“Basically,” I acknowledge.
“Remember! Reparations are a good thing! It’s our duty to help make things right. It is our honor to do so,” President Highton continues. “Half the proceeds from your auction go directly to your family, so don’t forget to smile and wave to the bidders when I call your name. You’ll be going home with one of them to begin a brand-new life! In fact, I’ve got some testimonials to share!”
President Highton smiles and the screen remains on his face a few seconds longer than it should before it switches to a woman who looks to be in her early thirties. She’s wearing an elegant green dress, make-up, and her hair is styled with pins and clipsin various places that allows her long, flowing blonde hair to cascade down her shoulders while staying out of her face.
“Hi everyone! My name is Monica! Ten years ago, I was right where you are! Sitting on a train, excited to do my part to make things right,” she chirps excitedly. “But I’ll admit I was a little nervous. A tiny bit scared.” She emphasizes it by holding up her thumb and forefinger, spaced less than a half inch apart, her long, polished nails nearly touching. “I should have known better! I was bought by a wolf shifter named Rex, and… wow, the last ten years have beenamazing.”
The screen immediately clips to another woman. She looks to be in her mid-to-late twenties. She has red hair that’s braided and adorned with trinkets. Her dress is simpler, but it’s clean, and looks a lot better than the rags I’m wearing.
“Hello, my name is Harmony. That’s my new name, anyway. It used to be Azalea, when I lived with the humans.” She smiles, her green eyes brightening a shade. “When a big scary orc named Gruk bought me at the auction, I’ll admit I was a little unsure. But then he brought me home, and I realized that other than being green, orcs are a lot like us. Just be mindful of the tusks!” She laughs and shakes her head. “Orcs don’t eat humans. They don’t even bite… well…”
The screen clips again, this time showing a guy who is a few years older than me. He’s wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and black pants, standing with his hands behind his back. His skin is paler than mine, there are circles under his eyes, and a haunted look in the light grey spheres.
“Right, hello. I’m Mark. When I realized I had just been auctioned to Lord Malphas, I had some reservations, but I’m…”He narrows his eyes like he’s reading. “I’m happy to tell you that possession isn’t that bad! It isn’t pain, it’s purpose!”
Mark keeps talking, but the screen clips back to President Highton.
“As you can see, your brand-new life will likely be so much better than what you’re leaving behind. One day, you may even sit down to record a testimonial video of your own!” President Highton says cheerfully. “Enjoy the rest of your trip to Concord City. I’ll see you soon!”
The screen goes dark after lingering on President Highton’s smiling face for a few seconds. I glance over at Rose. She’s already looking at me.
“Notice they didn’t have any testimonials from people who got bought by other humans,” Rose whispers. “Guess those are hard to come by.”
“That would make the entire thing too real,” I sigh, looking down at my hands.
I look around the train and see the same solemn expressions on Jasmine’s and Cedar’s faces. I don’t think those testimonials made any of us feel better about the situation we’re in. On a train, soon to meet the President of Concord City, so we can beauctionedto the highest bidder.
“Wolf shifter still seems like the best option,” Rose whispers. “If you see any of them in the audience, try to make eye contact and smile.”
“How will I know they’re wolf shifters and not just wealthy humans?” I ask.
“Look for guys wearing fur,” she says, shrugging slightly. “Just don’t make eye contact with any orcs or demons.”
“I don’t plan to,” I say. “I don’t care if orcs are just like green humans, they scare me.”
“I don’t think they’re anything like us. You’ve read a lot of the same books I have. They sound like savages,” she says.
“And demons? I don’t want to bewornlike skin,” I shudder, a shiver running down my spine. “Even if they don’t do it all the time.”
“Agreed,” Rose whispers. “But I think I’d choose literal possession over being bought as someone’s slave.”
“At least the demons don’t have sex with the people they buy,” I say. “If we end up getting bought by anyone else, I’m sure we won’t be virgins for very long after they buy us.”
“I’ve already come to terms with that,” she sighs. “I’m not going to make a big deal out of it. Especially if it’s a wolf shifter. Ireallyhope it’s a wolf shifter.”
“Yeah, me too,” I say.
None of the options excite me. Wolf shifters supposedly treat their women like queens. That’s obviously preferable over a big, terrifying orc. But wolves and orcs both buy women for breeding purposes. Wolves take them as mates and genuinely care about them. Orcs don’t form those kinds of attachments. That’s what I’ve read, at least.
But I suppose Rose is right. Being bought by a demon and worn around like skin periodically would be a better fate than becoming the property of a wealthy man. I don’t even understand why that is allowed. The Reparations Auction issupposed to be our way of making amends for the atrocities humans committed during The Great War. Humans buying humans doesn’t accomplish that. It’s a loophole that legalizes slavery when we supposedly abolished that hundreds of years ago.
“Oh wow,” Rose gasps, looking straight ahead with wide eyes.
I look up and see what has taken Rose’s breath away. “Whoa,” I say, in as much awe as she is.
Concord City is on the horizon, and we’re approaching it so fast it feels like I’m zooming in on a new detail every time I blink.
The buildings stretch so high they look like they’re trying to pierce the clouds. Glass and steel towers that catch the sunlight and reflect it in a thousand different directions, making the whole city shimmer like it’s alive. Some of the structures twist as they rise, defying my basic understanding of architecture, because they look like they should topple over from a strong breeze. Back in Troona, the tallest building was the church steeple.
