Bright Fire (Bright Fire Series Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter

15

I stare down at the sheet of paper folded with a perfect crease. I take in a shaky breath and open it. Alec had been right it is from my dad to me:

Delfia,

I know that if you are reading this, I am no longer with you. I know that you must be carrying a deep pain within your heart, and I implore you to let it go. This is my destiny. I had the honor of raising a beautiful, kindhearted young woman who will go on to do great things.

I trust by now that you know that I was the guardian assigned to protect you. I want you to understand that while that may be true, I love you as my own, and you will forever remain my daughter. I hope this book gives you solace. A piece of me to carry with you to guide your way.

I do not claim to know the future, but I know someone who can help. Cassandra Park is a dear friend of mine who will help you through the days to come. Trust her as you have trusted me. I may no longer be with you, but I will always be in your heart. I love you my precious Bright Fire.

Love always,

Dad

My vision is blurring with the tears that threaten to spill over. If he had known something like this was going to happen, why didn't he run? Why die for me? Why die at all?

"Knock, knock." Alec's head peers through the door. He sees the sadness in my face. And turns red with chagrin. "Sorry, I'll go look for something over there." He points at a random spot.

"No, no. It's ok." I wipe at my eyes. "You should be used to this by now." I half smile. "It's all just too much you know. All of this over the course of such a short time would be hard for anyone to adjust to. I just can't help but wonder what is the point?"

"It will get better over time. Trust me I know. You said you wanted to know something about me. My parents died when I was seven. Car crash. It hurt for a long time but then I realized I still carried them with me here." He puts his hand over his heart. "Focus on that."

My jaw drops. It is probably the most sincere thing he’s said to me so far. It throws my brain for a loop. This boy is definitely full of surprises.

"Be careful or you'll catch flies with your mouth hanging open like that." He smirks.

I sort of laugh nervously. A laugh I'd never made before and smile. What the hell is happening? I look up into his gray eyes, and I’m drawn forward. He starts to lean toward me, and all of a sudden there is a thud. One of the books on the desk topple over, and I take this moment to clear my senses. I so can’t be doing this right now.

I step back awkwardly. "Um, I'm going to go grab some things. I’ll only be a minute." My heart is racing, and I turn and head towards the stairs. I do not want to be one of those clichés that fall in love with her savior or whatever. If I’m going to get a boyfriend, it isn’t going to be like this.

I trod up the stairs and veer to the left into my room. Standing alone in my bedroom I feel weird to be back here, yet comforted at the same time. It’s hard to reconcile the pain and the joy. Almost like I’m two different people. I trail my fingers along my desk. Eventually, I’ll have to come back and pack this stuff up.

It’s time to say goodbye for now. I pull out my duffle bag and start to throw random items of clothing in it. I stop, because I realize where I’m going be staying. I take everything out and check it. The silk pajamas have to go. This time I methodically go through my drawers and pick out enough clothing for three days. Flannel pajama bottoms, faded jeans, and band T-shirts.

I go to the bathroom wash my face and brush my teeth packing up the items as I go. Now that I have everything in hand, it’s time to go. My nerves are frayed, and I can use a good night’s rest. I can’t find Alec downstairs. Panicking, I race from room to room. I’m afraid to call out his name and draw attention to myself, in case we aren't alone. Reaching the living room, I let out a sigh of relief. Alec is on the couch fast asleep. It’s quite adorable how he sleeps with his mouth hanging wide open.
Gonna catch flies that way,
I think to myself. Well, it can't hurt to stay the night. I don't have the heart to wake him up.

I go back up to my room. I feel a little wired, so I decide to take a shower to relax. The warm water feels amazing as it washes away the day’s stress. I opt out of blow drying my hair, so I don't wake Alec and climb into bed. I lay here for a moment and stare at the ceiling. I’m wondering about the days to come. I fall fast asleep, and all is black.

Chapter

16

I open my eyes and find a gray pair of eyes staring at me. I jerk back almost falling off the bed. Alec smiles from ear to ear. "Real funny protector boy. What are you going to tell your bosses or whatever they are when you kill me by giving me a heart attack?" He’s still grinning from ear to ear. "What are you smiling at?"

"First of all, it’s protector
man
and I'm smiling because I found Cassandra Park." I perk up instantly. "It wasn’t that hard actually. She is listed in the phone book."

Phone book they still had those? "Wow, when do you want to go see her?" I feel adrenaline starting to pulse through me.

"As soon as you deal with whatever has created a nest on top of your head." My hand flies up.
Shoot,
I went to bed with wet hair. I feel my cheeks burning. "Don’t worry. I think it's adorable."

Adorable?
Five-year-olds, who lose their first tooth, are adorable. "Ugh. Well, if you didn’t pass out I could have blow dried my hair. Give me a minute." I hurry to the bathroom and dig into my bag for my toothbrush and grab a hair tie. I simultaneously brush my teeth and pull my hair back. I’m ready for some answers and don’t want to wait any longer. I pull out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, apply more deodorant, pack my stuff again, and walk back into my room.

He’s lounging on my bed like he owns the place. "Look at that, record time." He looks at his watchless wrist. He’s in high spirits today.

