Niv Masks Novels & Stories

Nicole's POV The mask was white porcelain with gold edging, and it covered everything from my forehead to the bridge of my nose. I had added large tortoiseshell glasses below it on the grounds that two layers of disguise were better than one, and Marlon had looked at the combination and said I resembled a very elegant owl. "That is the point," I told him, and he gave up.

But being here would be my quiet defiance, not openly responding to her, but showing that I was more than she thought. Nolan handed out masks, explaining rotations in his steady, no-nonsense voice. “Twenty minutes each. Change your filter before your chest burns or your head goes light. It’s too late if you wait for the symptoms.” His eyes flicked to mine as he pressed one into my hand, holding my gaze steadily. There were no questions there, just the explicit trust that he knew I could handle it. The mask scratched against my skin as I pulled it on. Rowan didn’t even bother to look back to check that I was ok, he was already at the barrier, eyes searching the dark.

I tell myself it’s just the acoustics. The front desk sits beneath a broad fluorescent halo. A nurse in powder-blue scrubs glances up from her screen. Her smile is small and polite. “Good afternoon. Visiting?” she asks. “Yes. Olivia Harichi,” I say, the words catching slightly in my throat. “She’s in ICU, room 411.” She types quickly, fingers whispering across the keyboard. “ID, please.” I slide my license across the counter, and while she checks it, my gaze keeps snagging on the elevator behind her. The doors open, close. Families step out clutching flowers, overnight bags, and paper cups of coffee. No sign of Theo. Not yet.

But seeing how Nina plunges into the seat in front of me unbothered due to her black fitted off-shoulder mini dress, has me feeling a bit jealous. She crosses her legs, showing off her black high heels with a slingback decorated with little diamonds. Passing me the cigarette package, she lights her cigarette and passes me the lighter too. Nina is wearing a black mask with silver embellishments, matching her blingy shoes. Her copper-blond hair is tied up into a loose bun while I chose to wear my hair open and straightened.

Naomi stepped back and studied her work. “I’m done,” she said, holding out a blue mask. I frowned. “What’s this for?” “You’re the flavour of the evening,” she explained. “Masks make buyers curious. Mystery sells.” I hesitated before slipping it on. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognised myself. The woman staring back looked polished, beautiful even, but distant. The blue mask hid half my face, turning me into someone else. “Good luck,” Naomi said softly. “Tonight, your name is Blue.”

I snap back, just as the door swings fully open. The man in front steps inside, holding a cattle prod, its metal tip gleaming ominously. He moves just enough to allow another man to enter, who silently sets a jug of water down on the rickety table before turning to leave. “Wait!” I shout, my voice sharp and urgent. The men pause, glancing back. “We will negotiate. What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my tone calm despite the tension in the air. The man at the front turns his masked face toward me. His expression is hidden, but his posture radiates control. “We want nothing,” he says, his voice distorted, processed through some kind of modulator. It’s deliberate—a calculated move to ensur

They stood with their bucket hats and face masks in place, avoiding people's eyes. “I can get home on my own.” Min-a spoke coldly, keeping his face stoic beneath the mask. There were so many things running through his head that he wasn't willing to process them yet.

He said, “Excuse me, Master David. Everyone has to wear a mask to participate in the insider’s trade fairs to remain anonymous. So, you need this.” After David took it, he took a closer look and saw that it was a soft mask. So, he asked, “Mr. Rivers, it's just a trade fair. Is it necessary to make it so mysterious? Not only is it held in such a hidden location, but all participants have to remain anonymous too?”

I sent the protective vests and helmets, which were masks, to Pacwater, Lucius, Liam and Fredrick. Looking at the protection gear, I realise it wasn't Kevlar as I thought. It was a new type of fabric that could stretch and bounce off metal moving at a high velocity. My instructions were simple. They were to keep the head mask, which we referred to as helmet but wasn't really because it was a ski mask that was made with the same fabric as the vest, close by and wear the vests under their clothes to keep them battle-ready. I too did the same. I gave everyone the protection gear, everyone but Michael. I felt bad about it. I wanted to give it to him to protect himself. But we could not risk Ingr

"Come, Nia, let's go down." Nia smiled and reached her hand out to her Daddy while reaching her other hand out to Meredith and said, "Mommy, does my mask look nice?" "It does." Meredith still felt odd. Since when did Josiah prepare the entire set? He even prepared a mask. Did he not only decide to take Nia along that day? Did he not want Nia to appear dazzlingly in front of everyone? Could his original plan be to appear with Lucy and Nia together?