unds the shutting of windows and

hispered. "We can ditch the village, head into the wo

round us, praying no one was cl

gritted teeth. "Don't even think abou

but a single, sharp glare from

ing against the rules-agai

-or worse, they would slaughter u

re no longer the cruelest be

humans ruled, only to crush that fant

this auction," my mother murmured from

ction meant a higher c

ng to force down the t

to be a church loomed a

themselves. They found it ironic to use them for their auctions. It was as if they were saying, "Look, God.

ven greater need to believe in many of us-a desperate urge to

orange light into the night. We stopped and looked at one

all over again, throwin

t that you stay safe,

om

round her as she tried to bury her face in his chest. "She's strong, and she'll

odd

the Voss family

it." I

eetheart, you need to be submissive. Even if they promise not to hurt you bey

h a part of me was more than will

's be

g the dirt clinging t

in her ear to make her giggle. Then I hugged Silas, and finally wrap

fine, I

u so much,

cheeks, gathered my skirt, and headed

mpletely break me. Quickening my pace, I crossed the thres

ch, very little of its orig

e old books. Anything that carried a shred

filled with a thick crimson liquid. The saints had been torn from t

e vampires, and the highe

rs, and the altar was now nothing more than a display table. O

sweeping red velvet gown approa

ibris,

m my wrist and pulled out the little b

rofoundly bored expression. She peered up at me throug

low

before we reached the desecrated altar,

ntic thud of my own

n, and I wondered how she wasn't s

in her cheeks and the lack of

ated only by flickering candles. Instant

nd boys huddled together, their

is on," the woman ordered, gest

room, searching for a fo

sn't any

longer afford," she interrupted smoothly.

at the others, I realized just how li

e-chested, wearing strange, she

d, and I quickl

g eye contact, utterly consum

I reached back to untie

ress said, pausing just before she disappea

es my virtue have t

eplied, her tone dripping with haughty condesc

" I muttered un

is simple:

manicured eyebrow, cl

and lifted my chin. "Ye

ough the doorway. It had only taken a few minut

a struggle, but it was obvious no one here was going to help me. Once the bodice was f

was left standing in nothin

forting second before stripping those off too, lea

ame. Without letting my gaze drop for even a second, I pulled the red silk over

irely in black. Her face was obscured by a thick lace veil, as if she needed to hi

e them, but they will see you. Stand perfectly still and remain silen

mature, carrying an air

saw a small, fragile girl flinch. Judging by the way s

doorway, and the heavy door c

us. Even without being able to see her eyes

ore a sharp knock on the door

ied, and the remaining air grew

ecial day," the woman said suddenly, brea

y? Being bought and sold like slabs of meat? How special could it possibly be t

m," I snapped, unable to h

he remaining tributes stared at me,

e contradict m

so special abou

asn't worth her time or her spit. The door opened ag

s my

made of lead, but I mana

it my face. Without even needing to see beneath her

I had to squeeze my eyes shut-completely unaccustomed to the kin