"Great. Let’s go." I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. He swiftly pulls it off my arm and throws it over his. I roll my eyes. I’m an
invalid
for Pete’s sake, but I let it go.

"First, we eat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day you know."

"OK, then we go." I pause; I’m not sure if we have any edible food in the house.

"No you don’t." I stop dead in my tracks eyes wide open with horror. Please tell me he can’t read my mind. That would be embarrassing. "Don’t worry. I'm not a mind reader. I just know there’s no food in the house and that would be the only reason you would hesitate. We can just stop at a fast food joint and grab something to go."

Good thing I have an emergency debit card. I’m going to have to figure out the money and living situation at some point. I lock the door, double checking the knobs and turn toward the driveway. A sudden chill runs up my spine. I have the sneaking suspicion we are being watched. I do a subtle sweep of the street with my eyes. Nothing is out of place. Hmm. I shrug it off and hop in his car.

~~~~

Cassandra
Park's office is on the corner of Main and 1st streets. It’s a tiny little bookstore, no bigger than the average Starbucks. Something tells me she doesn’t get a lot of visitors. Alec and I walk up to the door. There is a sign in the corner of the window advertising psychic readings. Alec opens the door and lets me pass. It smells like patchouli and some other scent I can’t pinpoint. Maybe lavender?

Cassandra Park is not what I expect at all. I envisioned a shriveled old gypsy lady with a road map of wrinkles. The woman in front of me is tall and lioness looking, with chocolate brown hair and matching eyes. She’s wearing chic black square rimmed glasses that instantly make me think of a librarian. She looks up, and her smile goes past ear to ear, showing perfect white teeth.

"Delfia Stryker," she says. "I have been expecting you." What’s with everyone expecting me? I’m starting to feel like I’m in a bad movie. I can’t think of anything to say so I look down and try to memorize the patterns of the carpet.

"Holy crap! I know who you are." Alec is wholly astonished.

"What?" I jerk my head up. "Who is she?"

He states, "she is Cassandra."

"Well, duh, we know that already."

"No, you don’t understand, she is Cassandra, the Daughter of King Priam." I still don't get it, so he continues, "I thought you said you knew mythology."

"No, I said I knew a
little
about mythology," I correct.

"Cassandra has the gift of prophecy, but how? You’re mortal?" He looks puzzled.

"Well well, Alec, you
are
good." She’s still smiling. "Yes I was mortal. But along with the gift of prophecy, I was given the gift of immortality by Apollo. He hopes I’ll change my mind. But that is not important. What
is
important is why you came here, Dell." She lifts my chin, and her eyes drill into mine. "You do look so much like your mother."

"How did you know I was coming?"

She smiles wider, like that is even possible.

"Right. You saw me coming."

"That is correct. I can foresee some events, but only as they pertain to the prophecies I predict. Not to mention your father gave me a heads up."

"Wait, what? Like his ghost told you I was coming?"

She chuckles. "No, he was alive when he told me. He knew they would come for you one day and wanted to make sure you were taken care of. Speaking of which, have you had a chance to look over his will?"

"I didn't know he had one."

"Well yes dear. As I said, he wanted you to be taken care of. You have sufficient funds to last you for quite some time and of course the properties."

"Properties? As in plural?"

"Yes, there are three, but we will get to that later. For now, I suppose you have some questions."

"That would be an understatement." I relax. Something about this woman puts me at ease. That and the fact that my dad had at least set me up for a while.

"Come. Let's sit in the back room." She walks to he door, flips the lock, and turns the Open sign to Closed.

Chapter

17

We follow her through a narrow corridor to the back room that looks like a mini den. I choose a plush chair that almost swallows me whole. Alec smirks. I glare back at him.

"So where to start?" she muses.

"Well, I guess you could start by telling me about the book."

"Right. What do you want to know?"

"Is it about me? In my dad’s letter, he referred to me as his Bright Fire."

"Well, yes, but I assumed you already knew that based on your name."

"Huh?"

She looks bemused at my utter lack of knowledge on the subject of me. "Well, your name means Bright Fire, of course. Del means bright, and Fia means fire. Wow. Your father didn't tell you anything."

I bristle. "Well no, Cassandra, he was too busy being murdered."

"Oh no, don't misunderstand. I'm not judging him. I know he would have done what he deemed best for you. And call me Cass."

"So, I am Bright Fire and I'm supposed to go on a quest?"

"Yes, the prophecy foretells that ‘the Bright Fire is said to be born of life and death and must complete the Warrior’s task to defeat the dark one’."

"Life and death? Warrior’s task?"

"Yes."

"Which means?"

"First, life and death refers to your parents; I presume, since Hades has the power over death and Persephone has the power to bring life to vegetation. Second, the Warrior’s task is simply that; a task that is performed by a warrior. In this case, it refers to the warrior Gadreel’s failed attempt to save your mother. See, Demeter your grandmother had chosen to disobey Zeus’s orders to leave your mother in the Underworld. Obviously, Gadreel was unsuccessful."

"But if she gets to leave every six months, why doesn't she just hide?"

"Dell, you mustn't believe everything you read. She doesn't
actually
