It was nearing midnight, and the evening had run smoothly. Better than I’d hoped for. The dinner had gone well, apart from one lady who’d eaten something that had caused an allergic reaction. That had been dealt with, and thankfully the woman was fine. The silent auction had been amazing. One generous anonymous bidder had given fifty thousand dollars to the charity. Our biggest-ever single donation. Giddiness ran through me. I couldn’t wait to give the Windward Valley Children’s Charity their final check.

Now, the after-party was in full swing.

Crossing the lobby, I headed toward the ballroom. I could hear the throb of the music.

“Hi, Lara,” I called out to the blonde behind the reception desk. “Everything good?”

“Sure is, Tessa. You look fabulous.”

I wore a simple, black mask like the rest of the hotel staff. It had the Windward Resort logo in glittery diamantes on the side. My people were all wearing black, and I’d worn a black-and-silver dress for the evening. Black lace overlay atop silver silk; the dress long and slinky. It had a modest slit up one leg, and a deep V neckline that was not strictly work appropriate, but this was a masquerade ball. There had been nowhere to stash my emergency kit and I felt a little naked without it.

“Sounds like the night’s been a smashing success.” Lara beamed. “Congrats.”

“Thanks.” Then the Langston Hotels banner beside the desk caught my eye.

It was in shreds.

I jerked to a stop. What in the world? It looked like someone had taken a knife to it. “Lara, what happened to the Langston banner?”

She came out from behind the desk and gasped. “Oh gosh, I have no idea. It was fine last time I saw it.”

Crap. Staring at those angry gashes, I felt a small shiver. It had to be some kid playing a prank or something. “Okay, can you stash it out in the back? I’ll have Jazz source a new one.”

Lara nodded. “I’m on it.”

Putting the defaced banner out of my mind, I hurried to the ballroom. As soon as I stepped inside, I smiled. It looked like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, mountain style. There were flowers everywhere, that I’d carefully selected. There were lots of leaves, branches, and wildflowers, with touches of deep-burgundy blooms. Branches arched overhead, wrapped in flowers and fairy lights.

The outfits in the crowd varied from simple evening wear with elegant masks, to some who’d leaned into the mountain theme. There were fairies, princesses, and people with intricate animal masks. I’d seen several mountain lions and a few bird-like masks covered in feathers during the evening.