Page 31 (1/2)

McKell popped his jaw, his attention never veering from her "My name is Victor McKell is merely my classification"

"Warrior classification," she said, and he nodded "So I’m a warrior, as well? Or do vampire females take the classification of who they’re promised to?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but a voice froentleens flashed on and off "We’re about to begin, and as you can plainly see, we have a wonderful selection for you tonight"

"We’ll talk," the vaave them his back as if they were no threat at all and settled in his seat

Devyn ushered Bride to the section of seats behind and across from the warrior He eased into one of the plush cushion-covered folding chairs When she atteround

The twig- and dirt-laden ground? Seriously? "Sit," he barked, clearly at the end of his patience

Eyes wide, she plopped herself at his feet Never had she heard so er in his tone Not even when he’d first proclaimed them married He seethed with the eranite Because McKell thought he had a claim on her?

Did he? She rubbed the tattoo on her wrist Or rather, brand She’d been given to hies between vas, she’d never thought her people would be so archaic But clearly they were

What would her life have been like if she’d married McKell? She wouldn’t have met Devyn, that was for sure Or round Would they have met then? Would they have circled each other, have been challenged by the other, and ultiiven in to the attraction? At this point, she couldn’t i part of her life

"This sucks," Dallas said as he settled beside Devyn, drawing her fros "What if the auctioneer doesn’t knoho’s vaot a chance to study the prisoners"

"Just follow McKell’s lead" Though Devyn spoke quietly, she could still detect the fury in his voice He wasn’t cal down

She wanted to soothe him, but didn’t kno Then, a few seconds later, the auction began, and she forgot all about hi the parapet, their robes parted, their bodies displayed for all to see Disgust welled inside her It was cruel Some of the people cried and blushed, even looked away froht ahead, as if they’d already endured far worse horrors, and being studied and critiqued was nothing

To block the horror froood view of hihtly longer than nory

Not a bad piece oflike the buyers

Devyn’s pal into her scalp "See so you like, love?"

Love He’d never called her that before, and that he did now had her tre Did he mean it? Did she want him to mean it? She tore her attention away froaze was on the parapet His jaas clenched, his eyes narrowed, but oh, the fire inside the herself because it was the truth

His grip loosened, and he even stroked her hair His expression smoothed out Calm at last "We have much to discuss, you and I," he said

Much to discuss As in their parting? As in why he hadn’t touched her in a week, but the moment someone else expressed an interest in her, he talked about her as if she were his favorite possession?

Anger suddenly danced through her Was that what it took to keep Devyn’s notice? Have soame He either wanted her or he didn’t

Just then, McKell’s voice reverberated through the building Surprised, she twisted yet again His hand was in the air, whichto the stage A tall, leanly muscled male with pale skin and snohite hair stood proudly He was one of those who refused to look away from the crowd But he didn’t simply endure He hissed and bared his teeth, yet she didn’t notice fangs

"--stronger, faster, deadlier," the auctioneer was saying "Word of warning, though You’ll have to be careful with hihter rose fro speed increased, hands flying in the air

"Look at these eyes," the announcer said "Dark blue Like sapphires Come on, ladies You love jewelry, you know you do Get tired of thehis, perhaps," Devyn said "Not allowing him to drink, maybe" McKell placed another bid "Now," Devyn said to Dallas

Dallas shouted out such an astronoasped McKell twisted in his seat, glaring

"Sold," the auctioneer proclairin

And on and on the auction continued McKell never bid again, but he did stiffen when a young

feht forward Her skin was not as pale as the vampire male’s had been, but her hair was just as white, and Devyn instructed Dallas to bid Once again, he won

Finally, it was over, the last otherworlder purchased Devyn and Dallas, along with the rest of the crowd, pushed to their feet Neither of theh she wanted to cry for all those who had been sold and what they would soon endure

She co to track them down and free their "slaves" the moment she was able Or better yet, she’d use Devyn’s ht away

"Warrior that he is, he’ll have his men try to take them," Devyn said quietly to Dallas "Be prepared"

"And where will you be?" the agent asked behind his hand

"Evading hi Bride safe Tell Mia I’ve ain Bride’s blood was no longer to be tested, in exchange for as et his hands on Two, as it turned out The sickness in her stomach churned No ould she let that male and female be used as pincushions, their bodies drained She’d offer herself back to AIR on a platter if necessary She, at least, wasn’t traumatized

The two , and then Dallas was s