Chapter Twelve

I stumbled down the steps of the main chamber, which was but a dining hall in the old mansion. Brynn was entertaining her guests, smiling and laughing when it was appropriate. Sean was standing by the door, two servants sitting on the floor at his feet. When I thought a moment longer, the servants were probably slaves like Caso.

And like myself, now.

I was a slave? How odd a thought.

Caso helped me up from the ground, brushing my bare shoulders off. I wore only my pants and the collar Caso had given me. The sensation of cool air against my exposed chest was quite odd.

It also felt odd walking practically out of my own free will towards what would most likely be my ultimate demise. Vampires, everywhere I looked. Lounging on the chairs, leaning against the walls and lurking in the shadows.

Their light voices pierced my thoughts; their laughter was like knives in my head.

I sunk to the ground, holding my hands to my ears. My face scrunched together, the pain sinking through my whole body.

Caso's hands were once more on my shoulders, heaving me upwards.

"You must stand, Barrett," Caso insisted. "None here will hesitate to punish you."

I struggled to my feet as the noise softened.

Brynn was ushering them towards seats that were set up in front of what looked to be a short stage. There, the vampires waited, still talking amongst themselves.

Caso led me to Sean, saying, "Master, we are ready."

Sean nodded. "Good. Bring these two with you."

The two slaves at his feet rose, hanging their heads low so that their eyes never met with Sean's. As the two women marched in front of us, I could see the scars and bruises on their backs. On the youngest looking of the two, there were freshly made wounds down her left arm.

My own bruised body began to ache with the recognition of the beatings they had suffered.

I felt faint. It was a silly thing to feel, but I felt it at any rate. There were vampires al lover the place, waiting to buy my like meat from a butcher. I couldn't see any of them treating me any better than a slab of meat, either.

Brynn hoisted herself up onto the stage, smiling to the guests seated below her. "Welcome my esteemed friends," she began, bowing to them. "I have brought you all here tonight to bid for my remaining slaves. Midnight has been destroyed by those loyal to Mayhem, and I fear owning so many fine slaves, as you must certainly agree."

She smiled and the vampires laughed softly.

I fidgeted with the collar on my neck; it was beginning to itch.

Caso slapped my hands away from the collar. "Don't touch it!" he hissed, though fear still lingered behind his eyes.

I brought my hands back down and folded my arms across my chest.

Brynn waved a hand to the side of the stage and two children stepped up to the platform. "Here," Brynn said, turning the girl around while the boy waited patiently, "We have two second generation slaves. Perfectly broken. Both are skilled in cooking, general house work, and sowing. When they are older, either would be wonderful additions to any cultured vampire's supply of bleeders, too. They are of Italian descent, from two beautiful breeders. Strong and healthy. May I start the bidding at one thousand for the pair?"

A voice rang through the room, calling for one thousand five hundred.

I could see that the boy was timid, very timid, but the girl still was defiant inside. She watched with her eyes straightforward and her hands on her hips, waiting for the next Master to try and break her.

Finally the bidding ended with three thousand four hundred for the set, and another servant led the children off the stage to a man in the front row that had long silver hair. Beside him sat a very beautiful blonde woman who immediately began to dote upon the children, smiling at the girl with her fangs exposed. She kissed each on the forehead and said something that she meant to be reassuring.

The auction continued in that way. The slave would be brought up on stage where Brynn would explain what talents they had, some were fine horse trainers and other hunters, while some were skilled in the bedroom or were useful at keeping other slaves under wraps. Then their history; who mother and father had been, if they were slaves, what health concerns were involved, and whether they were broken or not.

Then the bidding, and finally the sale.

Caso went up on the stage before me. I felt like I should have said something comforting to the shapeshifter, but I really didn't know him at all. Tight times do strange things to the mind.

Brynn smiled seductively at Caso, draping an arm over his shoulder.

"Here is one of my personal favorites. Caso is the only elavie on sale today. Once a skilled serpiente dancer, he is now the most docile of the first generation slaves here. And you must all have heard how much a treat serpiente blood can be, yes?"

She paused, waiting for a reaction from the crowd.

They all nodded, looking to one another with hungry eyes.

"Just think!" she tossed her hands up into the air and Caso shrunk, afraid that she was poising to strike him. "He won't even put up a fight! For a slave who has felt the bed of Jeshickah, the firestone whip of the trainer Gabriel, and the kiss of Egyptian kings, I start the bidding at three thousand five hundred!"

A low murmur pulled through the crowd. That much for just one slave? I could see where there disapproval was coming from.

Brynn stepped forward. "Please, my honored guests. This is a rare treat. You will not find anyone like Caso for a hundred years at least. I myself bought him for an even five. Now, the bidding is opened at three thousand and five hundred."

A hand went up.

Three and seven hundred.

Another hand.

Four thousand.

Another hand.

Four thousand two hundred.

The same hand that had first gone up.

Four thousand and six hundred.

A loud voice boomed from the back of the room, "Six thousand for that snake in the grass, Brynn, and you won't get another offer like that from these rabble."

Brynn's smile widened and I saw Caso's eyes flash with fear before he dropped to his knees in respect.

Sean turned to the black haired woman who had stormed into the room, a handsome man in tow, though he bore no collar.

Sean bowed. "Jeshickah, Gabriel. We're honored you could make it."