Free Bright Fire (Bright Fire Series Book 1) by M.J. Austin Page A

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