The Blackwood Heights Charity Gala was the most anticipated event of the season.
The ballroom glittered beneath enormous chandeliers.
Powerful business owners, wealthy families, politicians, celebrities, and influential figures filled the room.
Everyone was dressed to impress.
Everyone except Raven.
She had never needed to impress anyone.
She simply walked in.
Black suit.
Black shirt.
Black gloves.
And, as always, her signature mask covered the upper half of her face.
The silver raven insignia stood out against the dark material.
Conversations quieted as she entered.
People knew the name Raven.
They knew Apex Raven Global.
They knew the rumors.
But very few people had ever seen the face behind the mask.
Raven didn't care.
Her attention wasn't on the crowd.
She was waiting.
Then the doors opened again.
Eleanor stepped inside.
Raven froze.
Eleanor was wearing black.
An elegant black gown that fell perfectly around her figure, with minimal jewelry and her hair styled simply.
For a moment, Raven forgot about the entire room.
Eleanor looked around.
Then her eyes found Raven.
She smiled.
Raven walked toward her.
"You're wearing black."
Eleanor looked down at her dress.
"So are you."
"I always wear black."
Eleanor smiled.
"Then I suppose I matched you."
Raven's eyes lingered on her for a moment.
"You look beautiful."
Eleanor wasn't expecting that.
"Thank you."
She smiled.
"You look good too."
Raven offered her arm.
Eleanor looked at it.
Then slipped her hand through it.
The moment they entered the ballroom together, heads turned.
Whispers spread almost immediately.
"Is that Raven?"
"Who is she with?"
"That's Eleanor Vance."
"They look…"
"Like a power couple."
Neither woman heard the last comment.
Or perhaps they did and chose to ignore it.
Across the room, Charlotte nearly choked on her drink.
"Genevieve."
The Omega looked at her.
"What?"
"Look."
Genevieve followed her gaze.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh."
Charlotte smiled.
"Oh?"
"Don't."
"I'm just saying."
Genevieve watched Raven and Eleanor closely.
"They're standing very close."
"Exactly."
"Maybe they're discussing business."
Charlotte laughed.
"Business doesn't make people look at each other like that."
Genevieve smiled.
"I noticed."
Charlotte crossed her arms.
"Eleanor has never looked at anyone like that."
"And Raven?"
Charlotte looked at Raven.
"That woman barely looks at anyone."
They both watched as Raven leaned slightly toward Eleanor to say something.
Eleanor laughed.
Charlotte's eyebrows shot up.
"Did Raven just make her laugh?"
Genevieve nodded slowly.
"This is interesting."
"Very."
Meanwhile, Andrea was nowhere near as distracted.
She stood at the opposite side of the ballroom, pretending to be interested in a conversation with a wealthy investor.
Her eyes were moving constantly.
Every entrance.
Every exit.
Every unfamiliar face.
Every person wearing a mask.
She wasn't there for the champagne.
She wasn't there for the charity.
She was investigating.
The masked organization had been seen around Blackwood Heights.
And tonight, someone connected to them was supposed to appear.
Andrea's phone vibrated.
She glanced at it.
A message from one of her contacts.
Unknown male spotted near east entrance. Black mask.
Andrea's expression changed.
She immediately excused herself.
"Where are you going?" the investor asked.
"Somewhere important."
She disappeared into the crowd.
At the center of the ballroom, Eleanor and Raven stood together.
"You're quiet," Eleanor said.
"I'm watching."
"For what?"
"People."
Eleanor smiled.
"You always watch everyone."
"It's a habit."
Eleanor looked around.
"There are a lot of powerful people here."
"Yes."
"Doesn't that make you nervous?"
Raven looked at her.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because most powerful people want everyone to believe they're powerful."
Eleanor laughed.
"And you?"
Raven's voice was calm.
"I don't need anyone to believe anything."
Eleanor stared at her.
There was something about Raven's confidence that fascinated her.
"You're mysterious."
"So are you."
"I am not."
Raven smiled beneath her mask.
"You are."
Before Eleanor could respond, music began playing.
Several couples moved toward the dance floor.
Eleanor looked at Raven.
"Do you dance?"
"No."
"Never?"
"Not at events like this."
Eleanor smiled.
"Then tonight can be different."
Raven looked at her.
"You want to dance?"
Eleanor held out her hand.
"Just one."
Raven stared at her hand.
Then she took it.
They stepped onto the dance floor.
Slowly.
Naturally.
The room seemed to disappear around them.
Eleanor placed one hand on Raven's shoulder.
Raven's hand rested carefully at Eleanor's waist.
Neither spoke.
They simply moved with the music.
Across the room, Charlotte and Genevieve stared.
Charlotte whispered,
"Definitely not business."
Genevieve laughed softly.
"Definitely not."
On the other side of the ballroom, Andrea stopped walking.
She had spotted him.
A man wearing a black mask.
Standing alone.
Watching the room.
More importantly—
Watching Raven.
Andrea's expression became serious.
She reached for her phone.
But before she could make the call, the man disappeared into the crowd.
Andrea immediately followed.
On the dance floor, Eleanor looked up at Raven.
"Why do I feel like everyone is staring at us?"
"They are."
"Doesn't bother you?"
"No."
Eleanor smiled.
"Of course it doesn't."
Raven looked down at her.
"It doesn't bother me because you're here."
Eleanor's smile slowly disappeared.
For a second, neither woman moved.
The music continued around them.
Their eyes remained locked.
And for the first time, the attraction between them was no longer something either woman could completely ignore.
Neither noticed Andrea disappearing into the crowd.
Neither noticed the masked stranger watching from the balcony.
And neither knew that tonight's charity gala was about to become far more important than either of them expected.