Conclave

Devil's Night #3.5

by Penelope Douglas

DAMON

Will is gone. He hasn’t been seen in months, and the texts coming from his phone are almost certainly forged. Something’s wrong. We need to act now.

Michael is ready to tear down The Cove, Rika’s hiding something, Evans Crist is a threat, and Winter’s father is still out there.

Everyone is off in a million directions, and we’re vulnerable.It’s time to do this.

It’s time to claim our place.

RIKA

A few years ago, I never thought I’d be here. On board Pithom. Miles out at sea. At a table with Michael Crist, Kai Mori, and Damon Torrance—men I now consider family.

We’ve locked ourselves on this yacht for however long it takes to address our agenda, and we won’t leave until everything is on the table.

Even things I don’t want to talk about. Things Michael doesn’t know.

We will find Will. We will solidify our plans, and we will remove any threats.

If we survive Conclave.

*Conclave is a 27,000 word novella that is available for FREE on the author's website and on her Wattpad. You do not have to pay for it. But for those of you who would love this as part of your ebook and/or paperback libraries, it has been made available in both formats. Please be aware it takes place between Kill Switch (Devil’s Night #3) and Nightfall (Devil’s Night #4) and is only suitable for readers 18+. Please read Corrupt, Hideaway, and Kill Switch prior to reading this novella.

Genres: Romance, Dark, Novella, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult

95 pages

First published November 22, 2019

About the author

Penelope Douglas is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Their books have been translated into nineteen languages and include The Fall Away Series, The Devil’s Night Series, and the stand-alones, Misconduct, Punk 57, Birthday Girl, Credence, and Tryst Six Venom. Please look for The Hellbent Series and Motel, coming next.

They live in New England with their husband and daughter.

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Reviews

[Ayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

the best and only good parts of this book were the winter & damon scenes. i also need the damon & will duo back ASAP! onto Nightfall…

[Penelope Douglas]

*Conclave is a 27,000 word novella that is available for FREE on my website. (Links below) You do not have to pay for it. But for those of you who would love this as part of your ebook and/or paperback libraries, it has been made available in both formats. Please be aware it takes place between Kill Switch (Devil’s Night #3) and Nightfall (Devil’s Night #4) and is only suitable for readers 18+. Please read Corrupt, Hideaway, and Kill Switch prior to reading this novella. I'm working on Nightfall :)

DAMON

Will is gone. He hasn’t been seen in months, and the texts coming from his phone are almost certainly forged. Something’s wrong. We need to act now.

Michael is ready to tear down The Cove, Rika’s hiding something, Evans Crist is a threat, and Winter’s father is still out there.

Everyone is off in a million directions, and we’re vulnerable.It’s time to do this.

It’s time to claim our place.

RIKA

A few years ago, I never thought I’d be here. On board Pithom. Miles out at sea. At a table with Michael Crist, Kai Mori, and Damon Torrance—men I now consider family.

We’ve locked ourselves on this yacht for however long it takes to address our agenda, and we won’t leave until everything is on the table.

Even things I don’t want to talk about. Things Michael doesn’t know.

We will find Will. We will solidify our plans, and we will remove any threats.

If we survive Conclave.

Read for free on my website---> https://bit.ly/2QMe966

[chan ☆]

was excited until we got to the end and i realized it was just Michael/Rika shit 🥴

this was fine but probably unnecessary if you’re about to read Will’s book

[Jewel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this series, but in this novella all the characters took themselves way too seriously. You guys created a club because you like to play pranks on Halloween, you're not part of the mafia. Calm down.

[Arini · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1 Corrupt — 3 Stars
#2 Hideaway — 3.5 Stars
#3 Kill Switch — 4 Stars
#3.5 Conclave — 3 Stars
#4 Nightfall — 3 Stars

I love the series, but it’s getting a little unrealistic. I mean, I appreciate the optimism and the idea of wanting to build a meaningful legacy is brilliant. Go young minds! 👏 But how did we go from Devil’s Night high school pranks to running for a mayor, gubernatorial or whatever! These characters in their early twenties talking about murder, politics, dominating the world (well, their town), and participating in orgies (eww, I know) . . . that’s just too much and too soon?