get to leave. She simply shifts her power to another person. Hermes used to do it if I'm not mistaken, and he performed her duties for her. But her powers can only be channeled for so long before she gets weak and needs to rest, thus the six-month weather cycles."

My head is spinning. "So you want me to go to the Underworld to re-kidnap Persephone. All while, not getting killed by Hades, is that correct?"

"I do not want this; it is simply what I saw. No, I suspect there is a greater purpose for why you were destined for this path." She looks wistfully at me.

"And that is?"

"I haven't quite figured that one out." Her eyebrows pucker. "Seeing the events to come or predicting prophecies is not as easy as you might think." She frowns.

"And Hades is after me because he thinks I am a threat?"

"Now that is the million dollar question. As I have only told two people, your mother and your father, I haven't a clue how he could have found out."

"Cela," Alec speaks for the first time since sitting down.

"Ahh, it's possible. That would make sense as to why it took them so long to get to you. She can only see so far into the future. And my guess is he was none too pleased," she smiles ruefully.

"Why me? I mean, I'm a nobody and what if I opt out? This is a lot to ask a sixteen-year-old?"

"You are not obligated to do this, but I highly doubt you are the type of person to risk life and death consequences on any person."

Shoot, she has me there. "OK, what do I do? Obviously, I have to free Persephone. I can't very well walk into the Underworld and be like, Hey Dad; I'm home. Can you give me mom or I'll what kick you in the shins."

Alec snorts. "Obviously, I am just a pretty face over here. You know, she is so unappreciative sometimes." He teases. "We need to come up with an action plan; which is where I come in. And I doubt kicking him in the shins will do much besides piss him off."

I hear a strange clicking sound. Alec hears it too because he stiffens and rises to his feet.

"Dell, hide now."

I don’t see anywhere to hide and besides I am done with playing the damsel. How am I to have a chance against Hades if I do nothing but hide at the inkling of a threat? The smell hits me. Cela.

She steps into view, and she is alone. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? A family reunion?"

What was she talking about? "You could say that. Where's your uglier half?"

"Cerberus? Oh, he's a little busy at the moment. I'll send him your regards."

I've had enough of this chick’s antics. "If you’re here to kill me, just get on with it. I have had enough of the monologues."

"My, my, look who's growing a spine. I'll get to you in a minute. Right now, I have another matter to deal with." She looks at Cass.

"Let me guess. You’re mad that I didn't get you a Christmas gift?" There is no fear in her eyes.

"Oh no, this is a separate mission. Apollo says, hi."

"Won't your boss be upset your stepping out on him."

"What Hades doesn't know, won't hurt him."

"But it might hurt you. And let's face it, the world wouldn't miss you would it? I mean after all, you
are
a lesser creature." Why is she baiting her?

It works. "Listen here, Queen Bitch. Who do you think you're talking too?" She’s so livid I’m surprised steam doesn’t rise out of her ears like a cartoon character.

"Someone who needs a shower?"

That does it. In one swift movement, she pulls a knife from the strap around her thigh and hurls it through the air. It lands straight in Cass's chest. I watch in horror as she staggers back and falls into her chair. She looks at me with serene peace in her eyes.

Alec chooses this moment to act. He pulls a knife out of his boot. Where had he been hiding that?

"Little kids shouldn't play with knives," she grins.

"What can I say? I never did abide by the rules."

"So I've heard. You've been on our radar for a while now. You could do great things if you were in our team."

He tenses minutely. "Thanks, but I'll pass." He lunges towards her, slashing her beautiful face. She’s unfazed as she rears back and kicks him square in the chest. He goes flying across the room. She turns to me.

I am locked in the spot unable to move. Suddenly inspiration hits me. There is a plant hanging just above her head. I stare at her. I have to keep her talking. I focus on the plant in my mind pulling all the emotions of the past few days and will the vines to grow.

She starts to step towards me. I need to keep her put.

"Why are you doing this?" I infuse my voice with fear to keep her engaged.

"It's my job. Plus, I genuinely don't like you."

"You don't even know me." I only need a few more feet of vine for my plan to work. "I never did anything to you."

"You exist!" She’s spitting the words at me. "If your perfect mother hadn't gone and got knocked up, Hades would have gotten bored with her long ago."

"You love him?" I feel pity for her, but I remember she killed my father. Just like that, the vines grow another ten feet. They whip around and wrap around her neck. I force them to squeeze just enough to keep her in her place.

Her eyes bulge.

"Listen here,
cretan
. You murdered my parents and for what, a crush?" I want her to pay, but I’m not a murderer. The vines curl tighter and make her face turn a bright shade of red. "Unlike you, I have a soul and I will not taint it by murdering a low-lifer like you. So here's what I want you to do. Leave and don't come back or so help me I'll walk straight into the Underworld and tell Hades everything. Apollo, the lovesick infatuation, and I'll throw in the hatred for my mother for good measure." She’s starting to turn blue. Instantly the vines release and she drops to the ground.

"Go. Now! Before I change my mind."

To my surprise, she listens. She turns and runs back through the corridor to the front. I hear a piercing scream echo through the store. I run to the front. It sounds like… Lyla.