Gloom Rising (The Book Wielder Saga 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

unbeknownst to the world that hid behind their own, Lucius' eyes would appear a more natural colour, as was the illusion power of all Supernaturals. Anyone who knew the truth could see their real colour. Vampires all had red eyes, Werewolves had yellow, and Mages had purple.
    The room was well lit by elegant lamps (thankfully electric, not witchlight) and exquisitely furnished. Half a dozen members of Lucius' personal guard, Supernaturals and human alike, were also in the room. All were well dressed in costly suits and well-armed with high calibre pistols.
    "I take it you have it?" Lucius said in a soft calm voice that still managed to command great authority and respect.
    Winston produced the quill. It was no longer beaming with light as it was in the Gloom but it still glowed slightly. "That's not all." He recounted a detailed event of what had transpired within the Gloom.
    Lucius was taken aback. "So not only did you succeed in bringing me the artefact, you can speak to the Freaks, you made a deal with them that will greatly empower my gang beyond all others, and to top it all off you found me another Book Wielder that wants to defect from the Trinity? I think this is the start of a wonderful working relationship." He reached over his desk and shook Winston's hand. "Welcome to the Shadow Circle."
    He tried to hide his excitement about being let into the gang and replied as nonchalantly as possible, "Thank you Lucius."
    "Now you hold on to the quill as it seems that you will be utilising it in the near future. I'll begin making the arrangements necessary to get this trade with your Mayor friend in the works. We'll add you to the payroll tomorrow. You'll receive a generous amount of Credits every week and a bonus lump sum for what you've done tonight, and if all goes well with the trade agreement you'll receive a substantial amount more per week. In the meantime you'll be required to make regular trips into the Gloom across our various territories to keep us well supplied. All sound acceptable so far?"
    "Yes, definitely, perfectly acceptable." Winston made his book shrink until it was the size of a pocket-sized notepad and put it away in his suit along with the quill.
    Lucius continued, "I'll have a luxury room here made available for you to live in. If anyone mundane outside this place asks, say you work here as a hotel manager. Everyone here in the hotel is under my payroll so don't worry about it too much inside – just stay smart. I checked your files and they say you currently live with your parents in Woodsholme. Will this move be problematic?"
    "No, it shouldn't be. I told them I was coming to the Capital City for a job interview and that I could be living somewhere here if it went well. We're not that close anyway, to be honest."
    "Good. Well that should make this go a bit smoother then. You'll travel to your home village tomorrow with your personal guard, who you will be introduced to tonight, to pick your things up. While you're back in those parts, do a resupply run for your old boss Gregory at his club. He should've told me about you a lot sooner than he did, but he's still a good Captain of my gang nonetheless.
    “Whilst you are in Woodsholme I shall look into acquiring this Lewis character and get him to ferry a message to the Freak Mayor ironing out some o2f the trade details. Hopefully he’ll be able to understand well enough – if not we’ll have to resort to something like diagrams and a ‘thumbs-ups’ until you return to speak to him,” he chuckled. “If all goes well we’ll be able to attempt the trade when you are back and you’ll be a significantly richer man.”
    "Okay, sounds good.” Winston looked down at the dust covered, demon splattered remains of his best suit. “I don't suppose there's any chance I could get a change of clothes?"
    Lucius laughed. "Yes, of course, you must be in a hurry to get out of that decimated suit. There should be a suit of your size going spare in this place.