Awakening - Book of Fire (Blood Heritage #1) (8 page)

Opening the library door she finds the room is bigger than she remembers; there is ample space for her to create what she wants. The huge windows on one wall are balanced with a perfect wall to cover with mirrors; aside from the book shelves lining it, there is nothing to get in the way. She is thrilled and wonders where to put all of these beautiful books. She has no intention of getting rid of them, as she knows they are very special. Each one is old, leather-bound and completely dust free. Like everything else in her grandmother’s world, these books are special, and are here because each one has been well cared for and loved. She pulls a few volumes out and reads the covers. They are all classics, tales of gods and goddesses from a variety of cultures. As Amber explores further, she realizes this is entirely a collection of mythology, history, and occult books. There are a few with her grandmother’s name on the binding which appear to be journals or histories of some sort. She will have to take some time exploring these further. Perhaps it's not time to put them away yet after all.

There is so much she does not know about her grandmother, she only met the woman a couple of times, but Aria recognized the trouble quickly and was the first person Amber had known to try and save her from her problems. The attempt to get her out of the house had come with a price, and Amber had been subjected to the most horrific beating and humiliation of her life. She ran away then, and even her grandmother had lost track of her as she faded into the streets of a new city, with a new name and a new life that was not so much different than what she had left, only she got to chose who she allowed to use her and at least they paid her for it.

She thinks on the kind smile and gentle touch of the woman she barely knew. She remembers her soft hair and the twinkle in her eyes, beautiful blue eyes very much like her own. She remembers the smell of spices and jasmine on her skin when she hugged her, and she remembers the necklace. The curious circle of vines and serpents, she had asked about it and been told that it was a good luck charm, for protection, something to remind her of who she was. There had been a sadness in her eyes when she said those words, and then she had hugged Amber and said "don't worry child, you will be safe, I will find a way to keep you safe." For a few moments, Amber had felt safe. She had felt warm and loved. If only those feelings could have lasted.

Rissa must have known her grandmother, Amber will have to ask her about it in the morning. She spends a long time in the library just touching the splendid volumes. These must be worth a fortune, they probably belong in a museum or a real library, not in the back room of her house. Books somehow feel like comfort: the thick bindings and the crackle of the paper. The love and time spent creating them, and the knowledge they share. Amber learned early how useful knowledge can be. When you are a young girl making your way alone in the world, there is a heavy truth to the saying,
knowledge
is power.
Men are easily manipulated by the helpless act, but when it comes down to it, helpless is dangerous and a girl has to know how to win the battle of wits and wills every time, or she finds herself hurt, or worse.

It is late when James finally calls her. He sounds stressed and tired, but insists he is fine. This case must be wearing on him. She wants to know if he is working on the murder of the missing girl she had seen last night, but knows she should not ask. They spend a few minutes on small talk and she invites him over for dinner the next evening. He accepts and seems a bit happier by the end of their conversation. Neither wants to get off the phone, but exhaustion wins on his end and he reluctantly lets her go. "Sweet dreams," he whispers as he hangs up the phone, and so does she. Neither hears the gentle wish of the other, but the thought lingers between them.

Amber begins her day at the Seven Candles working up the courage to ask Rissa about the pendant and whether she knew her grandmother. She hopes to find out more about what kind of person she was. She is very interested in this religion they share and hopes she has found a connection to the past she so desperately wants to know. Rissa and Dawn are both very young, so maybe they were not members together, but she is sure they will be able to tell her something.

The morning rush is crazy; everyone is especially tired on hump day mornings. The middle of the week seems to be the hardest time to get out of bed and face the day. The grumpy weather does not make this day any more appealing and Amber is wondering if she should ask James about teaching her how to drive the car for just such times. There’s rain in the air, she can feel it coming. Luckily she made it to work before it began, but the day looks a bit bleak for barbecue on the back porch. She’ll have to try a more girly approach.
Looks like a candlelight dinner for two, and a great movie. Hmm, she doesn't even know what kind of movies he likes; will have to ask him later.

It’s noon before she knows it and Rissa has a special lunch planned for them. She closes up the place for an hour so she can take Amber to the sandwich shop a couple of doors down. " Must be nice being the owner, you can just come and go as you wish." Rissa just laughs and wonders how Amber will react when she finds out she actually owns the shop.

The two girls are in a great mood as they savor the strangest sandwiches Amber has ever seen. The bread is baked from scratch inside a tin can and the center is cut out. The breads are then filled with the most succulent goodies. Amber opts for veggies, delicious avocado sauce and pan roasted turkey with provolone cheese, and Rissa chooses a spicy option with Thai peanut sauce and exotic toppings. The delicious lunch provides the perfect opportunity for Amber to ask about her grandmother.

"
Rissa, did you by any chance know Aria Edwards?
"Amber asks, and Rissa gives her a look of surprise.

"Yes of course, she loved to come visit me at the store. She was a wonderful woman. Why do you ask?"

"She was my grandmother, Amber says, "I was hoping you might have known her, I don't know very much about her really."

"Oh, Amber, I should have guessed you were related, you do look so much like her."

"Well that’s funny kind of, because we’re not blood related, but people have always said that about us."

"More blood related than you know," Rissa thinks to herself, but that is a story for another day. "
I didn’t know her well, as I said, but I can tell you some. We’d better get back before we lose customers,"
Rissa says, glad to have a safe way out of the conversation.

