Arcane Firelights Masks の小説・ストーリー

Why can't I move? The scent of moonflowers grew stronger, making his head spin. His skin felt like it was burning, too tight and too sensitive. Every breath brought more of the flower's essence into his lungs, and he could feel his carefully maintained control slipping away piece by piece. Just as Ivan took another step forward, his eyes locked on Jason with dangerous intensity, the main doors to the hall burst open. A group of young women dressed in ceremonial blacks and silvers filed in, their entrance causing a ripple of murmurs throughout the room. Jason had never been so grateful for a distraction in his entire life.

The golden crystals, still dancing around me, faded into shimmering motes of light as we left the game stall. Ryan, his eyes still a striking silver, led me deeper into the town square, which was now transforming with the setting sun. Bonfires blazed, sending sparks dancing into the twilight. Laughter and music filled the air. It seemed they were having some kind of nightly celebration. And everyone, I noticed, was wearing a mask. Ryan turned to me, pulling a plain, dark wooden mask from the folds of his tunic. It was simple, unadorned, but it felt strangely weighty in my hands.

In the next instant, the suite's electronic lock clicked open. I could not help but smirk, a sly grin spreading across my face.

I do not want to lose my only family. Kinuha ni Nanay ang pot holder na nakalapag sa isang mesa bago buksan ang bagong lutong pagkain. The smoke from the newly stewed pork mounted and spreading on to the high ceiling. Iwinasiwas ko ang kamay para alisin ang usok na tumatakip sa paningin. Nanay was wearing a mask to keep herself from being exposed in too much smoke.

Beside it lay a mask—a plain, featureless white porcelain half-mask that covered the eyes and nose, devoid of glitter, feathers, or expression. "It looks like a shroud," Aria whispered, picking up the heavy velvet. "It’s a Domino," Cassandra corrected, applying a layer of gold shimmer to her collarbones. "Very Venetian. Very mysterious. And most importantly, it blends in with the drapes." She turned from the mirror, her eyes critical and cold. "Tonight is my twenty-ninth birthday, Aria. It is a Masquerade. The theme is 'Gilded Age Decadence.' I am the Queen. Damian is the King. And you..." She gestured vaguely at the gray heap. "You are the shadow."

Their alcohol levels were high as well, and Clara was careful to sip at it slowly, although the addictive taste and aroma seduced her to have more. In addition to that, the instructions had stated that everyone was to wear a ball mask, which both the patrons, performers and servers adhered to. She had chosen a black masquerade mask made with flirty lace material to conceal a good part of her face, leaving only her lips and the lower part of her pointed nose bare. Her green eyes shone like those of a cat under the dark lights, attracting different heads which turned to her direction.

My fingers shook a little as I opened the file. Inside was a mask. A sexy black mask made of soft lace and shiny silk. It would cover the eyes and upper face but leave the mouth and jaw free. Delicate black lace patterns swirled around the eye holes like dark flowers. Small shiny crystals sparkled at the edges under the street light. Thin black ribbons waited to tie at the back of the head. It looked mysterious and dangerous. The kind of mask strippers wore when they wanted to hide their identity but show everything else.