Embrace by Rachel D'Aigle Read Free Book Online

that cannot and should not be undone!” Balloch’s ghostly body faded as it melded with the red rock ceiling.
    Voices of initiated Svoda began to emanate from the tunnels; they were returning to their meeting.
    Colin was not sure what his next move should be.
    “Catrina is real, and here, somewhere in Eidolon’s Valley!” he spoke to the cave walls. Of this, he was now certain. Why would others be searching for her, though? Perhaps once he had found her she would be able to explain.
    He headed down an empty tunnel pausing for a moment, watching the SLC gather. He watched the Flummer family come out of their apartment from over the bookstore.
    Rehearsed smiles poorly hid their obvious sadness. Perhaps one day, if he could save Catrina, he would be able to relieve some of their grief.
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    Then, as he made his way through the tunnel, other thoughts began to cloud his mind. If he had actually seen Catrina back in Grimble, that meant there was another way to go from world to world! Wouldn’t Juliska know this? Or was someone else responsible? This line of thought led Colin down another path of thought. One that took him back home, to rescue Uncle Arnon.
    Another disturbing thought raced through Colin’s already full mind. If he had to make a choice, that very minute, on saving one of them, he suddenly was not sure which person he would choose. Catrina or his uncle? His uncle should be his top priority, but then Balloch’s warning rapidly overwhelmed him. He was the only one that could save Catrina!
    For now, he concluded, he would focus on this. After all, even though it did seem likely that there were other doorways, he still did not know where or how to use them. That was something he would have to work on, once he had saved the girl who haunted his dreams.

    6

    Ivan Crane finished the steep journey to Banon Blackwell’s stone castle with one deep breath. He wiped a single bead of sweat from his brow before knocking. Pantin Hollee answered before he could get one knock in, and showed him into a small sitting room. Ivan noted four stone chairs, carved from the same stone as the castle, along with a similarly carved table.
    What caught Ivan’s eye was the view beyond the castle. He stepped to the back wall, gazing through a rectangular opening. The view was impressive, spanning miles upon miles through the valley of red rock formations and towering canyon walls: the vast empire of Eidolon.
    “Ah, Ivan.”
    He spun around, bowing slightly.
    “You wished to see me,” he said.
    “Yes, Ivan. It is time for you to know what your task is,” Juliska paused, adding, “Meghan will arrive shortly, but I wanted to speak to you alone, first.” Ivan nodded that he understood and waited for her to speak.
    “We both have something in common, Ivan, well more than one thing I’m sure, but the quality I admire the most in life is frankness. Honest frankness.”
    “Well, as you have said before, Banon Blackwell, it is what keeps us alive. I see no other prudent method.”
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    “And I stand by that!” she replied heartily. “This is why I tell you the following, Ivan. I hope, for your own good.”
    Ivan’s eyes widened. Had the Banon had some vision of him? One she would be eager to share. Regardless, it did not sound like good news.
    “I have great visions of your future, Ivan,” she began, “however; there is one thing that worries me.”
    Ivan stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he continued to listen.
    “In my visions, you are always … alone. Now, when I say alone, I mean that you have no confidant, no single person that you trust above all others. Every great man, or woman,” she winked, “needs to have a confidant. Like I have Hollee, for example. A woman I can trust with anything!” She emphasized the last word heavily, while placing a hand on his shoulder.
    He felt inclined to defend himself.
    “Banon, with all due respect, I feel it is sometimes wiser for me to be, as you say, alone.
    There are fewer