A bead of sweat traces a finger down my spine, and I stand taller, pressing my shoulders back, elongating my neck. I snap my head to face the new direction the waltz leads me.

My partner tightens his grip on my upper back as he guides me into a natural spin turn. I study him from the corner of my eye, the dimly lit ballroom and mask concealing his features, but I know it's not him.

His releases me as we exchange partners. I am spun into the arms of a bear, his large hands rough, despite the white kidskin gloves. The bear carries me with ease through the double lift and I land lightly on my feet, relieved the sharpened hat pins remain secure beneath my low bun.

He twirls me from one hand to another and my gaze follows my outstretched arm to our spectators as I complete the pattern; my heart skips a beat. I lock eyes with General Dolion, the gleam of his prosthetic right hand revealing his identity.

I swallowed dryly. He shouldn't be here. I run through my assignment in my head like it's second nature - at this point it is. Countless hours spent scheming, three months whispering lovers words into Lord Adon's ear, cloacked in the skin of his beloved, but tonight, it ends.

I spin on my toes as the bear collects me back into his arms only to unravel the blurr of my silhouette into the hands of a billygoat. I trip on my thoughts, something is wrong. Why would the General change his plans without informing me.

The billygoat steps on my foot and I dig my nails into his shoulder in response - definitely not who I'm hunting for. The goat leads me into multiple spin rotations and my mind jumps to my garter knife hidden beneath my dress. I slow my steps ever so slightly to keep my dress from swirling too high.

I continue to prowl the dance floor, grateful for my disguise as I lose myself in the waltz, letting its rhythm soothe my building anxiety.

Maybe he isn't here. It's possible he lied to get me off his back. Maybe I came on too strong.

Doubt seeps into my pours as I sink into a low courtesy, greeting my next partner.

The hairs on my arm rise as I stare into the face of a feathered raven, his ebony plumage blending into midnight eyes.

He is quick to pull me in close as I rise, cageing me for a heartbeat too long, "evening tigress", he whispers in my ear.

His deep voice sends shivers up my neck and I am met with a familiar scent of smoke and bourbon.

Black eyes search my emotionless mask. He seems to read my thoughts, "you smell lovely tonight.”

I hesitate to respond, not wanting to reveal my voice.

He continues, pulling me so close his lips dance on my skin, "like danger.”

My breath catches in my throat and I look into his eyes before I can stop myself. His wink twists the invisible knife already lodged in my stomach and he catches me as I stumble over a step, disguising it as a dip.

"Cat got your tounge?"

"Fuck you,” I snarl.

"Easy tiger, it's just a question"

The music quickens, its tempo building with the promise of a climatic resolve.

"So do you love me, Clara?”, he twirls me around his body, "or was it all a facade?"

My heart drops at his words and I stare blankly at his raven eyes. I was all too aware of General Dolion's threatening gaze trailing us as we weaved and webbed through bodies.

"It doesn't matter anymore", I whisper, tasting the lie on my lips.

He grabs my chin, catching me by surprise, "Then do you trust me?"

"I..." I stutter like a fool, heat flooding my cheeks under my mask.

"Clara, one of us will die tonight if you don't."

I pull away from his grasp in shock, attempting to regain control as we fall into a side step, "You have my attention."

The bear hesitates in confusion as the

raven denies him his partner, but recovers quickly, his large form shielding us from the hungry eyes of the general for a few fleeting moments.

"I know General Dolion commissioned an assignment for you," he lowers his voice to a deadly whisper, "because I was given the same one."

The blood drains from my face and I instinctively reach for my weapons, but he already has my hands locked in his firm grip.

He shrugs, "Regardless of how you invisioned this dashing night unfolding, I will not be following through with my assignment."

It takes everything in me to keep my voice steady, "Why are you telling me this?"

"We're in a competition we didn't know we entered Clara, the winner becomes his blade, we're just pawns in his game."

I take an unsteady breath, "You know the risk, he'll kill us both if we don't follow through."

He pins me with a dangerous glare, "Not if we kill him first. Now tell me you trust me."

My eyes stray to the shadows where the General lurks, studying our every move.

"Just follow my lead, you have to trust me."

The music begins to slow as my pulse quickens, the raven guides me into a spin sequence, I keep sight of his eyes as I snap my head around each turn to face him.

As the last note bleeds into the room, he pulls me out of the sequence and dips me painstakingly low.

"I trust you," I say as his knife points to my throat.