Chapter 54
Under the 18th’s moon, the ocean sparkled like a bed of diamonds. The scene was a mix of leisurely ferries, posh yaches, and zippy speedboats, all aglow with lights that matched the extravagant mood of the night
The Liberty Star ruled the waves–a grand, three–tiered white cruise ship that could swallow up thousands. Tonight, it was lit up like a floating palace, its lights piercing the darkness.
At the gate, a squad of bodyguards stood firm, scrutinizing each guests invitation with a practiced eye.
Hugo was a bundle of nerves and excitement. “Quiana, you’re really taking me with you, right?” he chirped, almost bouncing on the spot..
Quana in her sleek black gerup and chewing gum, was the picture of nonchalance. She had her hands tucked in her pockets, eyes lazily sweeping the crowd. “Your call” she said with a half–undle. “If you’d rather hail, no skin off my nose
““Bail! No way“” Hugo shot back, grinning. This is a once–in–a–lifetime chance. I’m not missing it, not even if they offered me a free day at the
beach
The auction was a three–day, non–stop, ship–bound affair. Even as the evening wore on, past 8:30 PM. the buzz of excitement onboard was as lively
Quiana was all about the low key–she slipped a nearly invisible Bluetooth earbud into her car, threw on a mask, and yanked her baseball cap down low, her eyes hidden from the world.
Hugo followed suit, sticking close as they sauntered up to the entrance and flashed the invite they’d crafted.
The place was a regular union of people, so no one batted an eye at their getups. The bouncer gave the invite a once over for any funky business, then raised an eyebrow at Hugo’s height. “No kids,” he grunted.
Quana shot back with a voice that could’ve belonged to anyone. “He’s not a kid, he’s just vertically challenged”
Hugo had to bite his lip to keep from correcting her–no way was he vertically challenged–but he played along, his voice taking on a stem, mature tone. “You got a problem with that?”
The line was growing restless, and the bouncer wasn’t about to start a fight. He handed back the invite and waved them through.
Once inside, Hugo let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding, fiddling with the fake invite. “Your skills are getting pretty legit,” he said, half- joking
The ship was a blast of lights and laughter, a deck party that had the whole place rocking. Hugo’s eyes were as big as saucers, taking in all the action.
Quana handed him a wristband and kept her voice down. “Go mingle. If you need anything, hit up the security, not me
Hugo gave her a look that said it all–he knew she would be so cruel.
Keith was all about the details as they approached the cruise ship. “You guys know, this auctioe’s a triannual thing, and it moves around.
“This time, were lucky it’s in Janivelle. I had to pull some serious strings to get us this invite–it’s a three–person pass. And yeah, this is my first rodeo too. So let’s stay sharp and treat this like a crash course in high–class weirdness.”
Xavier gave a nod, getting the vibe. “Gotcha”
Tyshawn was practically buzzing with excitement. “Can you believe we’re actually going to be at one of these thing? Me neither! He was rubbing his hands together like a kid on Christmas morning-
thing fierce.
Julius, not a fan of the great outdoors was already hacking up a storm as soon as he hit the sea air. His eyes were watering something
Shane, always the prepared one, tossed him a jacket. “You think The Seraphic’s really gonna show?” he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
Zack countered over, grinning like he had all the answers. “ShadowGrid’s intel never steered us wrong yet.”
Shane wasn’t so quick to relax. “Let’s not get cocky,” he warned, keeping his guard up
Leo was the man with the plan, handing out earpieces like they were party favors. “We’ve got a crew on the ship. If The Seraphic makes an appearance, they’re not getting off the book”
Chapter 54.
Zack, always with an eye
eye for detail, had an update. “Jast saw Keith chilling with Xavier and that Tyshawn–know the one, right”
Julius, who usually wouldn’t be caught dead at these shindigs, was here for one reasom The Semphic. He cleared his threat and gestured to the ship Let’s get this show on the road” he said, his tone as steady as his resolve.
On the deck of a massive cruise ship, the air was thick with the hum of the high and mighty, each one a titan in their own right.
But Quiana was off to the side, tucked away in the shadows, quietly popping sunflower seeds, her eyes flicking with the occasional green flash from
her wrist
The voice in her earpiece was her peer Edith’s, teasing out a plan. “Hugo’s got a point. Marry Julius, and when he’s gone, we’re set for life. It’s a small price to pay for the whole team’s future, don’t you think**
AD
