“You’re not supposed to know it’s me,” she said, her voice muffled slightly by the intricate black lace mask that covered half her face. Her lips, painted a deep crimson, curved into a playful smile as she tilted her head, the feathers on her mask catching the flicker of candlelight.

Nina had always been the kind of woman who turned heads, even in a room full of masks and mystery. Her dark hair was swept into an elegant updo, a few loose strands framing her delicate jawline. The emerald-green gown she wore clung to her figure, the neckline dipping just enough to hint at what lay beneath. Zane, dressed in a tailored black suit with a silver mask that barely concealed his sharp features, leaned in slightly, his voice low. “You think I wouldn’t recognize you by now?”

The music swelled around them, a waltz that seemed to pull the entire ballroom into its rhythm. Nina’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she extended her hand. “Prove it, then. One dance, and if you’re wrong, you owe me a secret.” Zane hesitated for only a moment before taking her hand, his fingers brushing against hers as the crowd parted, leaving them just enough space to step into the dance. But as they moved, a figure in a crimson mask watched from the shadows, their gaze unyielding.