SOLD

The same rustic smell of old iron beds filled her nostrils. Opening her eyes, she searched for the edge of the bed. Switching off her alarm, she rested her feet on the ground.

With a long, heavy sigh, she searched for her white cane. She stood up and made her way to the restroom.

“Aren’t you supposed to walk without that?” A familiar, heavy voice filled her ears. A shiver ran through her body. She gulped roughly, staring in the direction of the voice.

Straight at his face.

“I… ehmm… I… yes. I must be out of my head,” she stuttered, her hands trembling. She tried to fold the stick and put it aside, but her trembling hands could manage no good.

The man sighed. “I don’t understand why the fuck someone would want to buy you.” He rolled his eyes, snatching the stick, folding it, and putting it aside.

“I… I’m sorry,” she whimpered, her voice shaking with fear.

“Of course you are. Isn’t that the only thing you know how to say properly, Luna?” he scoffed, staring at her in complete disdain.

She lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers. “I’m sorry, Theo,” she whispered again, louder this time, hoping he would leave her alone.

It was nothing new—someone watching her while she slept or someone torturing her in the early morning. It was like a cycle that kept repeating. She wondered when it would all come to an end.

“Well, at least you learned how to identify voices and stopped calling me Matias. I hate that motherfucker,” Theo shook his head and opened a bag of clothes he’d brought.

The sound of a zipper grated against her ears. She was curious about what he held in that bag.

“Go and take a shower. You’re going to the auction today.” Theo sounded disappointed. It had been almost four years since she’d been here, learning how to deceive people by hiding her blindness.

“M…me?” She wasn’t sure she’d heard that right.

“Unfortunately, yeah,” he sighed, picking out some pieces of clothing that could barely be called a full outfit. Theo was disappointed that the only girl he liked here was now going to leave. But, nevertheless, he didn’t treat her the way he liked her.

Luna turned around, counting the steps to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her but suddenly remembered Theo hated when she did that.

Turning on the squeaky shower, a weird thought ran through her mind. What if the person who purchased her treated her like a toy? What if he found out she was blind? Would he treat her like trash too?

“Come on. You’ve washed enough!” Theo entered the bathroom, bringing the clothes. Luna dried herself with the towel.

Stepping out of the shower, she stood in front of Theo. He dressed her, fighting his lingering anticipation to touch her inappropriately since she was going to be sold now.

“Let’s go,” he muttered, turning his head to the side. Taking her hand, he walked her down the halls.

Finally reaching a room surrounded by glass, with a stage in the center where she would stand to be sold. She already knew the steps all around the auction house.

It was a piece of cake to get on the stage without anyone’s help. Theo glanced at Julie. He nodded, and she nodded back.

“Next, gentlemen, I present to you a god fairy. Twenty-four years old, a pure virgin. Fair skin. Dark brown hair and oceanic eyes—Luna Blake.” Julie announced her presence.

As soon as the announcement reached Luna’s ears, goosebumps rose across her body. She wore revealing clothing paired with high heels. Soon, the bids began escalating rapidly.

“A million bucks!” an old man in his sixties shouted at last, his voice hoarse and aged. Luna’s worry deepened.

She knew how this would end. She would be sold to an old man who would abuse her until she died. There was no end to this misery.

“A million, it is then!” Julie shouted with bliss in her voice. Luna frowned.

“Three million!” A young, heavy voice said calmly. An awkward silence filled the room. Luna had no idea what was happening.

The entire auction crew was stunned. Three million was fifty times higher than what they’d paid for her.

“Three million. Done!” Julie shouted, her voice practically dripping with euphoria.

She was clearly ecstatic—so much so that it seemed she might start dancing the minute it was over. Selling a person and rejoicing over it was wicked enough, but this was excessive.

“Hey, Blakie, come on!” Theo whispered sharply. Luna lowered her head and walked toward him.

Julie came down from the announcing room and quickly engulfed Luna in her arms, startling her so badly she stiffened.

“Our lucky charm! I knew you’d bring us a fortune the day we bought you!” Julie flashed a toothy grin.

“You said she was a black sheep,” Theo muttered, rolling his eyes. He wasn’t nearly as thrilled.

“Come on! Let the past go. Get her ready to leave. And look, Luna, keep this in mind—always. Never let the man find out about your blindness, or we’re all done for. He’ll kill you first and then us. Understand?” Julie warned, her voice suddenly sharp and serious.

Today felt strange to Luna. Such civility and sweetness were completely foreign to her in this place.

“Why would he kill her? Who the hell would do that?” Theo frowned, suspicion lacing his tone.

“He’s new. He’s… ehm… a big fish,” Julie replied, clearly hiding something.

“Julie!” Theo narrowed his eyes.

“Fine. He’s a mafia heir. Carson Meyer. If you know, you know,” she said, flipping her hair and dropping a bombshell.

“Wh…what?” Luna whispered in disbelief. The worst she’d imagined was an old man, but a mafia heir? That was far worse.

“You mean that Meyer?” Theo pressed, and Julie nodded. “For fuck’s sake, Julie! Are you out of your mind?” he hissed, rubbing his temples.

“Why are you overreacting?” Julie’s tone was nonchalant.

“Oh, I’m overreacting? Really? You sold her to the Meyer Mafia? Do you even fucking know what he does? Carson Meyer doesn’t ask for reasons before putting a bullet in your head,” Theo growled, kicking the wall in frustration.

“Don’t worry. Luna is good. She’ll do just fine,” Julie shrugged.

“Oh, come on! Whom are you kidding? She’ll tell him the truth the minute he raises his voice at her,” Theo retorted, shaking his head.

“I don’t want to go with him,” Luna whispered, a tear finally slipping past her defenses.

Julie and Theo stared at her blankly for a moment before Julie grabbed her hair. “Of course, you will! Say that one more time, and I’ll make you regret your entire existence,” she hissed.

“I’m sorry,” Luna whimpered, squinting her eyes against the pain.

“Let her go, Julie. She’s not a threat right now,” Theo intervened, pulling Julie’s hand away.

“What’s going on?” Drake’s voice boomed as he walked alongside Carson toward them.

Everyone froze. Luna lowered her head slightly, keeping her gaze down. Carson’s eyes landed on her. Suddenly, his regret over throwing money at her shifted into pride.

Behind the glasses, he couldn’t see her clearly, but she was strikingly beautiful—enough to be worth the price. Still, three million seemed outrageous, even for her.

“Hello, Mr. Meyer. We were just preparing your purchase to leave,” Julie said awkwardly, laughing weakly before stopping when no one else joined in.

“She’s a girl, not an item. Show some respect,” Drake snapped, his dragon tattoo and glasses instantly recognizable.

“Sorry, Sir,” Julie bit the inside of her cheek.

Carson didn’t take his eyes off Luna, and she didn’t look up once. His patience wore thin. He was desperate to see those oceanic eyes, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“We’ll have her ready by ten. Please, come with me. I’ll show you around in the meantime. Theo!” Julie signaled him to take Luna away and do the necessities.

He grabbed her wrist and was about to leave when Carson interrupted.

“Stop!” he growled.

Theo and Luna turned around. She was perfectly trained to look into the eyes of whoever spoke. Using the sound of his voice, she directed her gaze to him.

“Make her wear proper clothes. Cover her completely,” Carson ordered, raising an eyebrow as he eyed her vulnerable figure.

“Yes, Sir,” Theo nodded and hurried away with Luna.