Chapter
One
Alessia shook herself like a wet dog when she reached the roof overhang, which provided some protection from the rain.
“Whoa! Thanks for nothing,” the young woman behind her groused as she patted the drops that Alessia had flung toward her from her face.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t think,” Alessia apologized quickly. Everyone else was as soaked as she was.
“I’ll survive. What’s a few more raindrops? Your mascara has run a bit,” her new friend told her as she wiped under her own eyes. “How’s mine? I’m Betsy, by the way.”
“Hi, Betsy. I’m Alessia. Your makeup is great,” Alessia reassured her as she pulled out her phone and checked how badly she looked. “Good lord.” Alessia tried to whisk away the black smudges. Maybe she made them better?
Alessia shook her head in disbelief. Showing up like this, she’d be lucky to get past the bouncer. Ahead, security divided everyone into two lines after checking everyone’s right wrist.
“Do you know what they’re doing up there?” Alessia asked Betsy.
“People who’ve gotten in before have the Nightfall entry stamp.” Betsy rolled up her sleeve and showed off a moon. “Isn’t this glow cool? I’ll get to go straight inside at the door.”
“What happens to me?”
“There’s a welcoming ritual. The owner of Nightfall is drop-dead gorgeous. He greets everyone and leads you through the chant. The sound sent shivers through me. Truthfully, I’d like to experience it one more time,” Betsy told her.
“Ritual? Do I have to do something weird?” An uneasy queasiness in her stomach ramped up into overdrive, but Alessia tried to maintain her cool. She didn’t want them to focus too closely on her or her ID. If they suspected Enzo had sent her or were suspicious about her, they’d turn her away. Her brother controlled the local muscle in the area and had already caused Nightfall problems. She had to get inside.
“No, not really. You repeat the words with the crowd. Then, they give you the stamp. Easy peasy.”
“Oh, good.” Alessia relaxed a bit. Her shoulders settled back into place.
She was almost to the two security guards separating people. Both were monstrous guys. Who would mess with these two?
“Arms, please.” They pushed up their sleeves. The guys sent Betsy to the right.
“That’s it, Marcus,” the younger staff member said to the other man. From his deferential tone, Alessia picked up that the fierce-looking employee, Marcus, was in charge.
Marcus turned to stare at her. His piercing green eyes pierced through to her soul. Alessia froze and immediately put her hands together. “Please! I waited all this time in the rain.Can’t you let me in? I promise I won’t cause any problems. You won’t know I’m here.”
“Sorry, miss. That’s the limit for tonight. You can wait if you want to see if someone gets kicked out.”
Marcus focused past her right shoulder as if someone were talking to him through an earpiece. In a couple of seconds, he shook his head. “This must be your lucky night. Get inside. They’re waiting for you.”
She didn’t hesitate. Racing forward as quickly as her stilettos allowed, Alessia then slid through the doors and found a small bit of space to stand in the crowd. She scanned the packed room, trying to take everything in. Completely devoid of furniture, the decorations inside were simple but striking, giving her the impression of posh surroundings with the unmarred paint, sleek light fixtures, and thick carpeting. The people inside already swayed to the addictive music, facing a large screen in front.
The faint glow of the outside lights disappeared as the door sealed behind her. Could she get back out? An extremely handsome man appeared on the screen, and the hair on her arms rose. Audible inhales sounded around the enclosed space as his presence impacted everyone.
The power radiating from him struck Alessia like a sound wave. She’d seen others react to Enzo’s appearance and understood why they feared her violent brother. She cringed away from him when Enzo was on the warpath. This was different. Studying the magnetic man, she didn’t expect random violence unless she acted against him. His calm confidence assured her he could take care of any threat.
“Welcome to Nightfall. I am Alaric, the owner of this establishment. Only the worthiest may enter. Are you willing to dare the entry requirements?”
“Yessss!” The crowd’s answers blended together.Remembering Betsy’s advice to act like the rest of the attendees, she opened her mouth to agree.
As if Alaric heard her lag a few seconds behind the others, his image on the screen turned to stare straight at her. He couldn’t really see her, right? Alessia held her breath, repeating in her mind, “Please, please, please, don’t throw me out.”
Those around her followed Alaric’s gaze, focusing on her. Alessia stiffened her spine, meeting his scrutiny. Two incredibly long seconds ticked by as she stood frozen in place. Alaric lowered his head in a brief nod.
“Who is she?” Members of the crowd whispered around the room.
Before Alessia could decide what to do, Alaric asked, “Are you ready for the time of your lives?”
