“No daughter of mine will ever go to a place like that.” My father took a step towards me and pointed in my face. “This is the kind of thing I would expect from Muse. You’re supposed to be the responsible one!”
“I spent my whole childhood hearing about your perfect love story.” The tears started to flood down my face. “All I wanted was a chance to have something like that.”
“When we went, it was beautiful.” My mother sighed. “There’s something we haven’t told you.”
“Miranda, don’t.” My father shook his head cautiously.
“She needs to know.” My mother took a step towards my father. “We’ve convinced her that the World Ball is such a magical place. It’s only fair that she knows the truth.”
“What are you talking about?” I looked at my mother and then over to my father.
“We went to the fiftieth anniversary of the World Ball. They offered to let all of the couples that had met there in the past and transformed the magical three-day event into a lifelong relationship come back for one night only. T
hey kept us away from the single folks, but they did a nice ceremony to introduce us when it started.” My mother exhaled sharply.
“Miranda and I weren’t really interested in following the rules, so we decided to go see what the real dance floor was like.” My father’s jaw clenched. “It was awful. People were grinding on each other like they were married.”
“I mean...” I sighed and shook my head. “That’s just how people dance now.”
“It was sinful!” My mother snapped the words against her tongue angrily. “It wasn’t beautiful, it was disgusting!”
I knew I wasn’t going to win the argument. Once my parents made up their mind about something, there was no way to change their minds. I retreated to my bedroom and lay in bed, crying against my pillow until I finally fell asleep. The dreams I had as a little girl were dashed by the very people who created them in the first place.
I woke up the next morning with my eyes rimmed red and as I sat on the edge of my bed thinking, I decided that I wasn’t going to listen to them. I had an invitation. It was a once in a lifetime experience. If it was as awful as they described, I would regret going, but at least I wouldn’t spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been. I didn’t mention it to them again, but over the course of several weeks I bought a plane ticket and packed my suitcase in secret. I let a note that explained things the best way that I could and headed to the airport in the back of an Uber.
I’m sorry. I’ve done exactly what you said for twenty-one years. It’s time I did something for myself.
“WELCOME—TO THE MASQUERADE of Sin!” A man walked out onto a balcony overlooking the main part of the Grand Ballroom. “Are you ready for the opening ceremony?”
I had been in New York for less than a day and my head was already spinning. It was a lot to take in for a girl from a small town. My flight arrived late and after getting some sleep, I spent the day seeing some of the popular sights in the city. I figured I wouldn’t have much time once the World Ball started. There would definitely be some time during the day, but I hoped I was exhausted from dancing all night. I had bought a dress that cost way more than I could afford. When I saw it on the rack, I just couldn’t turn it down. It was ocean-blue and fit me like a glove. I was able to pick up a bra made out of shells to wear over it, and the mask I chose was one that was textured to look like a mermaid’s tail. It didn’t look as fancy as some of the other outfits I saw, but it was passable as the masquerade version of a sexy mermaid.
“We all wear masks in this world.” The lights dimmed and music started to play as the man on the balcony started to speak. “They hide who we really are. Tonight, you don’t have to hide behind the mask you wear every day. You can come alive without ever showing your face. This year—the rules have changed.”
Judging by the reaction in this room, I’m guessing that wasn’t expected.
“Normally the World Ball lasts three nights and on the last night, you have the option of asking one person to leave with you. This year, we’re doing things a little different. If you had plans, it’s time to cancel them. The music won’t stop for seven straight days!” He pointed down to the crowd and dancers walked out on the stage as the music got more intense.
Seven days? Oh my god! I can’t stay here seven days...
“At the end of each night, you have the choice of offering your pin to one person.” The man held up the pin that we were all given. “If they give your their pin in return, you can leave together.”
Maybe my parents were right. This doesn’t sound anything like what they described when I was a kid.
“If you decide it isn’t meant to be, you can swap pins again and return to the World Ball.” He smiled and held up his hands. “Enjoy the Masquerade of Sin!”
The music changed to a classical song and I watched as people started to pair up. I looked around and quickly moved through the crowd to get to the bar that was set up in the corner. I wasn’t confident enough to just start dancing with a stranger, even if that was why I came in the first place. I ordered a glass of Champagne and sipped it for a few minutes as people moved across the dance floor like they had prepared for that moment their entire lives. I had as well, but I didn’t know the steps to the song. A few seconds later, a man walked up and extended his hand.
“Can I have this dance?” He was wearing an orange and red mask with feathers along the top.
“What are you supposed to be?” I tilted my head and looked at the long cloak he was wearing with similar colored feathers.
“I’m a phoenix.” A smile spread across his face—a smile so charming it practically made my heart flutter. “A phoenix that is very interested in a mermaid, even if I drown in the water trying to take your hand.”
Chapter 2: Maximo
“There’s no way around the contract, Max.” My lawyer, Conrad, shook his head as he read through the paperwork in front of him. “Your grandfather was very specific when he set up this trust.”
“How the fuck did I not know about this?” I drummed the table angrily with my fingers.