“We might not make the best decisions under pressure, but you can’t make a decision at all when you’re not talking about it.”

I didn’t like Rika (and Michael) at the beginning. I’ve come to tolerate her. But why did she suddenly become so . . . all high and mighty - making decisions for everyone, telling them what to do. I mean, poor she! What happened to her in this novella (apparently she can’t have kids) was unfortunate. But also, whyyy?!?! It’s a real shitty *condition*, I know, but ughh I HATE that trope.

Kids in our twenties, raise them in our thirties, and ship them off to college in our forties when we’re still young enough to have the house to ourselves and still be kinky, you know? - Damon’s #LifeGoal 🙄

I love Damon, and his book is my favorite so far. But Kai and Banks is my OTP. Why didn’t we get any alone time with them in here? 😫 I feel like they’re the only *normal/soft/sane* couple compare to the rest. And can we talk about Alex? She’s been with us since book . . . Idk. I kinda ship her with Will. Emery better make one hell of an impression in the next book. I suppose they could be a throuple. But I haven’t warmed up to that idea yet. 🙈

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just when I start to tolerate Rika in Kill Switch, I have to read this and every ugly emotion I have for her is there again.
She is a Mary Sue. She is beautiful. She is the richest of all characters in this series. She is a fricking ninja. She is a mayor, even though she's still in college. Everyone caters to her every whim. Every book after Corrupt, where she was a main female character, has her playing a bigger role than necessary- she is Kai's best friend and the one that made him want women again; she likes to manipulate people like a chess and play games with Damon AND she's his little sister.

If she is somehow included in Will's story more than she needs to be I'mma lose my shit.

Everything revolves around her in this little story. Damon is jealous of her, because she will possibly get a new stepbrother. Damon defends Rika against Michael. Kai puts his relationship with his wife after his friendship with her. She makes decisions regarding Damon's son without his approval. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ANYONE COULD LIKE THIS GIRL?.
Her and Michael (who I still hate more than her) are the most self absorbed couple. Everything in their relationship revolves around sex. And every fight they have they resolve with sex. They don't love each other. They love watching other people have sex and they love having sex. That's it.
Please PD stop shoving Rika down our throats. She is not as interesting as you think.

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

how come I cried, laughed, got mad and was insanely happy in a span of what? 100pages?????

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this novella because I was excited to have any extra stories to add to this dark series! What I hadn’t realized until after I bought it was the the author has the Short story posted on her site..In other words I could have read it for free!!🤷‍♀️ I have decided not to dwell on it though as I have loved the whole series so far! I don’t mind having this novella to add to my collection!

As with all novella’s my main complaint is that they are always too short! This was no exception; however I loved that at the end we got another bonus scene!! This was where Winter gives birth, and Damon is with her through all her agony! His reaction cracked me up! I loved every minute!!

Next is the final book in the series, and it’s Will’s turn to fall in love! I have to say that he has been my least favourite out of the guys so I’m not as eager to go on. Seeing how I get to have more of the others though, I am positive I will enjoy it anyway!😁👍

[Veronica WordsAreMyDrinkOfChoice · Rating 1 out of 5]

The blurb sounds like a snooze fest and filler to kill time until nightfall, this series has massively declined in my view 😴

