The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga) (56 page)

“Right
, ladies and gentlemen, now it is time for the mysterious lot you have all been waiting for and our crown jewel of the night. Stewards, if you please.” The auctioneer said and then suddenly, in a great whoosh, the red curtain was pulled back from my cage and great gasps filled the enormous space. Tears filled my eyes as I looked down on the sea of people and took in the sheer size of the auction with utter disbelief. 

I couldn’t comprehend how so many faces looked up at me now and not one single one of them looked at me with horror of what was being done to me. If anything
, it was sick fascination and wonder that shone back in their eyes. I looked from them in disgust and focused on the vast room they held the auction in. 

It looked to be a late-Gothic style building with a central glass dome that had part of its roof covered in metal squares. The great hall must have been at
least 50 meters long and just as wide, with rows and rows of highly decorated pillars. There were galleries on all four sides and the upper one that I was closest to must have had at least 30 of these ornate pillars alone. Arches filled every space along the room’s full circumference and in the middle on the second floor were two stone plinths that jutted out with one either side as a mirror image. They looked fit for a king and the ideal place to stand and wave at his loyal subjects below. It was a truly stunning piece of architecture and one I would have no doubt admired more if it was not for my dire circumstances. 

My cage was hanging in the centre
, directly behind the raised platform the auctioneer stood on next to a podium. This angle gave me a clear view of all the people taking part in the auction, sat on row after row of red velvet chairs which had been laid out in arches like in a theatre. But it wasn’t just the hundreds of people sat down, but also every available standing space was taken up adding hundreds more. All had paddles with numbers on ready for their bids to be written down and assigned to their winning lots. I couldn’t help but look round wondering which number I would soon belong to?

I looked down to see the auctioneer nod to someone on the side out of view. I was then a bit happier at least when the chain l
owered enough for me to grab onto the sides of the swing so that my shoulders no longer felt like they would pop off. I felt the lasting ache when they lowered and I tried to roll my arms to relieve the remaining tension, whilst still gripping on for dear life.

“I now present to you our last lot of the night and by far the
most prestigious we have ever sold in our many years holding this auction.” The auctioneer actually took a moment to take off his small round glasses and rub his face as though he couldn’t quite believe what he was about to say. He nodded to the crowd, replaced his glasses and gripped each side of the podium to lean forward.

“I give you all…The King
’s Electus!” He raised his arm up to me and the whole room gasped in utter shock and then erupted into a deafening roar of applause once more. My hands gripped the sides of my perch in frustration and when looking around the room I saw Gastian stood on the sidelines looking smug.

“Yes, yes, please everyone calm yourselves
.” He waited for the room to hush down their tasteless excitement before explaining ‘the goods’ in further detail.

“As you can all be in no doubt about the seriousness of this last lot or the ramifications behind taking part in this bid, I will stress that you all made a vow upon entering into this auction and what has taken place here tonight is to remain under secrecy within the realms of that vow.” Even as he said this some people actually stood up and walked out after nodding their respects to the auctioneer.
Good, I thought, knowing that at least six people remained faithful to Draven…although, out of hundreds didn’t look like good odds.

“You can understand then that the valuing of this lot h
as taken some great thought, as it is seemingly priceless, but like nearly all of my vendors, they are here to make some money, so without further ado, I will begin.” I was very tempted to shout out a string of obscenities when I heard the guy call me a ‘lot’ for the umpteenth time, but decided to hold my tongue in case my punishment was being held up by my wrists again.

“This lot is not numbered but named ‘The Chosen’ and personal details of the girl will be given along with purchase. As you can see she is a fine female specimen and although rumours of her status of her not being
the Chosen One that are running worldwide, we are happy to confirm these rumours are not true. Found in her personal effects was the book of Ouroboros, given to her from the very Oracle herself, one to which she is blood bound. This is also included in the sale and one does not have to worry about the Master of the Ouroboros channelling through the book to find her, as the vendor has already had a warlock take care of this problem, which will reflect on the price, as I’m sure you can understand.” On hearing this important piece of information, I at least now knew why no-one could have contacted me throughout my imprisonment. Gastian had obviously heard from the snivelling Dimme about the book and gone to great lengths to prevent anyone from communicating with me.    

