The carriage comes to a halt, and I am met with a frightening sight. The sky is dark and cloudy, with a light rain falling, adding to the eerie atmosphere. As I take in my surroundings, the realization hits me that this is where I will be auctioned off. Being in a place like this can only mean one thing - the people who gather here are not good by any means.
It's been a while since my legs lost all feeling, cramped and confined in this small cage.
"Bring her inside!" A deep voice yells from behind me, I try to steal a glance but can't see who it is. Lysander appears in front of me and flashes me a smile.
I shudder at Lysander's presence, his smile sending a chill down my spine. My instincts scream for me to run as far away as possible. But I can't. Not now. I'm trapped, a pawn in a game I never wanted to play. I didn't ask to be a Fae hunter and if it wasn't for Damien I wouldn't be here in the first place.
The rusty key scraped against the lock as Lysander freed me from the cage. My cramped legs gave way beneath me as I stumbled out onto the rain-soaked ground. The dampness seeped through my thin clothes, adding to the exhaustion and pain in my body.
I looked around at the sea of unfamiliar faces, all filled with hunger and desire. They were buyers, ready to bid on human lives as if we were nothing more than objects. A chill ran down my spine as I realized that these people saw no difference between me and a piece of furniture.
Lysander's grip on my arm was firm as he led me through the brick building. The Fae-made structure towered above us, its surface shimmering in the light. As we walked through the corridors, cages lined the walls, each one holding another person waiting to be sold. The stench of desperation and despair hung heavy in the air, mingling with the dampness and decay.
My eyes couldn't help but wander to the other captives as we made our way to the main hall. Their spirits were broken, their bodies marred with scars—a testament to the horrors they've endured. This was not just an auction; it was a den of monsters preying on the vulnerable and exploiting their power.
As we entered the main hall, my heart sank. The opulent decorations—chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, extravagant tapestries adorning the walls—were a stark contrast to the misery that filled this place. Rows of elegantly dressed men and women sat at long tables, their eyes trained on us like vultures circling their prey.
Lysander pushed me towards a raised platform at the front of the room, where I would soon be displayed like a prized possession for these monsters to bid on.
My heart pounded against my ribcage, threatening to burst out of my chest as I stood on the platform. Their eyes, all different colors and shapes, seemed to devour every inch of my body. The weight of their gazes was suffocating, like a heavy blanket covering me. I desperately tried to maintain my composure, refusing to show any sign of fear. But deep down, I could feel it creeping in, threatening to consume me.
As I scanned the crowd, I couldn't help but notice how different they all looked compared to humans. Some had pointed ears or shimmering scales while others had wings or horns. My heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of a familiar face among them. Damien. He had found me. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I tried to keep my composure. He had found me, and there was nowhere to hide now.
Damien's piercing blue eyes narrowed as he locked onto mine, his gaze filled with a fierce anger that made my heart race. But as I stared back at him, searching for any hint of what he might do to me if he bought me, a glimmer of something else flashed in his eyes. For just a moment, his expression softened with concern and worry, cutting through the rage like a ray of light breaking through stormy clouds.
Before I could dwell on this possibility any longer, the auctioneer's voice boomed through the grand hall, commanding everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's highly anticipated auction," he declared, his tone dripping with both excitement and disdain.
"Tonight, we have a rare gem for you – a skilled Fae hunter." The crowd erupted into a frenzy of whispers and murmurs, their eager anticipation filling the air.
I clenched my fists, the sound of their excitement fueling my anger. I wouldn't allow myself to be just another possession for them to bid on. As the auctioneer continued to boast about my skills and value, I scanned the room for any sign of an escape route. I couldn't let Damien buy me, not after what he had done. I had to find a way out of this nightmare.
My heart pounded in my chest as the bidding began. The numbers rose higher and higher, echoing through the hall like a cruel symphony. Each bid pushed me further away from freedom, deeper into the clutches of these monsters. I glanced at Damien, his face unreadable as he watched the proceedings unfold.
And then, just as hope seemed to fade away, a commotion erupted from the back of the room. There was a loud crash followed by shouts and curses. The crowd turned their attention toward the disturbance, confusion, and panic spreading through their ranks.
Seizing the opportunity, I lunged forward, breaking free from Lysander's grip. My body moved on instinct, fueled by a surge of adrenaline. Chaos erupted around me as the room descended into utter pandemonium. I ran towards the commotion, desperate to escape the clutches of this wretched place.
Dodging through the panicked crowd, I saw glimpses of figures fighting and struggling. The sound of breaking glass and shattering furniture filled the air. My heart raced as I pushed forward, driven by the possibility of freedom. As I sprinted through the dimly lit corridors, the sound of my footsteps echoed in my ears. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to keep going, to escape this wretched place and never look back. But even amidst the urgency, thoughts of Damien lingered in my mind. Had he caused the distraction that allowed me to escape? Or was it just a fortunate twist of fate? I couldn't be sure.
With a final push, I burst through the heavy wooden doors and into the torrential downpour outside. The cool droplets washed over my face, cleansing me of the filth that had stained my soul during my captivity.
But before I could fully embrace the freedom of being outside, a strong hand gripped my right shoulder and spun me around. Ready to fight, I instead found myself frozen in place as I gazed upon an otherworldly figure cloaked in mist. His piercing emerald eyes held a mix of concern and something indescribable as they locked onto mine with a pearl of ancient wisdom. His silver hair cascaded down his broad shoulders, shimmering with an otherworldly glow, as he stood tall and commanding before me. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him, completely captivated by the sheer power emanating from his very being.
"You're safe now," the figure said, his voice resonating with a soothing yet authoritative tone.
"I am the Fae King, and I've come to shut down this illegal auction. You must be a human that was up for sale. But you shouldn't be able to see my true form. Yet you can." He looked at me, and I could feel myself squirm under his gaze, his voice was like honey.
I found myself unable to form any coherent words as I stared up at this supposed Fae King. I knew of the queen and the former king. But this Fae in front of me? Damien didn't talk much about him. After my encounter with Lysander who was the one who planned to auction me off, I can't trust anymore Fae.
The Fae King's emerald eyes narrowed slightly, assessing my tense posture and guarded expression. He took a step closer, his presence radiating warmth and comfort that eased the fear lingering within me. With a gentle yet firm grip, he reached out and cupped my cheek, causing me to flinch involuntarily.
"Please, do not fear me," he said, sincerity lacing his voice. "I understand your hesitation, given what you have been through. But I assure you, I am not like the others."
His words hit me with a sense of truth that resonated deep in my gut. The Fae King was different from the cruel monsters who had held me captive. My instincts urged me to trust him, but my mind couldn't shake off the trauma and suspicion ingrained within me.
"I-I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just...I've been through a lot and I'm a Fae Hunter." I blurted out.
I quickly cover my mouth and back away from the king, if he now knows of who I am, what will happen to me?
The Fae King's expression softened, his hand falling back to his side. "A Fae Hunter," he repeated, his tone contemplative. "That explains your ability to see through our glamours and perceive my true form." He paused for a moment, his gaze never leaving mine. "But fear not, my dear. You are safe with me. I have no intention of harming you."
Just when I think fate can't be any crueler, a voice echoes from behind me, one that will always bring back painful memories.
"Well, well. Look who decided to show up. My dear brother." Damien's voice sends chills down my spine.