As it was so short I decided to read the novella! What a mess! Damon is just pure obnoxious and predictable, like Negan from the walking dead he has become somewhat of a caricature! He just insults people, gets into fisticufffs with Misha and Michael, he is a loud bore. For such a tough guy he gives into his mum seeing his child pretty quick. This whole idea was ridiculous, Christiane has been a pretty shit mum to Rika, and a horrific, absent mother to Damon. But that is supposed to be forgotten and she is trusted with the baby? Why? She is hardly breaking her back to make amends with Damon. Also, who do Rika and Winter think they are to preach forgiveness and make that decision without Damon? It was pretty disgusting in my eyes. But I expect a shitty lifetime tv reconciliation between Damon and Christiane In Nightfall. Also, Rika trying to throw the bad things Damon had done in his face to guilt him into letting his mother see his child was just beyond! Damon was a monster because he was raised by monsters, which was something Rika’s Mother let happen. Like he said he did horrific things when he was young and hurting, his mother ignored him and let him be abused for years, everyday, while she was in reach of him, not the same thing at all!
Damon really was a scumbag when he threw Annie’s death in Mishas face, he basically said it was his fault, and everyone allowed it. It is such a shame the Damon from Corrupt and Hideaway had such potential, but the end result is an immature, entitled, arrogant ass, who thinks he is a lot scarier and tougher than he is!
Rika, Rika, Rika, I’m bored to tears. Penelope Douglas made clear in Kill Switch and this novella who her favourite characters are, and boy did I see too much of them, especially Rika. The triple threat, the elegant lady with ninja skills and cunning! Seriously? How old is this girl? Yet she has an entourage, is mayor, is finishing her degree, making plots, is engaged etc? Come on, she never would have been mayor and no one would have followed her. She is basically a kid with shady company, yet she is running the town?😂
Also that corny phone conversation with an associate where she was laughing and being pretentious, was cringe? I’m expected to believe people buy her little preppy act? She is so far removed from the spunky and authentic chick From Corrupt it is worrying. Michael is an ass, but I much prefer him to Rika.
Then we have the big secret reveal on the yacht which was so over dramatic and ominous, and turned out to be a snooze fest. Rika’s big reveal, is that she most likely will not be able to have children. Do not get me wrong it is a painful subject, but it as handled badly here. Firstly it is not a definite, secondly she hides it from Michael for a good while, thirdly we all know Michael values Rika more than having children so what was the big build up? Fourthly Kai knew first? Again with this underlying closeness with these two? It’s insulting to Banks. Again she questions if Rika is more important to him as he worries about keeping secrets for her. Rika has the cheek to be upset when Banks questions what’s going on? Come on! We see Michael and Rika make up (with sex as per usual), but not Banks and Kai? Apparently their relationship is not worth being focused on, or the reconciliation even being mentioned. It’s making me start to dislike Kai.
Also the sex scenes were incredibly boring and felt shoe horned in, as with every book there is sex scenes featured which involve more than two people, and each book it has to get bigger or better. This novella we have Rika watching Alex taking photos of two guys I barely remember, with a crew member of the yacht. Michael obviously arrives and sexy time happens in the same room as he and Rika make up, Rika likes being on display yadda yadda, a guy helps keep Rika stable and admires how hot she is as Michael fucks her, but cannot get involved, oh and Rika is blindfolded and Alex takes photos of her and Michael! Literally cringe and so out of place, I am bored of these stale scenes.
Also, the whole Will not being seeing for a whole year and this group allowing that, and not making it a big deal till now was not believable in the slightest! Come on none of it added up and it was so sloppy!
I used to be a fan is this author and the first two books in this series were big wins for me and kept me hooked, but Killswitch and this novella have killed any affection I have for this series. I will read Nightfall to see the conclusion, but I am pretty much done with this author and these books.

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You can’t make a decision at all when you’re not talking about it.”

“We’re not criminals, and I have to constantly remind myself of that. We don’t break laws for personal gain. We do it for fun.”

The Hero(es):
Michael Crist - From Corrupt, a famous NBA player and Leader of the group.
Kai Mori - From Hideaway, the good guy of the group who can be very bad.
Damon Torrence - From Kill Switch, a bad boy with a killer attitude.
Will Grayson - From the next book, Nightfall the tortured alcoholic who is missing.
Misha - a loner who is Will’s cousin and wants to find him. He suspects his family.

