Embrace by Rachel D'Aigle Read Free Book Online Page A

distractions in my work. It allows me great… flexibility in giving my life wholly, to the Svoda cause.”
    “I understand your feelings on this subject, and it is certainly noble to give yourself so fully.
    I only ask that you reconsider this one part of your path. Having that one person you can trust, with your utmost secrets, desires or fears … someone you know you can trust without question. This will only help you bear the burden of such a noble life.” Ivan stumbled for words for only a second and then regained his normal composure.
    “I will consider this, Banon. I appreciate your candor,” he told her.
    “I knew you would. That is why I like you, Ivan Crane. No Bull. No ego. Get to the point and get the job done!” she said vivaciously.
    Ivan nodded firmly.
    “I will leave it up to you, to follow the path you see fit. If you choose to find a confidant, choose wisely. Follow your instincts, Ivan, for I have seen that your instincts are very keen.” Ivan narrowed his eyes again, wondering what the Banon had seen of his future.
    There was a knock at the door.
    “Meghan Jacoby, ma’am,” announced Pantin Hollee. Meghan sauntered in, raising her eyebrows in a cold hello to Ivan, but smiling widely at Juliska.
    “Ah, good. We can get down to business now,” said Juliska, motioning for the two to sit.
    Meghan’s eyes could not leave the back of Juliska’s head, where Pajak, her pet spider, slept with one eerie, glass-like eye remaining open.
    She attempted, poorly, to ignore it, and listen to what Juliska was saying.
    “The task I put before you, Ivan, will be the most difficult I have ever asked someone to do.
    I do not ask it lightly, and, I will even give you a chance to say no, if you feel you are not ready for this challenge. It will take great skill, but I feel you are ready, or I would not ask.” Ivan sat on the edge of his seat, eager to understand his mission. Meghan grew anxious. Did Juliska truly believe she was up to this task, too?
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    “I will also add that no matter the outcome of your task, that I already consider you an Initiated member of the Svoda, Ivan. Because I already know that you will not say no, and I know that failure is not a word you are fond of.”
    How well she knows Ivan, thought Meghan. Failure is so not his style!
    “So now, I lay it bluntly before you. A man, from the previous Svoda group that visited here, wandered into Eidolon’s Valley. He never returned. And although Eidolon denies any knowledge of this man, I believe he is being held prisoner, or, that he may be dead.” Meghan could not believe what she was hearing. Juliska stood and paced three times around the room before continuing.
    “What I need from you, Ivan, is to venture into Eidolon’s Valley and seek out this man. If he is alive, I want you to break him out and bring him to me. If he is dead… well in that unfortunate case, there is something on his person that I need you to recover. Something that cannot be left in the hands of Eidolon.”
    Ivan soaked this information in.
    Meghan frowned. Sneak into the valley and find a prisoner? How? And won’t that upset Eidolon even more?
    Juliska guessed her questions.
    “First, let me say this, Ivan. I chose you for this most delicate mission because you are qualified. Moreover, people know you will be on your Initiation task and will not wonder where you have gone. If I were to send the Viancourt or Balaton, questions and worries would spread like wildfire. I would like to avoid this. Plus, well, let’s just say my Balaton, they are the muscle, but not so much the brains.” She smiled and raised her eyebrows jokingly.
    “I also fully realize,” she continued, in a more serious tone, “that our actions in this matter could upset the delicate nature of our relationship here. Nevertheless, I simply cannot leave behind an innocent man if he is yet alive, or what this man possesses, if he is not. I have prepared a backup plan should things…go