My plan to avoid attention had failed miserably. After the Baron, a few others had set their eyes on me, all more than willing to buy me for their entertainment. The nausea rose within me by the second, and once the presentation ended, I was on the verge of throwing up all over my cage.
As if that wasn’t enough, the merchant sauntered toward me with a wide smile on his face and patted the iron bars. “Well done, Alpha–killer. It looks like you’re getting the highest starting price.” He snorted and walked
away.
The brunette from the cage next to mine was glaring daggers at me, most likely thinking I’d deliberately stolen her spotlight. Too bad the gods hadn’t given her an ounce of brain along with her looks and confidence. “Bravo!” She sneered as she clapped her hands. “I hope you’re happy.”
“Happy?! Are you insane?!” I roared. “Do you even know what those men are using their slaves for?!”
She shrugged. “Of course, I do. It’s almost like becoming a courtesan, only you get to serve the same client every day.”
For a moment, I even envied her ignorance. Then I drew a deep breath and locked my eyes on her green ones. “Then you should think about why the same men buy new slaves each time Callidus comes here. Those private courtesans don’t last too long.”
She scoffed and shook her head. “I know you’re just trying to scare me, but unlike you, I know what I’m doing. I’m not a scared little virgin.”
She turned around and began to flirt with one of the sentinels standing beside her cage. My shoulders slumped. At least I tried. I could bet she wouldn’t escape even if someone left the door open.
A moment later, our cages were back on the wagons, and the caravan was on the move again. Apparently, Kester Callidus owned a few mansions in Anorevale. The auctions he organized took place in his favorite location, in the city’s central district. I was trying to memorize every detail of the road as the caravan moved, making mental notes along the way. I didn’t have a plan yet, but I had less than three hours to make one and put it into motion. I had to escape before the auction…
My heart thundered as all ten cages were set in a row in a place resembling a wine cellar. Several lanterns illuminated the place, and I noticed only a single window a few inches below the arched ceiling.
“Shit,” I breathed, glancing at the tiny window and at the six guards standing by the door. My options were limited. The guards didn’t seem too strong, and maybe I had a chance against them… but I would have to get out of this cage first.
The door at the end of the corridor opened, and another sentinel entered. A sly smirk curved his lips as he walked from one cage to another, throwing colorful fabrics through the bars.
“What’s this?” One of the caged girls picked up the thin material with golden chains and rings attached to it.
“Your dress for the auction,” the man grunted,
“You’re joking, right?” huffed a busty blonde in the cage on my left. “How am I supposed to cover my breasts with it?!”
The sentinel shrugged. “Your problem, not mine.”
“We’ll give you five minutes of privacy,” the older guard with a gray beard called out before opening the door and gesturing for all sentinels to leave.
It looked like they were the only ones who didn’t try to take away our dignity. Inhaling slowly, I grabbed my costume. It was green, almost see–through, and definitely didn’t resemble a dress. It looked like a few wider and thinner straps connected with different pieces of gold.
Cursing under my breath, I stared at the dress, trying to figure out how to wear it. Two wider pieces formed the front and the back of the skirt, while two thinner ones were left to cover the chest and be tied at the neck.
“Perfect,” I gritted out, realizing that it was impossible to move and remain decent wearing this… thing, and since I would have to run…
“What are you doing?!” whisper–hissed one of the girls as she saw me tearing the linen tunic into straps.
I smirked at her. “I’m making my undergarments… sort of.”
She watched me as I tied the straps between my thighs and around my hips, then she decided to do the same. Several other girls followed suit. Of course, the brunette only rolled her eyes and remained in nothing but the see–through costume she’d been given.
A moment later, the sentinels returned, and I saw Theon among them. “The auction will start in a moment. The guests are already gathering upstairs,” the one with a gray beard informed.
A surge of panic erupted within me. Foolishly, I thought I would have more time. Now, I had to improvise. “Excuse me!” I clenched the bars of my cage, my whole body trembling.
A cold laughter sounded, and one of the guards stepped forward. “What do you want, slave?”
“I… I need to… relieve myself,” I blurted.
The man scoffed. “Like… now?”
We had received only a piece of stale bread and a few drops of water. It wasn’t much for the body to digest. Still, it seemed like a good excuse. I locked my eyes on the guard. “You don’t want me to shit all over my cage, do you?”
He muttered a curse and looked at the others. “I’ll take her.” Theon stepped forward. He grabbed two pairs of cuffs and walked over to my cage.
My heart began to thunder. This was it. This was my only chance, I couldn’t afford to waste it. Sucking in a deep breath, I watched Theon open my cage and put on the iron cutl’s on my wrists and ankles. Then he grabbed the chain attached to them and started leading me to the door.
