Chapter Twenty-Two

Okay, so, I am tan.

I laid in a tanning bed and I kid you not, I came out a beautiful golden goddess. I don't think I have ever been this dark before in my life. After one use I now look like I'm from Brazil, booty and all. Apparently tanned skin is all the rave here, the old men dig it, I guess.

Bile rises in my throat as I picture the old coons getting excited.

I sigh as I look in the mirror.

I look hot and it's a damn shame I am up for auction instead on vacation somewhere, showing off to my man. And the man I want to impress could care less what my skin color is because he is currently unable to wake up.

"Get to warm up!" Spit flies in my face from Brenda the org. What the ever-loving-hell. I am convinced she was on the set of Lord of The Rings. She has more warts that a bull frog.

I give her a, I-will-slit-your-throat-given-the-chance smile and make my way to where all the women are lined up waiting for their turn to entice the bidders. Or be killed, so everyone is trying to stay positive. I hear some giggling and frown in confusion when I spot a group of girls peeking through the curtains to the large round stage. Have they lost their minds? Maybe. This is anything but a good time, I actually feel sick. I saw a few girls hysterically crying earlier when they were bought by the highest bidder.

If nothing else I will try to shut this down. Peirce said that this needs to get stopped to tip the scales above fifty percent on the Fairy Godmother graphs. This slavery ring is out of hand, clearly.

I grab onto a pole and lazily swing around it, wishing I am somewhere else. This fantasy just became a nightmare in a hurry. We all look like harem girls in our scandalous belly dancer outfits with jewels and bangles. I glance at myself in the mirror and cringe.

I tried to pick the most understated outfit, but I think the opposite happened. There were tons of vibrant colors and fabrics, so I went with the muted tan color. I tried to find the ugliest color but when I put it on it just gave the appearance of me being naked. The tan is shimmering and transparent in places, accenting my tan body perfectly. The damn thing is gorgeous to my utter horror.

I tried to switch but the Org would not let me.

"You will have everyone biding on you," Laura says behind me.

I glance back and eye her outfit choice. Sky blue silk, very pretty with her blond hair. "Excuse me, you look like an innocent princess. I think men like this thrive with that sort of look."

She cringes. "Shit. Maybe the red would have been a better choice."

"Well, we are supposed to look good right? We have to get Eltson to bid on us." I take a breath and feel dread overcome me.

She is laughing, and I raise a brow. "You look like you're naked."

I try not to laugh and cover my mouth with my hand.

"Is this transparent?" Laura grabs some airy fabric and is still giggling.

I close my eyes and cringe. "At this point I am not sure. I think this color is called shameless."

"At least the main parts are still a mystery," she is laughing harder now.

I am laughing now and shake my head. "Here I thought I was picking the modest one. Our luck sucks."

"Well, just don't spread your legs." That sent her off into another laughing frenzy as she holds her stomach.

I wipe a tear. "Oh laugh it up. You look like a prudish ballerina that needs to be taken to the dark side by grandpa farts," I deadpan.

We are laughing so hard and I'm not even sure if the things we are saying are even funny. I don't think they are, in fact. I think we both just lost our minds.

"Silence!"

We both clamp our mouths shut and I hear Laura snorting though her muffled laughter. Brenda looks murderous, so I think quickly. "Forgive us, this is just all very overwhelming." Which is the truth. I need to wipe this stupid grin off my face before I get punched in the nose. Laura's snorting isn't helping.

She snarls, "The blond princess is up next, you are ten minutes out. No funny business out there or there will be punishments." She eyes us both then leaves.

That is sobering, actually.

Laura takes a breath and looks at me. "I might be leaving the game after this. If Eltson does not pick me there is no reason for me to stay as a slave in this place."

I look down. "You could be wrong about Apollo."

"I'm not," she shrugs.

This is weird, but I am feeling very depressed at the thought of her leaving, in the past few days I have seen another side of Laura. She is just very misunderstood, and I never gave her a chance before. I look away willing my tears to stop, my eyes cramping. I feel her arms come around me as tears trickle down my face. I hug her back and say nothing, a friendship is formed, a bond that can never be broken.

It's hard to explain the feeling of loss and loneliness at the thought of her leaving.

I hear Laura sniff and she lets go with a weak smile. "Be strong, Apollo is worth it."

I nod, wiping my eyes. "Nothing will be in vain as long as you do the bend and snap out there," I joke and try to pull myself together.

She rolls her eyes and grins. "Of course, there will be stunned silence after."

I laugh.

She laughs weakly.

Then I see her leaving. I take a shaky breath and realize Apollo's life depends on this, and I need to give my best performance no matter how horrified I am. I close my eyes and pray that Eltson picks Laura, because I really do not want to see her leave just yet. I never had a real friend in all my life and I found one in the least likely of places.

I walk to where the stage is and peek through the curtains like the other girls were earlier. I shiver, hoping every male here dies a horrid death. Laura is dancing gracefully but a little stiff, probably due to nerves. My heart goes out to her, to all these women. I'm seeing bids come in and I suck in a breath. My eyes scan the secret compartments where the bidders did their darks deeds. It reminds me of the movie, Taken, except for the fact that this seems more circus-like, with all the dancing and whatnot.

I see Eltson's bidding booth, he is clothed in royal blue riches. The man is even being fanned by slaves he probably just bought. Disgusting. He seems very interested in Laura though, whispering a lot to his male advisers and pointing.

A bid is in.

