My relatives left early – likely to shake off any suspicion about where they are headed. Black auctions are only held at night, and can only be attended once the sun has disappeared completely from the sky.
I’m not sure what exactly compelled me to come trailing after those vultures, but it’s too late to question it now. I think part of me wanted to catch them in the act, have the evidence of their plotting against me – against Rosalite – in my hands, clear to see. Surely something has to give — just how much are they going to get away with, and for how long?
It seems very bold and presumptuous of me to think that I can catch them so easily, though. Rosalite never managed to.
A hooded cloak and a scarf over my nose and mouth hide my identity, with Eden dressed in a similar fashion beside me. Considering everyone else has the same idea, it’s going to be difficult to locate Marion and Calvin. I know Eden had been joking earlier when he said he had a good nose, but maybe he can sniff their stank out and make tracking them down a little bit easier.
Admittedly, it’s a bit of a pipe dream.
Among the shrouded bodies cluttering the room, a lot of them give of a vibe that makes me steer very clear. Some don’t bother to hide their faces, which is quite frankly scarier than catching a glimpse of someone that does. Nature has certainly been kinder to some people in here than others.
I hadn’t wanted to stand around waiting, surrounded by dubious characters, so I timed my departure a little better than my relatives. It seems we arrived right at the best moment, because the lights soon dim and the crowd hushes further. A stage is illuminated to the left, a somewhat-tattered red curtain barring the remainder of it from view. A man with greying blonde hair and an intricate mask hiding the upper half of his face stands behind a podium, a voice-augmenting magic gem glistening on his collar. He clears his throat.
“If they offer up any rare poisons, or something of the sort, keep an eye on who bids on them,” I whisper to Eden, hurriedly. He shoots me a confused look, which I promptly ignore. The auctioneer taps the gem, it’s brief flicker informing me that he is about to speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” he crows, voice reaching the furthest corners of the room effortlessly. His words echo in my head, somewhat aggravatingly. “Both human and otherwise! Welcome, to tonight’s catalog.”
He goes on to inform the crowd that standard rules apply, and anonymity is key. I look down at the paddle that had been forced into my hand upon entry, the number 33 painted on the aged wood with thick, golden pigment. I don’t plan on using it — at all — but it would be suspicious to enter an auction without one.
“Without further ado, ladies, gentlemen, and everything between… let us begin. Onto the auction block is Lot 1!”
The night begins with the auctioning of a magical item said to increase stamina and virility. As expected, it was incredibly popular and ended up being sold at a ridiculously high price that almost made my eyes bug out of my head. Eden didn’t seem phased, but I’ve only just gotten used to this world’s currency and Rosalite’s own assets so even though I know she could afford that item several times over and still not make a dent in her riches, it’s still a startling amount.
The night continues much in this fashion. A lot of the items are harmless and some of them are clearly hoaxes, but still people bid away. The rich are truly terrifying. The one thing I notice is that there doesn’t seem to be many items available that would interest my scheming relatives. A few nasty potions have gone up onto the block, but I haven’t recognised any of the bidders. I know that they’re here, I can feel it in my bones, but being unable to catch sight of them is truly frustrating. I know that catching them in the act was a long shot from the beginning, but knowing it and accepting it are two very different things.
I’m just about ready to hand in the towel, sick to the stomach at some of the things put on the block and the prices these people are paying to obtain them, when the audience falls silent.
Startled, I look up to the auctioneer. He is waiting, passing his gaze over the crowd and amassing anticipation.
“Now, my good folk, it is time for the last item in the catalog. Please, hold onto your wits and try not to scream, as we bring Lot 33 to the block.”
Confusion and intrigue are what root my feet to the floor as I share a look with Eden. Neither of us have any idea what was going up today, and so neither of us really have a clue what this last item is that the auctioneer is making such a big fuss about.
After a moment, I hold back a sigh, shifting to turn and leave – I’m tired, and disappointed, and I want to leave before there is a chance of the relatives catching sight of me here. I am stopped in my tracks before I even make it a single step.
A deep, rumbling permeates the air, vibrating my insides and making the hair on the back of my neck stand upright. It shifts, deepening and twisting until it morphs from a rattling, guttural growl into a roar that jostles the entire building. A few screams echo from the crowd, all eyes now on the stage as it creaks and shakes behind the curtain. The auctioneer waves his hand, and the curtain goes slack, falling to the stage floor.
I can hardly breathe. I knew already this world is full of magic and wonders that I could hardly dream of in my other life, but this…
This is more of a nightmare.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present… the last known of his kind… the most feared of all draconic species… the Night Viper!”
The crowd erupts into whispers, frantic and awed and most definitely fearful. I can’t tear my eyes away as the auctioneer continues, uncaring of the furious, smoking beast behind bars mere feet away.
Another roar shakes the very foundations beneath my feet, the creature’s large, horned head swinging and pulling against the chains around its neck. Suddenly, all at once, the swinging halts, and I’m staring into a burning green iris.
There, all the way across the room, the dragon holds my gaze.
Then, once more, he roars.
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