There were nods and most started discussing amongst themselves
, whilst looking up at me every now and again. I finally knew what it felt like for all those poor zoo animals being gawked at all day! 

“I must also caution
before the auction starts, that anyone who bids does so under their own risk of life as rules state clearly that no supernatural contact is to be made with this particular human and as we all stand here now, we are in fact in breach of that ruling. Anyone not willing to take those risks may leave like the others with our well wishes and hope to see you back here again next year.” Once again I was pleased to see this time ten more people stood up and left.

“Very well, now that all formalities are out of the way, let us start. This is a lot for the elite
, so we will begin with an elite starting price, do I hear 10 million?” Now I was the one to gasp…really, 10 million?! I have to say, even though I knew I was letting go of some mental marbles for even thinking it, I couldn’t help but be a little flattered at the price set. I think if these feathers had been really attached, they would have puffed up on hearing that.

“10 million, do I have 15?” The auctioneer was soon having to go up in the tens instead of the fives and soon after that by the twenties! I was dumbfounded by the ludicrous prices being shouted and when it got up as far as 350 million
, I nearly fell from my perch! What in the Hell did these people think they were going to get for that price…me crapping gold and sneezing diamonds?!

It had finally started to slow down and I noticed it was now down to three bidders and neither one looked like the friendly captive type. I was just about to start coming up with escape plans in my head
, when a booming voice cut through the auction and vibrated the walls with the sheer strength of it.

“One Billion!” Was the next price shouted from a shadow in the back and the Auctioneer looked to Gastian and when he nodded he brought down his hammer, sealing my fate when he shouted…

“The Electus is Sold!”

Chapter 51

Worth Every Penny

             
At the sound of my sale, I felt like an arm had just been pushed down my throat and forced my heart into my stomach! Was I really just going to be going from one sorry prison and on to the next and what would my next captor be like? Well, one thing was a given, I doubted it would come with my very own Percy!

“If you please Sir, can you show us your paddle number?” The auctioneer asked loudly trying to reach the back of the room. I held my breath as I saw a shadow walk in between the crowd and soon it was going to be my very first view of my buyer. I think
, like everyone, we were expecting the buyer to just come to the edge of the gallery’s balcony and hold up a number, but he didn’t do this.

Oh no, not for this man! People started to fill the room with murmurs that seemed to
travel straight from those who quickly got out of his way, as though this man was someone very important. The hum of noise washed along the crowd in a wave of gossip and I soon found out why. The mystery man simply stepped up on top of the stone banister and grabbed hold of the centre pillar, situated in between the six arches that faced me on the second level. This was done with such grace and masterful flair, I knew what I was seeing had to be true.

I released a stuttered breath as the reality hit me dead centre in the chest and a sob was wrenched from deep within my fragile soul. For the first time in three weeks of brutal imprisonment
, I now felt my heart soar and my hope regain strength. I felt the tears fall from beneath the mask and I didn’t care one damn bit that a hall full of people could see it. I only had emotions for the man now stood at the pillar staring right at me, with that bad boy smile I had once grown to know so well. Then I whispered his name and prayed to the Gods that created him that this dream wouldn’t shatter.

“Lucius
.” He must have heard me because he nodded slowly and then winked at me before dropping to the floor below. I was left breathing heavy and trying in vain to hold back the flood of emotions that threatened to take over my senses. Was it possible…? Had I been saved?

Following the sight of Lucius
, everyone quickly bowed down in their chairs and all around the hall was an echoed sound of those stood, falling to their knees. The auctioneer took in the sight of Lucius striding down the centre aisle straight to the podium. He fell to his knees also and lowered his head until he found the floor.

“
My Lord.” He uttered in quivering fear. 

The sight of Lucius wearing a pair charcoal suit trousers, matching waistcoat and a light grey shirt unbuttoned at the neck
, which was also casually rolled around his thick forearms, was a sight to behold for anyone. His dress shoes clicking on the stone floor made for a powerful beat as he ate the distance to the shaking auctioneer.

When Lucius made it to him
, he looked down with disdain and motioned without words for him to rise with a simple bend of all his fingers from the hand still held relaxed at his side. He did what he was told and rose to face my buyer.        

“The Electus is yours
My Lord and I have been assured you will not be disappointed.”

