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“How very unusual, I usually happen to know all of my guests...You are, however, very mysterious, and I do like mysteries,” she purred.
Somehow it seemed as if all time had stopped. The background around us began to fade in an unfocused blur of color. The only thing I could sharpen in on now was the woman. Her parted red lips, and her dark liquid eyes that bore into mine.
“Have you a name?” she whispered.
“Jared. And yours?”
“Berona,” she answered. “And what has brought you here, Jared?” she said, taking in a deep breath, her chest rising. I could feel my heart thumping. I was starting to feel nervous.
“I don’t know,” I said, continuing to lead in our back and forth dance.
“Was it to see me, perhaps?” she said, her eyes tightening.
“I …show more content…

Once you receive a box, and when the clock strikes twelve, you will unclasp it and raise the cup inside. Remember the cup never lies, and so we shall begin.”

Everyone nodded in agreement as a group of servants entered the ballroom, handing out boxes. I sifted through the crowd. I had to find Gemma and quick. I had to warn her. The redness in Berona's eyes, something was not right. We had to leave immediately.
“Gemma,” I called, approaching.
“Jared,” she said. Surprise and relief crossed her face, “Jared what—”
“Gemma we have to leave now.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes,” I said, “there is something very wrong. Quick we need to leave."
Suddenly a thudding noise echoed. My eyes shot up, and I could see all the doors had closed, guards standing in front of them. We were locked inside. There was no chance of escape now.
“Excuse me sir, but I have a box for you,” said a servant, ceremoniously proffering a case, the craftsmanship was exceedingly fine.
“And one for you,” said another man, bowing, handing Gemma one as well. After watching Gemma take the box in her hands, I reluctantly accepted mine. But I knew it was inconsequential and impossible, the whole system. A cup that was supposed to tell the moral of one's virtue or character? It was all flawed. A person’s integrity shouldn’t or couldn’t be quantified, and besides the boxes were given randomly, I argued in my mind.
Just as I touched the metal clasp, I

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