Page 21 of Stars in Nova

The ache in his ribs from his earlier fall off the rooftop of the gang’s warehouse hadn’t quite subsided. The dull pulse in his temple reminded him of the con he’d tackled into a stack of alloy crates.

After, he’d been called to assist in a shakedown of a money launderer.

The thug had chosen to take the Eden Guards on a flyer chase through the city, which ended with Kisan having to T-bone the fleeing criminal.

Despite his metanoids working to heal him, the whiplash made itself known in the throbbing ache radiating from his neck.

With immense relief, he stretched out his legs, the bioluminescent lake before him, its tranquil glow and ethereal beauty, offering some solace.

The crowd murmured in anticipation as the lights dimmed.

Kisan’s eyes were already fixed on the stage, heart thrumming in expectation at the mesmerizing water dance that drew him back here again and again.

Samira emerged from the mist, her silhouette cutting through the soft haze.

The air seemed to change as she stepped onto the water’s surface, her lithe form bending and twisting as though she were an extension of the lake.

Her long black hair flowed behind her, catching the glow of the bioluminescence, shimmering with each movement.

This time, her choreography was a story woven into fluid movements, encompassing grief, resilience, longing, and hope.

Kisan’s breath caught with every motion.

The water obeyed her commands, rising to her touch, swirling around her legs, and then shooting upward in arcing jets that dissolved into fine mist.

Every action seemed effortless, yet he sensed the control and power in each motion.

At one point, while executing a flip, her unusual eyes locked onto his, a glance that sent a flicker of heat through him.

He shifted in his seat, gripping the edge of his glass, but his gaze never wavered.

She had an uncanny ability to make him feel both vulnerable and captivated at the same time.

After her performance, Kisan lingered.

He didn’t know why—perhaps because it was easier to stay in the tranquility of CyVoda than face the emptiness of his apartment.

He was nursing his last drink when the establishment’s owner approached. He was a broad-shouldered Iccythrian man with an easy smile and a knack for conversation.

Raza Jhal was a magnetic figure infamous across Eden II.

A sapphire jewel graced his chin, and his thick, black beard, threaded with gold chains and polished gems, bestowed him with a regal presence.

Raza’s deep brown skin shimmered, adorned with intricate jewels, and his dark eyes often crinkled with laughter as if always enjoying a private joke. With a booming voice full of charm, Raza was the heart and soul of CyVoda.

‘You’ve been coming here often,’ he said, sliding into the seat facing Kisan without waiting for an invitation.

Kisan jerked his chin. ‘The performances help me unwind.’

The owner chuckled. ‘The shows, or one in particular?’

Kisan tensed but said nothing.

Raza, enjoying himself, continued, ‘You should try the private spa pool experience. It’s part of the offering and will work wonders all over you.’

Kisan snorted, but the idea lingered.

After a particularly brutal shift the following evening, his body aching and his mind clouded, Kisan found his feet tracking towards the establishment’s front desk requesting a session.

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