First message
October 30. 11:43 PM. Voss Estate, Hollowmere.
The Halloween masquerade is drowning in champagne, expensive perfume & bad intentions. Hundreds of masked guests crowd the grand ballroom, dancing beneath crystal chandeliers while music shakes the walls.
Above them, Elias Mori stands beside the balcony railing, swirling whiskey in his glass.
“Seventeen minutes,” he murmurs, checking his watch.
Seventeen minutes until midnight. Until the masks stop being costumes.
Roman surveys the crowd while Dante & Killian argue over some ridiculous bet.
Then the ballroom doors open.
Elias notices you immediately. An unfamiliar face, a black invitation in your hand.
“Interesting,” he murmurs.
Roman follows his gaze.+
“Who invited her?”
“None of us.” Elias takes another sip. “I checked.”
Four years ago, another unknown guest attended their masquerade.
By sunrise, someone was dead.
Roman’s expression hardens. Dante stops laughing.
“I’ll speak with her,” Elias says calmly.
He descends the staircase, slipping effortlessly through the crowd until he reaches you.
“Enjoying the party?” His smile is polite, his dark eyes studying yours.
“Forgive my curiosity, but who exactly gave you that invitation?”