Corded (Corded Saga #1)(7)

 

Had Thomas stayed to watch? I couldn't imagine it. He'd been fiercely protective of us for years. I closed my eyes tight and prayed he made it to safety. He was too young to give up his life. He was too important.

 

The truck stopped another few miles down the road and the driver opened the door. "Don't let her out until I get back."

 

The men on either side of me nodded in agreement, and Bolton turned to look at me again. If I wasn't imagining things his expression held some sympathy. They all knew what they were turning me over for. My guess is they knew even better than I did.

 

The right side door wrenched open and the driver showed up beside it. "Let's go. They're ready for her."

 

The man on that side tugged me out with him. The man on my left followed behind me. With a man holding both of my arms I was dragged over to an outdoor makeshift stage.

 

"Take her around back to wait," a small wiry man ordered my captors. "We'll do the older ones first."

 

Blocked by the stage, I couldn't see how large the crowd was, but by the jeers and screaming, I could tell a woman was being auctioned off. I'd heard of these auctions before but the reality was so much worse than I'd imagined.

 

I tried to ignore what was happening. I needed to focus. How was I going to get to Central? Would they have sent a representative to the auction? Maybe he'd notice my age and bring me in just in case.

 

"She'll go for more without this on." One of my captors unbuttoned the rest of my cloak and tossed it off.

 

I wrapped my arms around myself. Without the extra fabric I felt completely exposed.

 

"She'd go for even more if we stripped her." The other man laughed. My stomach churned.

 

"But then we'd start a riot. You can see plenty through this flimsy thing."

 

My dress wasn't flimsy but it was homemade from light cotton. The weather had been unseasonably warm so I'd put on a summer dress.

 

"Show time. Good luck, girlie." The men lifted me up and pushed me forward onto the stage.

 

I stumbled, unable to see much of anything as my eyes struggled to adjust to a bright light. The jeering started immediately. The cat calls, the yelling. I lost track of the numbers being offered up as I finally looked out at the crowd. I didn't recognize a single face. I wasn't surprised. The men of my village didn't have the money to buy women.

 

I blocked it out. I closed my eyes and waited to find out where I was going next. Escape was impossible at that moment and running into that crowd would only make it worse.

 

"She's ours." A tall, dark haired man stepped through the crowd. "We'll beat any bid." Without hesitating he stepped up to the stage. "Bring her around."

 

The men from earlier grabbed me from behind and yanked me from the stage.

 

"Who was that?" I dared to ask even though I feared the answer.

 

"Gregory. He's a Reine."

 

My heart sunk. "You really are selling me to the Reine."

 

"They always pay the most." He patted me on the back. "But you seem strong. Maybe you'll survive." He shoved my cloak over the bindings on my hands before leading me over to a large black vehicle. It was the type I'd only seen a few times. Large and bulky, Central used them when they drove through town. My father had explained the vehicle offered greater protection from guns and other forms of attack.

 

"Well, well, well." Gregory watched our approach. "Even prettier than I first thought."

 

"We found her out in one of the farming villages. Had a pretty sister too, but she was a breeder." My nervous captor sputtered out the details.

 

"I'd have preferred both, but we can make do. See Marco for payment." He reached for my arm.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"Payment first," one of my captors demanded.

 

"That's not how it works anymore. You know that."

 

"How do I know we'll get paid? She's valuable. We could have taken her to Central instead."

 

"You'll get paid, and I agree she's valuable." He licked his lips.

 

"I want half now, or we don't release her."

 

"Fine," he barked, pulling a thick stack of bills from his pocket. The man was prepared which meant the refusal was just for show.

 

With a sickening feeling, I watched the money change hands. Freedom shouldn't be so easily bought and sold.

 

As soon as Gregory let go of the cash, he pulled me roughly against him. "Hello, beautiful."

 

The traders turned without a second glance. They walked right over to their truck. The driver was already at the wheel, and the tires squealed as the truck sped out of the field.