Starlit Throne - Chapter 6: The Shadow Broker's Web
Second Version - English
Rating: M/E
Genres: Romantasy | Sci-Fi | Slow Burn | Space Opera | Fated Mates
Summary:
Cassia Harper thought her biggest struggles were making rent, keeping up with Brighton’s fashion scene, and selling enough handmade crafts to help her family. But when a mysterious, brooding soldier-for-hire with pointed ears crashes into her life, everything changes.
Her past isn’t what she thought. The father she barely remembers wasn’t just some distant traveler and the pin she wears every day? Not just an antique!
Now, with assassins on her trail and a protector who refuses to claim her (even though the tension between them is scorching), Cassia has to decide: will she run from her destiny or rise to it?
Expect:
🔥 Slow-burn with intense tension (and several many very hot payoffs 😏)
🐺 Cosmic pointed-eared protector (who knows she’s his mate but refuses to act on it... at first)
👑 Galactic politics
🌌 A space opera filled with action, smut & drama
🛸 Brighton, UK meets the stars
The air buzzed with snatches of alien chatter, vendors shouting in foreign tongues, and the hiss of unidentified technology. Cassia navigated the marketplace with practiced grace, sidestepping an excitable group of tentacled tourists while trying to ignore the way some of the crowd eyed her. Others paid her no attention at all, jostling past to paw at the pulsating fruits and peculiar machinery that lined the overflowing stalls. Above, bold holographic banners promised rare goods and risk-free limb enhancement; below, gritty underworld types whispered deals in the shadows. Dain kept a close watch, his military stride a sharp contrast to the chaotic swarm. Despite the din, he leaned in to speak, his voice almost a growl. "This way." He guided them through the chaos and toward The Nebula's Edge, where the universe's most secretive brokers conducted their dealings in dimly lit booths.
Cassia tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, dodging a robotic peddler that zoomed by, its voice a static-filled plea to buy genuine terrestrial artifacts. "Does this place ever quiet down?" she asked, more to distract herself than anything. Dain's eyes never stopped moving as he responded, a clipped "No," suggesting he had little patience for the crowd.
Stalls filled with strange curiosities and unidentifiable foods spilled into the pathway, forcing them to zigzag past. A seller of gleaming crystalline objects caught her eye. The moment Cassia slowed, Dain placed a gentle but firm hand on her back, steering her away from the temptation. She gave him a sidelong look, but his focus was unyielding.
Nearby, a cluster of luminous beings negotiated loudly with a cloaked figure, their bodies shifting colors with apparent excitement. Cassia took in the bizarre beauty of it all. She felt like a frayed thread in a vivid fabric, unsure where she fit. The glances from certain aliens were less than welcoming, but she put on a brave face, matching Dain's determination as they pressed forward.
"You do realize we're being followed," she murmured, noticing a pair of reptilian creatures lurking just behind them.
"Not anymore," Dain said, his voice as sure as his stride. She risked a look back and saw the creatures diverted by a particularly rowdy vendor waving multicolored tentacles.
Despite his presence, or perhaps because of it, Cassia felt a tension building inside her. "Is it just me, or does everyone look like they'd sell us out for a decent price?" she joked, masking the anxiety she could feel bubbling up.
Dain remained unfazed. "Wouldn't be the first time," he said, quickening their pace as they approached the shadowy entrance of The Nebula's Edge.
The bar was tucked into a corner of the market, its entrance obscured by a series of flickering signs that advertised exotic drinks and discretion. Inside, the dim lighting cast everything in muted shades, a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos outside. Cassia squinted, adjusting to the dark as the mingled scents of alien spices and synthetic alcohol hit her.
Patrons huddled in shadowy alcoves, murmuring in low tones. She couldn't shake the feeling that everyone knew they didn't belong. Dain's hand hovered near his weapon, his eyes still scanning. It was hard to say if the bar's occupants were ignoring them or planning to pounce.
"Cheerful place," Cassia muttered, brushing past a holographic menu that blinked to life in front of her, offering drinks with suspiciously aggressive names.
"Stay close," Dain instructed, though she was already at his side. He moved them toward an empty booth at the back, slipping through the crowded room with the same efficiency as before.
