LYRA

The Grand Ballroom was so breathtaking that I thought my neck would break from looking all around. It has massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling like frozen waterfalls, their light reflecting off marble floors polished to such perfection they looked like mirrors. Musicians occupied a raised platform near the back, their instruments gleaming as they warmed up with soft notes that promised the formal dancing would begin soon.

I stood with the other contestants in the antechamber ...