Page 30 of Stars in Halo

Jerking his chin in appreciation at the concierge, Xion eased by and entered the hotel’s opulent lobby.

The air was heavy with the scent of money and power, mingling with the faint hint of something darker lurking beneath the surface.

He strode past the extravagant chandeliers and sumptuous velvet couches, scanning the room for any sign of Katya in the maze of dazzling faces, wealth, and luxury.

He presented his wrist tab at the ticket check bot and was waved into the event.

He made his way to the ballroom and the grand doorway, catching glimpses of the alluring crimson-clad back of a now-familiar silhouette disappearing inside.

Without hesitation, he followed, his steps silent on the plush carpeting.

However, his mark disappeared, caught in the throngs of attendees rushing in and out of the space.

As the bellman had promised, it was a veritable fantastical art and jewels showcase.

The ballroom was decked in silver and gold streamers, which offset the soft cream tones on the wall, the art-deco-inspired chandeliers and polished brass fittings.

Upstairs, an open-plan gallery invited guests to take a closer look at the curated selections, which included a priceless collection of treasures and masterpieces. Some were just for viewing, and others were to be sold in a series of charity auctions later in the evening.

Guests were greeted with unique cocktails and ushered into a cosmic paradise resembling a galaxy of celestial wonder.

The dress theme was Pegasi’s planetary stars, and the guests didn’t disappoint.

They satisfied the organisers ' celestial theme with intricate ethereal headdresses, wild bedazzled makeup, and dreamy sparkling fabrics.

Some wore crystals from head to toe, layered over silver body paint.

Others were decked out in flowing, embellished, giant, out-sized emperor-level capes and kaftans.

Most bold statements with their jewellery. Typically, a finishing touch to the look, many chose to make their accessories the focal point.

He spotted many precious stones—some huge and worth millions of schills—on the red carpet, shining and dazzling against the holo-razzi flashbulbs.

Xion blended right in with his 8-carat white diamond brooch and a freakin’ enormous pearl ring. He’d also donned a limited edition gem watch, cufflinks, and 18-karat gold earrings surrounded by emeralds.

However, his meagre offering came nothing close to the glitterati he rubbed shoulders with.

That’s a Sitari yellow diamond that has over 300 carats, Mirage informed him when his brow rose at the sight of one outrageously accessorised guest. Worn by D’Lia Frakan, a leading lady in a famous holo drama show.

The woman in question was undoubtedly beautiful. She preened before the cameras with a broad smile, one hand on her hip, waving the other at her baying fans.

The place is a sea of jewellery. I see five-pear diamonds, cultured pearls, fancy-shaped and pavé-set rings, and even an ebony gem worth millions of schills.

The perfect hunting ground for a cat burglar, nada?

Indeed.

He strode by groups of pouting celebrities vying for camera attention from the holo-razzis.

At one point, a group of women descended on him, giggling, cameras flashing, thinking he was some kind of star.

He conceded that his look this evening, with his physique, chiselled jaw, jewels and close-fitted suit, may have misled them.

On the job and weary of the unwanted female attention his appearance brought, he used his meta-speed to slip away from them before they got to him.

He ghosted into the ballroom, which was packed with swaying bodies and loud chatter, surrounding an empty, glowing crystal dais at the centre of the grand space.

As Hanias said, the Iris is about to be offered for sale this evening. Owned by the Rhesian Royal House, it is one of the rarest rubies on this planet, Mirage told him. Its estimated value is over 250 million schills and will be unveiled as part of the charity auction later tonight.

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