Chapter Text
“You look determined, kitten. Care to explain why you barge into my home and instead of being with the puppy and your doctor?” Sylus raised an eyebrow, amusement filling his eyes. Emcee huffed and crossed her arms across her chest. Last Sylus remembered she was busy with Caleb and Zayne. He was busy with N109 zone business and couldn’t join their little get together. Xavier was working on some mission, and Rafayel had yet another exhibition Thomas was forcing him to go to. Mephisto cawed from his perch, tilting his head and ruffling his metallic feathers.
“Because I need your help with something, and Zayne had an emergency surgery,” Emcee explained, frowning. “Caleb told me about some intel he heard from one of his reports. Something about an auction happening here.”
Sylus raised an eyebrow. “There are plenty of auctions. Why are you and the Fleet interested in this one?” The N109 zone was no stranger to illegal auctions full of weapons, artifacts, and protocores with occasionally the rare aethercore. The first mission Sylus had done with her had been to infiltrate an auction to get a piece of an aethercore. Something at this auction must be very important for the Fleet and Emcee to both want to be involved. “And is this for you or the Association?”
“It benefits both,” Emcee replied, sighing heavily. “Apparently this auction will have somethings from or about Lemuria, and I’d promised Rafayel if I found stuff from his people I’d get them for him.” She didn’t want to even think about the fact the auction might have Lemurians instead of just artifacts. She looked at Sylus. “Only a few people can get in. Those with enough money and power. So, I need you to help me get in.”
Sylus chuckled, an amused grin on his face. “All you had to do was ask, kitten. You’re in luck as I have some business I need to attend to at the auction you’ve mentioned.” He stood up from his desk, and Mephisto flew to his shoulder. “We’ll attend together. I’m sure you have suitable attire for tonight, or do we need to make a last minute shopping trip?”
Emcee rolled her eyes and smirked at Sylus. “Yes, actually. I just got the really fancy dress I think you’d like. Do you know when the auction starts?”
“Tomorrow night,” Sylus told her. “I’ll have the twins or Scooter keep you updated, unless you want to spend that time here,” he offered. As much as he’d like to go back to Linkon with her, he had important business to attend to. After this, he’d have to spend a week or two at his Linkon safe house or Emcee’s little villa. He could trust the twins with his manor in the N109 zone. Scooter was a different matter. He couldn’t keep count how many times she’d either blown up or almost blown up the place.
Emcee smiled, relief washing over her. “Thank you, Sylus. I really appreciate this, and I know Raf will, too.” She pursed her lips and sighed. “I’ve tried reaching him but got nothing, and Thomas said he was too busy…and then he just stop answering, too.”
“He’s a busy man,” Sylus shrugged. “I’m sure our fishie is doing just fine. Maybe we’ll surprise him with those relics when he gets back.” That suggestion made Emcee smile, and she relaxed further. Sylus wanted to frown. He disliked how much stress she put herself under. “Speaking of my seal pup, have you heard from Scooter?”
Emcee shook her head. “No, why?”
“Ah, she’s probably hiding again,” Sylus rolled his eyes fondly. “I did overhear her arguing with Luke the other day. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d hiding out somewhere or destroying Caleb’s place in Sky Haven.” He found Scooter’s beef with Caleb extremely amusing. “She’ll reach out when she’s ready.” Scooter, like the twins, was useful to Sylus through her ability to gather information. And like the twins, she was basically his child.
“She’s a gremlin,” Emcee chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll meet you here tomorrow afternoon.” She smiled softly and kissed Sylus on the cheek. “Thank you for helping, Sylus. I’ll make it worth your while after,” she whispered in his ear, her voice smooth and seductive.
Sylus chuckled, pulling her close. “If the kitten insists. Tell Zayne I’ll be back in Linkon soon.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll even bring some of those macarons he likes.” He let Mephisto follow Emcee as she left. He pulled up a file on his tablet and went back to reading it, planning his strategy for the auction now that Emcee was involved.
The Auction House resembled a fancy museum with artifacts and relics strewn about on pedestals and in glass cases. Rich nobles and shady business men and women roamed the halls, all dressed to the nines. Many wore masks to conceal their identities. Sylus and Emcee arrived together wearing matching outfits. Sylus wore a black suit with red and gold accents while Emcee wore a stunning red dress with black and gold accessories.
Sylus wasn’t there for the cheap and quite frankly boring merchandise. He was there for the more exciting pieces he knew wouldn’t be on the open floor, but rather in the private floor above them. “Come, kitten. What we seek isn’t here.” He took her hand and brought her up a flight of stairs. “I’ve been to this event before. What you see down there is just the cheap parlor tricks to keep most occupied."
