I count the weeks, then days until the auction. It’s the morning of. Now I’m counting hours.

I watch Jael cut through the waves as I wait for her to finish. She climbs in front of me and wraps around herself tighter than usual. She’s quivering.

“This is it,” she whispers. I pull close until I’m against her.

Time’s up. We’re separated and led to the Auction House entrance.