Awakening - Book of Fire (Blood Heritage #1) (2 page)

Though she is very particular about the clubs she chooses to work, the stigma is always there. Her hopes are high that this new home will allow her to enjoy a more simple and reputable employment opportunity. Unfortunately, she strikes out with the paper which leads her to the decision to simply take a day for exploring the nearby possibilities.

Choosing a somewhat elegant green silk top and a pair of new blue jeans, she hopes to have an opportunity to speak with a potential employer in person. Her long auburn hair is pinned into a simple messy bun, the signature style of dancers worldwide.

Carefully applying her make-up she keeps it subtle, allowing her natural beauty to shine through. Though not a model by any means, Amber has what it takes to get by.

She decides against taking the car out, as she knows it will take time to get comfortable with the stick shift. Hopefully she will be able to find someone to teach her how to drive the beautiful blue beast waiting in the garage.

According to the insurance company it is a classic and even a bit rare. Ambers' knowledge of cars is next to zero, but the lawyer who delivered her the keys had practically worshiped it. For the time being she will just have to settle for the world within walking distance.

She has only spent one other day in this town, and it was a day of paperwork, loose ends and sadness. Amber is so overwhelmed with everything that has brought her here, that she has not even taken the time to absorb the unpretentious beauty of her new home.

The postage stamp yard, full of wonderful plants and flowers looks like a tamed version of a tropical paradise; the bricked pathway to her front door lends an undeniable charm, and the small two-bedroom cottage-style home could not possibly be more wonderful.

She thinks how difficult it would be not to be happy when surrounded by such simple elegance. Her Grandmother had spectacular taste and a wonderful green thumb. Hopefully, she will be able to do her memory justice and maintain the beautiful yard. Amber is not a gardener, but the back yard features a large raised bed garden with a variety of perfectly groomed and labelled wonders.

She takes a deep breath, realizing she better find the local bookstore and figure out how not to kill all of the beautiful herbs, vegetables, and fruits that have so obviously been loved. Though she thinks of her grandmother with a hint of sadness, she feels closer to the woman with every moment she spends exploring all of her treasures.

The comfort and love that she feels has a soothing effect on her soul. There is something grounding about touching the objects, feeling the lingering energy of loved ones lost, but not forgotten.

And then she sees the most wonderful treat; a lagoon like garden pool with a small whirling hot tub.
This will be wonderful
, she thinks to herself as she walks around the tiled and crystal clear oasis. Her excitement is so explosive she actually claps her hands and hops up and down like a happy little girl.

Composing herself, Amber looks around, and is thankful no one has seen her little outburst. She knows she will spend a great deal of time enjoying the way the water isolates the body and quiets the mind.

Amber often gets lost in the quiet and the sensation of floating outside of herself. She allows the smile to remain on her face as she walks over to dip her fingers in the swirling waters.

Her heart skips a beat as she sees a dark shadow beneath the bubbly surface, struggling to catch her breath, she takes a step backward, tripping over a flowerpot. She reaches for her cell phone and tries to regain her footing.

Aware of the deafening pounding of her heart in her ears, she can't focus on pushing the buttons. Finally getting it right as she rounds the corner and heads to the front of the house. The voice on the other end of the line keeps repeating the same line again and again. Amber finally calms herself enough to answer.

"What is your emergency? What is Your EMERGENCY?"

"There is someone in the water, Oh,God... not again... there is a body in the water!"

"What do you mean, there is a body?"....

Breaking into uncontrollable sobbing, Amber sets the phone down on the grass. Waiting for the world to come crashing in on her again, she loses consciousness.

Waking to the sound of sirens in the air and the presence of conversation around her, consciousness slowly surfaces. The EMT's check her blood pressure and give her a thorough once-over. Her blouse is dishevelled and she looks at them in wide-eyed wonder.

"Where? What?" And then she remembers. "Oh... God, not me… A body in the back... in the water"…

"It's okay, but it is a good thing you called us." The EMT responds in a soothing tone.

"What do you mean it is ok?" she asks.

Amber is instantly filled with confusion, "why are you just standing there? Someone is dead!"

"No one is dead miss, but you have a very special guest in your hot tub."

"What do you mean a special guest?"
The tension in her voice is nearly palpable.

"You have an alligator in your hot tub, we called the animal service to come and get him for you. Not to worry, it happens here all the time, you might want to put a security cover on your pool." He responds, still trying to calm her down.

"Oh, great. I almost get eaten my first day here? Oh ... geez! ... I have a visit from an ambulance, a police car and animal control all before I even manage to unpack. So much for incognito."

Amber seems to make a statement wherever she goes, and not many of them are the kind she wants to make.

"Well, I’m okay now, I just panicked, I guess. Thank you for your help." She says, sheepishly.

"Do you want us to wait with you for the animal folks?"

