Despite the agony of loss, I needed to keep a clear head. I'd be of no use to Quinn or Bailey if I fell apart. Father and Benjamin gave their lives protecting them, now it was up to me to make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain.
"Bolton, put her upstairs with the other one. This load is going to bring us a fortune." The first man handed me over to a younger man who happily took hold of my arms.
The man who'd kicked my father grinned. "Yes it will. I'm glad we held onto those other two women. Having them together at auction will bring in the crowds."
Bolton led me toward the front door. He pushed me down the hallway and closed us into the den. His orders had been to take me upstairs, and my skin prickled with fear. I needed to get to my sister, and this man stood in my way.
"I've never seen girls with this color hair before." He pushed me down on the couch, kneeling in front of me as he ran his hands through my hair.
I said nothing.
"This is my first capture. I was beginning to think I'd signed up for a dumb job."
He looked at me like he was waiting for an answer, but I had none to give him.
"Was that your man out there?"
I shook my head. "No."
"You weren't given to anyone yet? Married off?" Bolton knew about our traditions, which meant he wasn't from the city. The concept of being given to one man had all but disappeared outside the countryside, more often referred to as the Rurals.
I kept my mouth closed. No answer would change anything. Even if he was from the Rurals, he didn't care about me or my family.
He stared at me the way someone would stare at a ghost or apparition. It was like he was trying to determine if I were real.
His face suddenly turned serious. "If I had the money I'd buy you for myself."
There was an ounce of compassion in his expression, and I decided to see if that could get me anywhere. "Where's my sister?"
"The other yellow haired girl?"
I nodded. "Where is she?"
"What's it worth to you to find out?"
"I need her."
"Bolton! What are you doing in there?" A voice boomed from outside the door. Whoever it was tried to force the lock.
"One second," my captor murmured. "You probably have such a nice body under there." His eyes moved to my chest. "I really want you for myself."
"Have you touched a woman before?" I knew it was the right question to ask. The trick would be winning him over to my side. It was the only chance any of us had of escaping before auction.
"No." He gave the answer I knew he would. He couldn't have been more than a couple years older than me. Twenty at most. As a low level trader he'd probably have to wait a long time for his chance. The upper echelon raped their captives, but they didn't share with the new blood very often. At least that's what I'd heard.
Desperation made me say words that turned my stomach. "You can have me later if you help my sister and niece escape."
A look of excitement crossed his face then faded to disappointment. "No. I'd be killed for that."
"Bolton!" The door burst open, and the first man wrenched me off the couch.
"What were you doing, boy? I told you to go upstairs."
"Oh. Sorry sir. I got confused." Bolton cast one more glance at me before bowing his head to his superior.
"Go out and help the others. I'll watch this one while we wait."
I needed to see my sister and Bailey but showing emotion wouldn't help.
"Are you a breeder too?" The man's eyes roamed over me, as though the outside of my body held the secret of whether I could bear children.
"Not confirmed." Suspicion was enough for Central to buy me. I needed to stay with Quinn.
"Have you tried?" He chewed on something with a sweet aroma. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a sweet.
Tried? He was asking if I'd had sex. I was in dangerous waters. Admitting my untouched status might be worse than admitting I was less likely a breeder.
I chose my words carefully. "I'm not untouched, but I might be a breeder."
"Either way you'll bring a good price."
Loud motors sounded outside, and I stiffened. Our chance of escape was narrowing.
"Time to move, pretty one." He took my arms and pulled me back outside.
"Kayla!" Quinn yelled, and I turned to watch her being rushed down the stairs by one man. Another man held my niece. Less than a year old, Bailey looked so tiny. Her light brown hair blew in the breeze, and I wanted to rip her from the dirty man's arms. I'd have given up my life without hesitation to save her. She deserved more than this. She deserved a chance.