“No!” I cried out. “Where is she? Mother!”
“I’ll take you to her, Alixia.” Angel said mournfully. “She is with the rest of the Ambrosines. Phillip, stay with Millie.”
She took my hand and we walked toward the mansion. I could sense the extreme torment as we approached the rest of the Ambrosines. Madame Cecilia was holding Mother. I ran to her. Kneeling down, I took her into my arms. She felt cool to the touch. “Alixia.” She said in a weakened voice. I brought her closer to me. “Mother, I’m here.”
“I was afraid I wasn’t…” she started shaking. “I love you so much. I’m sorry, it’s time…”
“No! I won’t let them destroy you!”
“Please…you can’t stop it. I won’t be your mother anymore. Try to understand.”
I felt her tears on my face as I held her close to me and kissed her cheek. “Mother, I love you. I don’t know if I can let you go.” The emptiness of not having her with me was already running through my thoughts.
“Alixia.” She whispered so I could barely hear her. “This is my destiny now. Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” Angel came up behind me and said, “Alixia, it’s time. We must hurry before she changes the rest of the way. It will be less painful for her.”
“No, I can’t! Please, Mother.” I kissed and hugged her as I felt her getting weaker in my arms. “Mother, I need you, please.”
“Alixia, you have to go now.” She grew even colder and let go of her embrace of me.
“No!”
Phillip put his hand on my shoulder. “Alixia.”
Mother nodded at him and said faintly, “Take her, Phillip.”
I kissed her. “Mother, please…you said you would always be with me.”
“Alixia, I love you...”
“I can’t do this.” I held her even tighter, not wanting to let her go. Phillip grasped me by the waist. I cried out for her as he took me from the circle.
I watched as the Ambrosines engulfed her. I pushed Phillip away and started running into the orchard. I couldn’t bear to hear Mother’s screams. Phillip caught up to me and took me into his arms. We held on to each other, waiting for the silence to come. Then it did. I broke Phillip’s embrace and looked into the darkness. I felt a presence. “Charlotte is here,” I said, “and she is watching!”
I felt a rage building within me. It was strong, stronger than anything I ever felt before. I went after her in the darkness. Phillip called out to me, but I kept running toward Charlotte.
This time you are not going to get away with it.
I felt her presence getting closer to me, but I also noticed two other Dark Ones to the left of me. “Alixia!” I heard Phillip call out. They turned toward him. I went after them, shouting, “Phillip, they’re coming for you!” As Phillip came into my sight, one of the Dark Ones leapt at him. Phillip grabbed him by his throat and took him to the ground. The other one came at him from behind. I leaped over Phillip and went straight for his heart. He fell back screaming, as my blood ate through his flesh. Then, he went silent. I turned quickly and went to Phillip. He was holding the other one around the neck, ready to tear his head off. I didn’t give Phillip the satisfaction of the kill. I went for him, pressing my palms deeply into his chest. He kicked and thrashed, trying to get away from me. His screams were piercing, but I didn’t care. I was after one person and none of her drones were going to stop me from getting to her. Phillip looked at me and said, “She is still out there.”
“I know. And Marcus is out there, too. I sense him.”
We followed the aura of their presence through the woods until we found them. They were in battle. We watched as they went for each other. Marcus had a hold of Charlotte, hurling her into a tree. She hit it hard, shattering the bark, but it didn’t seem to faze her. Shaking off the blow, she lunged at Marcus, feet first, knocking him against a huge boulder in the creek bed. He lay there, motionless.
I panicked and started to walk toward Marcus, but Phillip held me back. As I turned and glared at him, he nodded his head toward Marcus. I looked over to see Marcus getting up and jumping toward Charlotte. I sensed his anger and loathing for her, as he grabbed her again. They exchanged blows. It was a conflict I hoped Marcus would win. Suddenly, he took Charlotte to the ground, shouting, “You will never go after anyone again!” She broke loose of his grip and tossed him into the air. Coming down hard, he lay there quietly. She quickly went toward him to finish him off. I broke away from Phillip and jumped in front of her as I screamed, “No!”
