Awakening - Book of Fire (Blood Heritage)

by Krista Gray-Fee

  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.

  A Great Day

  The afternoon bust proves to be an easy one, and th
e 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.

  James is looking forward to a quiet evening with Amber, and hopes the lousy weather has not changed her plans too much. There has been no information on the Sisters case and he pushes it to the back of his mind for the time being. He is not going to let anything distract him from this night. He needs some time to relax.

  As he walks up her sidewalk he begins to feel butterflies. Wow, it has been a long time since a woman has made him feel like this! He remembers the way it felt in high school brushing up against a girl he liked. The tingly sensation, the rapidness of his heart beating in his chest, the sweaty palms and the inability to speak coherently. Thank goodness those awkward days are gone. The excitement and anticipation is so fresh and he’s enjoying every minute. He savors the exquisite torture of his desire, his longing for her touch, the tension and the thrill.

  Amber opens the door with a huge and welcoming smile, and her soft sweater catches his attention immediately. The pink contrasts beautifully with the warmth of her hair and her eyes sparkle with intensity. Her body is truly stunning.

  "Come in, come in, can I get you something to drink?"

  "Soda or water would be great, I could still get called in tonight."

  "Okay, do you mind if I drink some wine? I cracked open a bottle to go with the fillet."

  "Mmmm… No, please feel free. I’d certainly be joining you if not for this case being so unpredictable."

  Amber pours him a soda and he follows her into the kitchen. "Anything I can do to help you?"

  "Nope, it’s time for you to just have a seat and relax." He sits on one of the bar stools where he can chat as she finishes the final preparations. He appreciates the smell of onions and mushrooms simmering in the light wine and butter sauce. The steaks turn out a perfect medium rare and are seasoned to perfection.

  He has not treated himself to a nice meal in a long time. "You sure know how to make a man feel special, it’s been a long time since I ate anything that good, looks like I got a bit carried away!"

  She’s taking her time and feeling pleased that he seems to enjoy her cooking. "I made dessert too, so save a bit of room!"

  "Figured we could watch a movie, but I didn't know what type of things you like. You get to pick this time since the one I picked last time was kind of a flop." Amber says. He pulls up the pay per view options and chooses a crazy comedy movie. She smiles at his choice and sits down to relax and share some laughs with this wonderful guy. The lightness of the evening is just what she needs and she senses he needs it too.

  Cuddling on the couch through the entire movie and then through a second one; neither wanting to move. Amber falls asleep in his arms and he holds as still as he can for fear of waking her. Morning finds them still curled up together on the couch, her back cradling against him, his arms wrapping around her. She enjoys the peace and silence of a rare dreamless sleep, he feels strong and protective watching over her. The light invading the room returns them to reality and they reluctantly prepare for the day. He is not prepared and will be going to work in yesterday's clothes, at least he has some at the office he can change when he gets there. Amber quickly changes, brushing her teeth and running a brush through her hair, she offers James a muffin for breakfast.

  They are running late and must get to work; no drawing for her this morning. Leaving her with a hug and one splendidly passionate kiss, he shifts gears to focus on the work day ahead. He hopes to sneak in a visit for coffee later.

  When James reaches the office, he’s surprised to see everyone already there, in his office discussing the photos on the wall. The job for the day consists of interviewing the parents of the murdered girls. He wants to visit the families of the girls that are still missing as well, but is not sure if they will be able to accomplish more than one or two today. The parents have already been in once to claim the girls’ belongings and to sign the releases for their bodies. James and his team held off allowing the families time to deal with the reality of the situation, he wants them to be as clear-headed as possible for his interview. Even the smallest details can be important and he really needs something new to go on.

  It is over an hour’s drive to the first family’s home. The girl, Elizabeth, was only nineteen years old when she disappeared. On the day she went missing she didn't show up for school. Her car was parked in the community college parking lot with the keys still in it when it was found. No one saw her or noticed anything abnormal in her behavior the day before. There is no evidence in the car to suggest there was a struggle and her purse and books remain in the passenger seat. It literally seems she disappeared into thin air. No one knows what happened. Elizabeth's mother is a short Hispanic-looking woman with slightly graying hair and huge brown eyes. It strikes James as odd how different this woman looks from her daughter. Perhaps she’s adopted… He intends to ask about it later when it will not look so obvious why he is asking.

  The mother invites James to look at Elizabeth’s bedroom, where everything is still as it was on the day of her disappearance. The police already took a look at the room but did not remove anything during their original investigation. Her desk drawers contain a variety of journals and notebooks which could easily contain clues to her habits, friends, and other helpful information, but according to her mother, no one took anything. She remembers one of them flipping through some of the journals and deciding there was nothing useful. James is disgusted by the lack of thoroughness and wonders who the genius is that led the investigation.

  There’s a box of photos under the bed, lots of the girl making silly faces with her friends but many of the people her mother doesn’t know, and she launches into a rambling reflection. "I guess she had a life of her own, but I still feel guilty that I did not keep better tabs on who she was hanging out with and now she’s gone. I thought I did everything right, raising her with morals and religion. She was an honor student and a very good girl, she did anything to help out her sisters and brother."

  James hesitates, then inquires if Elizabeth is adopted. "Yes, she was, just like all of our children, we’ve taken in six over the years and all of them ended up staying. I could not have children of my own, but I have plenty of love to give. Why do you ask?"

  James pauses a moment before replying. "I’m looking for her father, and would like to ask him some questions, do you know who he is?"

  "No, I’m sorry, we don't know who her mother is either, all our children are closed adoptions. They don’t share any information regarding where the kids come from."

  "Do you have the attorney information, who handled her case?"

  "Not off-hand, but I can see if I can find her original paperwork from when she was brought to us. Elizabeth was an emergency foster, she was supposed to live with us temporarily while child services found a suitable home for her, but we just fell in love with her beautiful big blue eyes, we knew she was something special from the moment we laid eyes on her. She was smart and polite from her very first words. She learned quickly and was extremely affectionate. Whatever happened to make her available for adoption had not affected her personality at all. So many of the children are emotionally damaged and insecure. She was our little angel. Perfect in every way. When they told us six months later that she had been rel
eased for adoption we immediately petitioned for permanent custody. She was doing so well in our home that they made it permanent that same month. There were no objections and no one else attempted to take her from us. Actually she was the easiest of our children to finalize. I'm not sure how any of this is relevant?"

  James waits a respectful moment. "I would like to speak with your husband too if that’s possible."

  "I’m sorry, he passed away a few months ago, he had a stroke, and died at the hospital four hours later. He took Elizabeth’s disappearance really hard, and I think it was really a broken heart that took him from us. He never was the same after she disappeared. Well at least now I know she’s not out there suffering anymore, she has found her place beside God and no one can hurt her ever again. I hope I have been of some help to you, I know I did not give you much, but please feel free to take the journals with you and anything else that you think might help. My door is always open. Just find out what happened to my baby!"

  "Thank you, I would like to take some things from her room, I am just going to get an evidence box. Please feel free to come in and help me sort through."

  James spends the bulk of the afternoon getting to know who Elizabeth was and how she lived. The papers, notes, photographs and journals he finds are placed in the box for review. He will know everything there is to know about this girl, and he will find whoever killed her. Elizabeth’s mother tells him, "if they find the baby she will gladly care for her grandchild." She walks out to the car with him and thanks him for spending so much time with her, saying; "at least it feels like you actually care about what happened and that makes me feel some semblance of hope that justice may be served."