Amber does not get a chance to ask about the pendant and its meaning as she is immediately distracted by a few straggling coffee customers that don't seem to know it’s hard to sleep if you drink quad shot espressos in the afternoon. Amber enjoys the friendly patrons and unique conversation. There is something about the people in this town that makes her feel at home, even among strangers; a special warmth in the way people talk, the physical introductions, handshakes to hugs, and the stories that are told which draw you in as if you have always been a part of things.

The people are a part of the landscape, and the harmony is very appealing after having spent so much time in the dark and brooding rain-drenched streets of metropolitan Seattle. People have a way of pretending that you’re not there, and even when they smile it’s an impersonal and self-contained thing. There is no unity, no bond with their surroundings, only people living out their lives in a city that does not know their names.

She wants to be a part of something, to fit somewhere in the spinning wheel of life. She wants to find happiness and peace. She wants to wake up in a world that is free of monsters, where happy endings actually happen.

Amber rides home from work with Rissa since the rain still coming down in solid sheets has been falling for a couple hours. The streets are so much less friendly looking through the veil of water and clouds. The grey is covering the vibrant colors of life cloaking them in a misty kind of nightmare. She sees faces in the raindrops, they sneer and growl at her. Her nerves are heightened and she senses that something bad is going to happen.

She believes her intuition is one of her most valuable assets, so she doesn't ignore these feelings. She will have to keep her eyes open. Rissa still chatty and smiling pulls into Amber's driveway. "
Well, we’re here, do you want me to pick you up in the morning if the rain is still falling?"

"Sure that would be great, I have a car but I don't know how to drive it yet."

"Ok then, see you in the morning, unless the sun is out and then I’ll see you in the morning anyway only a bit later! " The girls laugh, Amber runs to the house with a newspaper over her head.

Fumbling with her keys, she eventually gets herself out of the downfall. She takes off her shoes at the door to keep her floors from getting drenched and runs to her bedroom to shower and get into dry clothes. The warm water washes away the smell of the rain and the chill sinking into her bones. The rain is not that cold, but it gave her goose bumps and the soothing heat brings her back to comfort. Finding a light sweater and a pair of jeans that flatters her figure, she dresses for date night. Brushing her hair, she leaves it down, cascading over her shoulders.

She really doesn't need to clean the house, but wants something to keep her busy until James gets there. She runs the vacuum over the carpets and wipes down all the counters. The house is finally tidy and everything in place. She really loves living in this home. There’s still some time to burn, so she prepares a salad and some homemade Italian dressing.

Turning on the stereo she chooses a station of mixed eighties music to keep her moving and dancing around the kitchen as she prepares the marinade for the steaks. The mushrooms and onions are cut and waiting for a simple butter sauté when the doorbell rings. Amber is on her second glass of red wine and feeling wonderful, imagining this is what happiness must feel like. The foreboding feelings of earlier have left the building.

Amber runs to the door and gathers a bit of control before opening it. He’s a bit early but she can't wait to see him. She throws the door open, but it’s not James standing on her doorstep. The delivery driver hands her a box, requesting she sign for it. Amber is taken completely off guard and awkwardly signs, says "thank you" and closes the door. Strange, she has not ordered anything, but it is her name on the box. The address label is written in a soft and feminine script. Very puzzling.

Amber retrieves a pair of scissors from the kitchen to cut the tape, the box is really well sealed. Someone has taken a lot of time making sure it does not accidentally open. She carefully pulls back the flaps to reveal a splendidly carved wooden chest; the top displaying the same symbol that is on the pendants. She removes it from its wrapping and sets it on the table. The chest has a lock and cannot be opened, but it does seem heavy as if there is something very solid inside. The chest is stunningly beautiful, but Amber senses that it should be hidden immediately. A feeling of anxious urgency overcomes her and she feels a bit paranoid.

Putting the box in a drawer under her bed, she discards the packaging. There is no note, and she has no idea where the package could have come from. Although very curious as to what might be inside, she does not have any tools for picking a lock. She has a feeling she is not meant to open it yet.

Returning to the kitchen she finishes getting things ready. She will wait until he gets there to actually throw the steaks on the grill. She puts together a tiramisu for dessert, looking forward to showing off her kitchen skills.
Nothing better to capture a man than being a great cook
, she prides herself in having attained this skill without anyone's help. She’s a natural with flavors and subtlety, and brings out the best in any meal she presents. She truly enjoys making a meal a feast for every one of the senses, pleasurable on multiple levels with complex flavor profiles leaving one feeling fully satisfied.

The afternoon bust proves to be an easy one, and the team is a bit disappointed that there is not more of a struggle getting the culprits in hand. The unit simply shows up and arrests all four participants in the ring, seizing an entire garage full of stolen vehicles, parts and other property. This group was very busy. There is no fight, no struggle and no resistance. The group knows they are busted, and there is nothing they could do about it. The team surrounds the building and goes in with a heavy show of force to get their point across. Now they will spend the next couple of days sorting through the stolen property and registering it with evidence. Some of the items will find their way back to their original owners; most of it will remain in the evidence vault indefinitely. It always seems such a waste to him that there will be such a long time lapse before this stuff can be liquidated to do some good somewhere.