“No, imagine not
.” Lucius said letting me hear the hidden meaning in his smug gaze up at the cage. I finally let myself smile back knowing from now on everything would be ok and he would take care of me. I was not alone any longer.

I saw him look back
at the crowd and nod to some woman with a massive hat, one that looked like a flying saucer had landed on her head. He nodded to my cage and whoever she was, she jumped up and bowed to him over enthusiastically, making him roll his eyes.

“You have something for me to sign?” Lucius snapped at the auctioneer and he nodded anxiously before running off to get what I assumed was my paperwork. Now I really felt like a prize
d cow being sold! Meanwhile the woman with the massive hat had disappeared into the crowd and the auctioneer seemed to be arguing with Gastian over the other side of the podium. Well, I knew one thing, the second I got down from this bloody cage I was going to be having words with my kidnapper and letting my fists do the talking…oh, who was I kidding, I would just ask Lucius to do that for me!

“Hey Toots, how’s it
hangin?”

“PIP!” I shouted as I saw that the woman wearing the big hat was in fact Pip! She was stood on one of the middle plinths on the second level and she dramatically whipped her hat off, letting all her green and blue hair fall down. She wore it in a mass of voluminous tight curls resembling a green afro with a blue halo from the tips.

I couldn’t help but grin until my jaw hurt when I saw her and took in what she was wearing. It was some kind of poncho dress made from long hair that reached from her shoulders down to mid-thigh. It was sectioned in different colours and looked like she was wearing part of a rainbow! With this she’d added a belt that looked as if a pair of monster hands were holding her waist. She completed the look with a pair of knee high striped socks with high heeled blue wellington boots that had little red and yellow cars all over them.    

“
Tootie Cake.” She said beaming at me. Then she threw her hat into the crowd below, bowed to them all as they cheered like this was all part of the show. Then she launched herself at my cage, landing on the sides like a little monkey! She climbed up the bars until she was level with me on my perch making her hair poncho sway in a mesmerizing display of colours. Well, if I was the captured black and white bird then she was definitely the wild free parrot in this picture!

“I have to say, I’m not digging the new crib Toots
, but the new look is bitchin’!...Although…you do kinda need your roots doing” I laughed at her and shook my head whilst thanking all the Gods combined for her!

“Sorry honey, I would have tidied up
and done a touch up if I knew you were coming.” I said making a joke back, but also thinking my blonde roots were that last of my worries!

“Nah
, I see you’ve been tied up” She nodded to my bound hands and we both giggled.

“Sometime tonight
, Mrs Ambrogetti!” Lucius shouted up, making Pip roll her eyes.

“He’s taken to calling me that when I don’t move my itty bit
ty hiney quick enough…he’s no fun these days but now you’re back, the fun has already begun!”

“Glad I could help
.” I said grinning like an idiot. The she winked at me and carried on climbing to the top. Once at the cage’s roof she must have done something with the mechanism because the whole cage started to lower to the ground. I gripped on tightly to my swing as it started swaying with the movement, so I was glad when the bottom of the cage finally found the floor. It hit the stone with an echoed thud and then Pip shouted from above,

“Hold on tight
Tootsy chick…TIMBER!” she shouted as she released the chain that was attached to my wrists until it came crashing down to the floor, no longer holding me prisoner in this cage. I felt the pull on my wrists from the momentum, but thanks to Pip’s warning I had a good hold and was ready for it.

I watched Lucius take no time at all to get to the cage’s door and rip it from its hinges. He ducked his head to come inside and looked up at me.

“Jump down now, my little bird, I will catch you.” I bit my lip thinking there was a flaw in this plan.

“I…um…” H
is arms were open ready and he started to get that impatient look as I hesitated.

“I didn’t come all this way to drop you
, sweetheart…now jump!” He added firmly at the end. I took a few deep breaths and suddenly wished I had been given wings when being dressed like this and being forced to take my first flight alone. I let go of the swing and closed my eyes as I scooted to the edge to then drop down into Lucius’ waiting arms. I released an ‘umff’ sound as his arms caught me and didn’t open them again until I heard Lucius say softly,

“My little Keira girl
.”

