Meeting the Client

“The Auctioneer will want you.”

Cataleia did not understand what any of those words meant. To her, it sounded as if she was being sold again. If she had known this was still going to be her fate, she wouldn't have bothered traveling to the Territory of the Wolves to become someone else's slave.

But upon hearing the word: Auctioneer, the girl knew she had to oblige. Her uncle knew this person, more so that even entrusted the girl's future to this individual. 

She knew little about the Auctioneer. While in her homeland, she had heard of the nasty rumors regarding the infamous Auctioneer. They said he was wanted by the Royal Family, and has been on the run. One was for sure, the Auctioneer was a fine lad who harbored wealth for him to travel the world with his caravan.

Cataleia had to trust, just this once. And she'll see where this would go for her. 

Escanor crossed his arms across his chest. "The Auctioneer is usually the person a 'lost' approaches."

"A 'lost'?" Cataleia raised an eyebrow. "I am not lost. I know where I am. I do not need your help."

"I suppose you haven't heard of the term 'lost' in society. These are individuals who were smuggled into another country, and have blended with the common population. Lost people... in a country with a lost identity and a lost purpose. That's you."

'It's me...' she pondered. Her eyebrows finally calmed down. 

"First you will have to get dressed," Escanor told her. "We rarely have dresses here, and the women's clothes are probably oversized for you. Shall we look into the children's section instead?"

The girl narrowed her green eyes at the male, cold and deadly.

"My, my. Aren't you an unfriendly one? The Auctioneer will not make do of this. He doesn't want bad investments. How else will you be sold if you're this rude?"

"I'm not rude." she gritted her teeth. "You just don't understand why I need to be cautious."

"Oh, yes, yes." he rolled his eyes. "Of course not. I've never been the type who raises my guard. I've been living too comfortably. As for you..." he unlocked the door of the room with his special keys. "...stick behind me. Unless you want to become a ragdoll by other Weres."

Cataleia followed Escanor's lead. The male slipped his hands into his pockets while Cataleia stood behind him like a small puppy following her master. He opened the door and told her to get out of the room first. Escanor would lock the door behind him and then escort her to the foot of the stairs which led to the lobby of their little inn.

As soon as the two reached the lobby, several feral eyes narrowed at them. The girl felt a chill run down her spine and she hid behind Escanor's robe. 

She had just realized how tall and huge the Werewolves were. Some of them were in their Were forms and some, human. Even in their human forms, they were gigantic. 

There was silence in the lobby, and everyone just halted.

"What are you looking at?" Escanor glared at the others as they were gazing at the girl behind him for too long.

"I smell meat," one growled, his mouth slobbering with hungry juices. "Quite the breakfast you have there, Escanor."

"She is not breakfast." Escanor pulled Cataleia closer behind him making sure she is safe. "And she is none of your business. You finish your meal."

"Mind if you share her later?" the Weres approached her. 

Cataleia placed some of her fingers in the pocket of her sash, ready to use the knife sheathed in it, but then she felt Escanor's huge palm trying to stop her. 

"Let's not make a scene."

"They're asking for it," she replied boldly. "I'll give them trouble if that's what they want."

"Use your head for a brief second, will you? That a****n-like personality will not get you anywhere, Cat. Trust me. It will only get you killed even more."

"Lei." Cataleia correct her. "Don't call me Cat."

"Why? You're smaller than us, like a kitten."

"Lei." she repeated again.

"Fine, Lei." Escanor shrugged his shoulders feeling her cold gaze against his back. It brought a chill down his spine. "Be on your best behavior. Trust me. You will die if you allow that mouth of yours to rat out unconsciously."

Cataleia scanned her eyes across the room, the hungry ferals ready to devour her and tear her flesh once she made a grave mistake. Cataleia scorned a look and clenched her fists before releasing the knife on her sash. "I will zip my mouth, then."

"Good." Escanor's eyes glared sharply at the Werewolves surrounding them. Within split seconds, they vacate their path, retreating back to their usual spots. 

They'd be unwise to challenge Escanor. 

Cataleia followed behind him as they entered the inn's spacious tavern. Once again, Cataleia earned the looks of other men, who licked their lips at her arrival. Oh how she wanted to wipe the smug look on their faces.  It was no different from how the Governor looked at her. The only difference was, these Werewolves could already tear her apart in a heartbeat.

Escanor raised his eyebrows at the staring men. Cataleia walked closer to him. The Weres, earning the innmaster's pissed look, decided to return their attention back to their meals.

