Page 58 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

The second voice chuckles. "I do enjoy a challenge. My clients pay well for unique specimens. And one with insider knowledge of northern demon crafting? That's quite valuable."

"I thought you'd appreciate that particular detail." The bells in Valek's hair chime as he moves. "Shall we discuss terms?"

Their voices fade as they walk away. I wrap my arms around myself, the thin fabric offering no protection from their calculating words or the growing chill.

One of the women catches my defensive posture and snorts. "Save your modesty, girl. Where you're going, you won't need it."

Soon someone comes to collect me and I'm forced to walk through a crowd as demons leer at me. The setting sun paints everything in shades of blood, turning the wooden auction block into a looming shadow against the crimson sky.

"Next up, a rare opportunity!" The auctioneer's voice booms across the grounds. "An educated human female, previously part of an elite collection!"

My bare feet scrape against splintered wood as they force me onto the platform. The gauzy dress offers no protection from the hundreds of hungry eyes below.

"Note the quality of her features, the grace of her movements! Trained in the arts, literature, and..." He pauses for effect. "Recently acquired valuable information about northern demon crafting techniques!"

The crowd murmurs with interest. My throat tightens as I spot several wealthy merchants leaning forward, calculating my worth with cold eyes.

Karn warned me about this part of the city. "Stay close to the shop," he'd growled that morning, his violet eyes dark with concern. "The southern quarter isn't safe."

But I'd been so sure I could handle a quick trip to the market. So convinced that my months of freedom had made me strong enough, smart enough to avoid capture.

"Starting bid at five thousand nodals!"

The auctioneer's voice jolts me back to the present. Hands grab my arms, turning me like a doll for the crowd's inspection. My hair falls forward, hiding my face - my one small act of defiance.

"Look at them," the guard hisses, yanking my head back by my hair. "Show them that pretty face Master Valek invested so much in."

Karn would have torn these men apart for touching me like this. The thought of his protective fury makes my chest ache. He offered me shelter, safety, a chance at a real life - and I threw it away because I couldn't trust that someone might actually want to help me without ulterior motives.

"Ten thousand!"

"Twelve!"

The bids rise as tears blur my vision. I wish that Karn was here. But my stubborn pride may have just cost me my freedom forever.

25

KARN

Ican't think over the roaring in my head. I can feel the bracelet acutely now - and it's inside a godsdamned auction house. If anyone has touched Mira…

The auction house doors slam open under my power, wood splintering as demonic energy pulses through my veins. The scent of fear fills the air - sweat and panic from the gathered crowd as they scramble away from me. My violet eyes lock onto the stage where Mira stands, her dark hair falling around her shoulders, looking scared to death.

What the fuck happened?

"Get the fuck away from her." My voice booms through the room, making the chandeliers rattle. The auctioneer, a sleazy bastard in an expensive coat, stumbles back from Mira.

"This is a private auction, demon." He tries to sound authoritative but his voice cracks. "You have no right-"

I stride forward, my copper hair crackling with energy. People tend to think that because I'm more reclusive, I'm not dangerous. They forget how strong my magic is to produce runes and charms all day every day.

It's time I remind them.

My voice booms over the crowd. "That woman is under my protection."

"Karn." Mira's green eyes meet mine, a mix of relief and apprehension in them. She takes a step toward me but a guard grabs her arm.

Bad fucking move.

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