Emcee raised an eyebrow and followed him. “That means Lemurian relics would be up here,” she realized, eyes widening. “And I’m guessing it won’t be as easy to get.” She followed him to the auction rooms. The Hunter took notice of the people around them and the many different glass cases with artifacts and relics. Having spent so much time with Sylus and Rafayel she could spot many fakes.
“I wonder what’s in there,” Sylus mused, taking note of the two covered structures at the front of the large room. His eye glowed crimson before he turned to Emcee. “Why don’t we look around before taking a seat. The main event will begin soon.” He walked around, looking at the relics. He stopped at a dagger, brows furrowing at its familiarity. ‘It can’t be…’ He looked back at the covered structures.
“Sylus,” Emcee called from a couple seats. “The auctioneer is starting.” She beckoned him over. “I grabbed one for you.” She gave him one of the paddles. He looked at it before sitting down next to her. “What’s wrong?” she asked, finally noticing the furrow in his brow and his clenched jaw.
“I don’t know, and I don’t like it,” Sylus murmured, watching the auctioneer begin. He paid no mind to the protocores being auctioned off, his mind wandering back to the curved dagger. It reminded him so much of a certain artist. But no, Rafayel would never part with it. Maybe it was a forgery. But Sylus saw the small details no one could replicate like the scratched hilt from the time Mephisto had tried to take it and his talons and beak damaged it.
The bidding wars went on for hours before the auctioneer decided to touch the Lemurian relics. “And now, we have a genuine Lemurian dagger! The expert craftsman ship and fine detailing would add value to any collection. Durable enough to withstand almost anything, it’s a perfect weapon to defend yourself or if you’re feeling dangerous, a perfect weapon to take care of business with.” He unveiled the dagger and Sylus grit his teeth.
“Hey, that looks like,” Emcee murmured, squinting to look at the dagger. The bids started immediately, and Sylus narrowed his eyes, keeping track of who had the highest bid. “If you want it for fishie, I suggest you bid,” he murmured to Emcee. The Hunter nodded and joined the bidding war, winning due to Sylus’ immeasurable amount of funds.
“The moment you all have been waiting for! My employer has been gracious enough to donate these two fine specimens to this auction.” Sylus tensed and narrowed his eyes. “It isn’t often one of them is caught, much less two considering how slippery and cunning these creatures are.” Emcee anxiously watched the curtains be lifted from the two structures.
Sylus forgot to breathe. The gasps and oh's from the room went silent. He could hear his own blood rushing through his veins as anger mixed with panic rose. His chest felt hot with rage, and a deep instinct he’d long stuffed down roared to be set free. It was as if a creature tried to break free from the chains binding it. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to rush the auctioneer and kill him and everyone else involved. He knew…he knew that dagger looked familiar.
The structures were large cylindrical tanks filled with salt water. Inside each one was a Lemurian. One adult with purple hair and blue scales with a tail that started blue scales and ended with pink fins. The other was a younger Lemurian with red hair and green scales with lighter green fins. Rafayel and Scooter. Both had runed chains around their wrists and muzzles keeping their jaws shut to keep from singing. Rafayel’s eyes were glowing a brilliant blue and full of fury. He pulled at his chains and his tail slammed against the tank. While on the other hand, Scooter’s emerald eyes were terrified, and she curled in on herself as if trying to hide from the people ogling at her, looking at her like nothing more than an exotic pet to buy.
Emcee gasped and covered her mouth. She grabbed Sylus’ wrist, her own soul sensing his rage. Even though his face was passive, his inner turmoil was impossible to miss. Red and black mist slowly seeped throughout the room, and one wrong move could make things worse. “Sylus,” she whispered, tugging his sleeve. “Look at me.” Sylus forced himself to tear his eyes away from his lover and adoptive child to look at Emcee. “We’ll get them out. But we need to bid, okay?”
“Bidding starts at one million for the older one, and two million for the younger one!” the auctioneer said loudly, and before he even finished speaking people were shouting over each other with bids, desperate to outbid the other to claim a Lemurian for themselves.
Sylus grit his teeth and clenched his fists, recalling the mist. “Fine, kitten, but once we have them, I—”
“I know,” Emcee murmured. “We’ll take care of this.” She grabbed his hand, squeezing. “Together.” If they could get Rafayel and Scooter, who knows how many Lemurians had been caught by the auctioneers employer. She couldn’t deny the bile rising in her throat at the excitement in the room about owning a Lemurian. Hot anger burned her. How dare they? How dare they thing of them as nothing more than exotic creatures to look at?
