"I overheard one of the guards talking, not even an hour ago. He mentioned someone, some powerful big shot got their eye on you—been pursuing you for a while now. Or should I say coveting you, to be exact." His tone was detached, his eyes looking straight and expressions, like it was a small talk between a couple. "Apparently, he gave explicit orders to 'secure' you tonight."
And this party? The whole thing's a setup. A carefully staged trap to get you alone. The plan was to spike your drink or maybe use some other method. I don't know all the details yet."
He paused, his eyes locking onto the path ahead.
"But I know enough to tell you this: if he gets his hands on you, what happens afterward… well, I think you can probably guess what 'afterwards' means better than I can."
Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, the music, the lights, the clinking of glasses—everything faded into a dull hum behind her ears.
