Page 22 of Lich's Mate

In this light, there’s no mistaking it. She’s not enchanting me with her magic, and it wasn’t a trick or an illusion.

In the full white light, I can see every blemish on her face—every slight imperfection that all adds to a ravishing picture.

The auctioneer lifts her top, exposing the undersides of her breasts, and I am inexplicably possessed by rage.

I don’t even hear his preamble as he puts her up for sale.

“200 nodals!”

My voice leaves me without my permission. Already, I’ve stood to my feet.

The woman looks at me in puzzlement. To her, I’m sure I’m a monster, no better than these captors.

And I’m not sure why I care what she thinks.

“Starting the bids pretty high today, aren’t we?” the auctioneer announces, a bright grin on his face. “200 nodals! Do I hear 210?”

“250 nodals.”

An unrecognizable face comes into view two rows over. His fangs are finely sharpened, his muscles flexing.

Could this be how I disrupt Gorran’s precious auction?

Plans flood through my mind. I’m not sure I understand them.

I expected to be running out here—maybe causing an explosion somehow, and setting this whole market ablaze. In hindsight, I didn’t take the time to plan any of it out. I just hoped it would work itself out.

Guess I’m all in.

It’s not as though I’m at a loss for money. In fact, if I wanted to, I could outbid every demon in this market without breaking the bank.

Before I call out, I meet the gaze of the demon, whose colorful horns portray an abnormal cockiness.

I imagine that he’s Gorran and that I’m telling him in detail how I foiled him.

“2000 nodals,” I say simply, as though it’s no big deal.

A quiet comes over the auction block, as people try to process my bid.

They don’t understand why I’d so quickly jump from 250, nearly multiplying the initial bid ten times over.

The demon studies me for a second before sitting down.

“I’m sorry,” the auctioneer says. “Did you say two hundred again? Because we’re at 250 now.”

He addresses me, out in the crowd.

To clarify, I throw in yet another bid.

“Twenty-five hundred Riel,” I announce, louder this time.

I already know I’ve won. The woman can’t hide the despair from her eyes, now coming face-to-face with her new owner. The world around me is silent.

Clearly, they don’t think she’s worth 2500 nodals. And I’m inclined to agree.

But bankrupting and ruining Gorran is worth every piece of currency in the realm.

Slowly, I walk up to the stage to claim my prize, the auctioneer double-checking the bag to ensure I’m not ripping him off. Jingling it lightly, I place it in his hands.

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