Awakening - Book of Fire (Blood Heritage #1) (5 page)

Still suffering from the night of dancing and drinking, he gives in to his weakness. Amber is so irresistible; it has been a long and lonely time since any woman has made him feel so helpless. He needs this as much as he fears it, the time has come for him to feel alive again.

He takes his pain pill and sleep comes easily. He does not wake until the sun gives him reason. He is revived and feeling ready for the challenges of the day. Calling his partner he sets up a meeting at the dump site, stops for coffee around 6:00 am and gets an egg sandwich for the road.

He doesn’t want to waste time making breakfast; he’s excited to be on the chase again. His senses are on overdrive. There is something about the challenge and the mystery of the hunt getting into his blood, circulating through him as his pulse races. He was born to do this job; it is truly what he lives for.

Amber wakes early on her first day of work. The excitement within her bubbling to the surface and making her nerves itch. She begins this day with a bit of Yoga in the back garden and the hope that it will help her to relax a bit.

She has been neglecting her stretching and the body focus feels wonderful. Showering and air drying, she puts on a new purple skirt with her white tank. Accessorizing with the purple scarf tied up in her hair. She hopes Rissa is as wonderful to work for as she seems on first appearances.

Though Amber enjoys espresso quite fervently, she has never had the opportunity to make the beverages herself. She fears she will make disgusting coffee and get fired.

This job is a new opportunity and she is anxiously looking forward to the peaceful and fragrant environment instead of a smoky bar or the stale perfume and sweat-laden strip club air.

As she walks through the door Rissa's encouraging smile gives her strength.

"Well you showed up, that’s half the battle won already, the last girl I hired disappeared and never even called to explain why she didn't want the job! " Rissa laughs and the sound puts Amber at ease almost instantly.

Rissa walks Amber through the process of pulling a good shot of coffee and explains the crucial aspect of that wonderful skiff of foam on top proving the shot is of the highest quality. Amber gets it right almost immediately and her confidence grows as the day progresses.

She’s actually quite taken with the artistic nature of the process behind a great espresso drink, and the variety of different concoctions people find appealing. Every cup is savored with the same almost religious reverence by the recipient their evident pleasure making her glow with pride. Amber can't believe how different her life has become this past week.

Though the shop was quiet when Amber first discovered it, this day is full of new faces and colorful characters. Amber meets local fishermen looking for ways to ward off bad gator hunting or stalls in their fishing success, housewives looking to increase the intensity and drive of their husbands, and schoolgirls looking for ways to irritate their parents with pagan and other religious goodies that will make them seem mysterious and worldly.

The morning hours are bustling with quick stops by those on their way to work, grateful to retrieve the nectar of the gods that keeps their day moving in the right direction.

Amber notices that a few people are taken to the back room by Rissa, and they are there awhile before returning to the front of the store. Many have serious expressions and some are in tears as they leave.

Amber realizes now is not the time to discuss what she has seen, but for the first time she senses there is more to Rissa than she knows. The woman smiles at her as she passes, but there is something else in her expression, a darkness beneath the kindness, a presence pushing at the fabric of her gentle veneer. There is the blood.

Amber knows with her instinct rather than her intellect that the answer is in the blood. The thought means nothing to her on the surface and is gone a moment after she recognizes it.

Rissa joins Amber at the front of the store mid-afternoon and expresses her appreciation at having someone so quick to pick up on things helping her out.

"You did great today, only one register goof and the coffee was great! Customers love you! I knew they would... Sorry for the moody earlier, sometimes what I tell people is not what they want to hear and it can get heavy on my heart."

Amber looks at Rissa and seeing only the sweet and spunky woman again finds herself feeling at home. With no signs of the dark swarm hiding behind Rissa's eyes, her discomfort is long gone and forgotten.

Discussing the events of the day, deeply involved in their conversation the girls are in their own little world. A young and handsome man comes running through the door, breaking the calm. He is anxious and has obviously been running some distance, there is sweat marring his white button up shirt and his nice shoes have been scuffed.

He blurts in a panicky voice, “I need something for my wife, she thinks she’s losing the baby! This can't happen again, it will ruin her. We lost our son when she was almost eight months and she’s sure it’s going to happen again. There’s no sign anything is going wrong, she’s just sure, and I need something to make her believe everything is okay!"

Rissa takes him to the back and makes up a sachet with a variety of herbs. "
This
, she says,
will protect the unborn
," she makes another and puts them both on silk ribbon for the mother to wear around her neck. "
One for the unborn and one for the mother. To keep her strong, calm and to help her to sleep in peace. Give these to her and send her in to see me, I will soothe her nerves."
Rissa gives him a reassuring pat and sends him on his way.

Amber asks Rissa "is this a normal day?"

Rissa answers that "expecting the unexpected is the way of her world. This is a not a small town, but it does suffer from small town superstition, and in some ways it makes it easier for people to come looking for a small bit of spiritual healing when times get rough. They hope that in some small way the burden can be taken off their shoulders. There is a down side to being considered a gypsy or a witch... not everyone is pleased with my practice, nor does every client find what they are looking for when they come to see me. There may be those who don't find my presence a benefit or a kindness."

