I swallow a lump in my throat. If he’s asking if I’m a virgin, he definitely plans on having sex with me. I knew that was a possibility, but I’m still confused. Where are the orcs? Where are the demons? If there are no wolf shifters here, then the only ones bidding on me are humans. This doesn’t seem like Reparations. This is just… slavery.
“Yes, sir, I’m a virgin,” I say apprehensively.
“Two thousand, right here!” the man yells, immediately raising a paddle.
“Three!” another man calls out. “I love a sweet submissive virgin.”
“Four!” the previous man yells. “She’s coming home with me.”
Five. Six. Seven. They’re literally bidding on my virginity. That seems to be raising my price more than anything else. This isn’t right. Sure, I knew there was a possibility I could get sold to a wealthy man or woman, but they’re not supposed to be the only ones bidding on me.
“Ten thousand!” a man says.
“Twenty-five thousand,” a gentle womanly voice says, but I can’t see who it is. She’s not with the rest of the group and mostly concealed by the shadows.
“I’m sorry, who said that?” President Highton asks, and all the buyers start looking around.
The woman emerges from the shadows, and my breath catches in my throat.
She’s anorc.
She’s not a hulking savage like the orcs from old books. She’s tall for a woman, by human standards, nearly as broad through the shoulders as some of the men in the audience, with deep olive-green skin that seems almost radiant beneath the stage lights. Her features are strong and striking. High cheekbones. A straight, pointed nose. Full lips curved in the faintest hint of a smile, just enough to show the elegant curve of the ivory tusks protruding from her lower jaw.
Her dark hair is thick and glossy, braided intricately away from her face and threaded with gold and polished stones that catch the light when she moves. She’s dressed in a gown that looks as expensive as anything I’ve seen in Concord City, though it’s cut differently than the dresses I’ve seen human women wear. It drapes across one shoulder and clings to her frame in a way that emphasizes strength, rather than softness. Gold bands circle her wrists and upper arms.
“L-Lady Frax’mo!” President Highton gasps. “My apologies, I didn’t realize King Lix’tuk was sending a representative to the auction this month! It’s… it’s been years.”
The rest of the bidders look as surprised as President Highton. Some are actually trembling in their chairs, like they’d rather be anywhere but here. I guess they’re as terrified of orcs as I am, but right now, I’m not sure which option is more terrifying.
“I’m not here on King Lix’tuk’s authority. This is a personal matter,” she says. “Shall we continue the bidding, or is nobody going to bid against me?”
None of the other bidders speak up. President Highton scans the room for a few seconds, then raises his microphone. “Twenty-five thousand. Going once. Going twice. SOLD to Lady Frax’mo!”
“Excellent,” Lady Frax’mo says, removing a tablet from her purse. She taps on it a few times, then looks up at President Highton. “The money has been transferred.” She immediately turns to me. “Clover, you can follow me.”
“It’s been a while, so maybe you’ve forgotten, but we normally wait until the final auction to make the transfers…” President Highton trails off, then backpedals when Lady Frax’mo raises a brow. “Forget what I said. The money has been transferred, so you’re free to take her with you.”
“Thank you, President Highton,” the orc says respectfully, then she turns to the other bidders. “Ladies. Gentlemen. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
President Highton gestures stiffly toward the steps at the side of the stage. I walk down them on unsteady legs, and Lady Frax’mo waits until I reach her before turning toward a door near the curtains.
I’ve been sold. To anorc.
At least it’s a woman. A small miracle, perhaps, even if I’m going to spend the rest of my life in a foreign country. Maybe she’ll be kinder to me than most of the men in the room would have been.
Still, I don’t know if I’ve been saved or doomed. Maybe both.
And I’m still terrified, because I have no idea what to expect from here.
CHAPTER 6
Clover
I follow Lady Frax’mo, unsure what awaits me.
She leads me outside The Grand Hotel and into a parking lot with spaces way too big for cars. It’s also completely empty until she removes her tablet from her purse and taps the screen. A second later, the light bends in front of us and some sort ofshipappears.
“Whoa,” I say, unable to stop myself from reacting.
