(Ruby's POV)
The ballroom is still chaos when the lights go out.
One second, everything is bright. Cameras flashing, people screaming, Kai's guards pushing through the crowd. The next second, darkness. Complete. Total. I can't see my hand in front of my face.
Someone grabs my arm.
"Ruby, this way." It's Liam's voice, low and urgent.
I reach for Nicholas. My hand finds his sleeve. "Nicholas is with me."
"Both of you. Now."
We move through the dark, pushing past bodies, stepping over fallen chairs. People are shouting, crying, calling for help. Somewhere, glass breaks. A woman screams.
"What's happening?" I ask.
"Kai's contingency," Liam says. "His men cut the power. They're trying to get him out."
"We can't let him escape."
"We won't. But first, we need to get you somewhere safe."
I want to argue. I want to find Kai myself and make sure he doesn't get away. But Liam is right. If Kai's men grab me, they'll use me as leverage. They'll trade me for him.
