The whisper of the cloaks and the footsteps behind them sounded louder, revealing that the procession grew longer as this pattern continued. She lost track of the number of candles they had passed. How many vampires were part of the clan?With each step, the importance of joining the clan registered on Alessia. She would be part of something this powerful.
Glowing symbols flared into life above her, revealing that the ceiling was rounded. She glanced around, noting that the corridor had opened into a large, circular room. The figures behind them flowed along the walls, filling the space. A spotlight flared ahead, drawing her attention to a single man who stood behind a massive table.
Altar, Little mate, Titus shared in her mind.
A metallic ring pierced the silence, drawing her attention back to the center of the room. As the figure lifted a shining silver object into the air, Alessia was confident that a man stood in front of her. Male vampire, she clarified to herself. The sensation of overwhelming power provided his identity as he struck the cup against the altar.Alaric.
Everyone in the room dropped to their knees as one. Titus locked his hand over hers on his forearm, stopping her from following their pattern. He led her forward as the heads of the observers turned to watch them.
Alessia didn’t know how she stayed upright as they moved further into Alaric’s power. She dug her fingers into Titus’s skin.
Flashes of red ignited above her head, drawing Alessia’s attention. While they did not remain long enough for her to distinguish the differences between them, she could detect the ceiling was a high, curved dome over their heads. A second metallic ring brought her attention back to the one who stood before them. He struck a large, silver chalice twice again on the altar.
“Who brings this addition to our clan?” Alaric demanded.
“It is I, Titus, who brings my mate, Alessia, to meet the clan.” Titus’s voice announced to the quiet space, soundingfiercely proud of her. His love for her infused every word of his pronouncement.
A bit of her anxiety at this formal rite abated. Titus wouldn’t let anything happen to her. A small hand waving subtly caught her eye before a larger shape captured it and stopped the motion. Carina and Marcus. Her friend was here. Alessia relaxed a bit more.
Alaric’s movement captured her attention. He extended his index finger. A silver tip on his nail glistened in the candlelight. He drew that shining point across his wrist, releasing crimson blood from the wound. Holding his wrist over the silver chalice, Alaric allowed one precious drop to land inside before lifting the cup into the air. Above him, a red glowing symbol lit the ceiling.
The chalice appeared in Carina’s hand. Marcus helped her slice her wrist to add a droplet of her blood before including his own. Alessia struggled to follow the cup’s movement as the vampires passed it quickly amongst themselves. When she lost track of it, Alessia only had to check the ceiling, for with each addition, more glowing signs appeared over that vampire’s head.
Alessia’s blood hunger grew as she struggled to stand still and not respond to the temptation of the scent of the crimson life essence growing in the air. She locked her knees, holding herself in place as the red symbols above overlapped and vibrated with energy.
The cup appeared in Titus’s hand. She could see the dark liquid filling the cup. Alessia held her breath as Titus sliced his wrist and added a droplet to the others. When he gestured his hand out for hers, she extended her arm. She bit her lip, refusing to cry out as he opened her vein. Alessia quickly pushed the sting from her mind as he helped her join her bloodto the others in the clan. That droplet shimmered amongst the others before dissolving into part of the whole.
Titus lifted the cup to her lips.Drink.
When she hesitated, he tapped the center of his chest three times in their secret signal. Assured of his love, she complied.
Flavor burst over her tongue at the combined life’s blood of the clan. She tried to memorize the parts but could only focus on the comingled essence. Alessia’s gaze rose as she savored the taste, eager to see what would show above her.
The letters of her name appeared, jumbled and twisted together to form something new. Alessia recognized the symbol as herself. Titus’s mark merged with hers, creating a combination of the two. She stared at it as a wave of emotion filled her. Tracing the source of that love and joy, Alessia discovered the trail led to Titus.
Sound filled the room. A stunning combination of everyone’s voices swirled around the domed roof. The chant held a weighty impact on her mind and heart as she picked out distinct tones belonging to those she’d learned over the last few weeks. Carina. Marcus. Darius. Bram. Donovan. Alaric. Titus.
We are the children of the Night.
Hear our unity, heed our plight!
Our life essences for the ultimate reward.
The clan celebrates Titus’s adored!
The glint of the chalice caught her eye. The last note seemed ripped from the air as Alaric drew the cup to his lips. He drained the last of the liquid. Light exploded, hurting her eyes. Instinctively, Alessia shielded her face against Titus’s bulk. His powerful arms wrapped around her, and he held Alessia securely as her vision blurred and her mind took refuge in darkness.
Soft fur brushed her face when she woke. Hugged tightly toTitus’s hard body, she cradled her stuffie close. Blinking into the blooming morning light, she turned to see Titus sleeping next to her. His handsome face was relaxed in sleep.
Alessia had never expected to love anyone this much or have them feel so strongly about her. She would never doubt the depth of her Daddy’s love. He’d shown her so much about being true to herself and the care that she needed. Titus had freed her from her family and from her dangerous fate.
The participation of their Nightfall friends in the ceremony meant the world to her. She could count on their support now and in the future. The bonding with the clan had wiped away her human ties. Her heart went out to Bram, Darius, Donovan, and Alaric.Please let them find their Littles.
Warm lips pressed a kiss to her shoulder. She met Titus’s heated gaze. “Stop thinking, Little mate. It’s time to celebrate.”
Alessia nodded eagerly. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to Titus’s. Instant passion flared between them. Wrapping her arms around his powerful form, she melted against her Daddy and abandoned herself to showing him how much she loved him.
Chapter
