Awakening - Book of Fire (Blood Heritage #1) by Krista Gray-Fee Page A

wants. The huge windows on one wall are balanced with a perfect wall to cover with mirrors; aside from the book shelves lining it, there is nothing to get in the way. She is thrilled and wonders where to put all of these beautiful books. She has no intention of getting rid of them, as she knows they are very special. Each one is old, leather-bound and completely dust free. Like everything else in her grandmother’s world, these books are special, and are here because each one has been well cared for and loved. She pulls a few volumes out and reads the covers. They are all classics, tales of gods and goddesses from a variety of cultures. As Amber explores further, she realizes this is entirely a collection of mythology, history, and occult books. There are a few with her grandmother’s name on the binding which appear to be journals or histories of some sort. She will have to take some time exploring these further. Perhaps it's not time to put them away yet after all.
     
    There is so much she does not know about her grandmother, she only met the woman a couple of times, but Aria recognized the trouble quickly and was the first person Amber had known to try and save her from her problems. The attempt to get her out of the house had come with a price, and Amber had been subjected to the most horrific beating and humiliation of her life. She ran away then, and even her grandmother had lost track of her as she faded into the streets of a new city, with a new name and a new life that was not so much different than what she had left, only she got to chose who she allowed to use her and at least they paid her for it.
     
    She thinks on the kind smile and gentle touch of the woman she barely knew. She remembers her soft hair and the twinkle in her eyes, beautiful blue eyes very much like her own. She remembers the smell of spices and jasmine on her skin when she hugged her, and she remembers the necklace. The curious circle of vines and serpents, she had asked about it and been told that it was a good luck charm, for protection, something to remind her of who she was. There had been a sadness in her eyes when she said those words, and then she had hugged Amber and said "don't worry child, you will be safe, I will find a way to keep you safe." For a few moments, Amber had felt safe. She had felt warm and loved. If only those feelings could have lasted.
     
    Rissa must have known her grandmother, Amber will have to ask her about it in the morning. She spends a long time in the library just touching the splendid volumes. These must be worth a fortune, they probably belong in a museum or a real library, not in the back room of her house. Books somehow feel like comfort: the thick bindings and the crackle of the paper. The love and time spent creating them, and the knowledge they share. Amber learned early how useful knowledge can be. When you are a young girl making your way alone in the world, there is a heavy truth to the saying, knowledge is power. Men are easily manipulated by the helpless act, but when it comes down to it, helpless is dangerous and a girl has to know how to win the battle of wits and wills every time, or she finds herself hurt, or worse.
     
    It is late when James finally calls her. He sounds stressed and tired, but insists he is fine. This case must be wearing on him. She wants to know if he is working on the murder of the missing girl she had seen last night, but knows she should not ask. They spend a few minutes on small talk and she invites him over for dinner the next evening. He accepts and seems a bit happier by the end of their conversation. Neither wants to get off the phone, but exhaustion wins on his end and he reluctantly lets her go. "Sweet dreams," he whispers as he hangs up the phone, and so does she. Neither hears the gentle wish of the other, but the thought lingers between them.
     

Under Lock and Key
     
    Amber begins her day at the Seven Candles working up the courage to ask Rissa about the