The private plane hummed steadily through the night sky, carrying them closer to North East Dakota. Akshat sat in the dim cabin light, turning the golden masks over in his hands. He passed them out without ceremony. "Alexander, you take the bear. Manya, the bee. I'll wear the tiger." His voice was low, tired. "Keep them on at all times inside the auction hall. No exceptions. Your face stays hidden."
Alexander took the heavy golden bear mask, running his thumb along its engraved surface. Manya accepted hers with shaky fingers, the bee design delicate but somehow menacing in the low light. She didn't argue.
Later, after they landed and settled into a discreet high-end hotel near the coordinates, the doubt started eating at Akshat. He paced the suite while the others changed. Alexander finally spoke up, buttoning his grey suit. "What about our early planning? We were going to hit the auction hall hard, take the whole thing down."
Akshat stopped by the window, staring out at the dark landscape. "We will not do anything like that."
Alexander frowned. "Why the sudden change?"
Akshat rubbed his face, remembering Kurogami's flat words — *do what you can*. They kept repeating in his head. He wasn't the invincible force he once believed himself to be. Olivia Alexanderia had given him that mission to prove his worth, and right now it felt like he had already failed it before even stepping inside. "We can't destroy the hall on our own. Not really. We'd be dead before we made a dent. Just… do what I say. We go in, we buy everyone we can, and we get the hell back to our land. That's the play now."
Alexander stared at him with a blank expression, the kind that hid a thousand calculations. "Money?"
Akshat reached into his inner pocket and pulled out the golden invitation card. Attached to it was a sleek platinum card that caught the light like liquid metal. He held it up. "Eighty-eight billion dollars. Kurogami handed it over with the invitation. We have what we need."
The night deepened. They spent a few restless hours in the hotel, tension thick enough to taste. Manya kept touching the edge of her golden bee mask, practicing slipping it on and off. Alexander sat quietly, checking his concealed carry out of habit. Akshat changed into his full white suit, the fabric crisp and expensive, then placed the golden tiger mask over his face. It fit perfectly, transforming him into something distant and dangerous.
When they were ready, they left the hotel and drove the short distance to the luxury auction hall. From the outside it looked like any ultra-exclusive venue — polished marble steps, subtle lighting, the faint sound of classical music drifting through heavy doors. Inside, the main hall sparkled with displays of rare jewelry, ancient artifacts, and high-end art pieces. Glass cases everywhere. No cages. No obvious signs of the horror they had come for. Just rich people murmuring and sipping champagne.
Akshat's jaw tightened under the tiger mask. He led them forward, one arm sliding around Manya's waist, pulling her close against his side like she belonged to him completely. His grip was firm, possessive. The message was clear without words.
A tall, sharply dressed hall master approached them, eyes narrowing slightly at the golden masks. "This area is for verified VIPs only. Invitation, please."
Akshat handed over the golden card without hesitation. The name engraved on it caught the light — *Kurana Alexanderia*.
The hall master's posture changed instantly. His eyes widened behind his own subtle half-mask, and he offered a deep, respectful bow. "Lord Kurana Alexanderia… we were not expecting you in person. Forgive me. Your reputation precedes you, sir. The most mysterious and powerful man on the planet graces us tonight."
Akshat kept his voice smooth and commanding, perfectly in character. "I am Kurana Alexanderia. I hope you will provide the essential as well as non-essential luxuries tonight."
He said it while his hand rested possessively on Manya's hip, fingers pressing into the red fabric of her dress. The hall master's gaze flicked to her, then to Alexander's imposing golden bear mask, and understanding dawned. A small, knowing smile touched his lips.
"Of course, my lord. The true auction is downstairs, in the private chambers. Only for guests of your caliber. We have… everything you might desire. Fresh merchandise, trained companions, whatever your tastes require. Shall I escort you personally?"
Akshat gave a single nod, still holding Manya close. She stayed quiet, playing the part even though her body was tense against his. Alexander walked a step behind them, silent and watchful, the golden bear mask making him look like an enforcer from some old legend.
As they followed the hall master toward a concealed elevator at the back of the jewelry-filled hall, Akshat felt the weight of the tiger mask on his face. The real game was about to begin. Vanya was somewhere down there. Other girls too. He wasn't sure if buying them would be enough, but for now it was the only path that didn't end with all of them dead.
The elevator doors slid open. Soft red lighting waited beyond.
