A Reason to Live: A Shadowdance Variation Read Online Free Page A

badgered the Yakuza into attacking me. In hindsight, this
is so much easier.”
    Illyana stepped up on the ledge. A gust of wind
caught her tattered clothing, her hair. Illyana struggled to remain
standing while looking down to the street below.
    Makeda made no move to stop her other than to say,
“The fall won’t kill you.”
    “It will do,” Illyana replied.
    Silence fell again between the women, the wind
pressing at Illyana. It almost took control of her, but the vampire
maintained her balance.
    Makeda stood her ground.
    “If you see Adriana,” Illyana said, “tell her I’m
sorry.”
    Illyana took a step forward.
    At first, she thought a powerful gust of wind had
caught her, arresting her descent. She quickly realized that it had
not been the wind, but Makeda’s magical blue shroud. It carried
Illyana back across the rooftop and landed her in front of Makeda.
The African woman’s hand was raised next to her face; it glowed
with the same ethereal blue magic that embraced Illyana.
    Then the glow disappeared, as did the shroud about
Illyana.
    “I see why you turned Adriana,” Makeda said. “You’re
as stubborn as the legends say she is.”
    “Turning her was a mistake,” Illyana replied, her
eyes drifting away from Makeda. “One I deeply regret.”
    “Help me, and perhaps you can make up for that.”
    Illyana thought for a moment.
    “You’re right,” Illyana said. Makeda’s expression
lightened.
    Illyana’s eyes turned back to Makeda. They held
suspicion. “I may know your name, but not who you truly are.”
    “If someone is watching, telling you my name was too
much,” Makeda said.
    “And now you’re reticent?”
    “Let’s just say I have an interest in making sure my
enemies do not get the Vyntari shards. I think Adriana can help me
ensure they never do.”
    Illyana cared little for Shadowdance lore, but she
knew of the Vyntari shards. They were the crux of the Shadowdance.
The person who controlled all nine could summon some supposedly
all-powerful shadow god to control.
    Two groups, the Order of Haroth and the Knights of
Vyntari were the main forces pursuing the shards. The Order had
once allied themselves with the Nazis. The Knights fought demons.
To which group did Makeda belong?
    If she could help Adriana, did it matter?
    “You’re going to have to be more specific. Or, I can
knock you unconscious and—”
    “You could try,” Makeda said with a smile.
    Illyana opened her mouth to counter but decided
against it. She didn’t know if Makeda’s smile was a taunt or merely
good humor. Illyana was too tired to figure either way.
    “I need to find Adriana,” Makeda said. “And I need to
know what motivates her.”
    “So you can use her?” Illyana said. Reflexively, her
fangs extended from her gums. Makeda recoiled slightly at seeing
them.
    “So I can guide her to a better path,” Makeda said in
a forced calm tone.
    Illyana’s tongue ran over one of her fangs. She drew
back, only now realizing she’d extended them. Embarrassed, she
looked away from Makeda.
    “What do you mean by a better path?” she asked.
    “All creatures can redeem themselves. They simply
must be shown the path. I want to do this for Adriana.”
    “Why?” Illyana snapped.
    Makeda paused. She shrugged. “Honestly, helping
Adriana is a side thing. My true goal is to crush my enemies once
and for all. Adriana can help me do that.”
    Illyana started to ask another question, but Makeda
held up a polite hand to silence her. “Again, if I give you
details, you could be compromised. But I will allow you this:
pursuing this path is a sacrifice that could very well end my
days.”
    Staring at the woman, Illyana saw nothing in her that
made her words a simple bluff. Illyana bowed her head. This Makeda
meant to manipulate Adriana just as Cytheria, the former leader of
the Daughters, had. It is what led to Adriana’s anger, her desire
for revenge.
    Illyana turned from Makeda and walked toward the
ledge. “Why should