Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 52247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
My sired are plotting something. From the pains they took to stage this auction, their plot has been in the works for some time.
No matter. In my long lifetime, I’ve found one coup is much like another.
Theophilus, one of my sired, takes a seat a few rows ahead of me. He turns and bows his head. I tip my own in acknowledgement, and beckon him over.
“Sire,” he says when he reaches my side, and bows. “How may I be of service?”
“How many auctions have been held here?”
He glances around the dimly lit room. “A fair amount. I only heard of them a few months ago. This is my third time.”
“And the shifters are willing?”
“As willing as they can be.” He grimaces. “Most are rare species. Without a large clan to protect them, they fall prey to stronger shifters.”
“So they agree to this?” I wave a hand at the stage. “Is it better to belong to a vampire?”
“I am not a shifter, so I would not know. My guess is a life in servitude is better than no life at all.”
I press my lips together. Most shifters I’ve met would rather be free. After all, they are part wild animal.
“Do you have any further questions about the auction?” Theophilus asks. Of all my sired, he’s the least likely to conspire against me, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t.
“Not at this time.”
“Do you intend to bid, Sire?”
I study Theophilus’ face for a hint of emotion. Interest, hope, anything. “I haven’t decided.” I give him an enigmatic smile.
“You might be surprised. Many of these shifters are naturally submissive. Owning such a powerful creature can be exhilarating.”
“That is something to consider,” I murmur.
“When you live forever, there are so few new pleasures to enjoy.” Theophilus glances at the stage and licks his lips. A blatant show of anticipation.
Perhaps there is nothing nefarious about these auctions. In the long life of a vampire, it’s easy to succumb to boredom. Boredom begets deeper and deeper perversions.
“When you live as long as I have, there are no new pleasures,” I say. “You make do with the old.”
Theophilus bows his head. “With all due respect, consider bidding tonight. Some of the shifters agree to the auction, but put up delicious resistance after they’re bought. Subduing them provides months of entertainment, if you draw it out.”
“Months? You surprise me, Theophilus,” I drawl, baiting him. “With patience, an expert can enjoy a victim for years.”
He flushes. “These shifters will not last years. You can’t turn them, after all.”
“As you say,” I pretend to agree. “I suppose the shine wears off after a few weeks. Months, if the victim is special.”
“Shifters are stronger than humans, but no one can withstand a vampire. They all break, in the end.”
“Yes,” I turn my attention back to the stage. “Everyone breaks in the end.” Even vampires.
Minutes pass and I pretend not to notice the audience members studying me. I steeple my fingers. Tonight I will sit through the auction, feigning interest. In a month I will host a party with a select number of my lieutenants. By then I’ll know which of my sired plotted against me. I already have an idea.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The final part of the auction is about to begin.”
The house lights go down and a ripple of anticipation runs around the room. The curtain parts.
And she appears.
Selene
“Lot nine, special goods,” the auctioneer announces.
I stand on the small platform, staring into an ocean of white light. The spotlights blind me before I remember to lower my gaze to the floor. I’m supposed to be submissive. A perfect little pet for a vampire.
“Female, wolf shifter, twenty-two. She has been trained in the submissive arts but…” the auctioneer pauses and lowers his voice. “She’s never been blooded. Never been mounted either. That’s right ladies and gentle vampires… she’s a virgin.”
Do I imagine an excited murmur in the rows beyond the lights? My training kicks in and smooths my features before my lip curls in disgust.
“Turn around, sweetheart, give us a show,” the auctioneer orders.
I pivot dutifully, returning to my resting stance. I bow my head a little.
“Bidding starts at one hundred thousand,” the auctioneer calls. “One hundred thousand for this pure, untouched virgin. Do I have one hundred—yes, there in the back. Gentleman in the red bowtie. Anyone else want to own this fine specimen of shifter beauty? Can I get two—” The bidding goes higher, spurred by the auctioneer’s excited prattle. I squint into the lights. How many people are in the audience? Ten? Twenty? A hundred? Somewhere, perhaps in the balcony, Xavier watches.
It doesn’t matter. I’m only here for one vampire, and one alone. Lucius Frangelico. I need to capture his interest.
I drop my gaze to the stage and try to look meek. What will entice a vampire king to bid on me? I lick my red lips, but can’t bring myself to take a sultry pose. Not when I want to punch someone for subjecting shifters to this disgusting event.