Thanks for reading!

-CL

"Oh my, Bella," Ames gasps, having me spin. I'm getting dressed for the final masquerade ball, where you decide if you would like to reveal yourself or not. Ames and I were adamant that this was the last one, especially since Maxon and I are getting back together. I feel like I'm cheating on him, which I mean, I am.

It's been three months since the first ball, so this is the twelfth and final ball. We would have them weekly and each time there would be a different theme. And tonight's theme is fae. "You look gorgeous, Bella," Ames says, standing. Annabella is playing in her playpen, and we hear her laugh. "And I think Annabella agrees."

I laugh. "Thanks, you two. Now, I just need the wig," I say. Even though I've been blonde for all of the balls, I decided I would go with a white wig for the fae theme. The wig almost hits the ground, hitting my ankles. It's wavy hair, giving extra volume. Ames helps me glue it on and situate it. She places my silver crown of stars on my forehead and attaches my faerie ears. I step back and admire the whole ensemble in the mirror. I gasp, the actual ensemble better than the vision.

My dress is an Aegean blue floor-length silk dress, the folds making it seem like there's an overskirt. There's a small train behind me, just enough to trail me. The sweetheart neckline allows the silver detailing on my shoulders and chest to draw the eye, the detailing trailing down to my knees. There are silver threads woven throughout my dress, making it look like I'm wearing stars. The sleeves are down to my wrists, so I wear a silver ring with a diamond star in the center. I'm wearing moon earrings with stars hanging from the moon. The dress itself is very conservative, besides the fact that it hugs my every curve. My heels are a matching blue with silver accents. My eyeshadow is a deep blue with silver glitter on top. I have silver body glitter dusting my bare skin, making me shimmer. I'm very much a night faerie.

"It's…perfect," I say, speechless. I've never felt so ethereal.

"Don't forget the mask," Ames says, helping me situate it on my face. She's careful of my makeup and hair. I step back, making sure the mask is on straight. The mask is in the same shade of blue and has stars creating a border.

"Thank you so much, Ames," I say, turning away from the mirror. "Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"I'm sure," Ames says. "I have Annabella to watch over, plus I'm already taken."

As if on cue, Michael enters the room and places a kiss on America's forehead. "How are doing, sweetheart?" he murmurs, and I take that as my cue to leave.

"See you after the ball, Ames, Michael," I say, opening the door. "Thank you. For everything."

"Good luck," Ames calls back. Thanks, I'll need it.

"Lord Darien Tress," I hear the guard announce before I enter the ballroom. So he's already here, I think. I must have just missed him before he entered. I should be relieved, but I'm nervous. I look down and see my hands shaking, so I clutch them together and take a deep breath. I need to be composed and not lose myself.

After waiting a few minutes, to make sure Darien will see my entrance, I enter the ballroom. "Lady Cat Alarie," the guard announces. I keep my head up, looking at the crowd when I curtsy. I slowly walk down the stairs, making sure I don't trip on my train. I feel many eyes on me, but I don't let them bother me; I'm only looking for Darien.

I reach the bottom of the steps, right as the song ends. I glance about, but I can't find-

"Will you give me the honor of being my first dance of the night, my lady?" I hear a male voice ask. I whip around to face the source, recognizing the deep brown eyes underneath the navy mask.

"Darien," I gasp. Darien takes my hand in his, kissing it gently. My stomach sinks, knowing how much I want him. You have to end this. You're with Maxon.

Darien leads me out onto the dance floor, allowing me to get a glance at his ensemble tonight. His hair is the same long and blonde, but he changed up his outfit. It's a deep navy with silver accents. "Did you stalk me to find out what I was wearing tonight?" I tease, making sure I keep up with the British accent I've used for all the dances.

"You wish," Darien says with a laugh. His face turns serious, finally taking in my ensemble. "You look gorgeous, Cat. Ethereal."

I can feel heat rushing to my cheeks. "Why, thank you, Darien."
"No slit tonight, though?" Darien teases. I've always worn dresses that were…more sexual than what I usually wear.

"Enchanted (Taylor's Version)" starts to play, so Darien grabs me, placing one hand on my lower back and taking my hand in his. "You know this song?" I ask, raising my eyebrow.

Darien chuckles. "Yes, I know someone who loves Taylor Swift," he says, starting to sway. I follow his lead.

"Huh, sounds like a girl I would like," I say. "I love Taylor Swift myself." He gently twirls me, following the tempo of the music. He pulls me close, and I place my head on his chest, swaying. We break apart and walk in a circle, holding eye contact. We slowly move together, putting our arms up and having our palms touch. He pulls me in when the refrain begins, lifting me up and spinning me. He gently puts me down at the end of the refrain.

"So are we ever going to see each other again?" Darien asks, twirling me outward.

"I doubt it," I say. "Unless we reveal ourselves to each other."

"Who says we weren't?" he asks, putting us at arm's length. Our palms touch above our heads before he comes close, picking me up again.

"No one," I say quickly. The song reaches the bridge, and Darien twirls me outward before pulling me close and putting his arms around my back. I bend backward, allowing my arms to fall. He helps me spin before pulling me upright again.

Too soon, the song ends. "Darien, I want to-" I'm cut off by a loud noise. I feel a sharp pain enter my shoulder, and I cry out.

Darien looks around before looking at my face. "Cat, are you alright?" He must notice something is wrong. "You've been shot," he says, his face paling.

I look at him, shocked. "What?"

"C'mon, let's go," he says, grabbing my arm. I cry out, and Darien looks at me.

"I'm alright," I whisper, dropping the British accent. It's too hard to keep up with now.

"They were aiming for me," he says quietly, like he was speaking to himself. "It was just that we turned and-"

"Hey, it's not your fault," I say, cupping his face with my good hand.

"Let's go," he says, leading me to the secret room.

It's then that the adrenaline wears off, and I realize that I'm in much more pain than I thought I was. I try to bite back my cry, but it still comes out. Darien turns around to face me. "Hey, it's alright, Cat," he says. His eyes land on something past me before shoving me behind him. "Get back."

I cry out again from him jostling my shoulder. "Hey, why would you-

Another gunshot sounds in the room, and Darien slumps against me. "Darien, what's-" I notice the gunshot wound near his chest. "Darien!" I scream. "No, Darien!" I help Darien lie on the ground the best I can with my shoulder, praying that he's still alive. "Darien, please, don't leave me." I sink forward and start crying into his chest. "Please, don't die, Darien. Please," I sob, hoping that this is just a dream. I hear another gunshot and scream.