The seductive and surveilling ballroom shimmered like a dream.
The audience was illuminated by warm, golden light from crystal chandeliers, each of which was worth more than the average person earns in a year. Hidden behind masks and smiles were secrets with the power to depose governments or establish empires. The masquerade, which was supposedly hosted by the secretive computer magnate Lucien Varga and had connections to the remnants of Kingmaker, was an invitation-only benefit for displaced children. Anyone familiar with the inner workings of these groups may see the absurdity in using charity as a mask for conspiracy.
Lila and Regan had come to verify rumors.
The location, a grand estate dating back to the nineteenth century, had weathered two world wars and several political rev
