Page 40 of Taken to the Shadow Realm

She protected me. She loved me.

She wouldn’t just leave me here to get destroyed. Even though I didn’t handle it the way I should have. I should have told her I accepted her and her shadows too. And how I felt about her.

“All right, everyone!” the white-haired demon said, clapping as she appeared on stage. Her suddenness caused me to jump, the bright, binding magical ropes chafing my skin. They were being extra careful since I tried to run. It was annoying, but they hadn’t tried to hurt me… yet. “We have a little treat today. Something that was taken from me has come back, and I decided she is to be sold at a discount!”

Cheers spread throughout the room, thundering in my chest. Their growls and roars were so vicious this time around that I couldn’t help the spike of fear in my heart.

“You see, last time a soul sphere was offered for her.” She clicked her tongue. “And let's just say I learned quickly not to be fooled by the Shadow Realm.”

Boos rang throughout. She wasn't even here, and yet I felt a spike of worry for her. What would happen to her when I was gone? Would they go after her? Would they kill her for this?

“So we'll start low… Let's say, one royal coin?”

I didn't know much about the currency of these realms, but from the previous auction, I knew her offer was insulting. It wasn’t just me she was punishing. She was making the Shadow Realm look bad by selling me as obvious sloppy seconds.

“Two royal coins!”

“Ten royal coins!”

“Fifteen royal coins and a Krether eye!”

“Already?” the white-haired demon purred. “Let's see… Does anyone else have anything interesting to offer?”

Hand after hand rose steadily, the bids gaining traction.

I didn’t know at what point my hope started to fizzle and die, but each and every time a hand rose and someone growled out what they thought I was worth… I felt nothing.

She’s not coming to save me. This is it.

What I thought was something magical and a new adventure turned out to be my death sentence, and there was no one I could blame but myself.

I had gotten too comfortable. Too delusional. Yet I had been happy. I didn’t care that I was only with her because she purchased me. I didn’t care that she was shut off emotionally or that she had a duty to forever protect the souls of her realm.

During our time together, we had been something.

And that was enough for me.

After years of being taken advantage of, of being treated like less than, of being hated by Father while simultaneously being used by him to further his family line…

I feel free.

And maybe that was enough. Maybe in my pitiful life I was only allowed those few moments with her. And I loved each and every one.

So when facing death, why hide?

I rolled my shoulders and lifted my head, looking out at the crowd of bloodthirsty demons as they bid for my life over and over again. Spit flew. Fights broke out. Tables were thrown.

They were degrading themselves… and for what?

It was laughable. But I wouldn’t let myself be scared. Not when this auction had given me the best moments of my life.

If this was how it had to end, I would accept it.

Tears gathered in my eyes, and heaviness weighed down my chest.

It’s sad, but maybe this is how it was meant to be.

“Is that it?” the white-haired demon asked. “Three thousand coins, a sparkling Yote feather, and a bejeweled horn? Going once, twice… sold!”

---