Bright Fire (Bright Fire Series Book 1) (7 page)

Chapter

18

"What the crap was that? OMG, what are you? Who was she?" She’s starting to hyperventilate. I rush toward her and grab her shoulders, ignoring the way she draws back slightly.

"Lyla, what are you doing here?" I don't sound mad, just confused.

"I was worried. So, I went to your house to check on you, and you were walking out with that freak Alec. I thought you were only going to talk to him." I stiffen. "Anyways, I followed you here. Then that Tomb Raider wannabe broke in giving me the chance to sneak in and.. Oh my god is that lady really dead?"

I snap back to reality and run towards the back. Alec is out cold. I run to Cass. She’s still breathing, but barely. She looks up at me with calm eyes.

"Should I pull the knife out?" She nods and with shaking hands, I grab the knife. It's not like in the movies where it just pops out. I have to put a lot of weight behind it. Without the knife to staunch the bleeding, the blood is really starting flow. I put my hands over the wound.

I’m crying uncontrollably because I can’t get the bleeding to stop. I don't know this woman very well. I just know she’s important to me. I don't know why, it’s just a feeling. "Please, please, don't die!"

I scream at Lyla, "Call 911!"

Cass shakes her head. "Please! You need an ambulance." I’m trembling, and my tears drop down my face and hit her body. She relaxes as if my tears make her feel better. "Cass you need to stay with me. You need to keep your eyes open." I grab the blanket off the chair and put it against her wound. I have to stop the bleeding.

She grabs my wrist hard. "You can do it Bright Fire." Her hand drops and her head lolls to the side. She isn’t moving. She isn't breathing. She’s dead.

A scream of pain and rage rips through me. I throw my body onto hers gripping her tightly and sobbing uncontrollably. Lyla tries to pull me off of her, but I hold tight. I beg whatever force there is from above to bring her back. I feel bound to her as if her death is shattering me and I can't explain it.

I feel something against my hair and slap it away.

"Ow." I jerk up. It’s Cass's voice I hear, I’m sure of it. I look down, and sure enough her eyes are open. My jaw drops. “I told you you could do it," she says weakly. I pull the blanket from her chest and stare at her sternum. There is no wound. If it weren't for the blood I wouldn't know anything happened.

"What the hell? I don't understand. I saw you die; you were just dead. I swear."

She slowly nods.

"And now your not."

She nods again.

"How?"

"Think of who your father is. You gained a skill from your mother; it was only natural for you to gain one from your father. I'm just glad it was the power over death instead of money." She chuckles softly. "Can you help me up?"

I grab her shoulders and slowly pull her up. I lean her back against the wall. "I brought you back? How?"

"How did you make that vine grow? It's all in your genes. You just didn't know how to tap into it."

"You knew, didn't you?" I say accusingly. "That's why you weren't afraid. You looked peaceful. You knew."

"Yes and no. I knew you had gifts, and I knew it wasn't my time, because I've seen my future with you. But fate is a fickle bitch sometimes." She smirks. "So I took the risk."

"That's why you baited her, to give Alec and me time to react."

She nods.

Alec. I turn to see Lyla probing his head for injury. She pulls her hand back and slaps him across the face with a resounding crack.

"Lyla!"

"What? He has no bumps, and I needed to wake him up."

Alec stirs, looks at Lyla and says, "what is it with you girls and slapping?"

She arches her eyebrow at me.

I let out a sigh and drop in the chair.

Chapter

19

All four of us are sitting around the table in the back area staring at each other. The awkward silence is almost tangible. Alec seems perfectly fine, though I suspect he has a headache, at the very least. Cass is looking better. She’s a little pale, but mostly looks tired. She takes a sip of her tea. I can't take the silence anymore.

"So…" I draw out the word.

"So." Cass mirrors.

She turns and looks at Lyla. She extends her hand. "Hello Lyla, I'm Cass." She stares at Cass momentarily stunned by the fact that she knows who she is, and shakes her hand. "I’m sorry you had to witness that. I suppose it was quite traumatic."

