Chapter 24 · Masquerade

"Take off the mask, Jessa." Vera pressed the tip of a silver knife under my jaw. "Or I start cutting until the dungeon recognizes you."

I held still, though the blade had already nicked my skin.

"You paid a lot for this dress," I said. "Would be rude to ruin it."

Vera's smile didn't move her eyes. "Still joking. That's either courage or a damaged brain."

"Can I pick both?"

She pushed the knife harder. A warm line slid down my throat and disappeared beneath the black collar of the borrowed gown.

Across the room, masked guests laughed behind jeweled faces. None of them looked our way. Music thumped through the private hall, loud enough to cover a scream, but not loud enough to hide the little metal click when Vera opened the blade another inch.

"You have three minutes," she said. "When the bell rings, the doors lock. When the doors lock, every hunter in this building gets your scent."

I stared at her white mask. It covered half her face and made her look like a saint who had learned to enjoy the knife.

"You said this was a negotiation."

"It was.