~ Lilith's POV ~
I grabbed my gown off the floor, yanked it on, and ran. Each step felt heavy, but I couldn't stop…not now. I could feel his piercing gaze on my back, watching, judging, burning into me as I moved.
At the stairs, I stopped for a moment, wiped the tears from my face, and took a deep, steadying breath.
Alice's presence floated through the air, unmistakable, familiar. Among all the others, hers was the one I recognized most clearly.
My chest tightened as I braced myself. I could not be careless. They should not know I was here ahead of schedule. They should think we arrived together.
As I ran, two familiar voices drifted to my ears. I skidded behind a wall, pressing my head close to its surface, heart hammering. I couldn't believe it—I was about to strike tonight, and yet I was hiding like prey. The two voices were in a hurry, oblivious to my presence. That worked to my advantage.
