Flames in the Midst (The Jade Hale Series) Read Free Page A

the rules of time travel, which I couldn’t completely remember, I would lose the ability to time travel.  In essence, I would be stuck here, so I had to be cautious. 
    “You are safe with us,” my mother spoke to me, but her words were meant for the woman as well.  “I am Diana, and this is Madilyn.  We just rescued her from peril tonight.”  Madilyn brought her drink up to her lips, but the ice clanked in the shaking glass.  She was not ready for the world she had been thrust into, but she didn’t seem to have a choice.  She was probably trying to figure out how to wake up.
    “Jeffery was rescued a week ago,” she indicated the skinny man sitting next to Madilyn.  He smiled cautiously, almost sinisterly at me and then turned back to the bar.  My aunt stood up and walked towards us.  “My sister, Lynn, and I have been working to rescue as many as possible from the changing tide.  Someone is targeting the Unknowns and either killing them or recruiting them.”  I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and I couldn’t find the words to speak.  I heard her words, but I could only think it had been fourteen years since I had last seen her.  She was so beautiful and sure of her purpose.  As much as I hated the life we were both a part of, I envied her self-assured nature.  I envied her confidence this was a gift, not a curse, her confidence she had a greater purpose in the larger battle of good and evil that made all of this worthwhile.
    “Excuse my sister ,” Aunt Lynn interrupted, “She’s a little excited.  This has been a good night for us.”  She glanced at Madilyn who didn’t appear to think tonight had been a good night.  “It’s been a successful night,” she corrected herself, “I’m sorry.  I didn’t catch your name.”  She was staring at me inquisitively again.
    I had to find the strength to speak.  “Ja,” I began, nearly making a monumental mistake.  I didn’t remember all of the rules of time travel, but I was remembering there were specific rules about this first incident.  I couldn’t tell them outright who I was or what I knew.  I could help, but not the way I wanted to help. 
    “Jasmine.”  I corrected myself with the first name I could think of that would fit in with the first two letters I had already stuttered.  A stupid cartoon character. My aunt stopped for a moment and eyed me suspiciously.  I hoped she would figure it out, but then she continued with the introductions.
    “Amy and Justin,” she pointed to the couple at the far end of the bar, “have been with us for a few months now. And Cameron is like a part of the family.  He and his father, Evan, let us use this place as a refuge on nights like tonight.”  The bartender smiled at me, but there was something behind his smile.  It didn’t seem sincere; it was just off somehow.  Now that I was closer to everyone, I could make out faint auras around them, more like a slight tint of what I could normally see.  They faded in and out.  Maybe it was the pina colada fruit smoothies interfering with my one constant ability.  It could be the combination of the alcohol and the time travel. 
    I looked back at Cameron.  What I could see of his aura frightened me.  It was dark and murky like a heavy cloud before a hurricane, but it wasn’t the midnight black I thought I saw at the party.  The party at Zach’s felt like eons ago.
    “Cameron?” Aunt Lynn asked casually, but with a hint of urgency in her voice.  “Can you lock up the door Jasmine came through?”  Then she turned to me, “I’m glad it was left unlocked so you were able to get in, but I hope you will understand we need to keep this place secure.  There is always the chance we were followed, and the locks on those doors will keep the bar hidden from those who wish to do us harm.  You are welcome to stay or go, but once you leave, you will not be able to reenter.”
    I watched Cameron as he walked over to the door.  He didn’t