60. The Dance

|| Lilac’s POV || The hall was packed with people, all dressed in elaborate gowns and suits, their faces hidden behind masks of every color and design. It was impossible to tell who was who, and that was the point. Tonight, identities didn’t matter. It was all about the soul, the connection, the scent. Elara leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is it, Lil. The moment of truth.” I nodded, though my throat felt dry. “Yeah. Let’s do this.” We made our way further into the room, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the event. There were tables laden with food and drink, and a dance floor in the center of the room where couples were already swaying to the music. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation and excitement. Elara turned to me, her expression apologetic. “I need to go do my thing, Lil. You know, press duties and all that. Will you be okay on your own?” I forced a smile, though the thought of being alone in this sea of p