Amara slipped into the guest room and shut the door softly behind her, her chest rising too fast, too shallow. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the latch.
Footsteps were closing in. There was no time.
Amara's eyes darted and landed on a waitress in the room who was getting ready to step out, tray still in hand, frozen in shock. "Please," Amara whispered urgently, already pulling the mask from her own face. "Wear this. Just for a moment."
The waitress hesitated, then saw the fear in Amara's eyes. She nodded. There was no time to change clothes. The waitress grabbed a heavy velvet cloak from the chair and wrapped it tightly around herself, pulling the mask on as Amara slipped behind the thick curtain near the wardrobe, pressing a hand over her mouth.
The door opened. Sebastian stepped in. His breath hitched the moment he saw the masked figure.
