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

There is no happy man with scruffy hair waiting to greet his two favorite ladies. There is only cold air and faded memories.
    Tentatively I take a step into the foyer and look around. I’m not sure what I think is going to happen. Maybe goblins and ghouls to appear, but to my relief, it’s still silent. I can feel Alec relax imperceptibly next to me, and I know the coast is clear.
    Right down to business. I have a mission, and I need to focus on it to keep me from breaking down.
    "OK, so maybe we should check my dad’s study. He kept all sorts of books in there."
    I lead the way into the study. It reminds me of a college professor’s office. The smell of paper and ink instantly put me at ease. I start sorting through books on the shelves lining the right wall.
    "I can't remember what it looks like. It was so long ago, and it isn’t like there is any rhyme or reason to my father's collection as far as I can tell." I sigh in frustration. I had hoped to walk in, find it and be out in five minutes or less. Why on earth do I think anything could be that easy?
    "Patience grasshopper." Alec tries to diffuse my tension. I notice the more frustrated I get, the more at ease he gets. It’s like we are two sides to a coin with our mindsets. It’s disconcerting to know we make such a good team without really knowing each other.
    This prompts a thought. "Why do you always ask about me and give nothing of yourself in return?"
    He stops his search of the left wall. "Um, I don’t know? What do you want to know?"
    "Anything really. I just feel like I don’t know anything about you, besides you are a guardian, and I am your charge. What's your favorite food, book, hairstyle, anything."
    He chuckles. "My favorite food is anything edible. Favorite book, well, I don’t read a lot outside of my studies and fashion doesn’t interest me."
    "Wow, how insightful," I say sarcastically. "Wait, you don’t read? How does anyone not read?"
    "Not all of us are bookworms, you know."
    "Yeah. But still books are the way of escape; to enter into a fantasy world."
    "As if you aren’t already doing that."
    "Well yeah, but you know what I mean. I don’t necessarily have a favorite book, but my favorite genre is YA fantasy where the reader is drawn into a whole other world of fairies and trolls."
    "Please tell me you aren’t going to make me read a book where vampires glitter and werewolves look like male supermodels."
    I snort. "Not all books are like that you know." I move from the right wall to the desk. Sifting through my father’s things makes me feel like I’m violating his space, like a common thief.
    "I’ll make you a deal. You find me a good book, and I’ll try to sit and read it."
    I notice a false bottom in one of the drawers and shimmy it open with a pair of scissors. It’s here, tattered edges and all. I can’t grab it. My body feels limp at the sight of a childhood relic, and the memories cause a lump in my throat.
    "Or, better yet. How about I read this one?" Alec is behind me, and I jump a little. He reaches in and grabs the book. He turns it over in his hands. "Hmm, Bright Fire Saves The Day by Cassandra Park." He flips through the pages, and a slip of paper falls out.
    He picks it up and hands it to me without even looking at it. "It’s for you."
    "How do you know?"
    "Well, I know it’s not for me and you are the only other person who knew about the book. My guess is it’s for you."
    My hands are trembling. I want to read it, but I want to read it in private. This is a moment between me and my dad, not Alec.
    He must read my face because he clears his throat. "I’m going to do a sweep through the house." He quietly slinks out of the study and disappears behind the door.

 
     
     
     
     
    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