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Finally, they reached a cavernous room that was so tall Mara couldn’t see the ceiling. Darius led her down the central aisle as the rest of the crowd faded out to either side. The rows of hooded figures focused solely on her. Swallowing hard, she clutched Darius’s hand tighter. Her anxiety eased when he squeezed her fingers to reassure her.

Darius escorted her to the center of the room where a huge, chiseled stone table stood. An altar? Bathed in light from an indistinguishable source, the only structure in the room held an enormous open book. When Darius stopped two feet away, silence filled the space. Curious, she studied the weathered tome before her and discovered what appeared to be hand-drawn calligraphy in a language she couldn’t decipher.

A metallic ring pierced the silence, drawing her attention. An avalanche of power washed over her. A figure had appeared and now stood before her. Mara struggled not to cower in front of him, taking her cue from Darius to remain still. The new arrival lifted a shining silver object into the air. His hand descended so quickly she almost missed his movement. That bell-like peal filled the air once again as overwhelming strength wrapped around her when he struck the cup against the altar. Alaric.

The members of the clan dropped to the floor as one. Mara felt compelled to do the same, but Darius, from his kneeling position, held her standing before him. Only she and Alaric remained on their feet as the entire clan observed.

Suddenly, flashes of red light streaked across the ceiling, drawing her eyes away from the clan leader before her. The shapes were both indistinct and yet familiar. A third metallic ring brought her attention back to the altar and the Elder who stood behind it. He struck the large, silver chalice twice more on the stone table.

“Who brings this addition to our clan?” Alaric demanded.

“It is I, Darius, who brings my mate, Mara, to meet the clan.” His proud pronouncement echoed through the chamber.

“Then it shall be done.” Alaric intoned. He extended his index finger. A silver tip on his nail glistened in the candlelight. Sliding the blade across his other wrist, he drew a single bead of blood from the wound. Holding his wrist over the silver chalice, Alaric allowed the blood to drop inside before lifting the cup into the air once again. Above him, a red glowing symbol ignited on the ceiling.

A million emotions raced through her mind. Awed by the solemn ritual, Mara struggled to absorb everything happening around her. The power surrounding her simultaneously overwhelmed and exhilarated. Her self-consciousness faded away as pride filled her. The clan was here for her as Darius’s mate.

The chalice then appeared in Marcus’s hand, and he performed the same ritual, adding both his and Carina’s blood to the vessel. As the blood dripped inside, new symbols lit the ceiling of the room. The ritual continued with Titus and Alessia, then Donovan and Bram, and onward, until the entire room had added their own life’s essence to the silver cup. The metallic scent of blood wafted through the cavern. Darius had coached her to build her control and need to feed. Still, she struggled as each drop fueled her hunger.

Focus on the ceiling. Stop thinking about the craving. Mara breathed through her mouth and stared upward. The light show overhead expanded as designs flashed into existence. She studied them with wonder. Each individual blended together into a bright red haze.

Mara’s hunger grew with each drop until she was quivering. The sound of the addition splashing into the vessel echoed in her brain. Darius maintained his grip on her sides, holding her in check with his iron will.

Nearly there, my love. A bit longer.

Finally, to her relief, the cup appeared in Darius’s hand. The heady aroma consumed her senses as he sliced his wrist and donated his own blood to the crimson fluid that sloshed inside. When he held his hand out for hers, Mara presented her arm and gasped as he quickly slit her wrist and added Mara’s. Was that a brief bubble that formed as her blood mingled with the rest? A puff of smoke emanated from the cup with a soundless pop.

He raised the chalice to her lips. Drink.

Mara opened her mouth and drank without hesitation. This bond and long life were what she wanted more than anything in the world. Darius would be hers forever.

The light above her grew brighter in intensity as she lowered the chalice. The silver cup vanished from her hand to reappear in Alaric’s grasp. He drained the vessel and slammed it back onto the altar. A final, beautiful ringing rolled through the chamber, drawing tears to her eyes.

Mara blinked to clear her vision as the letters of her name appeared, floating in the air. Before her, they twisted and changed, morphing into a living icon. A second later, a pattern overhead broke from the rest and shot toward hers.

Mara recognized that one as Darius’s. His icon collided with hers, and together they formed a new image—still a distinct representation of each of them alone, but united, they formed a brighter, stronger symbol.

Everyone’s voices combined. Their chant filled the room as Mara’s skin and mind prickled with the physical and mental impact of the words.

We are the children of the Night.

Hear our unity, heed our plight!

Our life essences for the ultimate reward.

The clan celebrates Darius’s adored!

Without a sound, Mara crumpled toward the ground as everything went black. Her last sensation was the feel of Darius’s arms wrapped around her to keep her safe.

Epilogue

Mara hadn’t dared to visit Nightfall for several weeks as she adjusted to being a vampire. That many bodies around her was too much temptation. Thankfully, the newly appointed bank officers decided she was the perfect representative to work with the investigators. They’d given her an office in the main building, and she communicated through online chats and phone calls with the different branches.

Gradually, she gained confidence in her ability to handle the compulsion to drink from her clients and coworkers. Darius helped her by willingly allowing her to feed from him. The pleasure they shared reinforced her desire to enjoy only his blood.

Carina and Alessia had visited her often, sharing tips for what worked for them. Mara was relieved to learn that Carina, who Marcus had turned long before Mara’s conversion, still struggled to keep her fangs from revealing themselves in everyday life. They each had their weaknesses.

Finally, Darius declared her ready to go to the nightclub for a short, trial visit. As they drove through the downtown streets, Mara asked, “Have you found Serafina, Daddy? Or Cecily Saunders?”