s's

ape. The men were silent throughout the journey and I wasn't in the mood to start a conversation with any of them. All I wanted to do was j

ow freely from my eyes while I cursed my p

me into the house and I soon discovered that I wasn't the only girl in the house. There we

the pretense of a better life. Whatever the reason was, it didn't matter. We were

most loathsome man I

Cul

tr

mly lit room. I wrapped my arms arou

ave a choice anymore, pretty thing. You're here to learn obedience."

touch

ek. I stumbled but kept my footing, tastin

a vulture. "That's how long it usually takes to break the stubborn ones. To teach t

in hi

y, my shoulders aching from Adam's brutal grip. He threw me i

ough the door. "Two weeks without

pressing my forehead to my knees. I wouldn'

e, settling into a hollow ache. I lost track of time, marking the days only by

eternity, the door opened. Ada

ateful wenches," he muttered, yanking me to my feet. "I would have enjoyed

cent-lit corridors. Other girls were being herded in the same

ezed between two other girls – Sarah, a redhead who couldn't stop cr

ispered, her voice breaking. "He

hair falling forward to hide her f

deur now tainted by its current purpose. They herded us backstage,

f Adam's cruelty, just cold efficiency. When some girl

r. They gave us each a thin silk sash that barely covered an

ioneer's booming voice. "Ladies and gentle

onto the stage, her sash pulled away. "Lot 844, eighteen ye

thousand to someone called The Lobo. She struggled

dancer. Starting bid at forty thousand." She went for ninety

twenty years old, classical pianist. Starting bid at sixty thousand." The

Kate, and then Rebecca were sold off like cattle. Some fought,

he bright lights blinding me. The silk robe was yanke

nd gentlemen, lot 847. Nineteen years old, untouched.

le

y tho

t pounded so hard I t

emen. She's a beauty, even if she

wd, but no bids. Maybe no o

ndred th

de. Deep, commanding, brooking no argument.

ten so quickly? Ha.

as already promised that man

his gavel. "F-five hundred tho

ws of a private box. He looked at the other bidders, as though daring th

d anything. I was sold from t

gleamed silver-gray, fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

yon. The De

just bo

hey helped me into it. I watched as Vyon spoke quietly with t

t girl being brought out. Our eyes met briefly – hers f

the exit. His touch was surprisingly gentle, but it car

so quietly that I did

ad happened tonight. Because in it, I heard not just owne

lf. And somehow, that terrified me less

i