After Angels and Devils Tangle

Xion aimed the Tachy towards Enia, the city of light.

Where towering buildings, shimmering avenues, and glowing structures seemed to defy the laws of physics.

In all directions loomed self-illuminating walls, giant panels of strobed surfaces, bright lanterns, lit-up flyers, and luminous maglev trains that floated across the skyline.

Xion was no stranger to the planet but each previous visit had strictly been for business.

He'd had no time to indulge and walk its streets.

Still, he recalled how the buildings towered into the sky, their windows and balconies illuminated with a warm, inviting light.

The city never slept - it was always bustling, with people of all shapes, sizes, and colours going about their work.

The metro's legendary bio-luminous plants lined the sidewalks, their leaves shining in the darkness, creating the appearance of a magical forest.

The shows and water fountains, too, were a draw card featuring millions of flashing LEDs choreographed to sound.

Enia's nightlife was a spectacle in itself. If the tourists didn't come for the sights, they thronged to the club hot spots and parties. These were held in a vast array of live entertainment and multi-level party venues where droids and event hosts served visitors every pleasure imaginable, promising a night of unforgettable experiences.

‘On approach,' Mirage warned.

The AI's node had taken over, piloting the ship inbound to the planet. They activated Glimmer's stealth mode before Enia's spaceport detected them. The corvette disappeared, unseen and untraceable by any orbital defence and surveillance system.

The gunship winged over the glittering city while Xion changed into civvies of a dark jacket and tight-fitting black trousers. It headed towards the northern district, where the lights of Rhesia's glitzy resorts, restaurants and bars glimmered even from the atmosphere.

Mirage's dulcet voice spoke up. ‘I've scanned the city's aerodrome and its systems, narrowed the location of our mark's ship, and patched it into their comms. She landed not so long ago, and a fly cab was summoned. Its flight manifest shows it heading to The Grande, one of Enia's premier and luxury hotels. This is coincidentally where one of Pegasi's prestigious Art and Gem Gala is being held tomorrow night. What's the probability she is planning to attend?'

‘High,' Xion mused, rolling his locks into a bun, adding sunglasses and shoving on some jewellery so he'd resemble a tourist out on the lamb. ‘Get me a ticket.'

‘Working on it.'

In seconds, Mirage pinged back. ‘Done. Your name is Lorian Caelix, a curator and dealer from Eden II.'

‘I think I should scout around before the upcoming event, don't you?'

‘Tis a good idea. Also, my hack of the fly-cab system AI shows Katya D'Landra is just a few minutes ahead of us. She's booked to stay at the hotel and will arrive in soon. I'll place you as close to the establishment as possible.'

‘Catch you soon.'

Xion slipped his concealed weapon onto his side holster and slid into his meta boots as the ship's rear airlock swung open to let him out.

Using his boot's meta-thrust to float to the surface below, he landed behind a tall, luminescent grove of frilly leaf bushes.

I'll stay with you via our link,Mirage said.

Sante,Xion replied.

He strode across the radiant park, which did not hold back on its Rhesian hallmarks.

Luminous trees and shrubs peppered the perfect green grass and trailed into the mini lakes scattered through the place.

People crowded the stunning picturesque spaces, strolling through for their evening walks.

The city throbbed with light and life, but Xion was oblivious to it all, focusing all his attention on the building ahead.

The Grande Hotel was towering, rising from the city's vibrant surroundings with sleek lines and reflective surfaces.

Its walls glimmered with crystals and dripped with various colourful plants in shades of soft blues and purples.

Each window was a portal to a different world, inviting guests to leave reality behind and embrace the fantastical.

Xion strode to the entryway, where a uniformed bellman stood enclosed by its grand architecture adorned with shimmering lights and dancing fountains.

‘Welcome to our establishment, sir,' the bellman greeted Xion with a warm smile.

The Rider spotted a profile at the foyer desk's far end of the lobby. His lips twisted, heart lurching.

He recognised her at once, catching a glimpse of her exquisite features. Jolting with reaction, he drank in her tall, elegant silhouette, with a river of dark, sleek hair cascading down her back—through a doorway leading to a luxurious lounge area.

She was accompanied by a trio of male individuals whom Xion was unable to ID.

‘Who's that?' he asked the bellman, jerking his chin toward the alluring and fast-disappearing woman.

He'd discovered over the years that a firm, irrefutable statement, made with confidence, always pushed through any disquiet.

A little side cash helped.

He flicked a few schills from his wrist tab to the doorman's device as he spoke.

The man's eyes widened in appreciation at the amount that appeared on his screen.

‘That's Bella Blaise; she's a regular visitor to our establishment,' the front doorman offered with new-found eagerness.

He lowered his voice. ‘She's a society heiress who stays with us for weeks. I believe she's booked in for a few days this time. She also had a dreamy ass and plenty of schills to drop when served well. If you wish, I'll let you know when she's on the premises.'

‘Sante. Is that the bar she's headed into?' he grunted.

‘Tis. Her favourite drink is a whisky sour.'

‘A woman of my dreams. Appreciated,' Xion grinned with affable nod.

He brushed past the bellman and entered the hotel's opulent lobby. The lounge was his destination, but he was preoccupied with the enigmatic woman he was tailing.

Katya was no ordinary shark. That much was certain. What her endgame was intrigued him, and he was willing to do whatever it took to find out.

Striding into the dim-lit space, Xion's sharp eyes scanned the room for any sign of her. The air was thick with the scent of expensive liquor and hushed conversations, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and secrecy.

He caught a glimpse of her distinctive silhouette at the far end of the bar; her back turned to him as she engaged in conversation with a stocky figure.

