Page 150 of Midnights
The valet straightens, keeping his expression polite. “Would you like to leave your things in the car, Miss? Your driver will stay here until you're ready to leave. Your things will be safe.”
It’s an easy choice. Nothing ruins a look like a clutch weighing you down all night.
“That’s perfect, actually.” I smile, looking at Rachel. “I think I'll leave my phone too. Let's just keep an eye on each other.”
Rachel nods, already slipping her phone into her bag and setting it inside the car. “Deal.”
The castle at dusk is breathtaking. Its towering stone walls glow under the last traces of fading sunlight. The last time we were here, storm clouds clawed at the sky, twisting the castle into something out of a gothic nightmare. But tonight, it’s something else entirely.
The courtyard thrums with life.
Guests move in clusters while their gowns sweep across the stone. The soft light catches on all the masks and shimmering fabrics. Laughter and conversation intertwine with the music, and it's an intoxicating blend of excitement.
No names. No pasts. Just the company of strangers, and the promise of a night where anything could happen.
Rachel loops her arm through mine, her voice hushed with awe. “I feel like this is going to be the best night ever.”
Security is everywhere. It's not obvious, but noticeable if you know what to look for. Men in sharp suits linger at the edges of the crowd, and it's obvious they are meant to blend in.
Two men in tuxedos stand on either side of the massive entrance, pulling the doors open in perfect synchronization. They bow slightly as we pass.
“Ladies.”
Rachel squeezes my arm, barely containing her excitement. “Shut up, shut up! I love this so much already.”
I bite back a grin.Same.
The double doors swing open, revealing a short corridor lined with flickering sconces that cast golden light onto the walls. The anticipation thickens, humming in my chest like a second heartbeat.
Then, another set of doors swings wide, and I physically stop in my tracks.
The ballroom is massive, every inch of it is glittering with elegance. Chandeliers dangle from the high ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over the spinning dancers and lavishly dressed guests. The gleaming floor reflects the twinkling lights above, and the musicians in the corner play a haunting melody.
Rachel lets out a breathless laugh.
“We definitely didn’t see this when we were here before,” I murmur, taking it all in.
Couples twirl in effortless synchronization, while others mingle in clusters, blending seamlessly with the music. It’s like stepping into a dream I never want to wake up from.
Rachel leans in, and a smile tugs at her lips. “Good thing we took those dance lessons. I’d rather not be the only ones here who can’t do the waltz.”
I laugh, adjusting my mask. “You’re welcome for that brilliant idea. Though, no promises I won’t twirl right into a wall.”
We step off the last stair, blending into the throng of guests. The energy in the room is magnetic. Everything glows, from the extravagant table settings to the shimmering champagne pyramid, to the soft sway of skirts and whispers of silk.
A slower, more romantic tune begins, and couples flood the dance floor. My gaze drifts toward the grand double doors leading to the gardens, and their glass panes reflect the full moon. The night is clear, and I already know I’m going to sneak out there before the night’s over.
But before I can dwell on it, someone catches my eye.
There's a tall man in a mask, gliding through the crowd with unmistakable ease. People can't help but turn as he passes, and whispers cling to the air he leaves behind. He moves like he belongs here.
His steel-blue eyes lock onto mine, and something dark flickers behind his twisted smirk. It vanishes quickly, smoothed by a look of intrigue. His eyes flick between me and Rachel, and then he heads straight for us.
Rachel stiffens beside me. Not obvious, but I feel it.
The man stops close enough to test a boundary, and his head dips in that too-smooth way men use when they think charm is currency.
His attention shifts toward Rachel. “You both look stunning tonight,” he smiles. “Enjoying yourselves so far?”
