would work too.
The auctioneer finally speaks, and it’s nothing but a jumble of sounds to me. I curse under my breath, beyond frustrated I can’t understand what’s going on around me. My previous owner downloaded only three languages to my translator, and whatever’s being spoken isn’t one of them.
“Welcome, patrons,” Zerina says, quietly translating for our small group. “I’ll skip the nonsense and get straight to it, since we don’t have any time to waste.”
The male gestures to the first group of women, and several of them shrink back. “These breeders are here for you to purchase,” he says, “and since we’ve gone through a lot to have them available, the bidding will start high. The G.C. doesn’t appreciate us stealing from it, but what else are we to do, since it won’t share?”
Snickers and deep chuckles float in the air, and I purse my lips at the stupid joke. Zerina continues to translate in tiny whispers, and even though I listen intently, I scan the crowd. There are all manner of people here, and their appearances vary in color and size. Thankfully, there are not many lewd gazes or hungry stares, but that doesn’t comfort me as much as I’d like. It just means someone else wants us for sexual purposes.
And breeding ones, obviously.
“These Homo sapiens females are universal breeders, my friends.” The auctioneer nods as the crowd fills with low murmurs, and spreads his arms with more flair than a ringmaster at a circus. “You now know the big secret, the reason the G.C. is confiscating them throughout the galaxy. And I’m willing to give them to you at a fraction of what it would offer. However, there is one thing you should know…”
He pauses for dramatic effect, and I find myself anticipating his next words with bated breath. I know this is all for show and that he’s just setting the scene to ensure the customers see us as valuable, but his acting is not without talent.
“This small group over here,” he says, pointing a pudgy finger in my direction, “are not only universal but optimal breeders as well. And that means optimal pricing.”
My gaze widens with shock, as do many of the others’ staring back at me from the audience. I jerk my head in Jocelyn’s direction to find out what that means, but from the way her brows are drawn together, I’m guessing she has no idea. So I glance at Zerina next instead of Lexi, because I know more than her, which is close to nothing. Zerina nods once at me, her expression solemn, and my world spins.
Things have gone from bad to worse, but I’m not sure how.
What I do know is we are expensive. Anyone who can afford to buy us will also have the means to keep us in bondage. Wealth brings about things such as security and power, and those are hard to escape from. My last owner wasn’t the richest individual, but the money he had ensured I was constantly under supervision and unable to get away.
And because of my value, I have no doubt my next owner will want their money’s worth.
“My friends, please quiet yourselves.” The auctioneer holds out his hands in a placating manner. “We still have much to tell and sell, but our time grows shorter.” Once the rumble of the crowd dies down, he continues. “They are optimal because they are thirty solar rotations in age, which means these females are in the prime window for conception. Not only are they more fertile than the rest during this time, but they have reached their sexual peak. So for those of you wanting more than offspring, you will find a bedmate with a ravenous sexual appetite. According to the classified documents, which we stole from the G.C., of course, the females will crave sexual intercourse until they become pregnant. Those traits, as well as the fact they are more emotionally and mentally developed, make them the perfect cunts for the cause.”
Denial rushes to the forefront of my mind. I shake my head and close my eyes to block out everything around me, but it’s the wrong thing to do. Like a noose has been tightened around me, I’m yanked into a sea of dark memories I wish didn’t exist.
Weeping at the news I would never bear children, while knowing it was for the best.
Clenching my fists, as well as my thighs, to keep from grabbing one of the male servants and shoving his hand between