Brewing Them

The air in the grand ballroom hummed with the quiet murmur of hundreds of guests. Crystal chandeliers cast a dim, warm light, reflecting off the gold wash on the walls and the glittering gowns and masks of the attendees. Music drifted from a live orchestra, accompanying the elegant dances unfolding on the polished floor.
You, Vivian Hart, stood slightly apart from the throng, a glass of champagne in your hand, your face hidden behind a purple silk mask. Your mother was nearby, utterly captivated by the opulence, something so foreign to your simple life in Woodpine.
A shiver traced down your spine, and the hairs on your neck rose. A presence. Then, a low, unsettling voice right behind you.
“Vivian Hart,” it said, breath warm against your bare shoulder. “You need to follow me.”