Rui raced down the spiral staircase of Tian's tower, clutching the jade hairpin to her chest.
The celestial corridors seemed brighter now, almost painfully so. Rui squinted against the light, her skin tingling unpleasantly.
Something was wrong.
She caught her reflection in a passing mirror and froze.
Her carefully constructed disguise was deteriorating—patches of her natural appearance flickering through like lightning through clouds.
Her blue eyes flashed briefly, the celestial aura fading in and out.
"No, not now," she hissed, pressing herself against the wall as two celestial guards passed by.
She checked her hands. The glamour was failing there too, revealing glimpses of her true skin tone.
The potion was wearing off hours too early.
Rui pulled her borrowed robes tighter, ducking her head as she quickened her pace toward the library.
She needed to reach Ran before the disguise failed completely.
Rui slipped around a final corner, the library entrance just ahead.
