‘…Do you vow to pursue the cause upon which
this fraternity inner circle has been founded?’

The seven were gathered within the circle of candles, this time each of them
covered their heads with the hoods that were attached to their robes. Their
leader was wearing a gold amulet around his neck with the Greek letters for
alpha, epsilon and theta engraved in the middle. A circular two-fold cord
surrounded it. Outside the circle stood an eighth figure shrouded by his
hood like the others.
‘ We welcome our new brother,’ said Gouldman as he removed his
hood. ‘Come enter the circle.’ The figure walked into the centre of the
gathering and faced Gouldman as the others looked on, their hoods still in
place. Taking a large dagger from the stone table behind him, Gouldman
approached his new brother and then stood a short distance away with his
arms raised and the dagger pointing downwards.
‘ Do you vow to pursue the cause upon which this fraternity inner circle
has been founded?’
‘ I do,’ he replied.
‘ Do you vow to spread its ideals now and into the future, and to use your
influence in the position you will occupy in life?’
‘ I pledge my vow.’
‘ Do you vow to protect the sanctuary of your fellow brothers both now and
until you pass over from this life?’
‘ I vow to protect the sanctuary of my fellow brothers.’
With that Gouldman came closer, lowered the dagger and placed the point just below the figure’s earlobe. He began to move it slowly around the edge of the face, towards the chin and then held it just above the throat for a few seconds before continuing around to the other ear. Not a drop of blood appeared. Holding the dagger to his chest Gouldman closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment.
‘ I have drawn no blood,’ Gouldman observed as he opened his eyes again.
‘I deem him worthy. Members of the inner circle, do you embrace your new brother?’
With that the others surrounded the figure, stretched out their arms and placed their hands on his shoulder before walking slowly around him in an anti-clockwise direction.
‘ We embrace our new brother, we welcome him to the cause,’ they chanted seven times and then stopped in their tracks before returning to their original positions.
‘ Take your place among your brothers,’ ordered Gouldman to the new member.
The seven expanded the circle allowing the eighth one to enter among them.
‘ Let us hear from you Joseph. Have you accomplished the tasks were required of you?’
‘ I have the names,’ he replied handing a sealed envelope to Gouldman, who hastened to open it.
‘ Good work brother,’ he said as he browsed the list before him. ‘Their deaths will bring new life to those that will follow.’
‘ May the flame of the cause burn brighter…’

Synopsis:
Two seemingly unconnected events occur within 24 hours:
The president of Mason-Wainwright, a New York investment corporation, is on a private jet heading for Washington DC carrying the burden of a secret that will undoubtedly destroy the firm he heads up. Without warning, a series of explosions rip through the plane, resulting in fatality for all on board.
A senator on a pro-euthanasia crusade is abducted on his way to Capitol Hill where he is due to deliver a crucial yet controversial speech to the senate.
In this, the sequel to Ascension, Mike Fabien finds himself drawn into a terrifying race against time to uncover the existence of a sinister organisation bent on pushing euthanasia to the top of the political agenda, with the knowledge that someone up high wants him out of the picture…