Page 27 of Stars in Halo

After some digging, she reported back. ‘I’ve found a common thread – all the retailers have ties to a sinister and dangerous Ccyth and Falasian crime syndicate called Black Claw operating on Rhesia. A deep dive into Dark Net has disclosed that Black Claw have grasped onto Enia’s underbelly, with their talons in everything from cargo pirating to kidnappings and extortion, leaving a trail of fear and destruction in their wake.’

‘So she’s stealing from her own. An ingenious form of heist justice, huh?’ he huffed, amused.

‘Be careful, khan. The Black Claw kinais can’t be counted as some of Pegasi’s top-notch and outstanding citizens. I’d advise that you stay on task but keep a distance from her. You can’t underestimate Katya’s involvement with them or what retaliation they might have planned for her if they find out she’s filching from them.’

But the revelation Katya was the most alluring heroic outlaw he’d ever met added to Xion’s fascination with her.

He wanted to know more about her and why she was stealing from her own. He longed to draw closer to her and unravel her mystery, even though it was risky as all hell.

‘She’s good, almost too good,’ he quipped to Mirage.

Right beneath the nose of yet another salesperson who’d stepped out to retrieve a case for her much lesser purchase, she pinched a stunning emerald-cut diamond ring.

With such bare-faced brazenness that he whistled under his breath.

No one in the shop realised, even after she waltzed out with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

He sensed a roiling fury in her eyes before she sashayed away with an elegant flourish.

‘It would appear so. She’s also the queen of multiple IDs. Through the years, Katya has used a myriad of aliases and multiple different Sys-IDs.’

‘I bet you she’s unapologetic, and if I put her under the scope, she’ll insist her elaborate ruses and crimes are justified for some reason. The question is, underneath her cool and catlike grace lies a thread of anger in how she’s operating. It’s like she’s enraged, and that energy is powering her. It’s as if she’s attempting to fix a miscarriage of justice, y’know, the adage of two wrongs make a right? I mean, what else would justify such boldness?’

Her hackles rose.

She scanned the bustling street, her senses on high alert. Despite her poised exterior, the hairs on her neck stood up as a chill ran down her spine. She adjusted her pace, trying to blend in with the crowd while keeping an eye out for any suspicious figures.

But no matter how hard she tried to shake off the feeling of being followed, it persisted like a shadow creeping at the edge of her vision.

Katya knew better than to underestimate her gut instinct. It had saved her bacon and her ass many times in the past.

She slowed her roll, given her haul this time was impressive, whether due to the multitudes of shoppers and the distractions they provided or security being lax for some reason.

Her loot was a significant bump to her bank, giving her the cushion she needed when this shit storm was over.

Calling it a day, she headed back to her hotel.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city streets as she weaved through the bustling crowds with practised ease.

Despite the adrenaline pumping through her veins from the successful heists, a sense of unease lingered in the pit of her stomach.

Her heart pounded as she glanced at store windows, searching for the reflection of a tail. No one stood out.

Still, she strained her ears for any sign of pursuit and drew her purse near, thankful for the laser firearm strapped to her thigh.

When the bright crystal lights of The Grande were in close view, she sighed in relief. Still, as Katya approached the hotel entrance, she scanned her immediate surroundings for signs of suspicious activity, eyes darting.

There was nothing amiss. For now.

‘Miss Blaise?’

Katya’s breath caught in her throat, almost whipping her fingers around the weapon concealed against her leg.

A figure stepped into the dim light, revealing the bellman.

‘Oh, it’s you, thank the gods,’ she breathed.

The man gave her a puzzled look.

---