The invitation arrived a week before the event, embossed in black and gold with nothing but a wax seal bearing the club's crest. Beneath it, a single line was written in elegant calligraphy.
Annual Masquerade Gala. Masks Required.
Aria stared at the card for several moments before looking up at Dominic.
"A masquerade?"
Dominic nodded as he adjusted the cuff of his shirt. "It's one of the club's oldest traditions."
"I've never been to anything like that."
"I know."
Her nervous laugh escaped before she could stop it. "I'm afraid I'll embarrass you."
Dominic closed the distance between them, his expression calm as always.
"You won't."
"But everyone there knows each other."
"Not everyone."
"They'll all be staring."
"They're already staring whenever we walk into the club."
His dry
