Obsidian - Miranda Bridges Page 0,10

shock, halting the flow of my power. That sound was purely sexual, obviously painting him as a masochist as well as a sadist.

His skin clears of the effects of my power, since it’s no longer poisoning him, and he grins at Jade, leaning into the space between the bars. He shakes her leg, and I take a step forward before I catch myself. Once I do, I shove my hands in my pockets and lean against the cage behind me, schooling my facial expression.

“The auction cannot begin fast enough for my liking, my pet,” the male says. “I look forward to exploring your abilities.”

Silently, I call him every foul and insulting word I can think of. In my language and two others. Maybe Blaze has the right idea about using profane words… They seem to relieve a minute amount of anger, and given his hotheaded temperament, this now makes sense.

“Please take a step back, dear clients,” a female voice says. “I hope you’ve had ample time to view the females and make your intended selections because the auction will now commence.”

I move away from the cages with the rest of the group and station myself along the wall where I’ll be able to watch everyone without leaving my back exposed. The spotlights on the cages dim as the darkness behind them is slowly lit to reveal a set of stairs that lead to a platform. A skeletal pink female stands off to the side with her arms crossed as she sweeps her gaze over the bidders. Even from this distance, I catch the gleam in her eyes as she views us, and I guess her to be the brothel’s madam. A lot of currency is about to be exchanged, with her receiving credits and five clients acquiring flesh. I may have considered a courtesan before meeting Jade, but it would have been a mutual agreement benefiting both parties, not owning someone outright. The idea disgusts me, but it cannot be helped.

Jade is, and will always be, the priority.

The auctioneer joins the madam on the platform, and a buzz of anticipation flits through the air like static electricity. I fish out my tablet as a series of neon lights gather in the middle of the ceiling before zooming across the way to hover just above the stage. The greens, blues, yellows, and reds pulse and brighten as they rearrange to form a leaderboard.

Jade’s profile is added to one of the rows, along with the other four females’ for sale. While other data is added, the female in the first cage is removed from her prison and escorted up the stairs. After that, she is settled on a glass pedestal stationed between a set of hexagonal columns. I run my fingertips over my device as I take in the ravenous gazes of those around me.

Sick fucks, all of them.

With a firm nod, I decide that it would be more satisfactory to say the profane words out loud, but for now, this will suffice.

The auctioneer clears his throat, gaining our attention and silencing any lingering whispers. He greets us, his voice amplified and easily carried through the room. That is followed by a reiteration of the rules, the most important one being that all sales are final and nontransferable.

I smirk at this because there’s not a chance while I draw breath that I will give Jade to another. Just watching a male other than myself touch her was enough to make me insane, so I cannot imagine anything more.

The auctioneer gestures to the leaderboard. “Let the bidding begin.”

After the first amount is said, several names appear on the hologram with numerical values right beside them. This shows what each person has bid in total, as well as the last bid that was offered. The numbers climb higher and higher, and the false identities of the top three at war rotate, a new potential winner every second. Despite myself, I find this whole process interesting, and I can’t deny the air of excitement that’s clouded the atmosphere.

“Red King is the winner!”

Following the announcement, there is a loud whoop or crowing from a male, and he pumps his arm in a show of victory as the auctioneer deems him the winner. His prize is escorted off the pedestal and down the steps and put back into the cage while the next female is retrieved.

Then the second auction is underway.

I decide to participate in this one, not only to familiarize myself with the speed and reaction