Fall to Grace Read online

Adriana glanced at the African Knight, and then back at Cameron.

  “You have created quite the mess, Makeda Arsi,” he continued, “but that’s what happens when things change. Before you get too pleased with yourself, though, we must reminded you that you are part of a team here with the Knights. You must act as such.”

  Cameron paused to let the three women absorb his words.

  “The Concilium will not excommunicate you, but you will no longer serve as a praetor with the Knights.”

  Gabriella gasped.

  “What does that mean?” Adriana asked.

  Cameron answered, “Makeda will no longer serve in a leadership capacity.”

  The chastised Knight lowered her head. Her next words came in a dull monotone. “It is a fair judgment.”

  “We will reassign Michael and Gabriella,” Cameron continued.

  Gabriella stepped forward to speak, but Makeda grasped her arm, stopping her. The blonde Knight inhaled, gathering herself. She then turned away from the others.

  “In the meantime, you will be given, and accept, a special assignment.” Here Cameron looked to Adriana. “You and Adriana.”

  “You will allow me to continue my work with Makeda?” Adriana asked.

  Cameron got close to a smile. “Your little game with Shealey impressed Viceroy Downing. She never liked him or his methods; it was nice to see him taken down a peg. Downing is willing to give you leeway to pursue your redemption. Just know that should you fall from the path, Negri will have twenty Knights there to send you to Hell.”

  “Again, a fair judgment,” Makeda said. “I hope this special assignment is as fair.”

  “I wouldn’t concern myself with fair. Many secrets remain in the dark.” Cameron’s gaze focused on Adriana. “How far will you go to bring them to light?”

  ###

  Thanks for reading this short story, which takes place during the missing six months of

  Saga, Song Two

  AVAILABLE NOW

  What people say about “By Virtue Fall: A Song of the Shadowdance”

  "This author has a wonderful imagination, and I like the way he mixed historical fiction into his modern-day setting making his writing style unique for this genre."

  — The Book Diaries

  "Reminded me of an RPG game – an unbelievable infrastructure rooted in historical fact with action from all angles, and every character with their own ulterior motives that could take the story in so many directions – the details blended seamlessly toward a dramatic conclusion that only left this reader wanting more."

  — Audrey DeLong, producer at Electronic Arts

  "Love the story. You're on my list of great reads waiting for the next in the series. Who needs romance?? I'd rather read a great story. ["By Virtue Fall"] reads like an action movie."

  — Kris Blankenship, editor at the University of Tampa Minaret newspaper

  Get a free copy of “By Virtue Fall”

  when you become an Initiate of the “Shadowdance” saga!

  To learn more about the “Shadowdance” Saga,

  go to www.shadowdancesaga.com

  Follow the saga on Facebook and Twitter

  About the Author

  The son of a sharecropper (not really), Mark Wooden has actively pursued the dream of being a Creative since his epic kindergarten work, "Ne-Ne the Vampire Panda.”

  He draws inspiration from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Blade,” decades of “Batman” and “X-Men” comic books and conspiracy epics “24” and “The X-Files.” He'd be remiss if he didn't mention the influence of a certain Frank Miller-created assassin named Elektra.

  Mark mines his two decades of experiences in live entertainment to instill humanity into the vampires, demons, werewolves, sorcerers and other creatures of his “Shadowdance” urban fantasy saga. The novels allow readers to confront the evil that men and monsters do from the comfort of a book.

  “By Virtue Fall: A Song of the Shadowdance" is the first novel in the "Shadowdance" saga.

  Look into the shadows and see horror in action.

  Catch author Mark’s pop culture musings on Facebook, his “Thinking Out Loud” blog and Twitter (@Shadowdancesaga). Become an Initiate of the “Shadowdance” saga for free ebooks and geek culture news.