Chapter 3: The devil's auction

As the clock ticked closer to closing time, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled deep in my stomach. The air in the club felt heavy with tension, and the whispered conversations among the staff only added to my unease. Despite my best efforts to push aside my worries and focus on my work, the nagging sense that something sinister was happening beneath the surface lingered.

As the last few patrons finished their drinks and made their way out, the club’s doors were locked with a finality that sent a shiver down my spine. I exchanged uneasy glances with my coworkers, but none of us dared to voice our concerns aloud.

Before I could gather my thoughts, Jeremy appeared at my side, his expression grave. “Isadora, come with me,” he said, gesturing towards a hidden passage at the back of the club. With a sinking feeling in my chest, I followed him, my heart pounding in my ears.

The passage led us down a dimly lit staircase, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. My mind raced with questions, but Jeremy remained silent as we descended further into the depths of the club.

Finally, we emerged into a vast underground chamber. The room was filled with wealthy patrons, their faces obscured by masks as they mingled and sipped champagne.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in the scene before me. Scantily clad girls were paraded around the room like prized possessions, their eyes downcast as they were inspected and appraised by the patrons.

I felt a surge of anger and disgust rise within me, but before I could react, Jeremy pulled me aside, his voice barely above a whisper. “Stay calm, Isadora. We need to blend in and wait for the right moment to make our move.”

I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest as I tried to quell the rising panic. The room seemed to spin around me as I struggled to make sense of the horrifying reality unfolding before my eyes.

As the auction began, my stomach churned with a sickening mix of fear and revulsion. The bids rose frighteningly high, and I watched in horror as the girls were bought and sold like objects, their fates sealed with each exchange of money.

But then, to my horror, I realized that it was my turn to take the stage. I could feel the eyes of the patrons boring into me as I was led forward, my heart pounding in my chest.

As the bidding war intensified, I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I had to get out of here; I had to escape before it was too late. But before I could make a move, a voice cut through the chaos, sending a chill down my spine.

“Sixty grand for her,” a man declared, his voice cold and calculating. My blood ran cold as I realized that I had been sold to the highest bidder, my fate now in the hands of a stranger.

** * * *********

As I was led away by the man who had purchased me, a wave of fear washed over me. My mind raced with questions and doubts, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. I had to find a way out of this nightmare.

As we walked through the dimly lit corridor, I stole glances at the man who had bought me. He was tall and imposing, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. His expression was unreadable, and I shivered involuntarily under his gaze.

Finally, we reached a secluded alcove, hidden from prying eyes. Kian, as he had introduced himself, turned to face me, his demeanour cold and distant.

“You belong to me now,” he stated matter-of-factly, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

I squared my shoulders, refusing to show him any sign of weakness. “I am not anyone’s property,” I retorted, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

Kian’s lips curled into a humourless smile. “Oh, but you are,” he countered, his tone dripping with arrogance. “You were bought and paid for, fair and square. You would do well to remember that.”

I clenched my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure. “What do you want from me?” I demanded, my voice tinged with defiance.

Kian’s smile widened, revealing a flash of teeth. “I want you to entertain me,” he replied, his eyes flickering with amusement. “I want you to dance for me, to sing for me, to do whatever I desire. And in return, I will give you everything you could ever dream of.”

I scoffed at his words, my anger bubbling to the surface. “I don’t want anything from you,” I spat, my voice laced with contempt. “I would rather die than be at your mercy.”

Kian’s expression hardened, his eyes flashing with something akin to fury. “You will do as I say,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “You have no choice in the matter.”

I met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. “I will never bow to you,” I declared, my voice filled with conviction. “I will fight you every step of the way, no matter the cost.”

For a moment, there was silence between us, tension crackling in the air like electricity. Then, to my surprise, Kian chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

“You have spirit; I’ll give you that,” he mused, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “But I have ways of breaking even the strongest of wills. And mark my words, Isadora, I will break you.”

I bristled at his words, refusing to let him see the fear that churned within me. “You can try,” I shot back, my voice tinged with defiance. “But I will never give in to you.”

As Kian’s hand came crashing across my cheek, a sharp, stinging sensation erupted, sending shockwaves through my body. I stumbled backwards, my hand instinctively flying to my throbbing cheek. Anger boiled within me, but I bit back the retort that threatened to spill from my lips. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” Kian hissed, his voice laced with venom. “You are nothing but a lowly servant, and you will show me the respect I deserve.”

I glared at him, my fists clenched at my sides. But before I could utter a word, he grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me out of the club. I stumbled and fought against his grip, but his hold was like iron, unyielding, and relentless.