The private lower level of the Fallen Star Auction Hall buzzed with low conversations and the faint clink of expensive glasses. Golden masks filled the room. Lions, wolves, eagles, serpents dozens of them, all animal-themed and gleaming under the crimson lights. The air smelled of aged leather, cigar smoke, and heavy cologne. The real auction had begun.
Akshat moved through the space like he owned it, golden tiger mask hiding his expression. Staff had guided them straight to the VVIP section, a raised platform with seats noticeably more luxurious than the others. Plush velvet, private tables stocked with rare liquor, and a perfect view of the stage.
Normal VIPs sat in neat rows below, but this area screamed exclusivity. Kurana Alexanderia's name had carved them a path no questions asked.
Akshat dropped into the central chair without hesitation. Alexander took the one to his right, the golden bear mask making him look even more imposing. Manya started to lower herself into the seat on Akshat's left.
"Stop, Manya," he said quietly but firmly.
She froze halfway down. "Why? Can't I sit?"
Akshat leaned back, patting his thigh. "Sit on my lap."
Manya's breath caught. She glanced around at the masked crowd, then back at him. Hesitation flashed across her face, clear even behind the delicate golden bee mask. Her hands tightened at her sides. For a second she looked like she might argue, but then she remembered his warning from earlier no arguments, no breaking character. She swallowed hard and stepped closer.
Carefully, she lowered herself onto his lap, her red dress pooling around them. Akshat's arm slid around her waist immediately, pulling her back against his chest in one smooth motion. His hand rested possessively on her thigh, fingers pressing just enough to sell the image.
A ripple of whispers spread through the nearby VIP seats like poison in water.
"Look at that lustful bastard…"
"Rich prick thinks he can mock the rest of us."
"Kurana or not, bringing his toy out like that? Shameless."
Akshat didn't react. He kept his posture relaxed, tiger mask facing forward as the auctioneer began announcing the first items. Inside, his mind stayed cold and calculating. This wasn't about desire.
This was theater. If he bought every girl from AUMC University tonight, people would dig. They always did. But if the story became "that perverted rich asshole bought them all to fuck," then maybe the questions would stop. No one here cared about rescue.
They only respected vice. Breaking the unwritten rules by buying girls just to free them? That would get them killed before they left the building.
Manya shifted slightly on his lap, clearly uncomfortable. Her body was stiff, breath shallow. Akshat leaned in close to her ear, voice barely a whisper only she could hear. "Relax. Play along. This keeps us alive."
She gave the tiniest nod, though her fingers still gripped the edge of the chair arm like it was a lifeline.
On stage, the auctioneer's voice rang out, smooth and practiced. "Next lot, gentlemen and ladies of refined taste. Fresh from the eastern collection…"
Akshat's eyes narrowed behind the tiger mask as the first girls were paraded out under harsh spotlights. Some walked with forced grace, others trembled. All of them wore little more than decorative chains and numbered tags. His jaw tightened when familiar university faces appeared among them. AUMC. These were the ones.
Alexander sat motionless beside them, the golden bear mask hiding whatever thoughts were running through his head. His powerful frame stayed alert, ready.
The whispers continued around them, jealous and mocking. A man in a wolf mask a few seats over chuckled loudly enough for them to hear. "Some people just can't control their appetites. Buying in bulk tonight, is he?"
Akshat ignored it all. His hand stayed on Manya's thigh, thumb tracing slow circles that looked intimate to anyone watching. Manya kept her head slightly lowered, playing the part of a kept woman even as shame and fear burned through her.
The bidding began in earnest. Numbers climbed fast hundreds of thousands, then millions. Akshat raised his paddle calmly for the first AUMC girl, matching every bid without flinching. The platinum card in his pocket felt heavier with every number called. Eighty-eight billion dollars. It had seemed like an absurd amount until now.
He could feel eyes on them. Not just curious calculating. The Kurana Alexanderia persona was working too well. People were watching, judging, assuming the worst. Exactly what he needed them to do.
Manya's weight on his lap was warm, her scent mixing with the heavy perfume in the air. She didn't speak again, but every small shift told him how much she hated this. Akshat kept his arm secure around her anyway. The act had to be flawless.
As another familiar face was brought onto the stage, Akshat raised his paddle once more. The tiger mask stared forward, unreadable.
This was going to be a long night.
End of ch 73
To be continue...
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