’t stay in town that long. I have to get back to Baton Rouge tonight. Who’s going to take Alixia home?”
“I’ll take her home.” Marcus said.
Robert eyed him. “What if her family sees you? You’re supposed to be in California, remember?”
“Robert, calm down. If anybody sees me tonight I will tell them I am back for Mardi Gras.” I walked over to Robert and gave him a hug. “I’ll be okay. Marcus will take good care of me.”
“If you say so.” He said. I kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry. Anyway, I suppose the next time I see you, you’ll be a military man.”
He smiled at me. I could sense he was more relaxed about leaving me. “Yes, I guess I will be. Okay, well, I better get going, you two...” He paused for a second and then said, “Just be careful, Marcus, okay?”
“I will. Stop worrying.” He walked Robert back to his car and told him goodbye.
I feel terrible lying to Robert, but we have to protect him. The less he knows the better.
Marcus came back to me. “Are you ready to get a hold of Phillip for our meeting?”
“Sure.” I closed my eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Hush, I am getting into Phillip’s head and telling him where to meet us.”
“You’re not going to use the phone?”
“Why? It’s easier this way.”
He grinned. “Yeah, that’s right. I enjoyed you being in my mind a few times.”
“Marcus, please, let me get this done.”
“Okay, I was just saying…” He winked at me with a silly grin. I turned around so I would not be distracted by him. “There, Phillip’s on his way.”
“That was easy.” He said.
We walked down the street about a block. People were coming and going all around us, enjoying the beginning of Mardi Gras. We walked into the Rouge restaurant, only to find it packed full of people.
The maître d’ greeted us. “Bonjour, Monsieur Clairoux, your table is waiting for you.” He took us to a private room and said, “Your waiter will be here in a few minutes to take your orders.”
“Merci, Paul. There will be another guest joining us. His name is Phillip Gautier; he should arrive shortly.”
“I’ll take care of it, sir.”
“Merci, Paul.” As the maître d’ left, I had to ask, “Marcus, why did you change your last name?” He moved a little closer to me and then he answered in a low voice, “I had to. I don’t want my parents to find out I am still in New Orleans. It’s bad enough that Robert is involved, I made my choice to be—” I put my hand up to lips, stopping him mid-sentence. I sensed Phillip’s presence. “Phillip is here.” I said.
He walked in. Marcus stood and they exchanged a handshake.
“Marcus, thanks for seeing me.” Said Phillip.
“No problem. I would do anything for Alixia.”
“Yes, I know.” Phillip said with a little jealousy in his voice. He sat down beside me and Marcus sat on my other side. I was sandwiched between them, and I could read both of their thoughts. I was their main topic. Phillip put his arm around my shoulders. I could sense Marcus becoming agitated. I decided that a distraction was needed. “Marcus?” I said. “Why don’t you tell Phillip what you told me about Marcel and his plans to harm my family?” Phillip shifted in chair. “Marcus, before you say anything, I am trusting Alixia completely when she tells me you are not part of the Dark Realm.” Marcus leaned past me and glared at Phillip. In a low, angry tone he said, “I am not part of any Realm. No one controls me.”
Phillip seemed taken aback with his answer. “Don’t take offense; I just needed to hear it from you, that’s all. It’s very odd to me. We have never had anyone from the Dark Side, that I know of, wanting to be an ally with us.”
“I am not an ally to you or any families’ Realms. As I said, I am just doing this for Alixia. I know Charlotte has some madness or obsession about going after Alixia, and using any means she can to hurt her. She did tell me she will go after anyone that was close to her.”
I interrupted with panic in my voice, “Phillip, who could she be after this time?”
“I don’t know.” Phillip said. “Don’t worry; we will keep a close watch. Hopefully, you’ll get a better image of who they are after.” I grabbed Marcus’ hand and said intensely, “You have to contact me any way you can if you find out anything!”
“You know I will.”
“Thank you, Marcus.” He squeezed my hand. They continued talking while I sat between them in deep thought, wondering who Charlotte would go after.
Would it be Libby or Claire? They’re the ones I care about the most outside the Realm. Inside the Realm, it would
be Millie.
Suddenly, the images in the shadows were clearer. I stood up. “It’s Millie, Phillip! That’s who she is going after. We must go right now!”
“Are you sure, Alixia?”
“Yes, that’s the face I couldn’t see. I know it’s Millie’s. Let’s go! Please.”
“Who’s Millie?” Marcus asked as he stood and walked toward the door with us. “She’s part of our family’s Realm. Please, we have to hurry.” We walked through the restaurant and out into the night air.
“Phillip,” I grabbed his arm, “before you left the mansion, was Millie there?”
“Yes, she was in the ballroom with your mother.”
“Good, Mother is with her. I know she’ll look after her.”
As we ran to the car, I looked out toward the main street in alarm. There was too much traffic. I said anxiously, “We can’t take the car! We’re going to have to leave it here. Take my hand.” I reached out for Phillip, and he took my hand in his. Marcus started walking away. “Marcus, what are you doing?” I asked.
He turned around and said, “I will meet you there, just trust me.” He vanished around the corner.
I tensed up and said breathlessly, “Phillip, the Ambrosines are calling me. It’s starting.”
I held his hand tightly and focused on the image of where they were. Our bodies accelerated through the streets and sidewalks, as if we were a warm breeze not touching anyone but leaving a sense of our presence as we passed them.
Landing back at the mansion, I looked around frantically. “They’re here, Phillip.”
“I know. I can sense them.” We ran toward the pond. The images were becoming more intense. We heard screams and ran toward the gardens, where the sounds were coming from.
There was Angel, cradling Millie in her arms. I bent down. “Millie!”
“She’s all right, Alixia.”
“But, your Mother…”Before Angel could finish, Millie opened her eyes and said softly, “She was trying to protect me.” Millie started crying. I quickly read her.
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