Gauntlet Rite of Ascension Read Online Free PDF

went back upstairs and took a long hot shower, washing away all the weariness from a long sleep. I let the hot water erase all the weirdness of my dreams and stepped out ten minutes later.
    I got dressed and went downstairs trying to kill some time. I stood in the kitchen looking into the living room.
    The floor plan was open and you could easily see the fireplace mantel from the kitchen. I looked at the picture that had been on the fireplace for years. I walked over to it and picked it up. It was a picture of my mom and dad, taken before my sister and I were born. They both looked so young, my mom a head shorter than my dad. Her blond hair hung down and shone in the bright sun. My dad looked happy. He stood next to my mom and had his arm around her. They both looked like they had their whole lives ahead of them and their futures looked bright.
    I noticed something that I hadn’t ever before. It looked like there was a crease in the picture near my dad.
    Curious, I took the picture down and pulled it out from the back of the frame. Sure enough, the picture had been folded and as I opened it up I saw another man standing next to my dad. He as taller than my dad and almost matched him in sheer physicality. The man wore a dark trench coat and held a dark hat in his hands. He had dark boots and wore black gloves.
    Odd, my mom and dad were dressed as if it was summer. She wore a light dress and my dad wore shorts and a short-sleeved shirt.
    “What the hell?” I said to myself.
    The man looked imposing. He had striking blond hair, eyes that seemed deep and mysterious. He had a small beard that couldn’t quite hide a large scar on his jawline. I was totally transfixed by him.
    “I thought you had your big date tonight?” My sister said, scaring me half to death.
    “Good lord Susan, don’t do that to me.” I said.
    “Don’t be such a wuss. Why are you so jumpy?” She asked.
    “Have you ever seen this? There is a guy standing here next to dad.” I said.
    She came over and looked at the picture.
    “I don’t know, maybe he was a friend that dad had and didn’t have room for him in the frame? Who cares?” She asked.
    “I don’t know, it just seems odd to me.” I said.
    “Well, you can sit there all night or you can go on your date with lover girl.” She teased.
    “Have fun alone tonight.” I teased back.
    She smiled a sly, sneaky smile.
    “I will.” She said.
    “Whatever.” I said, leaving.
    I went to the car and got in. I drove off in moms Cavalier, eagerly going to meet the girl of my dreams.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
     
     
     
    I pulled up to Sara’s house and took a second to focus my thoughts.
    I had to remind myself that if she didn’t like me, she wouldn’t have said yes. That helped a little.
    I steeled myself and went up to her front door. Her house was nice. It was on the other side of town from me. Which meant it wasn’t old. It was single story, but had a large layout. I stood at the entrance and knocked three times. The door opened and I was stunned.
    Sara stood there smiling at me. She wore a tight white sweater that was cut in a V down the front, she wore jeans that hugged her curves marvelously, white flats covered her feet and wore a white ribbon that held her hair up in a controlled, but somehow easy bun.
    I had never seen her hair up and the sight of her exposed neck made my heart do a double thump. I stood there in awe and she noticed.
    “Wow. You look great.” I said.
    “Thanks. Don’t look too bad yourself.” She said as she closed the door and we walked to the car.
    I opened her door for her and helped her get in. I went to the driver’s side and got in myself.
    “Where are we going to eat? I’m starving.” She said.
    “Good, I was thinking of going to Linguini’s. They make the best lasagna.” I said.
    “I love Italian food.” She said.
    “I know, I remember.” I said.
    “When did I tell you