We pulled into a narrow alleyway, the buildings on either side weathered and cloaked in shadow. Talon cut the engine, and the sudden silence felt heavy. He dismounted and helped me off the bike, his hand lingering on my lower back. I glanced around, my eyes adjusting to the dim light, and noticed an unassuming metal door tucked into the brick wall.
“Where are we?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Talon didn’t answer, just led me to the door and pulled it open. Inside, the space was a stark contrast to the alley’s grime. The walls were lined with glass cases, each one filled with glittering jewels that caught the light and scattered it like stars. The air smelled faintly of wood and metal, and the faint hum of jazz played somewhere in the background.
A man stood behind a counter
