Awakening - Book of Fire (Blood Heritage #1) (19 page)

Sitting down he savors his treats, the warmth and sweetness comforting his soul. No matter what anyone else says
, food is one of the finer things in life. His mind hasn't regained full focus yet and the aftermath of his pills provides a reprieve, a uniquely liberating dullness of his usually very noisy mind. He hasn't yet been forced to dwell on the case and is truly enjoying the day. It never takes long for reality to creep back in and he knows he will not stay away from the office all day. He has an appointment to meet with one of the missing girls’ mothers. It has taken days to get hold of the woman and he’s not going to miss the opportunity now. Leigha was living with her father when she disappeared, because her mother traveled for her job. The woman wants to talk with him, so he thinks she might have some information that will help. At least she is interested and open to answering his questions, even as strange as they seem to be.

Amber walks in the door at exactly noon, she’s managed to get a couple hours of sleep without incident but still feels drained and sleepy. The overwhelming amount of activity and information she’s attempting to take on weighs heavily on her. She has her hair up in a ponytail and a purple halter top that only somewhat covers the marks on her neck, her shoulder is still purple and yellow from the bruise that does not want to go away. Amber has stared at this bruise long and hard trying to understand why she can't just force it to heal like she did her hand after the ceremony. She doesn't like that it makes her feel vulnerable, reminds her or her immortality. James just notices her beautiful freckled shoulders, and the contrast, the purple so strange against the otherwise pale skin. No teardrop, only a beautiful little scar James has kissed many times. He’s not even sure why he looks for it. Subconscious action, he guesses. He kisses her lips and then the darkened skin. Holding her hand as she sits down with him, James knows something is on her mind. Both admit the previous day was hell, but neither goes into details. They simply spend a few minutes in the quiet, near each other allowing the closeness to comfort their pain.

They put the world on hold enjoying a few minutes of normalcy. They have both lost all sense of what that word even means. His case is off-the-charts strange, and her world has been flipped on its ears; she knows nothing of history, and religion, and magic for that matter. She’s just a lost little girl, looking for a quiet life. James has always wanted to be in on a major case, but this is not exactly what he had in mind. This case is taking his preconceived ideas about logic and reason and tossing them out the window. There’s no logical motivation to these crimes, no predictable pattern of human behavior and emotion. This is a mess, an organized, nonsensical twisting of fact and fiction. He’s out of his element. They ground each other and being together seems to have a calming effect on the couple as they gaze into each other's eyes with tenderness and sympathy. Both knowing the other is suffering and each having their own personal demons to slay. Before heading out to his car, he kisses her good bye. He really should hurry if he is going to make it to the office to pick up his paperwork before heading out to meet with Leigha's mother. They cannot avoid the dark responsibilities that plague the day no matter how desperately they want to pretend they can hide from them.

Amber remains seated for a few minutes holding her head in her hands. Focusing on reigning in her thoughts for the day ahead, Amber struggles to gain control. The past is the past and there’s nothing there she can change, it seems logical that she should find a way to stop dwelling on it. Despite her best efforts, her mind continues to run circles the rest of her can't keep up with. Standing, Amber begins to straighten shelves absent-mindedly, busywork that really doesn't need to be done. Somehow putting things in order soothes her, giving her a sense of control, even though her own mind remains in disarray.

They received a shipment of new goodies this morning and Amber takes on the project of unpacking and pricing the items with enthusiasm. This will keep her busy for a couple of hours, at least. The coffee stand is slow today and only a few people interrupt her meditation session with the pricing gun. This shipment is full of exotic new jewelry, beautiful gemstone spheres, crystals, and some delicious new candle fragrances. Amber loves each and every piece. The store is growing, and the girls are bringing in a variety of new products that all seem to fly right out the door. Amber and Rissa are an excellent team when it comes to business, and friendship, and now it appears, magic as well.

Amber is thankful the fates have led her to Rissa, it seems they add much to each others' lives. The two girls chat away the afternoon, neither mentioning the events of the day before. Amber, has a sudden and gripping need to ensure she has a companion by her side all the time, a friend that will always be there to comfort her and keep her company when she can't sleep. Something or someone that can warn her when danger is near. She decides on a trip to the pet shop after work. Not knowing what specifically she is looking for, Amber is determined never to be caught off guard again.

"
Sounds like you’re looking for a dog
," Rissa says. Amber is excited, she doesn't know much about having a dog, has never really had a pet at all. A dog sounds perfect since she enjoys taking long walks everyday and can certainly use the company.

Amber’s not certain what she needs in a dog, so she looks at a variety of books and holds a bunch of adorable and fluffy little baby dogs. Every one of them could easily come home with her. They’re all so cute, but she wants to know everything about them before making a decision. Then; fate steps in, Amber sees the tiny little wiggle of a white and black tail poking out from under a pile of newspapers, she has to see that one, thats the one she wants. "Sir can I see that one, the one hiding in the corner?"

"Miss, that is an American Bulldog, and not the right dog for someone who has no experience with dogs."

"Why?" Amber Asks, not the least dissuaded.

"She’ll be really big when she grows up and they can be very stubborn animals."

"Hmm. Let me see her please?"
Amber feels the rightness of this match with every fiber of her body.

The store clerk moves the papers aside and the tiny girl hops out and runs toward Amber, jumping into her arms, immediately licking her face and snuggling against her shoulder. Her tiny black nose presses against Amber's cheek in a kind of puppy hug. The clerk knows the battle has been lost and immediately goes to get the travel carrier, a book on training and the proper tools for her. When she checks out Amber has so much stuff she can't possibly walk home with it all. Amber calls a cab, her new baby is already asleep in her arms when it arrives. "
You might want to have her professionally trained Miss, here is a card for a great local woman who can help you out when the time comes."
The clerk says, still concerned about the future of this match.

