Chapter 22

My words had him turning back to face me. I hadn’t meant to say them out loud, but the realization suddenly scared me. I hadn’t had time to prepare and I needed to.

“It doesn’t matter. You’ll be okay. You’re strong. Just stay quiet tonight and tomorrow. Pretend you know nothing about this deal and rest assured that when the auction is over, you’ll be leaving with me.”

“Do you know the count?”

A few seconds passed. “Total? The whites rest at eighty-three. The blue … two. You and red-head. There was three, but the doctor didn’t make it. I was told she passed away in her cell last night. Your old roommate will be the only other.”

“The doctor?”

West seemed to stiffen a little. “Giving slaves weapons is not allowed. She was demoted to slave. The transition and punishment weren’t easy for her.

My head lowered. Bram.

Footsteps disappeared in the distance and minutes went by while I stayed in my thoughts. When the door finally reopened, it was a guard who placed my outfit inside.

“Where’s Mr. Harper?”

“Business.”

The door shut behind him and I stood, walking over to grab the dress. It was paired with a long, bright blue, silk chiffon scarf. My fingers ran over the soft see-through material and I cringed at the symbolism of it. From the tour to the auction, anytime I left this room, I was going to have to wear it. Everyone would know. The target already on my back was about to grow a million times larger. For those who didn’t know who or what I was, they would soon enough.

I grabbed the matching dress, sliding it over my head. It did nothing to cover my body. Aside from giving my curves a blue sheen, it was as if I were walking around nude. And walking we would do. The tour covered the city center. It was located directly in the middle of the fortress. We were allowed there without our masters, as long as we had permission from them. The small shops, the food store ... For as nice as it sounded, it was anything but. I never went alone. I wasn’t allowed to without my old master, but the others wouldn’t know the horrors a simple stroll could hold. The worst masters lurked there. They didn’t care if a slave was owned. If we were alone, we were fair game.

My breath was ragged as I placed the scarf over my shoulders to await my departure. I knew there was still time before I had to lift it and the last thing I wanted was to be any more a part of this tradition.

I moved over, grabbing the lotion Bram had bought me. In slow strokes, I rubbed it over my legs, arms, and chest. Memories of us together returned and I let them. His arms and kiss were so real. My lips tingled at the phantom pressure, and tears clouded in my eyes. I grabbed the matching perfume and pumped the bulb, letting the fragrance take me further away.

“Twenty-four-six-ninety?”

I turned at the female voice. A dark skinned woman with long curly hair came forward. Her head was down, but she moved in a quick pace. I knew immediately that she was owned. Everyone here was either slave, master, medical, or guard. Even the attendants were slaves. From her draping gown, it was obvious of her station.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“I’m slave Jenkins. I wanted to introduce myself before our appointment tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry? Our appointment?”

Her eyes rose and I nearly gasped at the green color. They practically were glowing they were so bright. She was older than me, maybe close to fifty. She was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. It took me a minute to process what she was saying.

“Your make-up, hair, and application. You’re in the blue. I’ll be doing all three.”

I shuddered at the mention of the application. The oil was meant to calm us. It did more than that. My old master said it was a drug. It left us turned on and ready for sex for when the auction was over. And we would be. All of us. Even the virgins were oiled up. I could hardly remember my auction night, but I knew now that I hadn’t been in my right mind.

“Of course. I didn’t wear make-up the last time. I forgot that only the blue does.”

“Yes. I’ll be here to accompany you early. You and the other girl will be paired together, closer to the auction room. It shouldn’t take me too long to get you both ready.” She lowered her head again, stepping back, but paused before she turned. “The best of luck of your tour.”

My lips separated, but she was leaving before I could so much as speak. It wasn’t minutes later that my door reopened. Bram’s eyes met mine and I lifted the scarf to fit over my head, keeping my stare directed at the floor. I didn’t wait for him to tell me to come forward. He did the tours. He laid down the laws and struck the fear of God into us.

“The blue is at the end of the line. The girls are already lined up. I will leave you there and take my place at the front.”

“Yes, Main Master.”

He stopped and pushed a finger under my chin. Although my head rose, my eyes didn’t. “Look at me, slave.” Still, I refused.

“You can be mad at me all you want, but it changes nothing. West is a good match for you. Better than me.”

I jerked my head to the side, turning to glare at him. “How do you know what is best for me?”