With a furtive glance around the room, she leaned in, whispered something to him, straightened, and strolled out.

He took a step, wanting to intercept her, but he hesitated.

Her sentinels followed close behind, and he observed them disappear into an elevator.

Her connection, the man she'd just rendezvoused with, would make for better information, Xion concluded.

The Rider strode into the shadowy space, where plush velvet couches and glittering chandeliers created an atmosphere of intimate, hushed extravagance.

Katya's contact was seated at the bar in the corner, his back to him, nursing a drink.

He sidled next to the man, his meta eyes narrowing to take in the holo badge on the stranger's lapel.

It announced him as Hanias Tokun, the hotel's head of security.

Flicking his eyes away, Xion sat and gestured for the barman.

‘A whisky,' he told the Allorian man who rushed over. ‘And another of what he's having,' gesturing at the man beside him.

Hanias glanced up with surprise. ‘Who are you, and why the hell are you buying me a drink?'

Xion leaned in. ‘Just a guest, wanting to make friends.'

A glass of dirty brown liquor was placed before the security man.

‘Malort?' Xion quipped, raising a brow. ‘Can't understand how people can down that swill.'

His scotch arrived, and he swirled it around in the tumbler, lifting it into the light where its amber beauty glowed. ‘For me, the choice is clear.'

He brought the glass to his nose and sniffed long and hard.

‘It's infused with smoke, but ‘tis not fire. It smoulders like flames but flows like water. It streams through oak but appears in vapour. It has a bite but no teeth. Yet, it lights you up brighter than the twins of Alphetraz. And after all is said and done, it's what remains after the angels and devils have had their share.'

The Rider nailed Hanias with a smirk and a wink. ‘Your shit is shit. My shit is the shit.'

He slugged back his drink and slammed the glass on the bar with a satisfied smile.

To find the security man's eyes glaring at him with an unholy fire.

‘Ah, I gather I've caused offence,' Xion murmured.

‘Who are the fokk are you? Some loser with a death wish? Coming into my place of work, talking shit and causing a scene?' Hanias growled, his voice timbered and dangerous.

Xion immediately understood the kind of man Hanias was.

One of those kinais, who when they laid eyes on him, their expressions shifted into envy or incandescent scowls - as their thick heads perceived him as a threat to their careers, situationships, and fragile masculinity.

A fair few in the past had been enraged enough by his face to try to punch it.

Numerous individuals had tried to attack him, rout him out, or suggest a fistfight out of displaced resentfulness.

For Xion, his natural physique was a poison chalice, and outside of the Riders, he had sparse male acquaintances.

Over the years, a few stopped speaking to him. He suspected, with good reason, that envy was the precise cause.

Which was why he worked hard to repel the attention.

His meta ink was now programmed to flash in warning if someone came too close to attempting to knock his lights out.

His brooding features were set into a resting brute face.

Or in a careless smirk that only savvy men would perceive as dangerous.

Xion reclined in his seat, unfazed by the hostility radiating from the security head, and smirked, confident Hanias had no clue who he was glowering at. ‘Oh, I'm a humble admirer of a good palate and questionable beverage choices.'

He paused for a dramatic moment.

‘Also, just a man seeking some answers,' he drawled on, swirling the remnants of his whisky around the glass. ‘It turns out you might have some.'

Hanias' eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched as he studied Xion with suspicion. ‘What answers are you looking for?'

Xion leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ‘The woman you were chatting to prior to my arrival. Who is she, and what did she want from you?'

A flicker of panic crossed Hanias' face before he schooled his features into a mask of indifference. ‘I'm afraid I can't help you with that,' he clipped, pushing his half-empty tumbler away. ‘Now get the fokk off my patch, or I'll be forced to make you disappear,' Hanias growled.

The security man's hand twitched toward his waist, where Xion noted a subtle bulge indicating a concealed weapon.

Xion interrupted a smirk playing on his lips. ‘Tut, tut, didn't think this was that kind of establishment.'

‘We don't play at The Grande, with so much at stake over the next few nights.'

‘Why? What's happening?'

The bumbling man's face reddened as he realised he'd revealed more than enough. ‘Get the fokk out of here, or I'll get my boys to escort you out.'

He jerked his chin behind Xion, who turned to tag two hotel sentries-for-hire bristling at him from the bar's entryway.

‘Easy there, friend,' Xion drawled, raising his hands in mock surrender. ‘I'm just here for some company and a conversation.'

Hanias narrowed his eyes, studying Xion with malicious intent. ‘You picked the wrong man to chat up, pal. I don't have time for games.'

Xion leaned back, unfazed by the threat in the man's tone. ‘Games? Who said anything about games? I'm just a traveller looking for a good story to pass the time.'

Hanias' eyes darkened, and he stood up, trying to intimidate Xion with a taunted pounce. ‘I said get the fokk out,' he growled, reaching for Xion's arm to pull him out of the seat.

But before Hanias touched him, Xion evaded his grasp and rose to his feet. A glint of amusement danced in his eyes as Hanias got a bead on how much taller and massive the Rider was.

‘I believe we got off on the wrong foot,' he rasped, straightening his jacket. ‘I'll be sure to find my answers elsewhere then. See you soon, my friend.'

With a final mocking grin and a wink thrown in the security man's direction, Xion turned on his heel. He sauntered out of the bar, leaving behind the glowering man and shouldering past the guards he'd summoned to his rescue.

A few hours later, a stocky man eased out of the rear of the Grande Hotel via the staff entrance.

He headed in the direction of a waiting flyer parked in a hover in the now emptied lot.

All of a sudden, he whirled as a burst of sound came rushing towards him at high speed.

Seconds afterwards, a mighty force hit, and he fell to the ground, senseless.