The heroine(s):
Rika - From Corrupt, Michael’s girlfriend, she is a graduate student, mayor and inherited a thriving jewelry empire, she is hiding something from Michael.
Banks - From Hideaway, girlfriend to Kai, she is Damon’s half-sister and the sole heir of their father, they have one child.
Winter - From Kill Switch, girlfriend to Damon, she is blind and a ballet dancer and pregnant with their second child.
Alex - a college student and prostitute who had an ongoing (paid) relationship with Will. She is best friends with Rika and part of the group.
Ryen - Girlfriend to Misha.



Will is missing, secrets are being kept and nobody is talking to each other.Misha thinks that Will has embarrassed the family too much by being sent to prison and his antics since he got out (i.e. blowing through his inheritance on alcohol, drugs and hookers), and the family isn’t taking any more of it. Damon suggests a Conclave to get everything out in the open and formulate a plan to find and retrieve Will.

“They started doing this, because eight-hundred years ago, it took three years to choose a new pope due to political infighting. People don’t solve problems if they’re not forced to face them, you know? Now, the cardinals are led into the Sistine Chapel, there’s a shout of ‘extra omnes’ meaning ‘everyone out’, and the doors are chained shut, locking them in until they solve the problem.”

Will comes from an extremely wealthy family and his Grandfather wants to run for Governor. It was intimated that the family took action and sent him somewhere against his will. The guys think that is a place more dangerous to Will’s well being than prison was.

It sounds to me like some sort of black site for the children of privilege that can’t be brought to heel. But from the rumors about the place it sounds a bit like a Lord of the Flies situation where the the inmates run the asylum and it is every man for himself.

Michael and Rika are also having problems and both of them want things between them to get better so a conclave on the yacht seems like the perfect place to talk, where neither of them can leave if the going gets rough.

Overall this was a nice quick little interlude between the third and fourth books and a great way to set up Will’s book which should be a good one.

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[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jeezus. Halfway in and it was so bloody lame I ken-nut take it.

God knows why I'm continuing with this series when all knows I hate Erika Fane. Oh waittttt, yah, I'm in it because I love Banks and Kai, and it's PAINFULLY obvious that Penelope Douglas loves Kai as well, but unlike me she seems to love having him make googly eyes and be supportive of Rika for crissakes.

I think I lived for when Michael told Rika to go fuck herself and fuck to her power, entourage, assistants etc etc and a whole lot of other lame shit that the twenty two year old mayor (lmao) that is she has. Please people. I mean. Age your characters if you want them to be powerful figures of authority because honestly, I'm incredibly sceptical of 22 year olds who haven't graduated school running around ruling the world. It's pathetically laughable.

Also, (rant not over), after Damon's book and how he has suddenly shot up in the ranks of uber coolness, suddenly Erika has to have a relationship, A DIRECT CONNECTION (whee! She's now his little sister too!) with him as well, because, oh heaven forbid if there isn't a guy who's not feeling protective of little miss I'm So Powerful But I Need All These Strong Men Other Than My Fiancé To Take Care Of Me.

And apparently Damon just completely forgets that he has a sister, who only two books ago was as essential to him as air itself, and also a blind wife, who's currently preggers again.

Oh Erika, love, please stop barking out orders like you're some military veteran or CIA agent because, no no no, it just makes me want to throw up a little.

[Mali Mor ❤️ The Romantic Blogger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well... This was hot, sexy and naughty AS HELL! 🔥🔥🔥

[✩ Mira ✩ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars because i was reading this on a plane and it only put me to sleep once but also the entire time i had to hide what i was reading from the middle-aged man sitting right next to me

was this absolutely unnecessary? yes. did i know that going in? also yes.
so then why am i surprised i found it to be a complete waste of time

Okay, so, Conclave


In the beginning of the novella, it says that it's for fans of the series who want a bit more content, but in reality it's for fans of PD's weird obsession with writing about threesomes and orgies. Like that was half of the book :))

The premise of the book, the whole "conclave" thing, while suuuper extra and unrealistic sounds pretty interesting and you'd think that we'd get some nice scenes with our favourite characters (not Rika and Michael) and what did we get? Rika and Michael. I am sure that PD is the only one who still likes Rika and just can't stop pushing her down our throats. (I'm pretty sure that she'll be there to ruin Will's book too and I just..........)