My whole body shivered in anticipation and fear as I walked out of the cellar and followed Theon as he guided me upstairs to the servants‘ garderobe. “Here you go,” Theon muttered, opening the wooden door.
I gave him a weak smile and stepped inside. Unsurprisingly, the small room was windowless, but I knew this wouldn’t be my route of escape. I needed it for something else. I waited for him to close the door behind me
7:59 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 9
:
87
55 vouchers
before I extended my claws.
They weren’t sharp enough to cut through iron, but I had learned to use them in a different way. First, I crouched down and reached for the cuff around my ankles, shoving my claw into the lock. One click was enough to open it. A wide grin spread across my face. One done, three to go.
“How much longer do you need?” Theon’s voice came through the door. “I hear the auction is about to start.”
I freed my other ankle and straightened up to work on the cuffs around my wrists. “I need another minute!” I called out, inwardly wincing at what I was about to do.
My heart fluttered fiercely in my chest, my breath quickening. I gently placed the last cuff on the wooden board before leaning against the wall…
“That’s it! Your time is up!” Theon opened the door, and I lunged.
I aimed for his solar plexus, knocking the air out of his lungs. His eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening to shout. I couldn’t let that happen. “I’m sorry,” I breathed before serving him a jab that knocked him out.
“Move, Orelia. Move!” I hissed as I pulled unconscious Theon into the garderobe. That was the easiest part. Now, I needed to find the way out of this mansion.
I cautiously scanned the corridor, deciding which way to turn. I chose right, vaguely recalling where the main entrance was. A heartbeat passed, and I was darting forward with my eyes locked on the doors in front of me.
“Hey! One of the slaves is running away!” The guard’s voice boomed behind me, and the sounds of stomping feet followed.
“Shit, shit, shit!” I gritted out, barging through the door and slamming it behind me. I blocked it with an iron latch and whirled around. The main exit was at the end of the hallway. There was only one obstacle left…
Two sentinels blocked my way, sneering. “You won’t get past us, bitch. Surrender, or it will hurt.”
A cold smirk tugged at my lips. They weren’t the first ones who underestimated me. He was right, though. It was going to hurt. It would hurt them a lot.
I shifted my stance and fixed my eyes on them as they charged forward. The first one tried to grab me, but I spun around before his hands could reach me. The other one chose to use his fists. He didn’t suspect I could use them too. I dodged his blow and countered, planting a fast punch in his stomach. Groaning, he stumbled back as the first one tried again. I kicked his balls this time, sending him to the ground.
“Fucking whore!” he growled, grabbing his crotch.
Behind me, the locked doors shuddered as the merchant’s guards tried to ram them. My time was running out. I sucked in a sharp breath and locked my eyes on the remaining sentinel blocking my way.
Claws extended, he swung his arm, trying to cut my stomach. I leaped back, dodging the blow by a hair’s breadth. “Your boss won’t be happy if you slice my skin,” I purred, prowling toward him.
“I don’t fucking care,” he hissed. “You’re dead!” He lurched at me, his eyes blazing with madness.
7:59 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 9
9:0
(87)
55 vouchers
I dove and kicked out, knocking him down on his ass. I punched his jaw as he landed before leaning over him. “You’re so damn lucky I don’t like to kill.”
The doors behind me rattled and creaked. I saw the hinges bend and cursed under my breath. I had to run.
Now!
I stormed toward the main entrance and yanked the door open. I almost cried in relief when I noticed the courtyard was empty. Most of the guards must have been moved inside to secure the auction. My muscles burned as I stormed toward the gate. The rough stones scratched the soles of my feet, but it didn’t matter. I would escape that mansion no matter what…
“One of them is running away!” someone shouted. “Stop her! She can’t escape!”
I didn’t dare look over my shoulder. Grinding my teeth, I pushed harder and kept my eyes on the gate. I ran faster, wishing I had time to shift. A swish sounded behind me, then another one. Those bastards were shooting arrows at me!
Faster. I had to move faster. I wasn’t that far. Not anymore. Just a few more steps. Only a few more, and—
A pain in my back exploded, and a searing sensation followed. An arrow. A silver one. A tear slid down my cheek as I heard the stomping feet of warriors pouring into the courtyard, running toward me. I looked at the gate and extended my hand, pushing it open. I stepped out, and my head began to spin, but I didn’t surrender. I took a few more steps before stumbling forward. I was about to fall face–first on the ground when a pair of strong arms wrapped around me.
A familiar scent caressed my senses as he murmured, “So impatient to see me again, little mouse?”
8:00 Mon, Sep 22
