Chapter 354: Stench Of Wealth And Vanity
Through the front window, Lancet saw a vast black dome rose proudly above the surrounding buildings of Calamere Road.
It had a smooth, curved roof deliberately broken by several narrow spires that climbed high enough to be easily seen over most of the wealthy district.
What looked like real gold ran along the rigid edges of the structure in clean, immaculate lines. And the bright afternoon light reflected on it while tall hexagonal windows made of dark red glass circled the entire lower floors.
The broad avenue around the venue had been completely cleared for arriving guests, with uniformed attendants efficiently guiding ridiculously expensive private riders toward the entrance and stern security officers aggressively keeping ordinary pedestrians far beyond the broad front steps.
Their cab finally slowed, sandwiched between two other vehicles that probably cost considerably more than most sprawling houses back in Aethelgard.
Lancet stepped out first, adjusting the cuffs of his fitted dark suit, and turned gracefully to open Spectra’s door. She smiled at the gesture and stepped out as well.
Together, they walked onto the paved road.
Her modern disguise had absolutely done its job. The Mother of Demons was completely unrecognizable. To anyone who saw her, she was a classy, wealthy, no-nonsense and beautiful woman who had a particular taste for younger men.
Spectra glanced up at the building. "It’s like a spherical castle. The architecture of this time is quite interesting, I’ll admit."
"I didn’t build any of it, but I’ll accept the compliment," Lancet said.
Spectra gave him a look.
They went on and joined the steady stream of elite guests moving toward the main entrance. Lancet quickly understood exactly why an invitation alone could cost thousands of Notes.
The people walking beside them were absolutely not ordinary wealthy citizens merely hoping to buy something expensive for a parlor.
Several attendees wore prominent insignias of major Guilds, even Humble Leaf and Pride Stone. Some of them were accompanied by harried assistants carrying locked cases or tablets to record purchases.
There was a nearby group that were wearing matching, pristine white coats embroidered with the golden symbol of a merchant family whose powerful name appeared on half the luxury shops they had passed earlier in the city.
Asrephath.
However, not everyone loudly announced who they worked for. Several guests dressed plainly in dark suits but walked with imposing security officers who made their extreme importance obvious.
Lancet knew they were secret agents of the Kingdom Rangers Board. They were here with deep government money, likely under strict orders to secure magical artifacts considered entirely too useful or dangerously unpredictable to leave entirely in private hands.
Whatever entered the Grand Auction today could end up decorating a noble’s collection, drastically strengthening a Guild team, or disappearing forever into a heavily guarded government vault before the night was over.
Lancet had to make sure Spectra’s catalyst didn’t suffer any of those fates.
Spectra watched the opulent crowd carefully from behind her dark sunglasses. "The stench of wealth follows these people. Wealth and vanity."
Lancet shot her a warning glance. "Don’t let anyone hear you talk like that. Today, you and I are part of them too so you should also have the stench of wealth and vanity."
Her painted mouth curved into a smirk. "Today, I will gladly do whatever you ask, dear Master. But only because it’s today."
Lancet sighed. He saw they were getting closer to the dense security line so he lowered his voice. "One more thing. Your name is Merissa."
Spectra turned her head sharply toward him. "And who exactly is Merissa?"
Lancet kept his eyes locked straight ahead. "My date. You’re my date."
Spectra slowed her pace by half a step. Lancet immediately regretted how incredibly pleased she looked at the suggestion.
"Just for the event," he quickly added, trying to salvage the situation. "You’re my partner. The invitation allows a plus one, and that’s easier than inventing some complicated, bizarre reason why you’re suddenly with me."
"So I’m your lover then," she purred.
"No," Lancet explained. "You’re the girl I’m dating."
She laughed. "Your lover sounds much more convincing."
Lancet ignored her and continued forward. She joined him, putting her hand through the space between his arm and waist. "What about you? Why don’t you have an alias?"
Lancet shrugged. "Because I don’t need it. My presence here isn’t going to raise as many red flags as yours."
"Mm." She chuckled softly, the sound low and dangerous.
Lancet was right. There was very little point in inventing another name when anyone important enough to actually recognize him could simply look at his face.
Hebthej had put his name much farther into the public eye than he liked, especially among high-level Awakeners, officials, and connected Guild representatives. Pretending to be someone else entirely would only become deeply suspicious if the wrong person inevitably saw him.
The security line moved efficiently until Lancet and Spectra reached one of the grand arched entrances. Two armored guards stood rigidly beside a humming inspection frame, while a third sat behind a narrow, polished black desk. Lancet handed him the heavy invitation.
The guard smoothly placed it beneath a glowing scanner. Gold light passed methodically across the Falconhart crest, and a complex series of verification symbols appeared rapidly above the card before turning a solid, approving green.
The guard looked up, his tone respectful. "Falconhart invitation." Lancet nodded. "Lancet Leogardt?"
"That’s me."
Recognition sparked almost immediately in the guard’s eyes. He looked at Lancet’s face again, then carefully checked the identification crystal Lancet had produced. "Legend Summoner. You’re very welcome."
Lancet nodded and offered him a smile. "Thank you."
The man returned the crystal and looked questioningly toward Spectra. "And she is?"
Lancet opened his mouth to explain, but Spectra smoothly linked her arm intimately through his. "His plus one." Her entire voice had completely changed, dropping into a lovely, adoring cadence.
Lancet looked sideways at her, horrified.
Spectra leaned much closer to him, radiating a sweetness he had absolutely never heard from her before. "I’m Merissa. His girlfriend. I insisted on coming with him today because I wanted to understand his obsession with magic and artifacts."
The guard smiled indulgently at the display.
Lancet fought to keep his face perfectly straight. "She complains a lot."
"Oh, but I adore him anyway." Spectra looked up at Lancet through her dark sunglasses, batting her eyelashes. "He’s terribly brave, incredibly generous, and so handsome when he pretends he isn’t nervous."
Lancet’s jaw tightened dangerously. She was enjoying this far, far too much.
The guard chuckled and waved them toward the scanner. But Spectra was not finished playing her part. She deliberately turned Lancet’s face toward hers and kissed him.
Lancet completely froze. It was absolutely not a quick peck meant merely to sell the necessary lie.
Spectra held the kiss long enough to make his coherent thoughts disappear completely, her lips soft and demanding, before finally pulling away with a small, immensely satisfied smile.
Lancet just stared at her, utterly paralyzed. Heat rushed furiously into his face, burning his cheeks.
The guard coughed awkwardly into one fist. Then he gave Lancet a smirk. "Lucky man."
Spectra slipped her arm comfortably through Lancet’s again as though nothing remotely unusual had happened. "Let’s go, Lancey."
Lancet looked at the guard and cleared his throat. "Of course."
They passed safely through the magical inspection frame without another problem.
"Now wasn’t that convincing?" Spectra whispered to him as they headed inside the Auction.
"You’re enjoying this a little too much," he said, his cheeks as red as cherries.
Spectra giggled.