So, the plot? Non-existent. The conclave? Lasted for 10 pages max. The way the whole idea of it was proposed was in a typical PD over-the-top fashion (which I usually enjoy, mind you), and supposedly they had "a lot" of important things to discuss.....


I'll summarise it for you:
someone: Will's missing
other someone: what?! we haven't heard of him only for a year, he's fine
other someone: hmmmmm Will might be missing tho
everyone suddenly: yeahhhhh he probably is, anyway let's all bang now
The End.

I won't even comment on all the Rika and Michael stuff because I want to try to convince myself that I didn't spend an hour of my life reading that.

Um also the thingy that's happening with all these stupid side characters that I don't give a single fuck about?
me@PD while reading all of that and not having soap anywhere near me to wash my eyes with: *unfortunately i can't find an image but there's this TikTok sound that goes:* you did this for what?
PD: why not
me: why though

Also, this Alex chick, I didn't give a fuck about her in book 1 and i am currently giving negative fucks about her. I don't want to know her sad story, which wasn't sad btw??? I don't care what she wants, I don't understand why she's part of the group, and I don't want to see her anywhere near Will.


Another thing -- why were Misha and Ryen there? Completely unnecessary.

The only thing I truly enjoyed was't even part of the novella but the extra story at the end about Damon and Winter's child .

oooohhh, and the complete ignoring of Kai and Banks??????


PD, you're playing fovourites and it's showing, but then again, they were also supporting characters in their own book, so why am i surprised.........

In conclusion, you can live without this novella but it's free so meh.

[Karla Martínez · Rating 3 out of 5]

los quiero mucho <3

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I finally finished something! Yay.

I guess this was only written to set the tone for Nightfall, otherwise I don’t get the point. I would be a liar if I said I undestood everything happening in here. I’m just here for the romance, and don’t really care for the drama happening in the background (which is becoming honestly a little OTT and ridiculous). At least we got more of Damon and Winter and I loved their scenes so much. This was also filled with Rika and unballsy Michael, which I didn’t like. I feel like they’ve had a little growth, but it’s growth that I’m not a huge fan of. I still don’t feel like they’re a real couple, eeeep.

Well, let’s see how Nightfall is gonna make me feel! :)

[Books123 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like how the series has become so Rika(who I dislike more after every book) and Damon centric. I feel like all other characters are under utilised so these two are always in the spotlight.

I also thought the misunderstanding scene between Michael,Rika, Kai and Banks was dumb. It undermines both couples who I would hope are secure in their relationships by now.

I’m still going to read book 4 just to finish the series but I’m not eagerly anticipating it.

[ysaruva · Rating 2 out of 5]

see now if this was entirely in damon’s pov or if we got more kai/banks this would’ve probably been higher but fuck offf with that micheal rika shit like I don’t care. I think micheal becomes a tad bit more unlikable with every book. i’m excited for will though

[Melanie (mells_view) · Rating 4 out of 5]

L’appel du vide. The call of the void.

Quick in between novella. I’m a little confused at why the last chapter wasn’t first, but alas it was still entertaining and sort of sets up where we will be headed in Nightfall and what’s going on with the established couples/crew.

Sort of obsessed with how Damon loves Winter in this part of their journey. The stuff with Rika and Michael too. Like, not everything is peaches and cream after “the end” and it’s interesting to see them having to figure things out.

*Hoopla

[Grecia Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

DAMON!!!

Me encantó saber más de él y su nueva faceta como papá es que ay QUE BONITO!! Muero de amor.
Esta novella ocurre como un año y medio después del último libro. Todos están preocupados por Will que no aparece y sospechan que está internado en una clínica pero para gente que es un estorbo y ellos lo quieren rescatar.

