Lyra's POV
Shadows. VIP box. Watching the auction floor through one-way glass. Bathroom.
"Heading to the Security Room," Leo's voice crackled. Earpiece. "Ten minutes before he realizes you aren't there."
"Ten minutes. Plenty." Muttered. Stripping off the leopard print. Underneath, sleek black tactical bodysuit. "Status on the Widowmaker?"
"Lot 42. Coming up next. Dragon's Blood is Lot 1. Last item. Current bid projections... insane."
Pulled on a black mask. Covered lower half of my face. "How insane?"
"Two billion. Minimum."
Cursed softly. Starfire funds stretched thin. If I spent it all? No resources. Retreat impossible.
"Focus on the gun," Told myself. "Sell high. Buy the medicine. Get out."
Slipped out of the bathroom window (diamond cutter). Crawled along the external ledge. Wind whipped my hair. Didn't flinch. Done this a hundred times.
Reached ventilation shaft. Above main stage. Popped the grate. Dropped down. Landed silently on a lighting rig.
Perfect view. Podium. And the V-VIP box where Damon *should* have been.
Empty.
Good. Chasing ghosts in the security room.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." Auctioneer. Voice like oiled velvet. "Surprise addition. Lot 42."
Curtains parted.
Spotlight hit the pedestal.
There it was. My gun. Mother-of-pearl grip gleaming. Red ruby. Drop of fresh blood.
Murmur went through the crowd. Didn't know the history. Recognized power.
"Bidding starts at one million."
"Five million!" Russian voice.
"Ten!" Cartel boss.
Smiled behind my mask. Good. Fight. Drive it up.
"Fifty million!"
"One hundred!"
Price climbing. Heart rate steadied. Going to work. With this money, I could—
"One billion."
Voice didn't come from the floor. Speakers. Boomed through the hall. Absolute. Terrifying.
Silence.
Every head turned. V-VIP box.
Damon walked out of the shadows. Wasn't in the security room. Right there. Leaning against the railing. Looking down. Boredom. Lethal intent.
Breath hitched.
"He... he knew," Whispered. "Knew I wouldn't go to security. Knew I'd come here."
"One billion," Damon repeated. Golden eyes sweeping the room. Daring anyone to challenge. "And the head of anyone who bids against me."
Auctioneer trembled. "Sold! To Alpha Storm! One billion!"
Gavel banged.
Stared down at him.
Didn't look at the gun. Looked up. Straight at the lighting rig.
Couldn't see me. Shadows. But he knew.
Tapped his ear.
"Fair trade, Lyra," Voice cut into my private comms channel.
Froze. Hacked my frequency? How?
"Using my money to buy my medicine?" Chuckled darkly. "Clever. But the Dragon's Blood isn't for sale anymore."
"What?" Hissed into the mic.
"Pulled it from the auction," Damon said. Walking towards the exit. "Personal vault. Want it? Come and get it."
Paused.
"And bring the kids. Ordered dessert."
Blood boiled.
Wasn't buying a gun. Buying a meeting. Holding my father's life hostage. Force me out.
"You are insane," Growled.
"I'm a father," Damon countered. "Want to meet my family. Properly."
Connection cut.
Sat on the rig. Shaking with rage.
"Mommy?" Cyra's voice. Backup channel. "Why did the bad man buy your gun for a billion dollars?"
"Because he's crazy, baby," Said. Standing up. "Leo. Initiate Plan B."
"Plan B? 'Shadow Lord' assault?"
"No," Adjusted mask. "Plan C."
"What's Plan C?"
"We don't steal the medicine," Eyes narrowing. "We steal the vault."
"That... physically impossible." Leo stammered.
"Not for us," Said. "Meet me at extraction. Tell Aries to put on his helmet."
Looked down at the empty podium.
Want a war, Damon?
Bought one.
Cost you a billion dollars.
Dropped a smoke bomb. Stage.
BOOM.
Chaos erupted.
Shadow Lord descended.