Page 26 of Original Sins (Dark Odyssey 6)

“That’s more than I can ask for.”

“Don’t worry about that part. It’s a drop in the bucket. Of course, I couldn’t exactly ask around and compare prices, so this guy I got is my best bet. He knows it’s death if your father finds out he helped you.”

I nod, understanding.

“So now we need the rest of money. I tried to borrow it from one of my friends, but she didn’t have it. Then I realized I couldn’t ask around because word of me begging for money would spread. That’s when I got the idea that could ruin your father’s name. And you might hate me for even suggesting it because I hate myself for coming up with the idea.”

“What is it?”

She brings a weary hand to her head. “It’s something I did once, but it wasn’t for the money. It was because of the guy I was into.”

“Cordelia, tell me what it is.” I’m dying to know.

“The virgin auction.” She grits her teeth.

My eyes bulge, and instantly I know why such a thing could ruin Dad’s name. Imagine what would happen if word got out that I’d entered an auction like that.

“Fuck. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.” My voice quivers.

“Yes. The men tend to want you on a thirty-day contract of sorts. That’s … how I lost my virginity.”

“What?Youentered an auction?”

“I did.” She sighs.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because he was a lot older.”

“How much older?”

“Evie, let’s not go there. My crazy lifestyle is nothing new. Neither are the things I’m into or the guys I’m into. But, I only entered because I knew he’d win me.”

I’d try to ask more about this guy of hers if we weren’t talking about this auction in relation to me.

A virgin auction.

Can I do it?

What would I need to do?

Wait, I’m considering it. I’m actually considering it, which means I truly am desperate.

I’ve reached that level of desperation where I’d do anything, even that—sell my body. Sell my virginity.

I’m so lightheaded I have to stand. I know that should be the other way around where I sit, but I feel like I might implode if I do.

It’s not just selling my body. It’s being someone’s whore.

When I look back to Cordelia, I can see she must know what I’m thinking.

It’s different for me. She knew the guy who would win her. She had sex and lost her virginity to someone she knew. I’d be little more than a prostitute.

“My bids went up to two hundred grand. My guy paid half a million for me,” she informs me, and my blood freezes in my veins. “That’s the kind of money you get for an auction like that. Men are men, and they have fantasies of being with a virgin so they can break you in and teach you to please them. That’s what they pay for. If you’re willing to do whatever they want, they pay.”

“My God. They really pay that much?”

“And more. These are billionaires. A million is small change to men like that.”

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