"
Has anyone ever tried to hurt you?"
Amber says with a touch of worry in her voice.

"No, not here. This town has a special acceptance and understanding that many do not. This is a place of mysteries, magic and superstitions, there is a long and deeply rooted history of the occult and all sorts of happenings. No one that has lived in these parts long can deny there is something more than is on the surface of living. There are deeper layers that can only be seen when the circumstances are right. Some find out the hard way, and others just have a sense it is there, but everyone knows."

"It's not always going to be pleasant when people come looking for me. Though I don't believe there will ever be a major problem, there are sometimes harsh words. Most days are very pleasant and I get to help lots of people with little things. Perhaps I will have to do a reading on you sometime; Amber, have a look at what the spirits say about you"...

There is an awkward moment of silence and she follows it with a laughing observation. "
You’re far too pretty to be running around without a husband!
"

"Oh, that’s it! You gonna give me one of those ‘you are going to meet someone dark and handsome’ readings?"

"Yep, that’s exactly what I had in mind"... they both laugh. "See you in the morning, and by the way, you chose the perfect outfit, you fit right in."

Amber happily walks home truly enjoying the weather and scenery of this spectacular area. The old homes with all of their character and charm are so addictive. She has taken to drawing some of the more interesting detail work in a little notebook.

She has fallen particularly in love with the many carvings that adorn the arches and doorways and the statues and wrought iron gates of some of the more elegant properties. There is a sense that everything is lost somewhere in the past and refuses to give up to modern aesthetics.

The beauty of the past can be seen and felt here. This place has a very special energy; Rissa is right about that, there is something just below the surface of perception, some kind of trembling anticipation she can feel, that doesn't completely register in her conscious mind.

Amber is connecting to this place, she is finally home. Approaching her own little piece of heaven, she again takes an appreciative long look at her yard from the street. Such a perfect little haven from the outside world. Tonight she will enjoy a simple dinner, and a little dance in her living room. She can use the back of the couch as a ballet bar until she gets something set up in what is currently a library and office. She needs to box up all the books and do a little remodeling, but it will be wonderful having a place to dance again. Maybe she can begin teaching a class or two from home, Rissa may even let her advertise at the store.

Getting ready for bed, Amber revisits the events of the day, there were so many new names and faces she wants to remember so she can provide their drinks without them having to tell her their order.

Feeling a tinge of sadness for the man and his worried wife and for the young woman who left the store with such heavy tears, Amber feels burdened. Rissa seemed like a whole different person in the presence of these people and Amber is not sure how comfortable she is around this side of her new friend. The thought of it gives her the chills.

Amber considers what Rissa said about her having the sight.
What is the sight?
and
why would a stranger say she has it?
If Rissa is using this sight when she talks to all those poor people, then Amber is sure she isn't interested in having any part of it herself. She falls asleep with the faces of the coffee house visitors bouncing through her head.

Rissa is very happy with how the day has gone, she knows Amber has no idea she is perfectly following the plans that had been laid out for her. She so desperately wants to fit in, and to make real friends.

Amber is a very naive and sweet girl with no idea what power she possesses or her place in the events of the future and the past. Amber is a lost child that must be guided back into the underground before he finds her. How she ever made it this far is amazing. She must be very strong, just like her Grandmother. Rissa muses to herself.

Aria; Amber's Grandmother purchases the store for her, and puts Rissa in charge of making sure Amber ends up well protected by the circle and its keepers. Amber is never to know she is being guided or protected, because Aria predicts such interference will only make her panic and run. If Amber is left on her own, there is no telling the damage she could unleash.

Aria is well aware she has been found, that her life is nearing its end, and though she hopes to be the one teaching Amber of her gifts, she knows that will not be possible.

She has been dreaming of him again. His tendrils of darkness exploring her mind for even the slightest opening to come and finish what he started when he took her husband from her so long ago. She is ready for him, and will gladly give up her body and her blood, but not even the slightest corner of her mind will she open for his exploration.

She has lived a very long life, and is ready to cross to the other side, to reunite with her ancestors and to see those who have so long ago given their lives to bring her out of the darkness.

Everything comes with a price in this world and for Amber, she is ready to pay. The end will come sooner than she expects and much will be left unfinished, but there is no way to stop him when he comes to call. He is so undeniable in his beauty, and his warm breath wakes her from her sleep.

He kisses her lips with tender passion and she feels his hands as they explore her. It has been many years since she has been close to him, yet she can remember the pleasure of his every touch as though it were only yesterday.

She kisses him back with pent-up longing. She knows this is a dream, a very dangerous one; she knows this is the end, and she succumbs to his need. He pushes his fingers inside her, and roughly forces her legs wide, his other hand wrapping in her hair, fiercely pulling her head back.