"One million!"
"One million and 2!"
"One million and 4!"
I was pulled from my daze by the numbers that were shouted at me. They echoed through the great hall.
Why so much….?
I lifted my head as the bidding became more heated. Was I really worth millions?
The stage light was blinding. I was happy to have a shroud draped over my head far enough to hide behind. I shifted nervously in my shackles and my heart threatened to beat out of my chest. I gulped down some air and prayed this would be over soon. I could feel their eyes on me and it made me feel smaller than I had already felt when they tied my hands together. I felt like prey and they were the beasts furiously betting on their meal. So ready to devour me.
Everything grew still as a large shadow appeared on the stage and firmly named his price. And that was it. My heart sunk as the mallet beat on the table and I was sold.
I pulled my arms to my chest and shrunk significantly as he drew closer into the light before me. My legs threatened to fail me as I looked up to him. A red cloth lay over his pointed face and horns sprouted up from either side. He spoke again and reached out a gloved hand, but I didn't catch what he said. He was so tall and… what kind of thing was he…?
I finally remembered to breathe and came to my senses, pulling back and attempting to turn and run as he reached for my face. He grabbed the chain between my hands and neck with a flick of his wrist so effortlessly. As he turned and headed off stage I had no choice but to follow. I tripped over myself as my legs were still numb and nearly frozen in place. I stared blankly up at the dark broad shoulders and horns in a daze, my heart and mind racing and spinning.
I found myself being pulled into a room and breathed a quiet sigh of relief as I was finally allowed to sit. I pulled the light lace shroud around myself, finding the room a bit chilly.
"We didn't expect you to join us tonight…"
The two men began small talk with the other. He had let go of my chains and didn't pay any attention to me as I took a seat on one of the red leather couches. The others, however, took turns glancing over at me to ensure I did not move. I probably would have considered running, but they were between me and the door. Where would I go anyway? I was in a foreign country, far away from anything familiar.
Mr. Ainsworth was the name they greeted him by. As he stood, bent over the table and writing his payment, they scolded him for going up on the stage.
"Anyhow.." The man with long dark hair continued. "We thought we should inform you of the condition of the girl-"
"No need. I am well aware of the conditions of sleigh beggy."
A what?
My previous handler took the check and looked it over. "That is not what he meant. You see, I procured her from a hospital in America. She signed herself over, but she has a tendency to lose herself. Sudden mood swings and outbursts. She may try to run or cause trouble."
I pulled the shroud closer in an attempt to hide myself in shame, but Mr. Ainsworth didn't seem fazed. He turned his head over towards me and finally lifted the veil from his face. A cold chill ran down my spine. Where I expected a face was a boney snout and a skull full of sharp looking teeth.
"She does not look like much of a problem to me." He muttered dimly and walked my way.
The cloth atop my head slid off and rested on my shoulders as I raised my head up to meet his hollow gaze. The fear welled up in me again and I felt like I should run. I pulled on my chains lightly but they did not budge. My legs failed me again. He was so tall.
"First we should do away with these."
He extended a gloved hand that was much larger than my own and gave my chains a slight tap. That was all that it took. They snapped and dissolved into thin air. His bony face did not change at the sight of my reaction. I was unsure of if he was bowing to me or leaning down to get a better look at my face, but his hand remained extended, and I hesitantly took it.
"I am Elias Ainsworth." His hand gently swallowed mine up. "And you are…?"
"E-Elythis…." It took time to find my voice as I was becoming lost in his hollow eyes. He didn't give me the time to recall my last name as I suddenly found myself being pulled to my feet.
"As of today, Elythis, you will be my apprentice." He pulled me close to his side and gave the men a nod. "Gentlemen." They nodded in return and as he tightened his grip on my back we looked again at one another. "I would recommend closing your eyes. You may feel a bit faint or dizzy while we travel."
What?
As I tried to pull back he moved his hand to the back of my head and pressed it into his dark cloak. Just as I opened my mouth to protest, Elias began reciting something that sounded similar to a poem. A strange string of words being said with purpose. I began to feel a breeze accompanied by a foreign feeling I couldn't describe. Both a lightness and a feeling of being thrown. It lasted both a minute and an instant. Suddenly it stopped.
The carpet below my feet turned to grass and a warm breeze greeted us along with a chirping of birds. My head spun as I lifted my head from Mr. Ainsworth's cloak.
"My.. We made it in one jump. Impressive."
I looked ahead to see a small cottage surrounded by foliage. A forest seemed to surround us.
"Where are we….?"
"In the countryside." He went to take a step forward, but found he was dragging me along, my nails still dug into his cloak. "England." He added.
My head spun and I found myself being lifted off my feet. My fingers dropped his cloak and I finally realized how much of a death grip I had on him by the aching in my joints. I felt too weak and dizzy to object and allowed him to carry me to the house.
"I fear I may have exhausted you and I'm sure you have many questions. We'll get you inside and taken care of. Please try to relax yourself."