Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Masked Threat 1

Sophia’s POV

MASK PARTY HALL

"We are here," Leonard said as the sleek black car pulled up in front of the towering hall. From the outside, it looked like something out of a European royal gala. Tall columns, arched doors, golden lanterns flickering against the night sky.

He turned to me with a glint in his eye and picked up a shimmering silver-and-red eye-to-nose mask. "Hold still," he said, gently tying the soft strap behind my head. He then tied his own—a matte black mask that made him look even more dangerous, more mysterious.

The soft echo of classical music floated through the walls.

"I’ll do it," Leonard told the driver, noticing he was about to step out. But before Leonard could open the door for me, a well-dressed waiter stationed at the entrance reached for the handle. Leonard stepped out gracefully, walking to the other side and opening the door for me himself.

“May I?” he asked, extending his right hand toward me, eyes twinkling beneath the mask.

“Always,” I smiled and plac