The Torn Soul (The Sheynan Trilogy Book 3)
Page 22
“It’s a wealth of information, going back for generations, even before there was any agency in the United States. Looks like a group of people have been pitting the Shadows and the Arm against each other, keeping them busy to try and make sure neither one rose to power. There are reports from other countries even. This was much bigger than just one government agency.”
“It’s going to take time to cipher through it and convince the Arm about what has really been going on. But with all the information that we have, I think we can convince them. I don’t know what this means for the future, but I do know the Shadows are not our immediate enemy.”
Darien smiled, happy to hear Alyssa say those words. Susan rubbed her thumb against the back of his hand, showing her own satisfaction. He wasn’t foolish enough to think that the Shadows and the Arm were going to start working together, but it did sound like they were going to have their hands full straightening the entire mess out. Maybe that meant that he had a shot at that normal life after all. That thought warmed him and he turned his hand over so he could squeeze Susan’s.
“Speaking of time, I should be going. Hales and I have to start feeding this information out to our network in bits and pieces. I won’t say it was a pleasure, but it was certainly interesting.”
Gregory got up from the table and gave a nod before turning and walking towards the door. Hales followed suit, giving them a deep bow with a flourish before following his companion. Alyssa turned her coffee mug around in her hands a few times before saying anything.
“I imagine this is the last time I’ll be seeing you, which I’m sure is exactly what you wanted out of all of this.”
“I wanted to be free, to try and live however I wanted to. Something that you and all other shifters should have, whether they’re with the Shadows or the Arm. That’s what I wanted.”
Alyssa nodded, and then picked up her coffee and drained the last bit of it. She reached out and took Darien’s free hand in both of hers, holding it for a moment with a soft smile teasing the corners of her mouth. Then she turned to Susan and bent over so she could give her a hug and whisper in her ear. After that, she walked out of the restaurant without a glance back.
“What did she say?”
“She said to take care of you, and make sure you enjoy the time you have.”
Darien paused, looking at his plate and pushing around the fat from the steak with his fork. Susan wrapped her arms around one of his and nudged him hard enough to almost knock him over. He laughed and looked at her.
“Come on, I want to get to Whistler so I can take you snowmobiling for the first time.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Susan reached over and grabbed him, pulling him into a deep kiss before dancing up from the table and dragging him along. He gladly chased after her.
About the Author
Dylan Birtolo has always been a storyteller, for as long as he can remember. No matter how much other things have changed, that aspect has not. He still tells stories, in whatever format he can. Sometimes that is writing, running a roleplaying game, or even the traditional oral story by the fire. He currently resides in the great Pacific Northwest where he spends his time as a writer, a gamer, and a professional sword-swinger. His thoughts are filled with shape shifters, mythological demons, and epic battles.
He has published a couple of fantasy novels and several short stories in multiple anthologies. He has also written pieces for game companies set in their worlds and co-authored a gaming manual. He trains with the Seattle Knights, an acting troop that focuses on stage combat, and has performed in live shows, videos, and movies. In addition he teaches at the academy for upcoming acting combatants.
Endeavoring to be a true jack of all trades, he has worked as a software engineer, a veterinary technician in an emergency hospital, a martial arts instructor, a rock climbing guide, and a lab tech. He has had the honor of jousting, and yes, the armor is real—it weighs over 100 pounds. You can read more about him and his works at www.dylanbirtolo.com or follow him on Twitter: @DylanBirtolo.
If you enjoyed this book by Dylan Birtolo, you may enjoy one of these other Urban Fantasy books published by Apocalypse Ink Productions
The Karen Wilson Chronicles
This dark urban fantasy by Jennifer Brozek is a quartet of novels: Caller Unknown, Children of Anu, Keystones, Chimera Incarnate. It tells part of the story of Karen Wilson, a normal girl chosen by the Master of the City to represent him. Karen must navigate the hidden world of Kendrick’s supernatural societies. She makes the deliberate choice to break some of the unspoken rules in order to save Kendrick from its denizens. There are revelations, consequences, retributions, and compromises to be had on all sides and not every one of Karen’s new friends will make it out alive. Find this on http://www.apocalypse-ink.com
Cover art by Amber Clark of Stopped Motion Photograpy
The Flotsam Trilogy
My name's Keith Murphy. I specialise in killing things from the Gloom who deserve a few bullets in the head. I'm not a sorcerer, but I worked for one, a guy named Danny Roark who saw me on a bad path and gave me an alternative. For sixteen years, we'd worked together; a two-man unit, the best of the best. Roark did the magic and I handled the guns.
We just did a job. It’s gone sour and now I’m running. Running doesn’t bother me. Running's a survival trait. What bothers me is the nine multimeter bullet I swallowed, the one with the soul of my last victim trapped inside it. He was the leader of a cult of bloodthirsty monsters.
His followers want his soul back and I’m their only lead.
EXILE is the first of the Flotsam trilogy by Peter M. Ball. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed run on the wild side of the Gold Coast of Australia. Delve into the supernatural world of the Gloom and all its practitioners. Mind your step. There are things in the Gloom that were old when this world was young and they are hungry.
Find this trilogy at http://www.apocalypse-ink.com or from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Drive Thru Fiction.
Apocalypse Ink Productions is an independent press focused on dark speculative fiction and horror in its fiction line and online based writing education in its non-fiction line.
Please visit our website at http://www.apocalypse-ink.com to learn more about us, and to find information on other books—both digital and print—that we have available.