Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Flashes of red ignited above her head, drawing Carina’s attention. As darkness filling the room dissipated, she could detect the ceiling was a high, curved dome over their heads. A metallic ring brought her attention back to the one who stood before them. He struck a large, silver chalice twice again on the altar. The observers dropped to their knees on the floor around her.
When Carina hurried to follow suit, Marcus’s hands wrapped around her waist, holding her erect. Everyone’s gazes centered on her and the hooded figure before her. The room pulsed with excitement and.… She struggled for the right word to describe it and settled on longing.
What is going on? she hurriedly thought to Marcus. His hands tightened around her, but he didn’t answer. Confident he would keep her safe at the cost of his own life, she forced herself to relax as much as possible. She’d have to find out what was happening as this played out.
“Who brings this addition to our clan?” the standing vampire demanded. His voice was deep and compelling. Power resonated from every syllable and the spaces between his words.
Somehow, the sound was familiar. An image of the reception area of Nightfall rebounded into her mind from the first night there, when the alluringly handsome man had appeared on video before those wishing to enter. Alaric. This was the clan leader. She bent her knees, trying to kneel in front of him, but Marcus prevented her movement once again.
“It is I, Marcus, who bring my mate, Carina, to meet the clan.”
Her Daddy’s voice filled the eerily silent space as he answered the question. Even tense, Carina smiled at the love she could hear in his voice. She forced herself to relax and pay attention.
Alaric lifted the chalice and drew a silver-tipped finger across his wrist. Dark blood welled from the slash. The clan leader extended his arm over the goblet and caught a single drop of the precious fluid inside. He held it aloft, and a red, glowing symbol appeared on the ceiling.
How it moved she couldn’t tell, but the chalice appeared in the hands of a cloaked figure in the ring around them. She couldn’t see the vampire’s face, but he repeated the motion. A new symbol lit above them. Repeatedly, the vessel moved from observer to observer throughout the clan. From each vampire came one droplet of their life essence. The scent of blood and power swirled around the room as Carina struggled for control.
The red luminance in the room grew until she could clearly see the ceiling curved in a tall dome over their heads. Symbols overlapped and seemed to move, creating a crimson ocean overhead. When Marcus finally held the silver cup, he rose to stand by her side. He slashed his wrist deep and added his blood to the brimming mixture inside.
Marcus extended a hand for hers. Even knowing what would come, the quick slice threatened to evoke a gasp from her. Carina bit her bottom lip, smothering the protest. Marcus’s approval flooded her mind.
He raised the cup to her lips. Drink.
As the flavor burst over her tongue, a bright flash caught her attention. She pointed to the ceiling as the letters in her name appeared and twisted together with another. Marcus filled her mind with his love as quiet chanting swirled around the space.
We are the children of the Night.
Hear our unity, heed our plight!
Our life essences for the ultimate reward.
The clan celebrates Marcus’s adored!
The chalice reappeared in Alaric’s hand. He tipped it up and drained the precious fluid inside. A burst of light exploded. Carina threw herself into Marcus’s arms, clinging to his strength as her vision blurred.
When she regained consciousness, Carina was curled in her crib with her enormous Daddy wrapped around her body. His bulk filled the last of the space. When Marcus kissed her neck, she sighed, closing her eyes and hugging Mischief closer. Please let the others find their Littles.
With that wish shared, she tumbled back to sleep.