Semblance by Logan Patricks Page B

largest Christian multimedia and business enterprise in North America.” He spoke with reluctance in his voice, like his words were being yanked out of his throat. I could sense the distrust he had for me.
    The next person to introduce himself was a hefty man in a tight fitting suit, the buttons on his one-size-too-small dress shirt threatening to bust off. He removed his white eagle mask revealing his pear-shaped face and a white, neatly trimmed beard. He was someone who I’ve seen a couple of times before on television and in the newspapers.
    “I’m Senator Donald Huff,” he said cheerfully. “It’s always a pleasure to see someone ascend through the ranks of the Midnight Society, especially at such a young age.”
    “A United States Senator?” I asked, astounded.
    “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that discretion is extremely important as to who I associate with in my spare time,” he said. “Curiosity didn’t kill the cat; her purring did, if you know what I mean.”
    I nodded my head in agreement.
    The man in the Scorpion mask was the last of the introductions.
    “I’m not taking off my mask until she does,” he said in a distinguished British accent.
    “Lucien, must you always be so difficult?” Abraham sighed. “We’ve all removed our masks for our esteemed guest.”
    “This is all bullshit,” Lucien replied. “Shadow is once again playing us all for fools, but you folks are so in love with our fearless leader that you’re ignoring this simple fact; the Tremaine’s are broken. I’ve been saying it since the start; we need new blood in the commander’s chair.”
    “One more word out of that shameful abyss you call a mouth, and I’ll drive my foot so far up your ass that you’ll be shitting out my four inch heel for a week,” Calisto threatened. “Nobody insults the Tremaine name.”
    “Shadow does just by having it,” Lucien laughed.
    “Respect who you’re with and where you are,” Brevin said, though it seemed like he spoke more out of duty than belief.
    “We’ve all been thinking it,” Lucien said. “But I’m afraid none have the bollocks to bring the matter to the table. Well, after tonight’s bloody embarrassment, let me reiterate. The Midnight Society needs new leadership. The Tremaine’s are broken. The death of Tristan Tremaine marked the end of the family’s power.”
    Calisto began to rise from her seat, but it was Shadow’s thunderous voice that made her sit back down. The beast had woken up.
    “Take off your mask,” he ordered, as he stood behind Lucien’s seat. However Lucien pretended not to notice, and continued his rant.
    “Look at this scrawny girl standing before us. She’s supposed to be the first lady of the Midnight Society? All of us in this inner circle of ours know that the Golden Virgin is nothing more than a flea in rags. Her story is nothing but a bunch of Chinese whispers originated from the imaginative mind of Calisto,” he continued. His scorpion eyes focused in on me. “Tell me you bony little slag, how virtuous are you really?”
    Suddenly Shadow erupted and he scooped up Lucien from underneath his armpits, lifted the brat high into the air, and slammed him onto the ground.
    “You shite!” Lucien cursed as he sprung back onto his feet. “I’m a fucking Gamble. You do not get to touch me.”
    “Get the fuck out of here,” Shadow said, “Before I make you swallow all of your soon-to-be broken teeth.”
    “Calm yourselves, both of you,” Takeshi said as he rose from his seat. “I swear my dog has more patience and common sense than you two.”
    “This bloody excuse for a ‘lord’ laid his hands on me. Tell me James, since when did we start striking each other,” Lucien said.
    “It was…” Takeshi paused, and then turned to Shadow, “Inappropriate.”
    Takeshi’s words seemed to have affected him as Shadow’s shoulders slumped and he retreated back from Lucien, his authority now diminished. I was curious to see the