9
Bronywyn
Together, we creep down a flight of stairs and into a large, open space. It’s packed, wall to wall, with supernaturals of different factions, all hungrily watching the stage as Lucy takes her place in the center. Just behind her, red fabric is draped over what I’m imagining is probably a cage.
Who’s inside?That has yet to be revealed.
“I have quite the lineup for you all tonight!” she calls out. To keep myself from snapping early, I clench both fists.
“Do you see them?” Tarnley’s hot breath washes over my cheek as he whispers in my ear.
I shake my head. “They have to be here somewhere.”
“There’s Z,” Tarnley says, gesturing to the blonde shifter a few yards away from us. He lingers in the back as well, his long hair pulled back at the nape of his neck, muscles on full display beneath the tank that I know will shred easily when it comes time to shift.
He sees us and offers a slight nod.
Turning my attention back to Lucy, I study her every expression for a vulnerability. Now that she’s fully embraced the dark magic, she’s completely unrecognizable. Soulless black eyes look out over the crowd, her black-tipped fingers gesturing to the red behind her. “The supernaturals up for auction today are all alive, and every single one of them has made your lives a living hell. Now, it’s your turn for revenge.”
“Oh no,” I whisper.
“I caught it, too.”
I turn to Tarnley. “She has them.”
He nods, jaw tight. “Not for long.”
Just as we take a step forward, she rips the red curtain down, and Rainey glares out over the crowd. Hair wild around her face, she stands in the middle of the bars, braced for an attack.
“First up, we have someone I’m sure you all recognize. For too long, this little hunter bitch has tormented our kind. She’s killed without mercy, slaughtering our friends. Hundreds—if not thousands—have fallen to her blade, and now… now, my friends, it’s your time to buy your revenge. Use her for what you want. Kill her… keep her… the choice is yours for the right price.”
The crowd erupts, and my stomach churns.
“Tarnley. She can’t sell her. They will rip Rainey apart.” Panic-fueled adrenaline surges through my system, and the magic flares to life.
I can save her. Together, we can win.
“I dare you to fucking try!”
A furious bellow reaches me where I stand.Elijah.
Moments later, the curtain rips open, and a pissed off Delaney steps forward, green sparking at her fingertips.
Rainey grins. “You are all fucked now.”
“You,” Lucy growls at Delaney.
I shove forward, trying desperately to get to the front so I can take out Lucy before she can do any more damage.
“Me.” Delaney raises her hand, and power leaves her fingertips, slamming into Lucy, who is flung backward into the crowd via the force of the blow.
The place explodes into violence, fights popping up as the supernaturals turn on each other. With Delaney working to free Rainey, I shift my attention to who I’m here for. I let the magic pool to the surface, careful not to use any just yet.
I’m going to save every last bit of it for Lucy.
The auction house is in chaos. A battlefield full of supernaturals determined to tear each other apart. We shove our way through the crowd, Tarnley working as my bodyguard and ripping apart any who get in my way.
“I can’t see any of our people,” Tarnley growls, from beside me.