Chapter 2

The masquerade was more beautiful than Mara had imagined. Hundreds of candles illuminated the grand ballroom. Nobles danced beneath crystal chandeliers while musicians played haunting melodies. Yet Mara couldn't enjoy any of it. She kept thinking about the prince. More importantly, she kept thinking about his warning. Don't tell anyone. She was about to leave the ballroom when a gloved hand suddenly caught her wrist. Mara turned. Prince Adrian stood behind her. Up close, his golden mask looked even more mysterious. "Follow me," he whispered. "Why?" "Because if you stay here, you'll be dead before midnight." Mara's heart stopped. "What are you talking about?" Instead of answering, Adrian pulled her through a hidden door behind a curtain. They entered a dark corridor. The music from the ballroom disappeared behind them. "You shouldn't have brought me here," Mara said. "I didn't bring you here." Adrian looked at her. "You were brought here long before tonight." Mara frowned. "What does that mean?" Before he could answer, footsteps echoed from the corridor. Someone was coming. Adrian quickly opened another door. "Inside." They hid in a small chamber. Through a narrow opening, Mara saw two men walking past. One of them was the Royal Chancellor. The other carried a silver dagger. "The girl must not discover the truth," the Chancellor said. Mara's blood ran cold. "The girl?" Adrian looked at her. His expression had changed. "They're talking about you."