She stopped and smiled, pushing her hair out of her face. “Alixia, it’s nice to see you again. Are you here to save your little boyfriend?” Her voice hissed as she added, “It’s too bad you couldn’t do the same for your mother. She shouldn’t have gotten in our way. Did you at least get to say goodbye to her, dear?”
Her eyes were cold as ice. I quickly got in her head; there was no remorse at all. She was glad my mother was gone. The rage went through me like electricity.
To hell with their beliefs.
I went for Charlotte. We hit the ground. She struggled, kicking and screaming, as she tried to get away from me. I could see the scarlet veil surrounding me. I wanted her to suffer as my mother had. She yelled out at me, “I am Ambrosine! You can’t do this!”
“Well, I am half Cavelier, and I can.”
She screamed for Marcel as I pressed into her flesh. My blood went deep into her veins. I didn’t stop until I had pierced her heart. She lay motionless as I stood up and noticed the Ambrosines had encircled me. They started chanting. I felt the rage slowly subside. The scarlet-red glow that covered me was finally dissipating.
Madame Cecilia walked into the circle, taking me into her arms. I whispered to her. “What about Marcus? Is he okay?”
“Yes, Phillip got him out of here before the other Ambrosines arrived. We kept him safe this time.” I sighed in relief. I looked to where Charlotte had lain.
“She’s gone!” I shouted in disbelief.
“Who’s gone?”
“Charlotte.”
“Alixia, she’s there, but she is ashes now.”
“She’s what?”
“Calm yourself, that’s what happens when we kill them. They turn to ash.”
“Mother, too?” Softly she answered, “Yes, Alixia, your mother too. I kept her ashes for you to take home to Baton Rouge. You can place her next to your father.”
I kissed her cheek and said, “Thank you, grandmother.”
“Alixia, you called me grandmother.”
“I know.” We walked slowly toward the mansion. The anguish and emptiness of losing Mother began to hit me. As we went up the steps to the veranda, I couldn’t go inside with Madame Cecilia. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll sit outside for a while.”
“I don’t mind. Do you want me to stay with you?”
“Yes, please I need…” I broke down in tears. She took me into her arms and held me.
We sat down on the porch swing, not saying a word just holding on to each other as our private memories of her replayed through our minds.
The front door opened and Angel joined us. When she sat down in one of the wicker-back chairs, I asked, “How’s Millie?”
“She’s doing fine, but she is upset about your mother. You should go in and talk to her.”
“I will.” I looked out toward the horizon. I noticed the sun was coming up. I stood and walked over to the railing. Angel followed me and touched my hand. I sighed and said, “I feel lost right now, Angel. I need to go home, back to Baton Rouge.”
Madame Cecilia came to my side and said softly, “We will all go together right after Mardi Gras.”
“No!” I pushed away from the railing. “I want to leave today. I am sorry, but I don’t care about any of this right now, especially anything to do with Mardi Gras or the events you have planned. I just need to get out of here and go home where I can find some peace and—”
“Alixia!” Madame Cecilia turned me
toward her. “You have responsibilities to the Ambrosines here tonight.” I stepped away from her.
“You’re not listening, I am leaving and that’s the end of it!” I shouted as I walked toward the door.
“Alixia!” Angel said in a flustered voice. Madame Cecilia touched her arm and said, “Let her go, Angel.”
I went directly to my room and slammed the door. Stripping off my clothes, I put on my robe, ran water for a bath and then got into the tub. The cool water felt good against my skin as I lay there reflecting on everything that had happened. The heartache of losing Mother played over and over again in my head. I cried softly and slid deeper into the tub. I then said in a whisper, “Mother, I need you. Why?”
I got out and got dressed. I was finishing buttoning the last button on my blouse, when I sensed Phillip near. I looked toward the balcony doors and there he was. I opened the door and he took me into his arms. I felt safe and protected when he held me.
“How are you doing?” He kissed my forehead.
