Veil Of Ashes

er career creating for others but had never dared to pursue for herself. Tonight's event was no except

e walk

in their tracks. His fitted suit clung to his form like a second skin, and his pie

e was velvet-tinted with danger,

not her clientele; they were someone else's unattainable ideal. Yet here he was,

ations. "I've heard you're the on

ad a gentle chill ran down her spine. There was someth

worried if she was about to enter a love ta

ed at the boundaries of her confidence. Her fingertips brushed against his for a b

bout, Mr. Duvall?" she inquired, her voice fir

g and sinister. "A wedding that will leave an un

dercurrent as a product of her overworked imagination. High-profile wedding

nto her stylish leather planner. "Why don't you and your fian

ined calmly, his demeanor enigmatic

trol-set off a caution bell in Lila's head. But business was business, and

a professional smile. "I look

too long, the corner of his mout

d in her hand, which was embossed, simple, and absurdly expensive. It felt heav

quickened-not with joy, but with the silent for

. Her mind raced, digesting their brief contact. There was something disconcerting about him-a polished

frequently exuded quirkiness. Still, the way Elias said unforgettable clung to

oasts. Despite her best efforts, Lila's gaze kept

portfolio. She had double-checked her calendar to ensure that her meeting with E

thoughts. Before she could react,

it couldn't soften the frigid precision in his motions. He held a thin leather folder, which he

ing into the same intriguing smile. "Tha

esk, ignoring the flutter in her chest as he sat down. "

ng how much to say-or withhold. "I'm looking for an event th

onto her notebook. "Are there any specific th

ir. "A sense of richness, yet understated. The location s

undercurrent of somethin

attempting a light tone. "That's

incidents are those that foreshadow a story

d, her pen hovering over the page. For a moment, she wondered if

, "I'll write a proposal based on what you've said. When can I

answered, lowering his voice slightly. "She is... speci

own Lila's spine. She nodded, concealin

, and Ms. Mercer," he said, glancing back, "take you

he had been holding her breath. The room felt colder, an

was more than just a business.

a couldn't shake her mounting unease. Every decision she made for Elias' wedding

a massive Gothic palace that previously belonged to a scandal-ridden entrepreneur. The second is an

ias at their next meeting, his reacti

erious as he looked over the photphotographs she

esonance? Most clients w

ment in his eyes. "Eerie is simply a

s man always made her feel unbalanced, as if she were wal

oup of individuals, some of whom she recognized as high-profile socialites. As she went

uded no postage, only her name in gorgeous, embossed lettering.

med to an evening of f

This S

The Aure

e: Black

event prior to the wedding, and the phrase "revelry and

instantly. He picked

ce warm but inscrutable. "To

o he could see it through the phone. "What is this ev

umor. "Consider it a preview. "A chance for you to see t

ort increasing. "Elias, if this

ightly deeper. "You are my guest of honor.

h to respond, when