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

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.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter
    21
     
    We work on splitting the tasks in two parts. Lyla and Cass are going to research where to find Hermes and the sirens. Alec and I are going to see Endeis. Lyla isn't thrilled about being left behind, but it’s safer and she is good with research.
    Cass asks to speak with me alone, and we walk upstairs to the sitting room. "I wanted to talk to you before you left for a few reasons. First," she says pulling a box out of her pocket, "I want you to wear this. It's a protective amulet and Endeis can be known to lose her temper. But don't worry it will keep you safe."
    She opens the box and inside is a golden chained necklace with a purple stone. It’s gorgeous, and I’m afraid to