"You think!" she snaps. I feel the rant coming before she lets it out. "What the heck happened back there? How do you know my name? What is going on? You were dead; my best friend made a plant strangle someone and brought you back from the dead. Either I am having some wicked hallucinations or am in an effed up dream." She’s hyperventilating again.

"Lyla. Relax. You are not dreaming or hallucinating." Cass sets her hand on Lyla’s, and she calms down instantly. "I am a seer of sorts. I have the gift of knowing things before they happen. Thus, I knew who you were before you got here. Dell, is a different story which I will let her tell you, but she has the gift of resurrection and a green thumb so to speak." She’s the only one laughing at her little joke.

Lyla sighs, turns to me, and instantly tenses up again. "You lied to me." Her eyes are narrow. "How do you do that to your best friend?"

I shrink further in my chair, and the guilt washes over me.

Alec steps in, taking pity on me. "That was my fault. I told her not to tell you the truth for your safety."

She glares at us both. "You chose to follow this freaks order," she jerks a thumb at him, "instead of telling me the truth. What is he even doing here?"

I stiffen. "A.) He's not a freak; he's a guardian. So stop calling him that. And b.) he's here because he saved my life, more than once."

She lets out a long breath.

Cass interrupts our staring contest. "Alec, why don't you and I go to the front and give these girls some privacy? I can use your help lifting some boxes." They get up. Alec looks to me for approval, and I nod. Lyla rolls her eyes. And they walk away.

She points at me. "You have some serious explaining to do."

"First of all, I don't owe you anything. Secondly, I didn't lie. I just told you the basics," I’m yelling at her. I take a deep breath to calm down. She doesn't deserve this. I know that my emotions are just on overdrive. I can tell because the bamboo plant in the corner shoots up hitting the ceiling, causing bits of white to fall to the ground.

"Look, I'm new at all of this and I've had a rough few days. I don't know what to do or think, and I could use some understanding." She softens, but just a little. "I didn't lie. My dad is a psychopath, my mom is his prisoner, and I really did want to keep you and your mom safe."

She grabs my hand. "I know I'm just butt hurt because I've been lonely while you've been galavanting with the fr— I mean, Alec. I was scared I'd never see you again." Her eyes are glistening.

I put my hand up. "Nope, no tears. If you cry, I'll cry, and we will be like a bad cliché."

She chuckles lightly.

"Look, I wanted to tell you but I was afraid you would like not wanna be my friend because I can do freaky things and am pretty much the spawn of Satan."

She looks confused. "Aww come on you're not the spawn of Satan just because your dad is a psycho." She looks at me sympathetically.

"No, I am technically the spawn of Satan." I decide it’s time to come clean, so I dive head first and tell her the story from beginning to end.

"Woah." It’s all she says for a minute. "You
are
actually the spawn of Satan. Well, Hades, anyway and now you are signed up for a dangerous quest to save your mother like Zelda or something. That's actually … Pretty freaking awesome!" she blurts out.

"Yeah," I say half-heartedly.

"Well, except for your parents dying. That part sucks," she says sheepishly. Her cheeks turn pink.

"I know what you mean." I squeeze her hand to let her know I’m not offended. Much. "So you're ok with all of this?"

"Well yeah. I mean, I'm still a little freaked out." My shoulders slump. "No, not by you. Your powers are kind of cool. More about the whole doom and gloom, you could die part."

I’m relieved that she isn't looking at me like a sideshow anymore.

"So, what do we do?" She infuses her voice with pep to show support.

"Um, we aren't going to do anything. I can't let you get involved it's too risky." No way am I going to have her death on my hands.

"Yes you can," she says. "I’m here with you, and I may not have powers, but I’ve got mad sidekick skills."

"She's right you know." I jump. Cass puts a hand on my shoulder. "You can't do this alone, and she will prove to be quite useful. You just can't see it yet." She beams at Lyla.

"Yeah, not all of us have a future helper cheat sheet, you know."

