Tales of the Fallen Book I: Awakenings Read Online Free PDF

and down his body with a wave of his hand. “… this is the trick. This is what you want to believe is real. But you know don’t you, Mal?”
    “Know what?”
    “That all this is a façade. You just refuse to admit it to yourself. You know what this is. You know what I am, what Gregory is.”
    Mal hesitated, then shot White a quick nod. “Maybe.”
    White moved to his chair behind his desk and sat, crossing his hands on the desktop and leaning in as if ready to negotiate.
    “What is your reward? What has Gregory offered you for your years of service—your years of sin against humanity?”
    Mal paused for a brief second, then simply said…
     
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    “Salvation.”
    Mal was confused. What the Hell was this guy talking about? Salvation? How can you offer someone salvation? Besides, Mal was pretty sure he was beyond being saved at this point—
    “No one is beyond being saved, Mr. Branch,” replied Gregory, interrupting Mal’s thoughts.
    Mal frowned. “Seriously, man. Knock that crap off.”
    Gregory gave a short, quick apologetic nod. “Forgive me. Sometimes my manners falter.”
    “Yeah, well…” Mal’s mind was already off the subject. He returned to the offer.
    “Let me assure you that I can certainly deliver on my promises, Mr. Branch.”
    Mal’s doubt showed on his face. He looked at the flesh mountain to his left, but got no help from Desmond whatsoever.
    This was his decision—no one here to help him.
    “Do you doubt my power to deliver you into the arms of salvation, Mr. Branch?”
    “Well, come on, Greg. Seriously. Turn on the radio and you can hear a dozen fast-talkin’ Bible thumpers offering to save you.” Mal shrugged. “What makes you so special?”
    Gregory’s intense stare bored into him. “Do you remember what it was like that last night before you awoke unto me?”
    The corner of Mal’s left eye twitched ever so slightly as the memory hit him. He struggled to remain in control and managed to pull off a strained shrug. “Little warm,” he said nonchalantly.
    Gregory’s stare softened. “A master of the cool understatement.”
    “Yeah, well, that which does not kill us… And all that.”
    “Oh, but it did kill you, Mal.”
    Mal bristled.
    “But it was me that pulled you away from death’s embrace and an eternity of damnation,” Gregory stated flatly.
    “Praise the Lord!” Mal exclaimed.
    Gregory stood quickly, and in a flash Mal was flying sideways off his chair.
    “You will not speak light of the Lord.” Gregory’s anger pulsed with white hot heat like the hand mark on the side of Mal’s face.
    “Fu…” Mal started to swear before thinking better of it. “Man, Greg. Not a fan of the touchy feely. Know what I mean?” He struggled to shake the stars from his vision.
    “It is my belief that subtlety and gentle suggestion fail to work on you, Mal. You fancy yourself a tough man. Well, then I will show you I am tougher.”
    “No need. I get it.”
    “Now, just so you remember the roles here… A little reminder of what you were saved from…” Gregory gave a slight wave of his hand and Mal found himself on the floor writhing in sheer agony as he felt invisible flames engulf his body.
    Gregory raised his voice over Mal’s screams of anguish. “It was I who saved you from this pain before. It was I who pulled you from an eternity of such pain and suffering. And it is I and I alone who offers you salvation.”
    Another quick wave of his hand and the phantom fire disappeared. But Mal continued to scream, his body shaking violently, his eyes going wide and glassy as he rapidly approached shock. Gregory leaned down to within an inch of Mal’s face. “Salvation,” he said quietly and lightly placed his fingers upon Mal’s brow. Mal’s shaking ceased, as did his screams. He lay there looking up into Gregory’s golden eyes—deep into the eyes of…his savior.
     
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    “All premeditated to manipulate you into his service,” White said