Rafayel had never gone in depth when he’d talk about the suffering Lemurians went through. There was no knowing what could happen to him or Scooter if they were bought by the wrong person. Emcee shuddered, thinking about the skeleton from Raymond’s home. She needed to know Rafayel and Scooter were safe.
“Five billion each,” Sylus spoke firmly, standing up. The room went quiet, all eyes on him. “I can go higher,” he replied.
“S—sold to Mr. Sylus Qin for ten billion credits,” the auctioneer stuttered. Many patrons groaned and bemoaned the loss of their potential Lemurian. But not one dared to challenge Sylus. Everyone knew the reputation of Onychinus’ leader. No one wanted to face his wrath.
Sylus approached the tanks, each step the anger growing. He yearned to roar and burn everything to the ground. Rafayel’s anger had softened when he saw Sylus, but Scooter still seemed terrified. Once the rest of the patrons left the room so Sylus could ‘inspect’ his new purchases. “I’m here,” he murmured, shattering the glass with his evol.
“What are you—ack!” The auctioneer fell to the floor, his throat punctured from the dagger Emcee bought. Red mist dissipated. Sylus had no use for the man, and he was better off dead. He’d get what he wanted from someone else. And when he found who did this, he’d make them go through hell and beg him for death. Emcee helped catch Rafayel and Sylus got Scooter, both careful to avoid the glass.
The chains were ripped apart and Sylus growled when he saw how far the muzzle had cut into Scooter’s face. “Poor thing,” he murmured, gently taking off the muzzle. “It’s okay, seal pup. I’m here,” he soothed, holding her close. His evol flared and broke the chains on Rafayel. Emcee took care of the muzzle.
“Dad…” Scooter whimpered, clinging to him.
“Shh, shh, we’re leaving,” Sylus picked her up. “We’re going home.” Neither Rafayel nor Scooter had shifted back to being human. “Is something keeping you like this?” he asked.
Rafayel coughed, leaning against Emcee. “It’s some Lemurian drug. It’ll wear off. The water we were in was full of it.” Sylus wrapped all of them up in his evol and brought them back to his manor. Luckily he’d installed a salt pool ages ago.
“I’ll call the others,” Emcee murmured, letting Sylus take care of Scooter and Rafayel. Sylus trembled from his pent up rage. The salt pool was big enough for quite a few full grown Lemurians so the two had room to move around unlike those cramped tanks. Rafayel had cupped Sylus’ face and pressed their foreheads together in a Lemurian kiss.
“I knew my dragon would come,” Rafayel murmured softly. “We’re okay because of you.”
“What happened?” Sylus snarled, his draconic features finally breaking through his skin. His tail thrashed angrily and his wings flared. “How did this…Are you really okay?” his voice cracked uncharacteristically.
Rafayel sighed heavily. “It must have been planned for months because it happened so fast. One moment I was getting ready for my exhibition and the next I was captured and thrown in the tank.” He glanced at Scooter, frowning at the redness around her mouth and cheeks. “We tried to fight. She got a few bites in,” he smiled wistfully, worried the muzzle had hurt her more than she let on.
Sylus let go of Rafayel and went to Scooter. “Little one,” he murmured, “can I see?” he asked, cupping her cheek.
“I’m fine,” Scooter grumbled but opened her mouth. Her teeth were fine, but her gums were a little cut up. She flicked her tail and ducked beneath the surface. Sylus sighed heavily, turning back to Rafayel. He stayed by the salt pool for hours. Emcee had returned after twenty minutes having called Caleb, Xavier, and Zayne. Zayne was on his way, and Caleb would arrive later as would Xavier.
Luke and Kieran were on the other side of the salt pool, in the water with Scooter trying to cheer her up. The small sea spirit that Rafayel gifted her was floating around her. She slowly opened back up and before long was playing with the twins and probably trying to drown one of them.
Sylus finally breathed as sigh of relief when everyone arrived. Zayne hadn’t been happy to see the bruises from the chains, and Caleb nearly had to be restrained to be kept from going on a rampage in the zone. Xavier was angry and immediately offered to help Sylus find who did this. His anger melted away to a freeing sense of relief. He was suddenly grateful for how large a bed he’d invested in. When the drug had worn off, Rafayel and Scooter returned to human form and Sylus was now at the bottom of a large cuddle pile that consisted of his partners and children.
“I swear on the sea, I will find who did this, and I will make them pay,” he murmured as sleep dragged him down.