Cassia noticed the way certain figures seemed to shrink back as they passed. Whether it was her they feared or Dain, she wasn't sure. She fought the urge to look over her shoulder, trying instead to focus on what lay ahead. This was their best chance to find out what her uncle was planning, and she needed to keep it together.
Once they reached the booth, Cassia sank into the seat with a sigh, keeping her back straight and her gaze casual. She pretended to scan a holographic drink menu, but her mind was elsewhere. "You really think she'll be here?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost lost beneath the strange music that throbbed in the background.
"If she's not, we're wasting our time," Dain said. He settled opposite her, his posture tense, ready for anything. "She'll be here," he added, and for a moment she caught a hint of something in his eyes - a flicker of doubt, maybe.
Cassia glanced around, feeling the weight of suspicious stares. She knew what it meant if Lyra had already been gotten to. She tried to suppress the image of her uncle's expression when he realized he had her cornered, and what he'd do once she was within his reach.
A slender figure with glowing skin caught her eye from across the room, but it quickly ducked away into the shadows. Cassia's pulse quickened, the enormity of their situation settling over her like a heavy cloak. She met Dain's gaze, seeing the resolve there, the unspoken promise that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. She believed him, even as part of her insisted it was foolish to believe in anything at all.
She took a breath, clearing her mind. "Well," she said, with more confidence than she felt. "Let's see if the galaxy's most famous information broker can resist a visit from Cassia Harper and her intimidating escort."
Dain gave her a look that might have been amusement. "Just don't order anything," he said, nodding toward a patron who had just slumped over his table, an alarming vapor rising from a neon drink.
Cassia almost laughed, the knot in her chest loosening ever so slightly. "Promises, promises," she replied, and they settled in to wait, knowing the real danger had only just begun.
In the darkest corner of the bar, where even the shadows seemed unsure of their welcome, Lyra Voss toyed with her drink, a casual show of patience. She watched the pair with what might have been amusement, raising a brow as they finally approached. "The famous Cassia Harper," she said, her voice a blend of charm and calculation. "Your uncle's put quite the bounty on your pretty head." Dain moved instinctively closer to Cassia, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the space between them hung heavy with tension, the hum of conversation dipping around them. Lyra waved a hand, inviting them to sit, as though it were an afterthought. She leaned in, her words smooth and deliberate. "Information about the Shadow Regent doesn't come cheap. I trust you've brought something more valuable than credits?"
Cassia hesitated, her mind racing. Dain remained stone-faced beside her, but she could feel the heat of his unease. She studied Lyra, trying to gauge the woman's intentions. The agent's casual grace was disarming, her cybernetic eye flickering faintly in the dim light.
"And if we haven't?" Cassia replied, meeting Lyra's gaze with forced confidence.
Lyra chuckled, the sound barely audible over the bar's background noise. "Then I suggest you start running. My dear uncle's mercenaries are much less charming than I am." She gestured again to the seats, her manner a curious mix of politeness and impatience.
Cassia exchanged a look with Dain, her pulse quickening at the thought of just how close they might be to capture. But desperation left them no choice. She slipped into the chair, her resolve as fragile as it was fierce.
"We're listening," Cassia said, folding her hands to stop them from trembling.
Lyra regarded her with interest, tilting her head slightly. "The last time I saw you, you weren't even aware of the Shadow Regent's existence. I must say, you've come a long way."
Cassia flinched inwardly but kept her voice steady. "And it seems you're as opportunistic as ever."
"A girl's got to keep busy," Lyra replied, an amused edge to her tone. Her attention shifted to Dain, assessing him with curiosity. "You've certainly upgraded your security detail."
Cassia opened her mouth to respond, but Dain spoke first. "We don't have time for games. What do you want?"
"Straight to the point," Lyra said, clearly entertained. "I have information you'll find... enlightening. But I'm in the market for something special. Something only Cassia's unique abilities can create."
Cassia's breath caught. She barely understood her powers, let alone how to control them. The stakes suddenly felt even higher, but she knew they were out of options.
"What kind of something?" she asked, her voice quieter now, all bravado drained.
"A little piece of art," Lyra said, her eyes gleaming. "I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion."