He bid on her!

I nearly squeak in delight but keep my mouth shut, at a girl. We will make him pay later, but for now this is great news. I see Laura bend down then snap back up like a well-trained whip. My mouth hangs open, Laura just did the bend in snap! I think the planet shifted from it's awesomeness. She turns slightly towards the curtains where I am at and winks! I nearly laugh out loud, that is priceless. That made my day, my week. I can't believe she did that, and shockingly she made it look good.

She is not going home yet.

She is escorted off the stage to her highest bidder which is Eltson. I close my eyes, thanking my lucky stars. Now, if I can just get Eltson to bid on me I will not be alone. I scan the bidding booths and I am assuming the ones on the lower levels are the high rollers.

Black Siron's booth is all silver and red with men sitting around him. I squint, seeing him casually reclined in his seat like he wasn't just about to destroy someone's life.

"I pray that he picks me," says a girl to my left.

I didn't even know she was standing there. "Excuse me?"

"Black Siron. I saw him up close and nearly passed out, never seen a man so alive," she says quietly.

"He could beat you to a bloody pulp."

She looks down. "He may, and he may not."

I frown at her. What choice did she have though? I guess if I were picking the lesser of two evils maybe I would want him to pick me too. I glance back and note even from this distance he seems very gifted in the looks department. I can see the dark tattoos coming out of his neckline, and his forearms are cover like sleeves. Shinning silver rings and earrings caught the dim light making him seem like a dark lord of the under realm. Makes me wonder why a man like him must buy a female anyway. I would assume they would all fall at his feet.

Maybe he just likes the thought of owning someone, which makes me sick.

I get elbowed in the back. "You're up!"

This lady.

I try to squash the nerves flying in my stomach and walk out, seeing eyes on my everywhere. I am barefoot, my feet sliding on the slick surface the round stage. It's a lot bigger when you're out here, and a lot more intimidating. Seductive music starts with strong violin tones and smooth piano notes that mesh together romantically. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, this is for you Apollo.

I start with my hips then let my arms and hands flow as I spin once then twice. I feel a sadness in my movements, every sway of my body I can feel the weight of the world. I can hear bids already, but I keep dancing until my five minutes are up.

I find the pole and use precision and upper body strength. I swing around it like a seductive ballerina, toes pointed gracefully. I am not dancing crudely but expertly elegant, beautiful lines. I climb up the pole and spin down as my legs split like a seasoned ice skater twirling with grace. And before you worry, I am wearing silk panties. I am not exposing the goods to these goons. I am surprised how fluid I'm dancing despite my situation.

I fling my head back as I spin again, and I happen to see Black Siron standing which almost makes me fall off the pole. Is he bidding on me?!

Shit.

I glance over to Eltson and he is standing as well and then it dawns on me, they both are in a bidding war. My heart picks up a beat, praying Eltson does not give in and back down. I need to keep his interest, or I will do Apollo no good being bought by Siron. I dance a little harder, spin a little faster, arch my back and flip my hair with a little more passion.

By the time I stop I am sweaty, and out of breath.

I feel eyes and whispers everywhere.

They're probably wondering why I am dancing with this much vigor. I keep my head down, not being able to bring myself to look at these monsters. The bidding is still on and going higher. I glance up with a frown and I see Black Siron with his arms crossed over his chest in a powerful stance.

He gives another bid and the whole place quiets. I glance around in question, still breathing hard. Then it dawns on me that the horrid man bid an insane amount that no one wants to compete with.

Eltson is furious and leaves immediately as his advisers follow him from his booth. I start to panic, almost like I am scared deer caught in headlights. Wait, that's not what's supposed to happen. I don't know what possesses me, but I take off the stage and run like hell.

I don't know where I am going but it does not take me long to get caught by Black Siron's people. I am kicking and screaming as they restrain me, hands once again being tied behind my back.

Angry tears cued.

I need to talk to Mort and Peirce to get me out of this ASAP.

Life-line time.

I glance up again and gasp, Siron is standing right in front of me and my whole-body tenses. He is tall and muscular like Apollo making immediately on edge. Will he slap me? I flinch when he raises a hand but all he does is smooth the hair out of my face. My heart is pounding as I watch him, bracing myself for anything. His black hair is long and his even darker eyes gaze at me though his mask. It's hard to make out his facial features but I would assume they are handsome. His smooth jaw and lips are the only features I can see. The man is like a dark god, all power and control. A shiver runs down my spine as he continues to gaze at me with intensity.

He nods to the man standing behind me and he hands Black Siron a pin and paper making me curious. What is going on? Siron starts writing and after a few seconds he hands the paper to me to read. I frown as my trembling hand takes the paper. How odd.

I do my homework little one.

Apollo will have to come through me to get to you.

You are mine.

The sooner you realize that the easier it will be for you. Though,

It does not seem like Apollo will be coming anytime soon.

I swallow, and glance up in confusion. Can he not talk?! How strange. I glare at him and lean forward, ignoring the fact that he smells better than average. I'll give him that, probably using insanely expensive soap. "Apollo will recover and he will come for me."

He laughs, the breathy sound making my skin tingle. I watch him, also noting that I heard sound when he laughed. So, he isn't mute then?

Siron waves his hand and I am taken away immediately. My kicking and screaming does nothing but exhaust me, then I realize I am being taken to their dark ghost ship.

Something tells me that this is about to get bumpy.

Mentally strapping on my seat-belt.