Embracing the Shadows Read Online Free PDF

couldn't-give-a-shit driver
is no way to go.
    Taking the last corner on what might've been
only two screaming tires, I saw a small group of people out front
of Realm Tower. How nice - a welcoming party. I drove the driver's
side of the van up onto the wide sidewalk and screeched to a halt.
As soon as I hopped out, two of the men outside trained their
assault rifles on me. They stood fifty feet away on either side of
the main entry; big glass doors which opened into a huge lobby that
I'd walked through a couple times before.
    Besides the two armed guards, there was some
dude off to the left who was lingering casually up against an
ornamental light post. There was also a silhouetted figure watching
from the dimly lit lobby. I practically ignored them both, instead
focusing on the guy standing in front of the doors and between the
guards. It was Evan Dean, Adept and douchebag extraordinaire.
    I started walking right for him. I was less
than halfway to the doors when a single round went off loudly, and
a bullet pinged off the cement in front of me. I resisted the
demanding call that urged me forward, but just barely. I was
shaking with the effort of standing in place.
    "Ah, so the rumor was false," Evan said with
a smirk while lazily swinging chains in his hands. "Myself, I never
believed a single thing your dog-woman ever mumbled through her
dirty scarf. Who would take the word of a disgusting Deviant? They
are nothing but unhinged thieves and liars, all of them. And now
you stand here before me, Mr. Beck, proving my words true."
    "I don't want any trouble," I said through
gritted teeth. "I just need to go see Le Meur."
    "Well of course you do. A calling of immense
power, was it not? I'm told that my Lady made a strenuous effort to
beckon you, the troublesome and tenacious human that rightfully
belongs to her. But I can't let you go storming into Realm
headquarters without an escort. That would be imprudent and against
orders. No, no, Mr. Beck," Evan explained as he held out the chains
that I suddenly realized were two sets of shackles, "you will be
presented with the proper attire. Now, remove your weapons and
kneel."
    Slowly, I stepped forward - not with a surge
of bravery, or because I had balls too big for my own good. The
pull, the mental summons, was dragging me forward. And I sure as
hell wasn't going to kneel in front of that cocksucker. "No," I
growled, taking another step. "Your guards are gonna have to kill
me."
    Another loud report went off, and I felt like
I got hit in the stomach with a hammer. Evan laughed when I doubled
over clutching my midsection. "Rubber bullets, Mr. Beck - I'm sure
you'll survive. And as much as I would enjoy giving the order to
have you put down like a dog, Lady Le Meur demanded that you be
alive and coherent when you submit to her once again. She would
much rather enjoy you groveling at her feet than having to dump
your corpse down a storm drain."
    I looked down at my boots, willing them not
to move. As my right foot began to slide forward, a brown rat
darted in front of me, paused, and then scurried off. My mind
flooded with thoughts of Viggo; his honor, the respect and trust he
gave, and the expectations of his favor. I couldn't let him down,
couldn't be weak. I raised my head and stared Evan in the eye.
"Fuck you, and fuck your Lady, too. I'm leaving."
    His expression changed from smug to stunned,
which strengthened my resolve. The guards lifted their guns to take
aim; they were gonna have to shoot me in the back to stop me. As I
turned, I saw the guy off to my left make a simple gesture. I took
half a second to look him over. Black dude, average height,
athletic build, cardigan and slacks, short hair, thin beard, and
held a cane in his hand. It was Moses Dupree, the toady of
Tomasino. He wasn't looking at me, though. He was looking behind
me.
    I spun, turning my back on Evan, the guards,
and Realm Tower. Standing in front of the open van door, sporting a
jacket with the Realm logo on it,