There are masks made of silk, and masks made of skin, she wore both. She was humming when the knock came, just something light, wordless; the kind of tune you hum when your chest is too full and your heart has no idea where to go. Ellie spun once in front of her vanity, catching the way the sunlight caught her smile. Amy hadn't touched her, not once, but she might as well have set her on fire. That woman could split a girl open with a look, she had just sat down, still in her dressing robe, when the knock came again, three soft raps. Servants never knocked like that, they'd been told not to disturb her unless they had to, she stood.
Come in, a maid entered silently, dressed in crisp white, her eyes lowered in practiced obedience. In her hands, a silver tray on the tray, an envelope. Heavy cream colored sealed in wax. From the Van Luthers, Miss, the maid said. The Van Luthers? Ellie arched a brow. The maid curtsied and left. Ellie picked up the envelope, broke the seal and read slowly.
To: Miss Eliano Marchetti,
You are cordially invited to the Winter Moon Masquerade Ball, hosted at the Van Luther Estate. Midnight entrance only. Masks required, gowns formal, presence
expected.
—The Van Luthers.
Ellie smiled, she couldn't help it. The Van Luthers were one of the most powerful families in New York old money, deep secrets, connections sewn into every lawmaker's pocket. They had never invited her before. Would they invite Amy Finn? That thought came unprompted, uninvited but it rooted itself in her chest all the same. Amy, at a ball In a mask. Ellie's pulse quickened, she pulled open her closet and reached for her best gown a midnight blue floor length silk piece, off the shoulder, laced at the waist. It made her look older, stronger, braver, It made her look like someone Amy might undress with her eyes.
Later That Night, The Ball.
The Van Luther Estate was glowing like a palace, the chandeliers inside large enough to light entire blocks. A dozen carriages and black cars sat lined across the gravel drive.
Ellie stepped out, mask in place, lips painted blood red, eyes sharpened with black liner. Her gown dragged slightly on the floor as she climbed the steps.
Inside: gold, velvet, perfume, smoke, laughter that sounded like it cost money. Strings played softly in the corner, a man in a mask bowed. M'lady he said, offering a glovhand. May I have this dance?
Ellie smiled politely and accepted. He was tall, gentle, smelled faintly of cologne and ambition but none of that mattered because the moment she stepped into the dance floor Amy walked in.
She never liked masks, not the silk kind, anyway. The other kind, the kind people wore when they lied, manipulated, charmed… that kind she understood but tonight, she wore both a black mask shaped like feathers and bone, covering only the top half of her face.
A tailored suit, no gown. She wouldn't wear a dress for the gods, let alone a man with a ballroom. She walked in, saw her.
Ellie, dancing with someone else, laughing. Amy's teeth clenched slightly, she said nothing did nothing but inside, jealousy bloomed, cold and sharp. Ellie looked up, their eyes met Amy didn't smile. Ellie stepped on the man's foot, apologized and walked away.
She found herself outside. The air was colder, sweeter. Stars above like tiny diamonds, she wandered the outer gardens of the mansion path lit by low golden lanterns, her mind was spinning. What was this feeling? Want? Need? Obsession? She found a bench tucked under a wide stone arch, pulled out a cigarette from a small tin inside her purse, lit it with trembling fingers. Took a long drag, you smoke? a voice asked behind her, she turned,
Amy stood there one hand in her pocket, mask still on, watching. Of course I smoke, Ellie said, rolling her eyes with a half-smile. I'm not a child. Amy stepped closer, something about the way Ellie's mouth curled when she laughed, it made Amy freeze. It was Giulia's smile but something else lived beneath it. Something more dangerous, the seduction. Ellie stood, cigarette between her fingers, she walked right up to Amy. They were inches apart now, nothing but breath between them and Ellie took another drag of her cigarette; Stepped in closer and exhaled slowly right into Amy's mouth. Amy didn't move, didn't blink, just inhaled the smoke like it was sin.
Careful, she murmured. You're playing a game you don't know the rules to.
Then teach me, Ellie said. Amy reached out slowly. Fingers curled around Ellie's waist, pulled her closer. Ellie gasped just slightly, the world blurred, Amy's other hand came up and she gripped the back of Ellie's neck… Pulled her forward and kissed her the kiss was not soft, It was claiming, burning, a warning wrapped in velvet. Amy pushed Ellie gently up against the cold stone wall, her lips moving down to her throat, to her collarbone. Ellie's gown dipped low too low and Amy kissed the top of her breast, slowly, deliberately. Ellie arched slightly, breathing hard. Amy... she whispered, Amy kissed her again, harder then stopped. She pulled away suddenly, like she'd just realized what she'd done. I shouldn't have done that, she said. Ellie blinked, dazed. Why?Amy didn't answer. She stared at her like a storm then whispered something low in her ear, You look too much like her And walked away, just like that. Ellie was left standing there, lip swollen, chest heaving, confused, lit up from the inside like a candle in the dark.
Why did she leave?
What did that mean? Was I not good enough?
And still she could still feel Amy's mouth on her skin.