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)
“No need.”
Briefly holding the influencer’s gaze, Marcus pushed a command into Tony’s mind: Sleep. As Tony collapsed onto the concrete, another of the group yelled and swung a fist at Marcus’s head only to find his hand suddenly engulfed in Marcus’s iron grip with a meaty slap.
Marcus squeezed the young challenger’s hand to the point of breaking, spun him around, and wrenched the man’s arm behind his back, forcing him to his tiptoes. Marcus’s lip curled in the briefest hint of a smile at the flashes of pain, surprise, and ultimately, fear rolling in waves off the man as he held him there. Honed by years of battle, Marcus enjoyed exercising his muscles, even to this paltry degree.
“Back to business.” Marcus sighed, using the helpless man as a shield to push both he and his stunned friends before him like a plow. Forcing them past the rope line now held open by another of the security team, the rebels cascaded onto the sidewalk in a heap. Marcus then turned and grabbed the still sleeping Tony by his collar and added him to the mound of flailing limbs.
In a matter of seconds, the five men lay stacked in a neat pile on the opposite side of the velvet rope. Marcus hadn’t broken a sweat. Even against these weak foes, Marcus enjoyed the win. He’d known Nightfall would attract those bent on chaos and violence. If only all could be this easily handled.
“It’s a shame young men today can’t hold their beer,” Marcus announced to the stunned crowd.
“Did you see what he did?” a woman behind the group whispered to her friend. “I know something happened, but the fight was all a blur.”
“I think that security guy tossed them out of the line like beanbags.”
“Good! Those jerks were assholes.”
The momentary buzz of conversation died out as the line started moving. A few might have seen the unconscious men whisked away by the cleanup crew, but their attention rested solidly on the people in front of them now. Marcus walked back up the steps to slip inside the reception area with the first group. They flowed through the checking of IDs and metal detectors with the skill of a generation used to the screenings. A number failed, and Marcus’s staff escorted them through the side door.
Deep, rocking music welcomed everyone inside. As he watched, the attendees’ bodies moved automatically to the addictive rhythm. When the room could hold no more, Alaric’s breathtakingly handsome face appeared on the screen before them. Marcus felt the elder’s allure seduce him just as it did to everyone in the room. Those gathered fell silent as Alaric’s presence, even on video, took control.
“Welcome to Nightfall. Only the worthiest may enter. Are you willing to dare the entry requirements?”
A roar of yesses answered him, with one rebel shouting from the side, “It’s time to fucking let us in.”
“The exit is waiting for you,” Alaric replied as a door opened to the side. The crowd held their breath as they understood that Alaric’s interaction with them was not a taped message but dynamic. Everyone followed the path of Alaric’s view. The disruptor didn’t have a chance of resisting. As the jerk walked unsteadily toward the door, the hushed crowd parted, creating a path.
“That must be a plant,” another attendee said in a loud stage whisper that carried across the area.
“Everyone else ready for the time of your life?” Alaric asked.
Again, wave of positive cheers answered him. Alaric disappeared, and a video of graphic shapes cavorting in vaguely sexual gyrations took over to mesmerize the crowd. The words of a chant on repeat wove into the music, growing louder with each repetition.
Marcus could see the partygoers singing the addictive pattern. Just as Alaric had intended, the sacred meaning woven into their promises clicked into place. Marcus silently celebrated the growing success of the Elder’s plan. Hope gathered inside him.
Alaric reappeared on screen. “To enter, you must take this vow, becoming one of the Nightfall elite. Read the words on the screen.”
We are the children of the Night.
Seeking darkness, revelry, and fright.
We pledge our life’s essence to all.
Nightfall! Nightfall! Nightfall!
Their voices rose to a deafening roar that filled the area. Marcus scanned the crowd, checking for any who had not surrendered to Alaric’s influence. Everyone stared with rapt fascination at the screen.
“You are worthy. Join us.” Alaric’s voice resounded over the group. His deep voice wrapped around each individual. The hunger etched on their faces revealed the addictive allure of the powerful Elder.
The inner doors opened, revealing staff who helped each person press their wrist pulse to the device, applying the official entry stamp. The throbbing music and flashing lights inside distracted the attendees from the faint prick that no one appeared to notice. Instead, they stared in awe at the mark left slightly below their palms.