In The Beginning

Gideon

Without a doubt, this had to be the most time consuming, joy destroying event I had ever had to participate in. Of course, it was my obligation to attend these damned auctions. Who else was going to properly authenticate the selling of these poor creatures? Surely not any of the thirty to forty other noblemen that were just as qualified.

To be frank, these gatherings were just another attempt at stating dominance over other races across the realms. Though mine was one of many, Helkine were the most diplomatic of the lot. We conquered then we established our rule with an iron fist.

We started with the human. We destroyed their civilizations, controlled their profits, and later abolished their sense of freedom. It didn’t take long for their cousin realms to come looking. They were the ones we wanted the most.

I still remember capturing a few immortals and fae. They were just as easy prey as the mortals were. When their spirits were broken, they were even easier to conquer. After all, their spirit was all they had left in their eternal suffering.

It was a shame, many creatures had fight in them. They were pathetic. Boring, and downright a droll.

I watched the auctioneer’s assistant pull yet another creature up on the stage. This one was rather easy on the eyes, though there seemed to be nothing more to him.

He had light green eyes, big and round, like a doll’s. His skin was sunkissed, though covered in black and gold tattoos. Each intricate design seemed to tell a story on its own. There was a small crop of auburn hair on the top of his head, the sides were shaved off. And his long, braided and beaded beard matched in color.

I didn’t doubt that he wouldn’t be eye-candy for the women here. For the men, he would definitely be a strong worker. His lean muscles made me think that he had more training in combat than anything else. Perhaps he would be a better bodyguard than a worker or intimate bound.

“This specimen is a descendant from the faelands.” The auctioneer looked through the crowd. “Shall we start the bidding at $5,000,” the auctioneer said ever so smoothly. The gentlemen wasn’t as kind on the eyes as the auctioned slave.

“5,000,” a woman called out from the crowd.”

“I’ve got $5,000 from Lady Gerone. Do I hear perhaps a $6,000?” He was much slower, much more clear than some of the auctioneers I had heard in my lifetime.

“$6,500!” A man shouted from the back of the gathering crowd.”

“$6,500! From the gentlemen all the way in the back. Do I hear another bet?” He cocked a gray brow. The man was fidgeting with a pocket watch, constantly checking the time.

Though these events were usually timed, this one was not. In fact, if this had gone on for weeks, then it would have—I was praying it wouldn’t—then there was nothing anyone could do about it. I was praying I wouldn’t have to be here any longer than I needed to be.

I scanned the crowd, trying to tune out the sound of the auction. I had no interest in any of this. It was just business. I was here to get my money and get the fuck out of here.

There were a few blondes in the crowd, beautiful and spunky to say the least. Their breasts popped out the top of their corsets, a feast for my eyes surely. Surely one of them would make a prime playmate for the night.

I couldn’t help but smile. Oh, the pleasures of a woman’s body. The wonders that hid in the sweet warmth between their thighs. It had my mouth watering every time I thought about it.

The sound of jingling chains rang in my ears, turning my attention back to the stage. A high pitched screech pierced through the crowd. I covered my ears, trying hard to block it out.

By the gods, it had to have been the worst sound I’d ever heard. Blood curdling. Bone chilling. Yet, the sound was paired to such a lovely sight.

For the first time, all night, I had put my drink down, and relinquished my chair. I paced towards the stage, shoving through the crowd.

I never thought I’d be able to actually meet one. By what I knew, they were so incredibly rare! They were a taboo, blasphemy upon nature. A nephilim, and she was a beauty. Truly.

Several guards pulled at her chains, spreading her limbs in an attempt to get her to settle down. She didn’t. She strained against them, even flinging one across the lot.

A pair of wings sprung from her back, and they were just as breathtaking as she was. They were pale white, strands of lavender and lilac laced through each and every feather. They were a contrast to the fiery sunset skies.

“Bind her wings!” The auctioneer yelled.

She screeched again, the sound enough to propel another guard off. Her arms were free! She must’ve seen it as a chance to break free. She took to the skies, but only got so high as she was pulled back to the stage floor.

One of the guards shoved his knee into her back, and bound her wings so she could not fly. She slumped to the ground, as if all her strength had been zapped from her. The look of defeat on her face was gut wrenching.

I gripped the guard rail to the stage. I locked eyes with her, and oh, the instant rage I felt. It was indescribable. Those lovely copper toned eyes could tell endless stories. Those stories filled me with aggression.

I could feel the metal bend in my palms. My jaw clenched, tight.

“This lovely nephilim, was captured with a broken wing. With proper care, she was nursed back to health.” The auctioneer ran his fingers through her beach blonde hair. It was matted, as if they hadn’t been taking proper care of her. “Shall we start the bidding? Perhaps at a nice, round $10,000.” He gave a rather wide, cocky grin.

A nephilim was worth far more then that. He was trying to sell her cheap. Low prices, were a part of humiliation. Fuck this asshole!

“$12,000! She’ll breed lovely pets,” a man scoffed.

My eyes narrowed. He would breed her until she died, his thoughts said so too. It was unacceptable.

“$15,000! Her wings would be a perfect trophy above my fireplace.” The crowd sounded off with laughter.

“$25,000, cash!” I couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth.