Zayne kept his expression neutral as he followed Elias through the crowded auction hall, but his mind was racing. Every person here was dangerous in some way—whether they held political power, magical influence, or were just ruthless enough to survive in the underworld.
At the center of the hall, a massive circular platform stood elevated, covered in a velvet cloth with artifacts placed carefully on top. A cloaked auctioneer stood at its edge, his voice smooth and controlled as he announced the next item.
"Lot 21—an ancient relic from the lost ruins of Dragmere. A mana-infused crystal, said to hold traces of the forgotten arts. Bidding starts at ten thousand gold pieces."
Immediately, hands raised, and the bidding began. The numbers climbed quickly, but Zayne wasn't focused on the auction. He scanned the crowd, searching for anything that might hint at the Syndicate's involvement.
Malo leaned in slightly, whispering, "See anything?"
"Not yet," Zayne muttered. "But something feels off."
Seraphina, standing beside him, crossed her arms. "It's not just you. The mana in this place feels… unnatural."
Zayne was about to respond when Elias subtly motioned for them to follow. He led them toward a quieter section of the hall, where a small group of well-dressed figures stood in hushed conversation. One of them was Lord Varian.
"Stay quiet and listen," Elias whispered.
They positioned themselves near a stone pillar, pretending to admire a set of enchanted daggers displayed on a table. From their vantage point, they could just make out the conversation.
"You have yet to deliver on your promise, Varian," one of the figures said—a woman with piercing green eyes and an air of authority. "The High Table will not tolerate delays."
Varian's voice remained smooth. "Everything is proceeding as planned. The Academy's defenses are weaker than ever. It won't be long before we have full access."
Zayne stiffened. The Academy?
The woman narrowed her eyes. "We need more than words. The artifact must be secured before the Guild Council catches wind of our movements."
Artifact? Zayne exchanged a glance with Malo and Seraphina. Whatever the Syndicate was after, it was already inside Mystic Heights Academy.
Varian smirked. "Trust me. It will be ours soon enough."
The conversation ended as the group dispersed. Zayne exhaled slowly, trying to process what he had just heard.
Malo clenched his fists. "They're planning something big."
Elias nodded. "And they're closer than we thought."
Zayne's mind was already racing. The Syndicate wasn't just working outside the Academy—they had a foothold inside it. And if they were after an artifact, it had to be something powerful.
"We need to leave," Seraphina said, glancing around. "Before someone notices we're listening."
Elias hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Agreed. Let's move."
They turned to leave, but as they did, Zayne felt something—a pair of eyes watching him. He barely had time to react before a voice whispered behind him.
"You shouldn't be here."
Zayne spun around. Standing just a few feet away was a girl with silver hair, her expression unreadable. She was young, probably around their age, but her eyes carried a depth that made her seem older.
Before Zayne could respond, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Malo frowned. "Who was that?"
Zayne had no idea. But one thing was clear—their presence at the auction had not gone unnoticed. And now, someone was watching them.