Moments later, we emerged into the cool night air, and I found myself being thrown into the passenger seat of a sleek Rolls Royce. The door slammed shut with a resounding thud, leaving me alone with Kian and the suffocating silence that hung between us.

The engine roared to life, and we pulled away from the club, leaving the chaos and depravity behind us. I sank back into the plush leather seat, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave. The events of the night had taken their toll, and I could feel the weight of them pressing down on me, threatening to crush me under their immense burden.

I must have drifted off to sleep, for when I awoke, the world outside the car window had changed. Gone were the dimly lit streets and the clamour of the city. In their place stood a sprawling mansion, its imposing silhouette looming against the night sky.

I blinked groggily, trying to make sense of my surroundings. How did we end up here? And what did Kian intend to do with me now?

Before I could gather my wits, Kian’s voice shattered the silence, cutting through the darkness like a knife. “Wake up, Isadora,” he commanded, his tone devoid of emotion. “We’ve arrived.”

I blinked away the remnants of sleep and reluctantly pushed open the car door, stepping out onto the gravel driveway. The mansion loomed before me, its magnificence was overwhelming. I felt like a tiny speck in comparison, insignificant and inconsequential.

Kian’s hand closed around mine, yanking me forward with a force that made my bones ache. I stumbled, trying to keep pace with his brisk strides, but he showed no signs of slowing down. He led me towards the imposing front door, his grip tightening with every step.

As we approached, I saw figures milling about in the darkness, their hushed whispers floating in the night air. Some recoiled at the sight of Kian, their faces twisted in fear, while others greeted him with deference and respect.

I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach as we reached the threshold of the mansion. What awaited me inside? And what role did I play in Kian’s twisted game?

But before I could voice my concerns, Kian pushed open the door, revealing a world of luxury and decadence beyond. He cast me a steely glance, his eyes glittering with malice.

“Welcome to your new home, Isadora,” he said, his voice dripping with menace. “I hope you’ll find it to your liking.”

As we stepped inside the mansion, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight in front of me. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm glow over the marble floors.

But my awe was short-lived as Kian dragged me through the foyer and into the heart of the mansion. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the weight of Kian’s gaze on me, like a predator stalking its prey.

We passed through a series of rooms, each more extravagant than the last. I stole glances at the people we passed, their faces hidden behind masks of indifference and arrogance. I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider in this world of wealth and privilege, a pawn in a game that I didn’t understand.

Finally, we reached a set of double doors, which Kian pushed open. We stepped into a sprawling ballroom, the air alive with the sound of laughter and music. Couples twirled gracefully across the dance floor, their movements fluid and effortless.

But as we made our way through the crowd, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my insides. I was surrounded by strangers, their eyes watching me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. I felt like an imposter in this world of wealth and privilege, a pawn in a game that I didn’t understand.

As Kian led me towards the far end of the ballroom, my heart sank at the realization that there was no escape. I was trapped in this gilded cage, at the mercy of a man whose intentions were as dark as the shadows that lurked in the corners of the room.

But before I could dwell on my fate any longer, Kian stopped abruptly, his grip tightening on my arm. I followed his gaze to where a group of men stood huddled in conversation, their faces obscured by masks of anonymity.

Kian exchanged a few words with one of the men, his voice low and urgent. I strained to catch snippets of their conversation, but their words were lost in the cacophony of noise that surrounded us.

Suddenly, Kian turned to me, his eyes ablaze with fierce intensity. “Listen to me, Isadora,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “You must do exactly as I say if you want to survive. Understand?”

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn’t know what Kian had planned for me, but I knew that I had no choice but to obey.

With a sense of dread gnawing at my insides, I followed Kian as he led me towards a secluded alcove at the edge of the ballroom. We slipped into the shadows, hidden from prying eyes, as Kian’s plan began to unfold.

But as the night wore on and the festivities continued, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the weight of Kian’s gaze on me, like a predator stalking its prey.

And then, just as I thought things couldn’t get any worse, a figure emerged from the crowd. He approached us with purposeful strides, his eyes fixed on me with a chilling intensity.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as the man drew closer, his presence casting a shadow over everything. His features were obscured by the dim light, but I could sense the power and authority emanating from him like a tangible force.

As he reached out a hand towards Kian, a smirk playing on his lips, my heart pounded in my chest. I knew, deep down, that this man spelt trouble. His arrival signalled a shift in the tides, a turning point in the twisted game that Kian had ensnared me in.

“Long time, no see, Kian,” he said, his voice dripping with malice.