Welcome To Masquerade Novels & Stories

"A strike means you leave the game before it starts. And you might not actually leave alive." My blood went cold. I turned to face the person who'd spoken, a tall figure in a white mask. "I didn't know there was a game. I just came to see my friend and those guards forced me to put on this mask and—" "You're in the Cross Mackerel mansion," the white mask said, and I could hear the smirk in their voice. "This is one of the largest initiations ever, done annually. You walk in, you play. Those are the rules."

"I'm hosting a party at my home soon. It’s a private affair. I’d love it if you were there as my guest." He reached into the inner pocket of his blazer and pulled out a small, gold-embossed card. It was thick, wrapped in a black silk ribbon that felt soft against my palm as he handed it over. I traced the raised lettering of his crest. "A masquerade?" "In a mask, you can be whoever you want, Valentina. No one to answer to, and no one to fear." "Okay, that sounds a little scary," I said, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.

I don’t think the others noticed it because they were just laughing their asses out even if there’s nothing funny. “Someone once said that I’m more gorgeous when naked.” He shrugged as if telling me that I’m the one who doesn’t have taste. Wow! The hell! The week went by like a blur and finally it’s Saturday, the D-day. The biggest event in the country is going to happen. It's a masquerade ball with glitters, black and white motif. It'll be held in one of the biggest hotel here in the country owned by the Lacsamanas.

“It only takes one failure for them to know something is going on.” Noah nodded in agreement. “You have a point, that is why I was suggesting earlier that we should get those files at the masquerade party. I planned for us to go there with a partner,” Noah said. “There is a reason why I want it done while we’re on the masquerade. The Casino lets anyone enter without showing their ID and without checking the guests’ identity for privacy purposes. Guests and regular customers needed to wear their mascaras for the entire party,” Noah explained.

He sighed and brushed his hand in his hair the other hand resting in his pocket and he stopped smiling and said in a deep voice, “Seeing you now is risking my life, you know my first name and for the first time I am not afraid to take such a step.” He turned to me and this time he looked straight in my eyes and he continues, “I will try and come back here to see you. But if I can’t and you can recognize me without my mask when we meet once again, then I won’t hesitate to be yours forever. This I promise.”

Having been in college just down the street for the last few years, there weren't too many places she didn't know about. "It's called Masquerade." He shrugged, his smile the only thing giving away his level of excitement. "You don't have to dress up special, but if you get on the dance floor, then you're required to wear a mask like you would at a ball." "Weird. Is it new?" "Yep. Just opened two weeks ago. I swear, it’s all anyone’s talking about." "I'm in. I need to get out, and I'd love to meet the rest of the interns. Does anyone go with us, or is it just interns?"

Vivian and I agree with him completely. A plump bar-mistress walks around the tables holding a basket, handing out flyers. We take one each, reading them, and I exhale with relief, knowing we have just found our plan. I read the flyer out loud, which announces a masquerade ball will be held in Maia’s honour at West Wallow Castle tomorrow night. The ballroom will be filled with disguised guests in masks and different facial coverings. ‘This is it. This is our plan,’ I say, grinning and swigging my drink.

"Call you when I land?" "You better." "Be safe. Don’t let Maya drag you into anything." "No promises." I blew him a kiss. "Good luck." He caught it, pressed his hand to his chest. The call ended. I stared at the blank screen, missing him already. Then I remembered the email. It was right at the top. Subject: Something for us I clicked. "I got us tickets to the Crimson Masquerade next Friday. Costumes, dancing, dramatic lights, vampires, forbidden lovers — all the dramatic things you love.