"Thank you,"
Amber responds politely, already feeling sure she won't need the information. Setting
up the kennel in her bedroom, the puppy bed next to hers, and the food and water in the kitchen, Amber intends to let the little one have the run of the house. She already feels they have a connection. This little dog understands her, and they will get along just fine. It’s time for dinner and both are famished by the time she gets everything put away. Amber decides on a salad and fried chicken breast giving the puppy her food at the same time. She watches the little one inhale her food thinking about what she should call her. Seeing the little jaws snapping up the dog-food nuggets, immediately it comes to her. She’s a tiny alligator, this little chomping beast! She will call her Allie, in a kind of nod to her first day here. She can't believe how hungry the girl seems.

"
Didn't they feed you?"
She asks taking her out back for a potty break. Looking around the yard she realizes how truly spontaneous this decision has been. She needs to put gates up on both sides of the house to keep her safe. The road in front of the house can be very busy and she doesn't want any squished puppy tragedies.

Allie sniffs around the yard finding a corner that suits her needs, she looks up at Amber as if to ask permission, and when given the “good girl” nod proceeds with doing her business. Allie will always use this spot now, and Amber simply has to keep it cleaned up for her. The synergy between the two is certain; Amber never should have bothered buying the puppy her own bed, she sleeps beside her from this day on. James will just have to deal with a fluffy little third wheel. Amber realizes with it happening so fast she didn't stop to see if he likes dogs, or has any allergies...
Too late now
, she thinks to herself as the little one nuzzles against her and snores in her ear.

Knowing James went in late and will be heading out for the day. She’s not worried that he doesn’t call, she’ll see him tomorrow. Hopefully this trip will help him solve his case; she doesn't like how it’s affecting him. She still doesn't know what he’s working on, but it seems to be pretty bad. His emotions are in turmoil and he can't hide the hurt from her. Closing her eyes she falls asleep listening to the rhythm of the puppy's rapid heartbeat and feeling the warm breath on her cheek.

How wonderful it is not to feel alone
she thinks as darkness falls over her mind. Sleep is much needed and she wakes only when the little one gives a pounce and squeak landing on her face. Apparently it’s time to play! The little one runs for the door and scratches, Amber bolts for the back door,
she has to go potty!
She almost makes it but Amber is not moving quickly enough and she squats by the door whimpering and trembling as she makes a puddle. Amber knows she’s supposed to chastise the puppy, but decides not to; she knows it is her fault.

She senses how hard Allie tried, and she opens the door, letting the little one out to finish her necessities. Wiping up the spot so when she lets Allie in it’s good as new, Amber watches her from the doorway. Allie sniffs the spot and waggles her tail. She knows it will be okay. Amber promises she’ll be quicker next time, and thinks how silly it would look if someone saw her talking to her dog as if she understands. Amber can swear that she does actually understand; she can see it in her eyes and her expressions. She feels it, some things you just know.

This dog is her familiar. Though she doesn't know exactly how it came to be, she is aware how her desire for a companion came on all of a sudden, and despite all warnings to the contrary this puppy was meant for her, she’d practically been hidden at the pet store and she’d known immediately that she had to have her.
We are connected, our souls joined, we will protect each other no matter what the cost.
Her little Alligator will bite the toes off any bad guy that tries to come near her.
She laughs, she really has no idea how big her "little Allie" will get.

James meets with Eileen; Leigha's mother. The woman dresses professionally in a sharp dark suit, practical shoes and a well-kept briefcase. He never would have guessed on first impressions that she is a loony. The original interviewers on the case wrote her up as non-cooperative and likely disturbed. Meeting at a café he’s not familiar with, a bit more upscale than he’s used to, he already feels uncomfortable. She shakes his hand introducing herself, and from there everything goes downhill. She explains to James that it is time for “him” to return, to bring another generation into the world, and somehow "he" is responsible for taking her daughter into outer space.

"
She’s been abducted for an alien breeding program and she will never be allowed to come back,"
she says showing him a photo of what she claims is an extra-terrestrial ship. The photo is much like any other he has seen of UFO sighting. There is a grouping of lights in the sky that he cannot explain but nothing about them seems extra special. The photo is nearly completely black with nothing he can use as comparative points of reference. Size and distance are impossible to calculate off this one photo and it seems a tremendous leap jumping to these conclusions with so little information. He suspects there is more to what she is believes than what she is telling him. "
They took her right out of the car you know, she didn't even open her door. They were still locked. The car engine was still running, and all of the gauges malfunctioned. There wasn't any sign of her because she vanished right off the face of the earth."

This woman has completely lost her marbles, James thinks to himself. She tells him about her husband a psychic, empath who knew what was happening. "He saw it all in his dreams. He knew she would be taken long before it happened. He chose her for that reason, insisting we travel to Peru of all places, it was our duty to find her and raise her as our own. He said he’d sensed her birth, I thought he was crazy, but who was I to argue I had been asking for a child for years. She was beautiful when we found her, a tiny bundle of perfect little girl curled up in a crib in some godforsaken orphanage. I wanted her so badly, I didn't even consider that he might be right about her, that we would lose her someday if we didn't hide her well enough. He didn't really talk about it much after that so it was all forgotten, put behind us so we could be a family."