La mayor parte de la historia es narrada por Rika que es lo que no me gustó últimamente se le ha dado demasiada importancia y anda metiéndose en todo ocultando secretos y trae un drama con Michael que me gustó mucho en su libro pero en los demás parecía un pelele que Rika lo manejaba a su antojo.
Así que por eso no lo disfruté.

Eso si amé las escenas de Damon y sobre todo cuando nace su bebé.

[Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know everyone has already said this but oh my god Rika grates on my nerves. It was still ok till the second book but now it’s like she is a third wheel in every book. Why is she given so much important? Why is Penelope Douglas so obsessed with her?

I NEED HER

[ash | · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rika >>>

[❄︎ Amy Estridh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stars go out to my two fav people Damon and Winter <3, and it would've been more if 80% wasn't Rika's pov

"The only one who can bring Ivar Torrance's father to his knees is Ivar's mother."

MIIIIIiii
Tbh everything about Michael and Rika pisses me off in an unhealthy way. When the day comes where I'll want to reread this series it will feel like torture going through Corrupt again

[Melissa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect! Enough to keep me invested in the characters while waiting for the final book! So sweet seeing Daemon & Winters baby’s birth as a bonus story. I did want to see more of what happened at the Conclave but sadly we only get Rika & Michael’s reunion for the most part.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

“A world where there is no us can’t happen.”

i loved that we got more of rika and michael. also i just miss will and i cant wait to finally start his book.

[Amz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a 1 star read, but Damon deserves 5 stars, so I guess I’ll rate it 2 stars? Idk I'm starting to f-ing h8 Rika.

[isy | yuvi's wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

HOW DID SO MUCH HAPPEN IN 100 PAGES??!!

I swear Damon was put in this series for some comedic relief. Some of the lines he has crack me up 🤣

[Leanne;; · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

this was actually really good. there was a lot of conflict between rika and michael and it was so stressful. but the words of affirmation between them were cutee. even though it was during a sex scene 🙁. nah bc that sex scene was not necessary- anyways i did cry bc of the last chapter from damon’s pov. it was so cute ☹️ and now i’m so excited and scared for nightfall 😮

[h · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ✧

i would give five million stars to the first eleven pages if i could because it’s just pure damonwinter content and it feeds my fucking soul.

“if she left me, i’m going to burn the whole fucking world down until i find her.”

“i stop right behind her, the top of her head resting under my chin.”

“talk to me, i whisper against her mouth. “please.”

”the only one who can bring ivar torrance’s father to his knees is ivar’s mother.”

“leaning down, i rest my forehead into her back. “i love you,” i say.”

I COULD GO ON AND ON. damon is fucking superior. AND THE BONUS SCENE??? DAMON WASHING WINTER AND WASHING HER FEET AND ASKING HER FOR ADVICE?? want to cry he’s grown up so much ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹
my fucking husband. no one can replace him.

”i smiled to myself. i loved how she was. she made me better and i loved seeing her happy.”
DAMON MF TORRENCE.

”she paused and then said, “i love you.”
a pang hit my heart like it always did when she said that. like i was falling for her all over again.”
STOP IM SORRY HE HAS MY WHOLE HEART I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT HIM. HE IS EVERYTHING TO ME.

also where was my kaibanks content??? missing father kai hours fr ☹️☹️

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I missed reading something written by Penelope! ❤️ She’s a queen! I love all her books and I can’t wait to read the fourth book of this series.
This particular short story brought together almost all the characters from the last 3 books and it made me feel like I was reading about a family, not about a group of friends/couples. But they are actually a family, right?! The connection they all have is so intense and palpable, you can not possibly ignore it.
I loved it! 😍

[Markie Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I defentely love penelope douglas little novellas but not as much as her full books but I still really like Damon’s and Rika’s short stories,

I think Damon and winter will always be my favorite in the series but we’ll see after the next book

,but poor Rika and not being able to have kids I hope she and Michael find a way or all their friends and family do either way their baby birth was cute at the end too I glad thei added that scene,

I cannot wait to read nightfall in a couple days but I’m glad I got to reread this.