"No, I’m okay, I have wasted enough of your time. I’ll just sit on the front porch and wait." Amber takes the time to collect her thoughts, and to regain some footing in reality.

The ambulance and the two EMTs fade into the distance, and she realizes the police car is still in front of her house. Amber hasn't seen a cop around… He must be in the back, keeping an eye on the creature hijacking her new favorite place.

Sitting on the front porch realizing that her hands are still shaking, she feels the aftermath of the tremendous surge of fear, and adrenaline from her overactive flight response.

She can't shake it, dizzy and weak, overcome by the unwelcome tingle of her frazzled nerves. At least she was wrong, and no longer has to worry about who might have met a disastrous end, destroying her sanctuary before she even has a chance to enjoy it.

Amber realizes lots of research is necessary on the types of creatures who might try and share her lovely yard. What might have happened if she had actually gotten into the water without knowing about her unwelcome guest?

Her paranoia actually saved her this time.
That would have been an ugly way to go!
She thinks. She is content to stay far away from the back yard until it is caught.

The crackling of the radio interrupts her thoughts, looking up she sees a vaguely recognizable face. The officer rounding the corner of the yard has a slight limp and a fresh scar above his left eyebrow which completely gives away his identity.

He’s even more attractive in person,
she thinks as he approaches. Amber can’t remember his name, but he is definitely the man from the news article in the paper. Standing to meet him, she extends her hand to introduce herself. Looking concerned, he takes her in from top to bottom.

"Are you all right? Last time I saw you, you were out cold." He says, still looking her over.

"I’m fine,"
she replies with a slight blush of embarrassment.

He takes her hand and introduces himself, "
Detective James Wolfe, nice to meet you.
"

Just then the gator-mobile shows up and two guys get out who could have jumped right out of the movie
Crocodile Dundee
. One of them asks if the gator is around back and the other comes over to chat with James.

They’re obviously familiar with each other, and not only shake hands but do one of those pat-on-the-back, one-armed manly hug things. Amber feels like an intruder, watching these two men embrace.

"Haven't seen you since the accident! Man, good to see you on your feet again!"

They walk to the back of the house and Amber hears the splashing and laughing of the men wrestling with the beast, when they reappear, one is carrying what to her seems to be a huge creature.

Though the gator is only a baby, she would have sworn it was a dragon if someone asked for her opinion. This is a not the best beginning, if the goal is for her to feel safe in this new home. She has enough monsters of her own to fear without having tiny dragons trying to move in.

James follows the hunters to the truck and opens the tailgate for them to insert the trespasser. The guys talk for a few moments and then leave, still laughing. James returns to finish up with Amber.

She gives him a questioning look, and he tells her the problem is taken care of. He can’t help snickering a bit and she finally asks him "
what the hell is so funny?
"

"Your dead body is just a tiny baby gator."

He tries explaining, the mental and physical stress response to a call such as this and the lightness of relief as his body begins catching up to his mind. He can't keep himself from laughing.

She feels comfortable enough to give him a friendly smack on the arm with a pouty "that’s not nice," before breaking into laughter herself. Nothing feels better than laughter at the end of a stressful situation. "
Thank you
," she says as he walks to his car.

He gives her an
‘
it
was
nothing
’
wave and disappears down the thickly tree-lined street.

Amber decides to stay home for the afternoon and begins unpacking her things. She'll go out tomorrow and find a job. She’s not really in the mood to take on more unknowns today, having had enough excitement to last an entire week.

After a few days, Amber is beginning to feel like her new place is home. The quiet neighborhood and lush landscaping provide her a privacy and peace that she has not had the pleasure of experiencing before. She loves the warmth and even the stickiness of the heat that many people complain about.

She spends her days wandering around the city, looking for possible employment opportunities, not having any luck. She finds the local grocery store and a variety of wonderful restaurants, bars and used clothing boutiques.

The more time she spends wandering the area, the more she thinks this will be a fantastic place to live.

People are extremely kind to her, and each place she inquires about employment, there is a new suggestion of possibilities given by the managers, usually with some long description along the lines of "…last I heard, my neighbors cousin's business is hiring for such and such..." So far these suggestions have not panned out, but she is enjoying meeting all of the colorful characters the random leads take her to.

Then by chance, her luck takes a major turn in the right direction. Looking for a place to find an iced mocha, Amber walks into what looks like a bookstore. She is right to some extent, for along with a wide variety of books there are all kinds of amazing items in this charming little store.

The aroma of incense is the first thing she notices and the dim lighting is pleasant. There are crystals and candles and wonderful handmade crafts lining beautiful wooden shelves. A peaceful and pleasant feeling engulfs her senses as she searches through some wonderful light scarf wraps.

Choosing a deep purple with a lotus flower pattern to purchase, she spends some time smelling the oils, candles and incense sticks. Amber loves the spicy combination of cinnamon, cloves and vanilla, and picks out a candle to warm up her kitchen and make it her own.