"Apologies," Escanor shifted his head to look at Cataleia, who was warily inching close against his robe. She was frightened, but she was tough to conceal it. "...this is the first time they've seen a human woman. Your kind rarely comes by."

He then pointed to the corner of the tavern, where a man was seen laying his head against the table with a mug in his hand. "That man is probably the only human every territory has ever seen. He travels with his caravan from time to time, looking for something he fancies."

The girl looked at him. "Am I going to be sold?"

"You are the one that decides that." Escanor's brows furrowed as he crossed his arms. "Look, I do not mean to sell you. I mean to get rid of you in the most legal way I can. You'll only end up becoming a snack for any of the Weres that visit this inn. I am no Alpha, I cannot command them. I may have intimidated them now, but only because I have a reputation. Betas and Zetas will come, a higher position— if that time comes and they fancy you, I cannot guarantee to glare your way out of their grasp."

Cataleia lowered her head. Just how in the world will she ever survive in a place like this?

"The Auctioneer is someone who excels in this matter. He has all kinds of services. He can take you in and bring you to a Black Auction."

"A Black Auction?" Cataleia asked. 

"Yes. But there are qualifications to get into them. Especially slaves."

Slave.

That word again.

"You are to compete in a game of death with several others."

"Excuse me?" Cataleia was now showing hostility. She gritted her teeth and glared at Escanor. "I've killed a man and I said I will not hesitate to do it again. However, I believe I have made it clear that I did not like how that felt."

"I know." Escanor nodded. "But do you want to do business with the Auctioneer?"

"The Auctioneer is indebted to my Uncle and Father. He will help me regardless." Cataleia spat. 

She then made her way toward the drunk Auctioneer and stood at his side. Like the shadow looming before him, the Auctioneer shifts his eyes to the girl— it was blurry at first, but when it cleared, the Auctioneer raised an eyebrow.

"You... are human."

Cataleia grabbed his collar and pinned him against the wall of the tavern, causing others to look in their direction. Escanor's eyes widened at her hidden strength. 

The Auctioneer is pinned, his eyes hazy, Cataleia whispered. "Time to return the favor, Mister Auctioneer."

Suffocation soon awoke the drunk human as he slowly realized he was lifted a few meters into the air. Suspended and dazed, the Auctioneer squinted it's eyes at Cataleia who continued to scrutinize him with her knifly irises. He squirmed like a worm,but the more he moved, the more he felt his life leave his body.

"Lei—" Escanor had to step in to stop the girl from killing her own kind. "...get a hold of yourself."

The Auctioneer drops to the ground, his neck wobbling. He gasped for air like a fish out of the tank and then straightened his burnt-orange hues at the girl's viridescents. He opened his mouth to complain, but he was met by Escanor's glare. 

"Did you pay for the drink?" 

The Auctioneer closed his mouth shortly and then dusted off his clothes.

Upon closer inspection, Cataleia could see that the Auctioneer was well off. The fabrics of his clothings were embroidered in different shapes and patterns that seemed unique to the eye. The frills of his clothes were well-defined that it almost made him look a prince— or a blooming flower. He wore dozens of accessories; from an exquisite feathered hat to brooches and pins, as well as trinkets and clocks. 

"And who do we have here"

"Cataleia Reiss. If you haven't noticed yet, she's human, like you."

"Of course, I know that." he shrugged and gave the girl a nod. "Been a kid seen I last saw you."

"My uncle knows you." Cataleia stepped closer at him. "Do you know my uncle, too?"

"Wilhelm Reiss, the Moon Knight. And his twin, Raighlei, the Morning Knight. Both have rescued me in the Valley of the Ghouls. Of course, I am acquainted with them."

"As for you," the Auctioneer tipped his spectacle and inspected the girl before him. "I was not informed Raighlei was married."

"Did you fancy my father?" Cataleia rose her eyebrow.

"My." The Auctioneer chuckled. "Aren't you a clever one? You're good at making people stutter and become speechless with your well-picked words. Is it the reason why they wanted your head too?"

"How do you—" Cataleia looked at Escanor, but the male merely shrugged his shoulders. 

"Of course, I know." the Auctioneer stretched his limbs into the air. "Everyone that approaches the infamous Auctioneer are criminals or prostitutes. Those who want to be given a new life, a new identity. Or those who merely want to escape the Human Territory with me."

