Jasmine's POV
The alarms were still ringing when I slipped into the dimly lit security control room. The heavy door hissed shut behind me, muffling the chaos from the ballroom… the shouting guards, the echoing heels, the pounding music that refused to stop even after the panic started.
My heart was racing. My palms were slick with sweat. I hadn't seen Ares since he had gone after the thief, and the uncertainty burned in my chest like acid.
Rows of monitors flickered in front of me, showing shaky footage from every corner of the gala… the red carpet, the guest hall, the balcony, the main stage. The whole place looked like a storm frozen in motion: confused faces, flashing lights, guards running in every direction. I wasn't looking for guests. I was looking for answers.
The main console was open, a technician's ID card still hanging from the slot. Someone had left in a hurry. I slid into the chair, trying to steady my breathing, and cracked my knuckles.