My mood doesn't phase her. "Yes, that's true."

"OK, I'll let her help, but only if you promise her future doesn't involve a fiery death. And if you see anything bad happening to her, you tell me."

She nods.

"Where do we start?" Lyla asks.

Cass looks at the clock. "Well first, you go home."

"What?!" Lyla’s voice is at a decibel only dogs should be able to hear.

"Calm down. It's almost past your curfew, and we can't afford to have your mom send the police around town looking for you. No, you can go home and rest; which is all we will be doing here anyways."

"OK," she mumbles. She looks like someone just broke her favorite set of earrings. She gets up to leave, and runs back to give me a rib-crushing hug. "I am really glad your not dead." And then she’s gone.

Cass sits down next me, and we sit in silence for a moment. "I expect you have more questions for me. I'll allow you one more before I insist you get some rest."

There are too many to count. "What did Cela mean by family reunion?"

"Well, technically I am your Godmother. Your mother, Persephone, and I used to be best friends. When Hermes gave you to your father, he told her Persephone wanted me to be your Godmother. She requested that, should anything happen to him, that you would be placed in my care." She has a nostalgic look on her face.

I’m shocked and quickly work to pull my face together. "I can live with that." Her smile is half-hearted. "You miss her." It’s not a question.

She looks so sad. "Yes. You can't imagine millennia without your other half. That is why it is so important for you to allow Lyla to stay in your life." She stands up and says, "come on. It's time to rest."

"Where?"

"My place, of course." She smiles as if it’s a silly question.

Again, I ask, "Where?"

Chapter 20

"Follow me." She leads me up a set of stairs I didn't notice before. This place is actually bigger than I thought. Walking into the upstairs portion of the store is like walking into a castle. Downstairs looks like an old lady's occult shop, and this place looks fit for a queen. Well, if I remember correctly Cass is a princess. Technically.

I trail her into a large bedroom, and she waves at the whole room. "This is where you will be staying."

I gape at her. I turn to the ornate four poster bed, and I suddenly feel very sleepy.

"Like I said, I have been expecting you." She sees my gaze on the bed and misreads my expression. "Do you not like it? I can trade out the bed tomorrow if you'd like." For the first time, she sounds worried.

"No! It's perfect." And I do the unexpected. I turn and give her a giant hug and kiss her in the cheek. "Goodnight."

She smiles from ear to ear. "Goodnight, Bright Fire." She closes the door as she walks out.

I throw myself on the bed, not caring that I still have my jeans on and fall instantly asleep.

~~~~

Persephone
is standing in front of me in the same white gown as before. She smiles, "My Darling Delfia." She runs her hand down my face. "You have been so strong. I am so proud of you. You are where you are meant to be."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"What you are doing now. Trusting the people who are meant to help you succeed. You'll know the rest when the time is right. We will be together again, I promise."

Same as she did before, she fades slowly and says, "I love you, my child."

I wake up alone. What a relief. No gray eyes are staring at me. I sigh and roll over. The clock says it’s 9:00am. For the first time in days, I feel rested, at peace. This place can do that to a person. There is a light tap in the door.

"Dell, honey are you awake?" It’s Cass.

"Yeah, come in." I sit up against the head rest and rub the sleep out of my eyes. Instantly the smell of coffee hits my nose, and it is heaven.

Cass hands me the cup. "I figured you could use a pick me up. You do like coffee right?"

"Yeah, but I'd have to sneak it at home. My parents always said it would stunt my growth." The memory makes me smile.

"It's our little secret then. Alec went to get breakfast. He says you like sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits." She wrinkles her nose like a bunny.

I laugh. "Yeah. What's wrong with that?"

"Too meaty for me."

"You’re vegetarian? But you look so healthy."

"Well, you know being immortal does that to a gal." She laughs.

"Oh right, it's ok that I eat meat right?" I’m suddenly worried about offending her.

"Oh, of course. I'm not like one of those animal right fanatics. I just don't like the taste that's all."

Phew.

"Knock, knock. Mind if I join the party?" Alec holds a bag of food up to me.

"How about we take the party downstairs? I don't want to get food on my bed."

Cass sigh. "Thank you. I didn't want get all OCD on you."

I smile and get out of bed.