Cassia felt Dain's tension beside her, the urge to protest nearly palpable. But before he could say anything, she nodded. "I'll do it," she said, ignoring the doubts that clawed at her. "But we need your word on the information."
"You have it," Lyra promised, her smile as calculated as her every move.
Cassia drew a deep breath, reaching into her pocket for the raw materials she'd brought. She tried not to think about the dozen ways this could go wrong. Dain remained alert, watching the room even as he hovered protectively.
Lyra leaned back, clearly curious. "Impress me."
Cassia closed her eyes, willing herself to focus. It was like reaching for something just beyond her grasp, an invisible thread she had to pull into existence. Her hands tingled, and she felt the heat building, the air around her beginning to shimmer.
"Remember to breathe," Dain murmured, his voice steady, grounding her. She hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath.
Cassia exhaled, feeling the energy surge. Her hands began to glow, softly at first, then brighter. She concentrated, imagining the object taking shape, willing the materials to transform. Time seemed to stretch, each second both a challenge and a triumph.
A gasp rippled through the bar, patrons turning to watch with expressions that ranged from awe to suspicion. Cassia could feel their eyes on her, but she didn't dare look up. The glow intensified, bathing their table in light, illuminating the shadows that clung to every corner.
She felt a surge of power, the raw energy flowing through her like a living thing. It was overwhelming and exhilarating, a sensation so intense she thought she might shatter from it. But then it steadied, and Cassia knew she was close.
The light began to coalesce, gathering into a single, brilliant point. Her hands shook with the effort, but she didn't let go. She wouldn't. Not now. The glow slowly dimmed, leaving behind a crystalline object that seemed to capture the starlight itself, flickering with an inner fire that defied explanation.
Cassia blinked, the world returning in sudden clarity. She was exhausted, but the triumph in her chest was undeniable.
"Well," Lyra said, examining the creation with genuine amazement. "You never cease to surprise me."
Cassia leaned back, her breath uneven, a satisfied but weary smile on her lips. She watched as Lyra turned the object in her hands, the dim light of the bar catching its every facet.
"Worth every bit of information," Lyra murmured, her tone more impressed than Cassia had ever heard it.
Dain shifted slightly, ever alert. "Then start talking."
Lyra nodded, the crystalline piece still glittering in her grasp. "You might be interested to know that you're not the only ones with grievances against Lord Matthias," she began, a spark of mischief and earnestness in her eyes. Cassia and Dain leaned in, ready for whatever came next.
The object glittered like a stolen fragment of some distant star, casting shards of light across Lyra's face. She turned it over with genuine delight, the dim bar flickering with each movement. "Worth every bit of information," she declared, then leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if I told you the galaxy is turning against your uncle?" The air around their table seemed to hum with tension as she outlined the growing rebel alliance, describing strongholds and unexpected allies. Cassia listened, a mix of hope and fear in her eyes. Dain remained watchful, his instincts screaming of danger. The moment the meeting ended, he had them moving. They pushed through the crowd and out into the street, urgency in every step. He'd barely had time to draw his weapon when a shadow fell over them, a masked figure landing with unnerving silence. "The Shadow Regent sends his regards," Vertex said, voice devoid of emotion. Twin energy blades ignited, slicing through the night as Cassia and Dain leapt to safety.
Cassia's mind raced with Lyra's revelations. She tried to process the scope of it all, the flicker of hope now tangled with new fears. A rebel alliance, her uncle's enemies uniting—she hardly dared to believe it.
"Rumor has it even Aldric Harper's memory is alive and well," Lyra added, watching Cassia's reaction closely. "Seems some folks believe his heir might still be around."
Cassia's breath caught at the mention of her father, a thread of longing pulling at her heart. Dain remained tense beside her, a silent warning in his eyes that they couldn't let themselves be distracted. Lyra offered a quick, knowing smile before slipping back into the shadows.
"Wait!" Cassia started to call, but Lyra was gone, disappearing as quickly and easily as she'd come. Cassia felt the weight of everything they'd learned pressing down on her.
Dain's urgency pulled her back. "We need to move."
Cassia nodded, knowing he was right. "You think it's true?" she asked as they stood, her voice edged with the dangerous spark of hope.
