Page 90 of Johan.

Ludovic leads the way, and we enter through a side door, avoiding the main entrance. We navigate through narrow aisles lined with towering shelves, the smell of old paper and leather binding thick in the air. Finally, we stop in front of a bookcase.

Ludovic pulls a particular book, and the bookcase swings open, revealing a hidden door. My pulse quickens as we step through it. We descend a narrow, spiral staircase into a secret basement. The sound of our footsteps echoes off the stone walls, and I can’t help but feel a thrill of apprehension.

The staircase opens up into a large room, and I’m taken aback by its opulence. Rich Persian carpets cover the floor, their intricate patterns almost hypnotic. Velvet armchairs, their deep hues inviting, are strategically placed around the room. The walls are lined with dark wood paneling, and brass sconces cast a warm, golden light that flickers like candle flames.

Against one of the walls of the room stands a massive oak table, its surface already covered with a collection of the artifacts we found at the site of Shisr. There are ancient jewels that sparkle under the light, gold coins that gleam with a dull luster, and various other relics that hint at untold histories. My eyes widen, trying to make sense of what’s going on.

When I turn to Ludovic, he simply stands beside me, lowers his voice, and says, “Watch, kid. Watch and learn.”

I’m confused, but before I can ask anything, the door opens again. A Black man in his fifties, wearing a sharp gray suit and holding an exquisite walking cane, enters with three people behind him. His presence commands attention. His grey hair, styled in neat dreadlocks, frames a face marked by a lifetime of experiences. He wears tinted glasses and carries himself with a calm, authoritative air. I wonder who he is, but Ludovic steps forward immediately.

I extend my hand, and Loki shakes it firmly. His grip is strong, his eyes piercing even through the tinted glasses. “Good,” he says, his attention quickly shifting to the table filled with artifacts.

“I see your excavation went well,” Loki remarks, inspecting the artifacts with an aloof air. He moves with deliberate slowness, his gaze intense as he examines each piece.

Before I can say a word, Ludovic steps in. “Indeed. We’ve got wonderful jewels, golden coins, and so much more from the ancient city of Ubar. You know these pieces are invaluable—Ubar no longer exists, making these artifacts irreplaceable. At auction, their worth would skyrocket.”

Loki’s team begins to confirm the authenticity of each artifact. They work with quiet efficiency, using tools and instruments to examine the pieces closely. Loki then sits down at a low coffee table, signaling for everyone else to join him. Ludovic and I take our seats, and the air thickens with tension.

Loki leans back, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of satisfaction and impatience. "These artifacts," he begins, gesturing towards the table, "are indeed remarkable. But let's talk numbers.”

Ludovic smiles, leaning forward slightly. “Of course. Given their provenance and the fact that Ubar no longer exists…we’re looking at a starting bid of three million.”

Loki raises an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Three million? That's steep, even for pieces of this caliber. I was thinking more along the lines of two million.”

Ludovic chuckles softly, shaking his head. "Loki, you know as well as I do that these artifacts are worth every penny. At auction, they could easily fetch five million or more. Three million is a fair price considering their historical significance and condition.”

Loki's gaze shifts to the artifacts, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his chair. He studies them intently as if weighing their worth against his own inner calculations. “Two point five million, and that's my final offer.”

Ludovic leans back, his eyes meeting Loki's. He lets the silence stretch, creating a moment of palpable tension. “Two point eight million, and we'll call it a deal. These pieces are exceptional, and you won't find their like again.”

Loki sighs, then nods slowly. "Two point eight it is, then." He signals to one of his assistants, who hands him a checkbook. Loki writes the check with a flourish, his pen moving swiftly and confidently. He tears it off and hands it over to Ludovic. "Next time we meet, I want to see the Star of Ubar. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Ludovic smiles, pocketing the check. “Patience, my friend. We shall find it soon.”

Loki stands, his demeanor cool and commanding. “I hope so. Clients aren’t as patient as we wish." He turns to his team, who begin packing the artifacts into hard cases with practiced precision, each movement careful and deliberate.

As they prepare to leave, Loki glances at me. His eyes, though hidden behind the tinted glasses, seem to assess me thoroughly. “Keep up the good work, Johan. We'll need your expertise to find the Star.”

I nod, trying to mask my unease. “Thank you.”

Ludovic and I watch as Loki and his team leave the room, the tension finally beginning to dissipate.

I sit there, stunned and livid. I can’t believe I just witnessed Ludovic selling historical artifacts to what seems to be a treasure hunter instead of having them displayed in a museum. Amelia had always been right about Ludovic's true intentions. Now, more than ever, I understand the urgency and importance offinding the Star of Ubar. I need to find it before anyone else does, and when I do, I will finally get the revenge I deserve.

After selling the jewelry to Loki, the exchange wrapped in shadows and whispered promises, Ludovic and I head to The Savoy Hotel. As we sit in the back of the car, the city lights blur past, and I struggle to process everything that just happened. I witnessed a criminal activity unfold right under my eyes—artifacts meant for museums, sold in secret to an underground market dealer. The weight of what I've seen is almost suffocating.

Ludovic leans back in his seat, looking entirely at ease, as if he hadn't just orchestrated an illegal transaction. I, on the other hand, feel the tension coiling in my muscles, my mind replaying every detail. The dimly lit room, the glint of the gold bracelets and jeweled necklace as they exchanged hands, Loki's calculating gaze—each memory is sharp and jarring. Ludovic's smooth negotiation, his blend of charm and menace, was unsettling. The ease with which he operated in this dark world left me feeling both awed and horrified.

“Fancy a drink?” Ludovic asks as we pull up to The Savoy, his tone casual, betraying none of the night's tension.

I shake my head, feigning fatigue. “I’m too jet-lagged. I’d rather sleep.”

He studies me for a moment, then nods. “Alright. Get some rest. Good night.”

“Good night,” I reply, turning towards the elevator. The ride up feels interminable, my mind racing with everything I need to do. When I finally reach my room, I waste no time.

Inside, I lock the door and immediately begin transferring the photos, videos, and voice recordings to my phone. Each file is a piece of the puzzle, the proof we need to bring Ludovic down. Once they’re all uploaded, I send them to Hannah with a brief message:Got the proof. Urgent.

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