Blurb:
In
one month, seventeen-year-old Cara Tillman will die. But until then, she plans
to enjoy every look, touch and kiss with her boyfriend Logan, the new boy in
Ashlan Falls. Cara is a descendant of the mythical Phoenix bird, and her
rebirth is nearing. But first, she must die and forget all that she knew
before, including Logan's face, his laugh, and the way he says her name. With
precious little time left for the two of them, Cara does all she can to savor
every moment, unwittingly drawing a Phoenix hunter to her doorstep with every
move.
Excerpt:
In one month, I’m going to die and be
reborn from my own ashes. I’ll forget everything and nearly everyone I know.
But I can’t worry about that right now. Jeremy needs me, and I need him to
remember. Please remember me.
The
fire alarm screeches, making me jump, and thick smoke wafts up from the
basement. This is more than Jeremy setting his pillow on fire again. It’s time.
He’s going to be reborn. Mom and I exchange a look, and the panic that washes
over her face sends my heart racing. “He’ll be fine,” she says, but I’m not
sure if she’s trying to convince me or herself. We rush downstairs to find
Jeremy standing next to his bed, staring at his arms, already beginning to
ripple with the first signs of fire. I don’t know which of us is more freaked
out right now.
Mom
grabs the broom we’ve kept by the stairs for just this occasion, and she
smashes it against the blaring fire alarm, sending it crashing to the floor.
“Remove the batteries, and hurry. The last thing we need is the fire department
showing up,” she says as she picks up the alarm and shoves it into my hands.
I
scramble to get the battery compartment to open, but my hands are shaking so
much I can’t get the panel off. Mom shoots me a look. The screeching must be
making her nerves worse, just like it’s doing to me. I scream, putting all my
fear and frustration into that stupid alarm. The compartment finally opens, and
I yank the batteries out, tossing them and the alarm to the ground. I’m already
breathing heavily and the worst is still to come. I can smell Jeremy’s flesh
burning, reminding me that my baby brother is dying.
“We
have to get him to the bathtub before he burns the whole room down.” Mom’s
voice is calm, and she’s already leading Jeremy to the bathroom. I follow, not
having a clue what to do or how to help. He steps into the tub and stares at
Mom. The expression on his face reminds me of when he was four years old and
he’d crawl into bed with me after having a bad dream. If only I knew how to
comfort him now.
“Relax,
Jeremy. The flames won’t harm you. Keep telling yourself that. There’s no pain
during a rebirth, and your body will know what to do on its own. Don’t fight
it.” Even though her voice is steady and reassuring, Mom’s eyes fill with
tears. She’s scared for Jeremy.
“Remember,”
he chokes out. The word is followed by a puff of smoke.
“I
promise you’ll remember us.” Mom forces a smile, the strain of her sorrow
evident in the lines of her face.
The
only people he’ll remember when he’s reborn will be our kind, the Phoenixes.
Everyone else will be a stranger to him, no matter how close they once were.
Jeremy won’t even remember me as anything other than his sister. He’ll know
we’re related, but all those memories...they’ll be gone. I’ll mean virtually
nothing to the one person who should know me best in this world. My insides
lurch as Jeremy studies my face like he’s trying to take in every detail. I try
to tell him I love him, but the words get caught in my throat.
Mom
reaches for his hand, but flames rise from his fingers and palm. She grabs the
shower curtain, yanking it down before it catches fire.
I
bite my tongue to hold back my tears as the flames spread up Jeremy’s arms and
across his chest. They dance and flicker until only his head is visible. I step
closer, wanting the fire to consume me too. It has to be better than the agony
of knowing I’m going to lose everything, starting with Jeremy.
“I’m
so proud of you, Jeremy.” Mom’s eyes are puffy and red as she forces herself to
coach him through this.
I’m
terrified for Jeremy but jealous at the same time. He’s my little brother, but
in a way, going through the rebirthing process makes him the older one now. I
shudder as flames shoot from where Jeremy’s eyes used to be. It’s like
something straight out of a horror movie. My eyes close, unable to watch
anymore. When I force them open again, Jeremy is gone. Nothing but a pile of
ashes remains.
I
can barely breathe thanks to the hollow feeling in my chest, but I force myself
to ask, “What’s going to happen?” I never stopped to think about the whole
rising out of the ashes part. I kind of assumed that was a metaphorical thing,
that the flames would die out and he’d still be standing there—only different
somehow. But Jeremy is gone, and it feels like he took a part of me with him.
Mom
squeezes my hand. “It will be okay. Give him time.” She bites her lower lip,
probably to stop it from shaking.
My
heart hammers with each passing second. Why is this taking so long? I count in
my head. Forty-five seconds. Fifty. Fifty-five. The tension in the air is
strangling me, and if I have to wait much longer, my heart is going to burst
from my chest. “Jer,” I choke out. The ashes stir and begin to take shape.
“Jeremy?” Steaming hot tears burn my eyes as I stare at the ashes and silently
pray that my brother is all right. My nails dig into my palms, and I don’t
breathe until Jeremy’s lying in the bathtub in the same pajamas he was wearing
when this began. I swallow the lump in my throat, but I can’t speak. I’m
frozen, wondering what he’ll remember and if he’s really okay. I’m afraid to
touch him. Afraid he’s not real.
Mom
breathes out long and hard and relief washes over her features. She reaches for
Jeremy’s hand, but he backs away. A vague recognition flashes across his face,
but there’s nothing behind it—no feeling. He knows who we are, but it’s clear
he doesn’t remember much else, like the fact that he loves us and we love him.
I knew this would happen, but my God, it’s killing me.
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-the-fire-ashelyn-drake/1119917462?ean=9781939765017
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17452685-into-the-fire
Ashelyn Drake:
Ashelyn Drake is a New Adult and Young Adult romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency. Drake also writes speculative fiction as Kelly Hashway.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshelynDrake
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