“What about you?” She quickly changed the subject. “What do you like to do?”
“Truth be told, nothing like this.”
She looked around with a frown on her face. “I don’t follow.”
“Balls, parties,” he admitted.
“So you hate parties. I never took you for a recluse.”
“I didn’t say I hate parties and I don’t. I love going out, I just prefer to do it during the day and usually outside. I prefer walking, going to street markets, things like that. All these people so close together it, just seems so stiffling.”
She shrugged. “I suppose I can see what you’re saying.”
“But you don’t agree?”
She shook her head. “More like, I can empathize. I love the bustle and excitement of a grand event like this one, but it can be draining. I need the balance, to both socialize and to be left alone.”
“Of course, it isn’t as though I hate balls. They simply aren’t my preferred way to spend an evening.”
“Then what is?” she asked. “After you spend a day in the town going for walks, what do you do?”
“Go home, perhaps enjoy dinner with friends, have a glass of brandy, maybe settle in with a good book.”
“I thought you said you weren't a recluse.”
“I hardly see how spending an evening with a book_”
His words were cut off by her sharp gasp, as she tripped and fell on a candelabra.
After that, everything happened too fast.
The candles’ flame spread quickly from the tablecloth to the wallpaper, racing across an entire quarter of the ballroom.
Chaos erupted as everyone tried to rush through the only remaining exit. Screaming and scrambling in their panic.
Christopher grabbed Veronica’s hand. She raced after him, desperate to make it to freedom. The room became too bright, the smoky air suffocating her as she panted.
This is all my fault! How could I not see the candelabra? Please tell me no one gets hurt.
The exit was in sight.
The door only feet away.
Just a little further,she told herself.You can make it. You’re going to be fine.
There was an ear shattering crack and her feet fell out from under her.
Pain exploded through Veronica’s body as a broken beam pinned her to the floor. Her necklace cut into the flesh of her chest, smearing her with blood, as she tried to struggle free.
She was pressed to the ground, even as she tried to fight to get back up on her feet, Veronica could hardly move.
“Christopher!” She reached out blindly.
He spun back to face her with a snarl of pure determination on his face. Then his hands were on the flaming beam. With a cry of effort he lifted it from her back.
“Get out of here fast!” he call over the cacophony of chaos.
She scrambled to her feet then turned to him. His face was locked on something in the distance.
