Page 15 of Semblance

“We have all come today to celebrate a very special time for the Midnight Society,” she began. “Twenty-three years ago on this day, not only were my brother and I born, but the future of our society as well. Over the past decade, we endured harsh times. We’ve had our wars with others, but persevered and came out of it stronger than before. We have also lost people close to us…” she paused, “…But I know if my father were still here today, he would tell everyone that the future of the Midnight Society shines brightly with Shadow leading it.”

There was a round of applause and acknowledgements to the words she had just said.

I, however, was baffled. What the heck was a Midnight Society?

“Tonight Shadow, the prince of our Midnight Society, will choose one of these three women to stand by his side and continue on with the legacy of the Tremaine family name. Because he considers each and every one of you as a part of his family as well, we are invited here to watch as he selects his mate, a worthy queen that will honor both the Tremaine lineage and the Midnight Society as well.”

There was another round of applause followed by a chorus of cheers.

It sounded like this was some sort of arranged marriage.

Calisto raised her hands to the night sky, which silenced everyone. When she was content that everyone was listening, she continued.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to welcome my brother, Shadow Tremaine, lord of the Midnight Society.”

Out of the darkness of the gardens emerged a tall, muscular man wearing a form-fitting suit, his face hidden behind a solid black mask. His emergence out of the depths of the foliage reminded me of a monster out of a horror movie.

As he strolled towards the three women, I couldn’t help but feel that his eyes were focused on me, and that was more than enough to turn my insides into liquid.

#

Chapter Four

His presence cast a hush throughout the gardens. Shadow strolled towards the three women on their knees, stalking them with an animalistic grace.

He was ominous, yet electrifying and I found myself trembling just standing in the same vicinity as he was.

“Your bride awaits you Shadow,” Calisto said to her brother.

I glanced around and noticed that everyone had their head bowed in reverence of this man.

It was disconcerting and this made me panic.

This had to be a cult; there was no other logical explanation in my mind. Any second now, this Shadow fellow was going to pass out the Kool-Aid and we were all going to drink it and die.

There was still time for me to flee. I could pretend to use the bathroom and then sneak out the window or something. I had no idea where on the map this estate was, but that didn’t matter. I needed to escape and I could figure the rest out later.

I looked around to see if anyone else was watching me.

Damn it, indeed someone was. Calisto’s eyes were deadlocked onto me.

I panicked and almost let loose a scream, but managed to contain myself. Thank God for the mask I was wearing, which hid the expressions on my face.

Calisto smiled and winked at me, which I thought was a bizarre thing to do. I had no idea what was happening or what to expect, but I desperately wanted to be away from here.

Shadow strolled over to the first girl, a fair skinned beauty with silky blonde hair that glowed. She had her head bowed down low, as if she were in prayer.

“Rise,” he said in a deep authoritative voice. She did as she was told and rose to her feet. He examined her from head to toe, just before speaking again.

“Why should you be worthy of being my mate?” he asked.

“I am Elizabeth Mayweather, heir to the Mayweather Hotel Empire,” she replied. “The Mayweathers have a long and prestigious history with the Midnight Society and to be united with the Tremaines would be a historic moment for two of the world’s most powerful families,” she explained. “As your wife, I shall be faithful, loyal, and will always stand by your side. I will bear your children in my womb and when it is their time, they will rise up and set this world on fire.”

It all sounded like overdramatic nonsense to me.

Shadow looked at her for a moment without saying a word. Elizabeth was noticeably uncomfortable underneath his gaze.

Finally he spoke. “When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?”

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