66 Killing Kiran

The music swelled, a lively tune weaving through the throngs of dancers. Ethan, caught in the rhythm, spun Mara around the dance floor, a wide smile plastered on his face. But his joy was short-lived. Across the crowded hall, his gaze collided with a figure that sent a jolt of unease through him – Eva, her eyes fixed on him with an unsettling intensity.

As Eva glided closer, Ethan's posture stiffened. He exchanged a worried glance with Thorne, who hovered nearby like a silent guardian. When Eva finally reached them, the merriment around them seemed to fade away.

"Good evening, Your Grace," Ethan greeted her with a forced formality.

Mara, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around them, curtsied politely. "Yes, Your Grace," she replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice. echoing Ethan's greeting, unsure of the woman who now stood before them.