~~~~

While
we are eating breakfast, the three of us get to work on coming up with a plan. An hour of spinning our wheels has me irritated.

"So what are we going to do?" I ask.

"According to the prophecy, you have to free Persephone from the Underworld. It's not as easy as one would hope for." Cass is in full teacher mode.

"Here I thought we were just gonna wish it so, click our heels together and she'd be here," I say sarcastically.

"Wow. Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Lyla is behind me. I didn't even hear her come in.

"It's OK, Lyla, I'm sure she's just feeling the pressure." Cass tries to calm the tension.

"Yeah, you’re probably right. She gets that way sometimes before exams." Lyla agrees.

"Hello! Guys I’m right here. Can you not talk about me like I'm in another room?" I huff.

"Then act like you are here and participate," Cass chides. "You have yet to throw an idea out there. Alec, Lyla, and myself are here for support and guidance, not to do the work while you twiddle your thumbs. This is a team effort."

That knocks me down a peg. I guess I have been kind of awful to them for most of the morning. "Sorry, you’re right. So how do we get to the Underworld?"

"I think Hermes can help with that."

"What, like Hermes, Hermes? Messenger with winged shoes Hermes?" I balk.

"Yes, that would be the one."

"How do we get in touch with him?"

"No clue," she says matter of factly. "I am going to have to put feelers out to see how to reach him."

"What? Can't you just see where he is going to be?"

"It doesn't work that way. I don't twitch my nose and get a vision. If I'm meant to see it; I will but only when I'm meant to see it. It's hard to explain."

"I get it."

"Besides, he doesn't want to be found. He's in hiding. Hades found out about him helping your mother and ordered his capture," she says.

"Oh, dang." I slump forward and put my chin in my hands. I’m pouting.

"Um, guys, we are forgetting one key thing," Lyla speaks and the three of us turn to stare at her. "Well, say you find Hermes, and you get there. How are you going to get to your mom without getting caught or killed?"

Alec speaks up, "Wow. That's a good point." I know he is just placating her.

"Don't be so shocked." She grins. I don’t like the way she’s looking at him all flirty.

"So, we need to sneak in to avoid the killed part." His eyes are getting brighter. I can tell this is his element. "We will need a way to distract Hades to avoid the getting caught part. But we also need a backup plan in case we do get caught." His eyebrows scrunch together in concentration.

"I’ve got it!" Lyla darts off to the bookshelves. She scans them for a minute and plucks one off the shelf. She skims through it, looks up at Cass. "Do you mind?" She holds up the book to get permission to use it.

"Be my guest."

She’s still skimming. "Any day now, Lyla, the suspense is killing me." She plops the book down and turns it for me to read. "Sirens? You can't be serious?"

"Sure I am. See they have these harps that when played, can draw a man to the sound. Since Hades is technically a guy, it should lure him out while you go in." She is serious.

"But Lyla, where are we going to find a siren’s harp?"

"Well.." She taps her finger on her chin.

"We research accident records surrounding bodies of water of course!" Alec’s eyes are bright. "It's brilliant!"

"What about our backup plan? Or have we decided kicking his shins will suffice?" This plan is shabby at best, and I’m not feeling confident.

Cass interjects, "I may have an idea for that one. You need weapons, and I know where you can get them. Granted Endeis isn't the easiest to deal with, but she should be able to help."

Alec's eyes are as large as half dollar coins. "Endeis the centaur?" Does he know about every mythical creature?

"Yes," Cass confirms.

"Aren't centaurs supposed to be savages?" I start to worry.

"Oh, trust me, she's nothing like a normal centaur."

"Don't worry, Dell," Alec says. "I’ll be with you."

"Self-aggrandizing much?" Lyla snorts.

"It'll all work out; you'll see," Cass assures me.