The inside of Mira's hideout was nothing like Jade had expected. Hidden beneath an abandoned theater on the outskirts of the city, it was part bunker, part surveillance den. Screens lined the walls, each tuned to different feeds: security footage from the De-Light estate, street cams, even private recordings from places Jade didn't recognize.
Kelz's eyes darted across the screens. "How do you have all this?"
Mira smirked. "You're not the only one the De-Lights have wronged. I've been watching them for years."
Jade crossed her arms. "Why help us?"
Mira's expression darkened. "Because I lost a sister. She worked in one of their hotels. She... disappeared. No investigation. No questions. I found the footage they erased." Her hands tightened into fists. "They own the law in this city. But they don't own me."
A chill passed through the room. Jade saw it—this wasn't about loyalty. It was war. Everyone had lost someone.
Kelz studied Mira. "You have access. Can you get us inside the Light Holdings vault?"
Mira nodded slowly. "I can. But it's guarded by biometric scans—only a De-Light can open it."
Jade turned to Kelz. "Then it has to be you."
He nodded, jaw set. "Fine. But once we're in, there's no going back."
Mira tossed a tablet onto the table. "You'll need disguises. They're holding a masquerade gala in three days. That's your way in."
Jade stared at the screen. A swirl of gold masks and glittering gowns. Perfect for hiding faces—and slipping knives between ribs.
Kelz looked at her, and for a moment, the weight of it all settled between them.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked softly.
Jade's eyes narrowed. "They took everything from me. I'm not stopping until they bleed."
Outside, thunder cracked.
The House of Masks would soon host a dance of vengeance.
—