The girl looked at Escanor beside her and pursed her lips tightly. Escanor stepped forward and pulled Cataleia behind him before saying another word to the Auctioneer "Unfortunately, selling her to a master is the biggest help I can give." the Auctioneer looked at Cataleia. "I know this is against your father's beliefs, but Cataleia, darling, this is all I am good at."

"Quite effortless rather than my family's attempt to save you, Sir." Lei couldn't help but reply sharply. "I do not want to be sold as a slave. Allow me to work with you as your business partner."

"Do you know how much the bounty on my head is, girl?" the Auctioneer stepped closer to her. 

"I've heard the Castle is willing to give anything for your head." she warned back.

"I know too much." the Auctioneer bragged. "Everyone around me... are enemies. I do not trust anyone. And if you were to join me, you only slow me down as my weakness that they can manipulate for ransom; or you will be killed just simply by working with me. Either way, Lei, you will die with me."

"There is no other choice?"

"There is no other choice." the Auctioneer once again said. "Do you want a new name? I can give you—"

"No, I do not need it." Cataleia gritted her teeth. "Running away like a coward was enough." she pursed her lips. "I will not abandon my name just because I am running away from the government who forbade me to kill the person who tried to touch me. I do not want to stay silent." the tough girl growled back. "They want to kill me? Let them come. I will gladly dance with them as I leech them off their lives. I won't be going down alone."

The Auctioneer would feel the bloodlust setting in her eyes. Those predatory eyes were hungry to devour. She was like a black hole, that drags everyone down with her to an endless abyss of nothingness once one gets on her wrong side.

"This attitude... will take you far." The Auctioneer nodded. "Fine. If you wish to retain your name, then so be it. You will be targeted by other people. I suppose you are the type who wants to make her own reputation?"

"I am." Cataleia firmly agreed. "Running away is not an option, Sir. But I will make it known to them, that the girl they abandoned, will one day turn their bones into ashes."

The Auctioneer smiled. "I like you. I will take you. But since you do not want to become a slave, what good are you for me to sell?"

"They can hire me and I can serve them. That way, I am a labored worker, not a slave."

The girl looked at Escanor and he gave her a nod. He then slowly pushed Cataleia to the Auctioneer's side. Meanwhile, the businessman wore his cape, ready to leave the premises. 

"Good luck, Lei." Escanor patted the girl's head and smiled. "Remember. You need to get a master who you can work with. He is not fond of bad investments. If he finds you unsatisfactory, he will have no choice but to return you to the King himself."

Cataleia pursed her lips and stared at Escanor, now showing a hint of worry and despair.

"You're a brave woman. Just don't make too much trouble. And remember, use your head and don't make any rash decisions. Now I am away from you, no one can help you out, not even this man." he glanced at the Auctioneer who merely slipped his gloved hands into his pockets. 

"She's ready."

"Alright, girl." the Auctioneer took out his pocket watch and glanced at the time. "Come with me. I'll show you to one of my clients." 

_______

Cataleia followed the Auctioneer into the wet streets. As they were walking, several people turned their heads on the humans' direction followed by a quick lick on their lips. Cataleia joined closer to the Auctioneer with a shivering body. 

"Where are we going?" she asked again. 

The Auctioneer stayed silent, however. A few moments later. Someone with a hoarse voice called the Auctioneer from afar. Cateleia turned her head and saw a carriage surrounded by men wearing black robes. Five boys were around the carriage too, talking to each other until they set their eyes on Cateleia's small physique. As soon as their eyes reached her, the five mysterious boys stared back.

"W-Who are they?" she asked the Auctioneer.

"The Alpha's sons." he replied to her. "Don't glare." 

"Are they one of our clients?"

"The Alpha is looking for a hitman." he whispered to her ear. "You don't mind being one, don't you? As you can see, they're extremely powerful and wealthy. It is said that each of his sons are wealthier than our very own Prince."

"That's impossible." Lei smirked.

"It is." another voice came by. Lei and the Auctioneer shifted their heads only to see the five sons surrounding them, their nocturnal glowing irises fixated on her. They towered them in height. "So this is what a human girl looks like." the male's lips spread into a sinister smile. He leaned closer, cupped Cataleia's chin and raised it to level their gazes. "A unique creature. What do you think, brothers?"

The rest followed behind the oldest and peered at Cateleia too. She felt exposed as she felt their hands roaming around her little body as if they were inspecting a rare doll. 

The one with raven hair and crimson eyes breathed against her ear, making her shiver. Cataleia couldn't move as fear seared her body. She was frozen as the male's sturdy hands kept her from escaping his grasp. With a deep, dark voice, he asked: "How much are you?"