“Okay, I guess, but…” I took in a deep breath and broke down in tears. “What am I going to do without her, Phillip?” He held me tighter and said, “I’ll help you get through this.” I looked into his eyes. “Right after Mardi Gras we will—”
“No!” I interrupted him, angrily. “I am not staying for Mardi Gras. I’m going home.” He shook his head and said, “You can’t.”
There was a knock on the door. I heard Millie’s voice. “Alixia.” Phillip grabbed my arm. “We still have to talk about this.”
“No, we don’t. I am leaving today.” Phillip left through the balcony doors as my bedroom door opened. Millie rushed into my arms crying as she said, “I am so sorry.”
“Millie, it’s all right. Come on, sit down.” I helped her to the chair. “Are you okay? They didn’t hurt you or the baby?”
“No, they didn’t.” She shifted in the chair, trying to get herself comfortable. Her eyes were red from crying, “I wish...”
I wrapped my arms around her. “Stop blaming yourself. I’m glad they didn’t take you or hurt your baby.
“But, they took Lucida.”
“Shhh, Millie.” I held her until she seemed to calm down.
“Millie?” I said letting go of my embrace.
“Yes?” She asked with a sniffle.
“I have to know, how did they get to you and Mother? Can you tell me?”
Millie’s eyes filled with tears. “We just went outside for some air, that’s all. We were near the statue when I heard someone calling me. I had taken a couple of steps toward the garden when your mother jumped in front of me, pushing me back. I fell to the ground. It all happened so fast, Alixia. The Dark Ones appeared suddenly, running out of the shadows in the orchards toward us. Your mother went quickly for them. She took one to the ground, but another one bit into her. She cried out in pain, trying to fight him off. I got up to help her. I shouted to get their attention and went toward them. They threw her to the ground and started coming for me. Then, they abruptly stopped and turned back toward the orchard. I watched as they disappeared into the shadows. Confused, I wondered why they were running, until I heard them behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see the Ambrosines arriving. They went into the darkness after them. Angel stayed with me, but your mother, Alixia…” Millie went quiet.
“Millie, you don’t have to say any more.” I hugged her. She said, “I will never forget, Alixia.”
“I know, neither will I.” I walked to the closet and pulled out my suitcase, placing it on the bed. Phillip suddenly reappeared, but this time through my bedroom door. He came over to me, pressed his hand down on my suitcase and said, “You can’t do this!”
“Do what?” Millie asked, watching me pull the suitcase away from Phillip and open it, as I glared at him.
“I am going home, Millie.”
“No you’re not!” He shouted.
Ignoring Phillip’s outburst, I went to the closet to get some of my clothes. As I walked out and placed my clothes in the suitcase, I turned toward them. They were both staring at me. I read their thoughts; of course they were both trying to figure out how to stop me. I said, “I know what you both are thinking, so don’t even try it. I’m leaving.”
“Alixia,” Millie said, “I’m going with you then.” She tried to get up. Both Phillip and I went to help her out of the chair. I gave her a hug and said, “No, you’re not. You’re staying here. I’ll be okay. I just need a little time, that’s all.”
Millie and Phillip looked at each other, and then Phillip said reluctantly, “I’ll drive you to the train station. I know there’s no sense in arguing with you.”
“You’re right.” I said.
The Parting
When I got off the train in Baton Rouge, a driver was there to meet me.
“I am sorry about your mother, Alixia. Madame Ambrosine has taken care of all the arrangements. The funeral will be tomorrow.”
“What?! Why so fast? What about our friends? Were they notified?”
“Get in, Alixia, please.” He shut the door and went to the driver’s side of the car. Once inside the car, he turned back toward me and said, “She can’t have a normal funeral, Alixia. We have to be careful. People will ask questions about what happened to her and we must keep that hidden from the rest of the outside world. So, for now, you will not mention her death to anyone. Understand, Alixia?” I lowered my eyes and said, “I understand.”
He turned back, started the car and we were on our away. I shook my head.
Nothing in my life is normal anymore; not even saying goodbye to my mother.
We drove up in front of my home. The driver got out and opened the door for me. As I stepped out and looked around, I felt a sense of peacefulness come over me. I knew this was where I needed to be.
The staff came out to greet me. Each one expressed their condolences and welcomed me home. When I walked inside, everything seemed so strange without Mother. The house felt empty as I walked from room to room, remembering happier times.
Anna came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. “Alixia, why don’t you go lie down for a while?” I reached up and patted her hand. “Maybe I will.”
I went up to my bedroom, sat on the bed and looked around the room. Sadness overwhelmed me, knowing that Mother would never come in here again to wake me up or say goodnight. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes, thinking of her, and wishing that she was by my side, holding me and telling me everything will be all right. I cried softly and then drifted off to sleep.
I awoke early the next morning, still wearing my clothes from the day before. I sighed sorrowfully, knowing that today was the funeral. I got out of bed, washed up, changed my clothes and went downstairs. I followed the voices coming from the living room. I walked in to see the families were already gathering for the funeral. Angel approached me and gave me a hug.
“Madame Cecilia is by the piano.” She said softly. “We have everything ready for your Mother’s funeral.”
“Is Millie here?”
“No, she stayed at the estate.”
“Is someone watching over her?”
“Yes, Alixia, don’t worry. She’s protected.”
“Alixia, there you are.” Madame Cecilia said as she put her arms around me. When I looked over her shoulder, I could see Mother’s urn surrounded by white and red roses.
“She loved roses.” I said softly.
“I know.”
Madame Cecilia broke the embrace. I walked over and touched the urn. It was beautiful; white porcelain with a single red rose. The gold engraving simply read Lucida Ambrosine-Cavelier. Her diamond pendent hung gracefully from the urn’s neck. Madame Cecilia came up behind me. “Alixia, I thought we would have a sunrise ceremony for her.”
“That would be nice.” I turned and kissed her cheek. ”Thank you for everything you have done.” I gazed at the door when I felt Phillip’s presence. He and Charles approached us and Phillip kissed me lightly on the cheek. He
whispered into my ear, “Are you doing okay?”
“Yes.” I said softly, reaching for his hand and holding it tightly. Charles went to Madame Cecilia and took her hand, offering his condolences. I could sense his overwhelming grief. I knew he cared deeply for Mother.
”Alixia,” Charles took my hand, “I am...” he lowered his head, unable to finish his sentence. I squeezed his hand and said, “It’s all right. I know.” I turned as I heard a loud clap. Madame Cecilia then announced, “Families, the time has come. Will you join me in the orchard, please?”
She picked up Mother’s urn and the family members each took a rose from the table. We followed her to Father’s grave site. Phillip held me close. The memories of Father’s funeral flashed through my mind, and now he and Mother were both gone. I was overcome with grief as they placed her next to Father. Each family member walked forward and dropped a rose into her grave, saying in French, “Une voie pacifique.”
I looked around to see the sunrise breaking through the trees. The early-morning dew glistened on the grass. I walked over and knelt down. I could sense affection for her all around me as I placed the last rose in her grave. I said softly, “I love you and I’m going to miss you, Mother.” I remained kneeling for a few moments, as I reflected back on her memories.
As I wiped the tears from my eyes, Phillip came up behind me, and reached his hand out to me. I looked down one last time into her grave and walked back to Madame Cecilia’s side. She firmly took my hand. I watched as they covered Mother’s urn and wondered what destiny held for me now. Madame Cecilia must have been reading my thoughts. She turned and whispered, “Your destiny will be protecting the families as always, because you are Ambrosine.”
I closed my eyes, took in a breath and exhaled. I secretly wished I’d never heard the name Ambrosine.
Madame Cecelia got my attention when she said, “We won’t be staying long, Alixia.”
“You’re not?”
“No, we can’t. We must get back for High Council tonight. We still have to fulfill requests to the outsiders. Why don’t you come with us?”
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