Free Gauntlet Rite of Ascension by Marcus Abshire Page A

with Abaddon.” She said.
    “What?” I asked, stunned.
    “I want you to go with him. Your father trusted him and so do I. You are going through something I am unable to help with. I love you son. I want what’s best for you.” She said.
    I didn’t know what to say. I had planned on leaving for college anyway, but after the recent events I figured all that was far away.
    “You want me to go with him? You need me here. I can’t go.” I said.
    “Honey, I’m fine. I am stronger than you know. Don’t worry about me. Susan is here. She will stay with me for awhile until she decides what she wants to do. This was what you wanted anyway. It’s ok. I want this.” She said.
    Love shone from her face. She was worried about me but deep down she knew this was best. I was petrified of hurting my family and if Abaddon could help me and by extension help protect them, even from myself, then I had to at least try.
    “Okay, alright mom. I’ll go.” I said, looking to Abaddon.
    “When?”
    “Right now, pack what you can fit into a small suitcase, anything else you may need will be provided. Hurry, we leave in twenty minutes.” He said.
    I couldn’t believe this was happening. I had always wanted to go off to college, but not like this. This was surreal. I went to my room and packed some clothes, my toothbrush and deodorant. I put a picture of my family in with the other stuff. Carrying it downstairs I went to my mom and hugged her, fresh tears shone on her face.
    “I’ll call you when I get a chance.” I said.
    “I know, take care of yourself.”
    Abaddon gave us a few minutes then stepped up. “We must be going.”
    “Tell Susan I love her.” I said.
    “She knows, but I will.” My mom said.
    I walked out, following Abaddon. We went to a black car parked out front and I put my bag in the trunk while Abaddon got in the driver’s seat. I sat in the cab next to him.
    “Where are we going?” I asked.
    He looked at me, his eyes sparkling in the deep night. Without a change in his features whatsoever he said.
    “To college.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 11
     
     
     
     
    Abaddon drove. I had hundreds of questions but didn’t know where to start. One thing was nagging at me more than the others and I thought it was as good a place to start as any.
    “Am I a werewolf?” I asked, cutting right to the chase.
    Abaddon looked at me sideways, a twitch on the side of his mouth the only indication of a smile.
    “Yes and no. You are Ascended. Werewolves as you know them are what are called Descended. They are ones who were incapable of accepting their natures and thus fell to the Beast.” He answered.
    “Ascended? So what would have happened if I had failed?” I asked.
    “I think you already know. The Beast said as much I imagine. You would be under its control. You would change on a full moon and be at the Beast’s mercy, unable to stop the Beast and its killing.” He said.
    “So by ascending I will not be overcome by the Beast?” I asked.
    “Not necessarily, what you have done is the first step.” He paused, gathering his thoughts.
    “Many thousands of years ago man was no more than an animal himself.” He began, reminding me of a History teacher, reciting past events. “He lived by instinct and was a formidable predator. Somewhere along the line mankind set aside his more animalistic nature and began to become “civilized”. Sure he was still capable of great atrocity and hostility, but his self awareness led him to deny part of his true nature.”
    “Soon after he brought the wolf to his side, he domesticated it and a deep and lasting partnership was formed.”
    “There is no doubt that mankind has become one of the greatest of the worlds predators. As he began to take land and clear out many of the apex predators the natural balance of the world was thrown askew. To correct this imperfection a