Page 25 of Stars in Halo

‘What the fokk?’ the security man gurgled.

Xion smirked. ‘Just my consigliere. Mirage is exceptionally thorough.’

Hanias’ face paled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he realised he wasn’t playing with amateurs. ‘You can’t do this,’ he stammered. ‘I won’t tell you anything.’

Xion’s eyes gleamed as he leaned back, crossing his hands over his chest. ‘Oh, I think you will,’ he murmured but with an underlying threat. ‘Because if you don’t, let’s just say your comfortable little life is about to unravel.’

Mirage’s holographic form flickered to life on the bridge, their jade eyes glittering and sotto voice echoing with omen. ‘You see, Hanias, we know all about your little side deals, your affair, your shakedown operation of guests you blackmail and your shady connections to the local mob enforcers. Your secrets are not so secret anymore.’

‘You see, Mr Tukan, you’ve been a naughty boy, and someone has to hold you accountable for your actions,’ Xion added.

Hanias trembled in his restraints, his facade of confidence crumbling under the weight of his fear.

Xion circled him like a predator playing with its prey. ‘I want to know about the dark-haired Iccythrian woman you were talking to earlier. Who is she? What’s her play at The Grande Hotel?’

The man scoffed. ‘Bella Blaise? The society heiress? She’s -’

‘Not Bella Blaise,’ Xion countered with a sad smile laced with fake disappointment. ‘It hurts me you think we’re so naive, and she’s no society belle either. What is she doing here, on the eve of one of Rhesia’s most famous jewellery and art auctions?’

The man’s eyes widened as he caught on to the fact Xion was way ahead of him. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he vacillated, debating how much to reveal.

‘She goes by the name of Bella Blaise, but in truth, she is Katya D’Landra,’ he finally admitted, his voice shaky. ‘She’s a shadow broker, dealing in secrets and high-stakes information. Rumour has it she’s here to pick a treasure of massive value.’

Xion’s eyes gleamed with interest as he absorbed the new facts. ‘I assume this picking up business is more like stealing it. At the art gala? Nada?’

The man hesitated, his fear palpable. ‘I’ve heard whispers,’ he stammered, ‘that Katya is after a priceless artefact, the Serpent’s Iris, to be showcased and auctioned at the event. It’s expensive, not just because it’s a jewel, but because it is said to hold immense power and is sought after by many, including some highly dangerous individuals. Her patron is one of them.’

‘She’s desperate for it,’ the security man whispered. ‘She hired me to map out The Grande for her, saying she’ll stop at nothing to get her hands on it. Not for herself but whoever is paying her.’

‘Who is her sponsor?’

‘Fokk if I know,’ Hanias whined.

‘Where is this Serpent’s Iris now?’ Xion pushed, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with the trembling man.

Hanias hesitated, weighing his options before speaking in a hushed tone, ‘It’s in a secured store room hidden in a maze underneath the hotel. Only a select few know its location and its security is top-notch. I’m meant to be leading her to it tomorrow at the Gala.’

‘Sante, Mr. Tukan,’ the Rider said with a dangerous smile. ‘Your cooperation is noted and appreciated. Mirage, make sure to erase any trace of our little rendezvous here. Goodbye.’

The consigliere sent Hanias back into stasis with a tiny metanoid-infused injection. ‘When he wakes, he’ll have no memory of ever meeting us,’ Mirage commented as Xion bundled the man down the stairs of the Tachy and into his waiting flyer.

Shutting the back door on the slumbering security man, Xion loped back to the bridge and turned to Mirage. ‘Appreciate the support. I’m going to crash Katya’s little party at The Grande Hotel. Not that we’re going to stop her from her nefarious activities. But I’m going to follow her until I find who’s behind her, who her sponsor is and what unruly shit they’re stirring.’

‘How fun,’ the Sable consigliere replied with a smug smile.

Xion jerked his chin, his eyes glinting. ‘Now, please fly Hanias back home and have a droid bot on hand to bundle him to bed.’

The following day, Xion set out early.

He was clad in a nondescript outfit that comprised a cap, a jacket, drab trousers, and shoes, all infused with metanoids, which allowed them to change shape and colour at his command.

He started with a to-go cup of kahawa and a pastry, accompanied by a holo newspaper.

He sat on a bench in the park across from the prestigious hotel.

He didn’t have long to wait.

She emerged from the shimmering glass doors of the luxurious accommodation, her high heels clicking, hips swaying.

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