Page 276 of The Spider Queen
I took a deep breath as I pressed my fingers to the gold, blue, and green sequined mask covering half my face.
Blaze’s cousin had completely come through for me. I’d never worn anything so beautiful in my entire life. My usual clothes were serviceable, designed to blend in.
But this costume put me on display.
My spaghetti strap dress was made of multiple layers of tulle, each a different shade of blue and green. Two pieces of indigo fabric were sewn into the back of my dress and covered my hands like gloves to form wings. My skin shimmered gold from the body paint, and my hair hung in loose waves down my back.
I was completely out of my element as I stepped into the Gold Ball Room, which was already filled with guests. Though the party had officially begun at nine, I chose to arrive closer to eleven. I’d had an excess of energy that I’d needed to burn off before being forced into a room with so many people’s emotions.
The ballroom wasn’t like any event room I’d ever seen. Then again, from the moment I’d walked into The Rex Hotel, I knew I’d been transported to a different world. It catered to the elite, the über wealthy.
The Rex was no average hotel.
A crystal chandelier that once belonged in an Austrian castle hung in the middle of the ceiling; the walls were made of gold damask from Versailles, and the marble floor was recreated from the original design used on the Titanic.
I knew all of this because I’d gone to the hotel’s website, and then researched Flynn and Barrett.
Servers in elegant and crisp black tuxedos held trays of champagne. I took a flute but didn’t drink.
The costumes were stunning. Haute couture. It looked like an episode ofProject Runway. Beaded headdresses, bejeweled horns, gossamer wings. Ladies wearing every color of the rainbow.
The Campbells knew how to throw a masquerade.
Emotions swirled around me.
Lust, greed, desolation, gratitude. And so many more. Some I couldn’t even name. Emotions had layers. Anger and sadness were two sides of the same coin, and that was only one example.
I caught my breath as I battled the feelings of others and erected a mental wall around myself. I’d figured out how to do it when I was younger, and it was a good thing too. Otherwise I’d never have been able to live in New York City.
When my mind was finally clear, I took a sip of champagne and went to find my hosts.
Chapter 6
“Plaid?” I asked in amusement.
Barrett turned, her hand clutching a tumbler of amber liquid. “Tartan,” she corrected, “and people expect it of us.”
“Who are you supposed to be?” I asked her.
She shrugged and then gestured with her chin to her husband. “He wanted to go as a twelfth century Highland warrior. That left me going as his wife.”
“I told her she should’ve gone as Marie Antoinette,” the blonde next to her said with a wry smile.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I said, already turning to leave.
“No, stay,” Barrett insisted with a wide smile. “Stella, meet Ash Buchanan.”
“Oh! You know Herron’s older sister,” I remarked.
“Yes, I’m a good friend of Sparrow’s.” Ash was a tall, willowy woman dressed as a mermaid. “And you’re the snow globe artist. I saw Barrett’s gift. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“You didn’t bring a date?” Barrett asked, her hazel eyes delving into me.
“I didn’t know I was allowed a plus one.” It was a lie. I knew it had been expected. But there was no one in my life even close to being a plus one.
Barrett waved her hand. “There are a lot of fascinating people here. I’m sure you will find one who interests you.”
