Kain’s expression remained frozen in confusion long after the communicator was off, his thumb idly tracing the edges of the device as if hoping answers might somehow seep through. The silence stretched until Serena gently cleared her throat, her voice cautious.
“Everything okay?”
Kain looked up slowly, still somewhat dazed. His eyes finally refocused on Serena, who wore a carefully constructed mask of concern over her lingering curiosity. He hesitated, considering exactly how to unpack everything he’d just heard.
“It’s…complicated,” he said finally, releasing a long breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He leaned back into the couch cushions, feeling the warmth of Serena’s shoulder still pressed reassuringly against his own. “I sent Darius, Malzahir, and the others on a mission to find someone.”
Serena’s eyebrow arched gracefully, curiosity clearly overriding her previous caution. “Someone?”
Kain nodded slowly. “My sister. Or at least, the woman I consider to be my sister. The woman from the photo you saw when you visited my ‘HQ’ where I awakened Malzahir. Airalai, remember?”
Serena’s eyes widened with realization, a faint blush colouring her cheeks at the memory of how she’d misunderstood his relationship with the beautiful woman in that photo before. “Oh… her.”
“Yeah,” Kain confirmed softly. “But just now, Darius said they did finally see her in, and…” He paused, the words stuck in his throat for a moment. “She’s supposedly going to travel somewhere she shouldn’t possibly have access to.”
Serena tilted her head, confusion evident. “Where exactly?”
“The Royal Auction,” Kain said, his tone heavy with disbelief.
Serena’s eyes instantly widened in surprise. “The Royal Auction? It’s one of the most exclusive events in the Empire.”
“Exactly,” Kain replied, frustration evident in his voice. The Royal Auction was the same auction that Kain had infiltrated as a ‘waiter’ in his first-year during his very first black mission—to assassinate Aric Nightsbane. The people in that room aren’t just anyone—they’re the Empire’s highest nobility and most powerful beast tamers. Each family present has at least one seven-star beast tamer, if not an eight- or nine-star. The average noble house wouldn’t even get through the front gate. Even with all of Kain’s money, patents, and membership to the Order, he didn’t have the connections to get inside. But somehow his orphan sister did?
“Logically, Airalai should have no business being at the Royal Auction,” Kain muttered, almost to himself, running a hand down his face. “Not unless… someone’s helping her.” Considering that Kain suspected she was involved with the secret organization experimenting on citizens, Kain knew that there was a very real possibility that there were more nobles like Serena’s cousin Heather Frost who were working with them to help her gain entrance.
More than her gaining entrance, Kain was more curious about what she was going there to do…and perhaps a part of him wanted to see her in person and not only in a photo.
Serena listened carefully, eyes focused on the changes in Kain expression. Her expression gradually shifted from surprise to thoughtful contemplation. “There are several unusual things about this auction, not just your sister attending. For one, while it is normally held every year, it was delayed this year because of the Abyssal attacks and supposedly many things never allowed to leave the royal family’s vaults previously will be auctioned.”
“I heard,” Kain said, running a hand through his hair, anxiety seeping through his normally confident demeanour. “I don’t even know where to start to get in. It’s not like I can walk up to the Royal Auction and politely ask to be let in.”
Serena’s expression turned mischievous, a glint entering her eyes that made Kain pause. “Well… technically, you can.”
Kain blinked, momentarily stunned. “What?”
Serena gave him a playful shove, her voice lilting into a teasing tone uncharacteristic of her normally more cool demeanour. Perhaps the earlier warm atmosphere was still lingering in a way…
“Did you forget who you’re talking to? As the heir of the Storm family, I have a guaranteed spot at the Royal Auction. Not only that, but I’m also allowed to bring a guest.”
Kain stared at her, stunned into silence. Eventually, he managed a dry, slightly disbelieving chuckle. “You’re kidding.” Is this problem that was practically insurmountable to him so easily resolved?
“I’m not,” Serena said simply, amusement evident in the gentle curve of her lips. “You might not have the connections, but once inside, you definitely have the money. In fact, I’d wager you have even more liquid capital than I do, considering I’m still at the mercy of my family’s allowance and how much they give me.”
Kain considered that, realizing it was likely true. Serena’s family might be one of the wealthiest and most influential, but Serena herself was still largely dependent on their generosity.
“I suppose that could work,” Kain mused, slowly allowing himself to hope. “But how exactly am I going to repay such a generous favor?”
Serena smirked slightly, her voice dropping into a playfully flirtatious tone that Kain had never heard before. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something. Maybe buying me something nice at the auction would be a good start.”
Kain laughed softly, while ignoring his ears that felt uncharacteristically hot, while a genuine smile lit up his face. “I think I could manage that.”
She leaned back comfortably, clearly pleased. “The auction is in two weeks—after the overall top five rankings are decided, but before the National Tournament. If we explain to the professors that we’re going to the auction to find something that can boost our strength for the tournament, they shouldn’t have any objections to us going.”
Kain nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. Theo, Soren, and maybe even the Sanguine brothers will probably attend as well. Their families certainly have the influence.”
Serena’s eyes lit up with amusement. “Honestly, with so many of us attending, training that weekend might just get cancelled altogether. Half the professors are nobles, too. Many might even be there themselves.”
Kain glanced over at her, his tension easing slightly at the quiet confidence in her voice. He didn’t say thank you. He didn’t need to. She already understood.
The warmth between them from earlier hadn’t vanished—it had merely shifted. They weren’t pressed shoulder to shoulder anymore, but the closeness still lingered in a quieter way.
Kain leaned back, rolling his neck as he stared up at the ceiling. “Two weeks, huh?”
Serena offered a slow smile. “Two weeks. Let’s win first. Then crash the Empire’s most exclusive party.”
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