"It's something," Dain replied, his words deliberately vague. "But we won't know if we stick around here."
Cassia felt a mix of impatience and understanding. They had to keep moving, and her father—if he was still alive—would have to wait. She felt the thrill of rebellion tugging at her, but there was no time to savor it. Dain's hand brushed hers, a quick reminder that they were in this together, even as his gaze stayed fixed on the room around them.
They left the booth, moving through the bar with a new urgency. Cassia felt the stares follow them, wary eyes that marked their every step. Lyra's words repeated in her mind, a blend of promise and peril.
"Expect company," Dain muttered as they reached the exit, his voice low and certain.
Cassia swallowed hard, steeling herself for the inevitable. The moment they stepped outside, she felt the rush of cool air and the sharp sting of anticipation. Dain was already drawing his weapon, every instinct on high alert.
They'd barely taken two steps when a sleek figure dropped from above, landing with predatory grace. Vertex. Cassia's heart skipped, the fear a physical jolt through her. The assassin's face was obscured by a specialized mask, eyes black and unblinking.
"The Shadow Regent sends his regards," Vertex announced coldly, twin energy blades igniting with a deadly hiss.
Cassia and Dain dove in opposite directions as the attack sliced through the space between them, the air buzzing with the charge. Cassia hit the ground, the shock vibrating up her arms. Her thoughts raced. She needed a plan.
Dain was already firing, his shots precise, but Vertex moved with unnerving speed, dodging with fluid efficiency. The blades flashed in the night, leaving trails of light as the assassin pursued them relentlessly.
"Keep moving!" Dain shouted, his voice commanding and calm even in the chaos. Cassia scrambled to her feet, her heart a drumbeat in her ears.
The marketplace erupted into confusion around them, startled bystanders ducking for cover as Vertex drove them back toward the shadows. Cassia felt the chill of fear and the heat of desperation as she realized how outmatched they were.
Dain fired again, his military training evident in every controlled movement. It was all he could do to keep Vertex at bay. Cassia could see the set of his jaw, the focus in his eyes. He'd die before he'd let anything happen to her.
But she'd die before she let that happen.
Cassia grabbed a metallic crate from the ground, shoving it toward Vertex with all her strength. The assassin stumbled for half a second—just long enough for her to make a run for Dain.
"Here!" she yelled, adrenaline pushing her faster than she thought possible.
They regrouped, but Vertex was on them in an instant, recovering with a speed that made Cassia's blood run cold. The assassin's voice was a mechanized chill. "Surrender is your only chance."
Cassia's mind screamed against the words. "Like hell," she spat, defiance sparking through her. She wasn't sure if it was bravery or desperation, but it propelled her forward.
Dain shot her a glance, a split-second look that spoke volumes. He trusted her. She trusted him. They were in this together, whatever it meant.
"Move!" he ordered, shifting position to cover her. Cassia didn't hesitate, sprinting toward an alley where the crowd was thickest. Dain was right behind her, covering their escape with a barrage of shots.
Vertex pursued with relentless precision, blades cutting through the night. But the crowd slowed the assassin just enough. Cassia and Dain rounded a corner, then another, the distance finally stretching between them and their pursuer.
Cassia's lungs burned, her limbs shaky from exertion and adrenaline. They kept running until the marketplace was a distant roar, until her legs threatened to give out beneath her.
When Dain was finally satisfied they'd lost their tail, he pulled her into a narrow alley. "You okay?" he asked, breathless but steady.
Cassia nodded, the reality of their narrow escape settling over her like a tremor. "Was that...?" She could barely form the words.
"Vertex," Dain confirmed, scanning their surroundings for any sign of the assassin. "Your uncle's top hunter."
Cassia sank against the wall, the fight playing over and over in her mind. She was terrified, exhilarated, more alive than she had ever felt. They'd made it out, and somehow, impossibly, the prospect of what came next didn't seem so impossible anymore. She looked at Dain, his expression hard but relieved.
"This rebellion," Cassia said, breath catching as she imagined it. "We could really do this."
Dain's eyes met hers, the hint of a smile at the edges. "We can," he said, and she believed him, even with the universe stacked against them.