I looked up to see Lucius and couldn’t help the fresh tear that fell at finally seeing my friend again. Just as I couldn’t help my reactions that followed as I threw my arms up and around his neck to hold on as tight as I could. I hear
d him chuckle which shook me as I hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered,

“I take it you missed me
, Pet?” I shuddered at hearing him call me the same name that Jared did and this reminded me of all the questions I would need to bombard Lucius with…but right now, was our time and I was not going to ruin it with my runaway mouth.

“I missed you, so, so much Lucius!” I said back making him squeeze me tighter before letting me go and raising my bound hands from his neck. He rang a finger along my cheek and then under my mask to capture the tears he knew where there.

“I love to see you cry for me, Keira.”
I bit my lip at the hidden meaning in that statement and could only nod.

“It’s good to see you
’re still shy.” I looked up at him and let loose a little growl making him throw his head back and roar with laughter.

“Come on, let’s get this done
.” He said taking my hands and snapping first the large chain that now hung down on the floor and then forcing the cuffs apart so I could finally move my arms to my sides. He found one of my hands and took it in his to pull me from the cage. I pulled back a little and said,

“Thanks for catching me
, Lucius.” This time I got the bad boy Lucius when he looked down grinning and said playfully,

“I only wanted to look up your skirt
, Keira.” Then he winked at me, making me laugh. Pip then came up behind me and whispered in ear,

“He’s telling the truth you know, I could have lowered your little birdy seat but he wanted a chance at your knickers
.” I turned to face my friend and as soon Lucius let me go, I threw myself at her.

“I missed you Winifred Pipper Ambrogetti!” She shushed me and then whispered,

“Less of the Winifred Toots, you trying to piss on my street cred?” I laughed at her and then said,

“What street cred?” She gave me an evil glare that was just too damn cute and then pulled back my mask and let it snap back. We both fell into giggles.

We both turned and separated when we heard the auctioneer coming back. He had with him some paperwork and it was actually bringing it home to me that Lucius had amazingly paid 1 billion dollars for me!

“If you would just sign here and here
, My Lord.”

“Turn around
.” He ordered and the flustered auctioneer turned quickly and presented his back for Lucius to use. 

“Wait!” I shouted stepping up to him to try and stop this madness.

“Lucius, you don’t have to do this, this is one
billion
dollars we’re talking about here! He’s doesn’t own me…no one does!” I said after pointing to Gastian, who stayed a safe distance away, the coward!

“I am afraid that’s where you’re wrong love, once a lot has been put into the auction
, then it is no longer the vendor who owns you, but the auction house. There is no leaving this room for you without them receiving my vow to pay, as you are bound to them until my signature releases you.” Lucius told me softly giving me a small smile.

“Here you go
, My Lord.” The auctioneer who was still waiting tried to hand him a long feathered quill over his shoulder. But instead of taking it he flashed me a wider grin and then I jumped as he put his hand up my skirt and plucked one of the feathers from my dress.

“I think I prefer this one
.” He said winking at me, then turned back around and bit into his hand.

“What are you…?!” I started to say but then stopped as he dipped the end of the feather into his escaping blood and then turned back round to sign the document without a moment’s hesitation.

“Cool, huh?” Pip said behind me and I shot her a gross look over my shoulder making her laugh. As soon as he lifted the makeshift quill from the pages, having signed twice, I felt something heavy lift from me. It was as if there was some kind of spell that had kept me rooted to this place that I hadn’t been aware of until now. 

“The funds are being transferred as we speak
.”

“Very good
My Lord, it was a pleasure doing business with you as always.” The auctioneer said bowing and then rose to nod to some men dressed like Edwardian gentlemen complete with top hats. I quickly understood this silent order as they went to stand behind Gastian and grabbed him.

“UNHAND ME!” He shouted as they half dragged him forward.

“What is the meaning of this!?” He demanded as he was brought in front of Lucius and the auctioneer.

“I am sorry my dear fellow
, but I must adhere to the commands of those above me.” The auctioneer said and then Lucius leaned forward and I was happy to see Gastian flinch with fear.

“And your side of the commission was just too much to give up
.” Lucius informed him making Gastian’s eyes bulge as realisation struck.

“You can’t do this!” He shouted mak
ing Lucius’ lips curl back on a snarl.