Chapter 2
Chapter
Two
Glowering, Marcus stood at the top of the steps leading into Nightfall on the opening weekend.
Influencers had flooded the news of the club’s opening after Alaric had given an elite group a private tour of select public spaces two weeks ago.
Whether the nightclub’s elaborate party spaces or the Elder’s magnetic personality had mesmerized them, the social media creators had showcased Nightfall on all the platforms, creating a fevered need to experience it.
The entry line wrapped around the building.
The security forces worked overtime to prevent a mass incident.
Something teased his senses. A delightful scent that wasn’t strong or close enough for him to track from his position. He forced himself to concentrate on the crowd.
Marcus had anticipated people would rush the doors, trying to overwhelm the staff. He’d put his most intimidating guys and ladies at key points and created a roped-off aisle that prevented a mob from gathering. Sensing that poor choices would be unwise here, the crowd remained orderly.
As the head of those tasked with protecting the visitors and the staff, Marcus had trained his crew thoroughly.
He checked in regularly with those in crucial positions.
A whisper of trouble reached his ears. Marcus headed down the stairs, laser-focused on a group of young men who discussed sneaking past those in front of them.
As he passed those waiting to get in, a gorgeous young woman struck an alluring pose as she whispered to her friends, “Fuck! That guy is massive.”
Glimpsing the luscious curves of the blonde who’d complimented him, Marcus licked his lips. Her heart beat faster. Even better. She was responsive. Unfortunately, he was on duty.
His focus remained on the troublemakers. His oath to Alaric surpassed any temptation he might feel for the attractive attendee. Marcus opened the velvet barrier and stationed himself a short distance before them. Instantly, the crowd between him and the troublemakers burst into protests.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“You can’t just push past us. We’ve been here for four hours.”
“Jerks! I’m going to report you.”
Uff! The breath rushed out of the leader’s lungs as he ran into Marcus. Had he been off duty, Marcus would have laughed as the man’s gaze started at Marcus’s belly button and rose to meet his eyes.
“Tony, go on past him. We can get farther,” one of his buddies suggested bravely from where he stood a distance from Marcus.
“I’m afraid your invitation to tonight’s spectacle is now revoked,” Marcus told him.
“No way, man. We’re eager to check out all the ladies,” Tony said.
Marcus wondered if Tony imagined the two of them would have any bond together because of their attraction to women and owning a cock. “Follow directions, and you’ll be able to attend another night.” He opened the barrier and lifted his arm to direct them into the street.
“I’m not going anywhere,” said another of the guys. “Who do you think you are? Jesus?”
The group whooped, approving of their friend’s bravado.
These would-be tough guys had no idea who they were challenging. Marcus stood up straight, showcasing his 6’6” frame. He weighed the equivalent of at least two youngsters Tony’s size.
“A lifetime ban it is,” Marcus pronounced and waved his hands over his head to signal those that monitored from above to capture the men’s images.
“Are you calling for help?” Tony sneered, puffing up his chest to appear bigger.
“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.
“Look! It’s a glowing moon!”
“This place… OMG!”
“Come on! Let’s DANCE!”
Following the last of that group from the reception area, Marcus took his position above to monitor the revelers.
The dance floor soon writhed with bodies bending to the music.
Cascades of excited patrons entering continued until Nightfall reached max capacity.
His staff intercepted anyone who interrupted the crowd's enjoyment.
Pure joy radiated up to the flashing ceiling as the chosen celebrated the night.
His eyes kept returning to one young woman.
The brunette danced with abandon on the elevated platform.
Not skillfully, but with such joy that those around her smiled and interacted with her.
Something about her drew him. Pure dedication kept him from investigating what was so special about this dancer.
The clan’s computer expert contacted Marcus mentally.
Marcus. The system just flagged a mate. Your mate.