Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 175: The Auction
Chapter 175: The Auction
"She looks skinny, but with that pale, unblemished skin! Think of the possibilities! The price starts from 40 million!"
Violet momentarily forgot herself as her mouth dropped open. She hurriedly scrambled to close it, realizing that she was being sold. A human kidney alone cost millions, not to mention other parts.
She couldn’t see a thing, but her expression darkened as she heard the auctioneer continue to call out.
"40 million! Is there someone... 45 million!"
Her expression only grew worse as she heard the numbers steadily rise until they began to jump. A huge frown settled on her face as she tried to see beyond the lights focused on her, attempting to glimpse the people bidding for her—only to fail.
Her heart pounded in utter fear as the numbers continued to climb until she heard a staggering sum of 100 million. Her heart skipped a beat, her lashes flickering in shock as she shifted toward the back of her cage—almost as if she were trying to turn her back to the lights. A new kind of fear dawned on her.
If I ever want to be free... how am I supposed to pay off 100 million, plus whatever interest my new master decides to add?
Going to the police would be useless. They wouldn’t even look twice at her, let alone help. After the war, the only thing anyone cared about was making a profit and taking care of themselves and their families. That was why crime was rampant in the lower districts—even the police were part of it.
I’ll be fine... I’ll be fine! she mumbled to herself, resting her head on her knee as fresh tears welled in her eyes. The collar around her neck dug into her skin as she turned her head to the side, looking down at her feet, all while the numbers soared higher and higher.
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Meanwhile...
Vazer was having fun—more fun than he had in a long while—as he continued to raise the number pad in his hand, a huge smile on his face. Beside him, Cain threw him nasty looks, his irritation growing with each bid.
"Relax! It’s not like you’re not already having a hard time. Besides, I can’t help but wonder if Zarrida hired fake bidders just to push up the price," Vazer mused, raising his pad again—only to suddenly pause.
The auctioneer called for more bids, but Vazer didn’t move.
Cain’s gaze on him grew sharper, but Vazer only smiled, excitement flickering in his red eyes. He was convinced he was right, and he intended to prove it. Not at all surprised, he watched the auctioneer begin to twitch after a few moments, his gaze focused intently on Vazer while the nervousness in his eyes became impossible to hide.
"Are you going to kill her?" Vazer asked, still holding his number pad but not raising it.
The thought that they were being scammed grated on his nerves. If it were up to him, they would have simply stolen the girl and killed all the slavers.
I need fresh blood, he internally sighed, smiling to himself as Cain’s gaze on him turned razor-sharp.
The auctioneer was on the verge of calling for another bid—a third and final time.
"If you don’t... I will," Vazer murmured under his breath, finally raising his pad.
The auctioneer visibly exhaled in relief, immediately pointing in his direction as if he had just been thrown a lifeline.
Vazer wasn’t surprised to see that none of the others who had been aggressively bidding dared to raise their pads again. They had been silenced by the fear of losing everything.
The auctioneer wasted no time announcing that the girl had been sold, pointing directly at him.
Cain, who hadn’t spoken since the auction began, finally broke his silence. "Zarrida is well known. We can use her. She’s just greedy, which makes her predictable," he said.
His words were only a suggestion—he knew that. If Vazer was pissed enough and decided to kill her anyway, there would be no stopping him.
"Greedy people are the most untrustworthy," Vazer sighed before a slow, sly smile spread across his face, as if an idea had just struck him. "I hear she has a brother, though. He should be useful."
The underlying threat in his voice was clear.
Cain leaned back in his VIP seat, closing his eyes as he waited for the rest of the auction to finish. Meanwhile, Vazer continued speaking, his amusement evident as he watched the stage where the cages were being carted away and replaced with new ones.
"Shouldn’t you buy another one? It’s bound to make her jealous," Vazer commented idly.
For a moment, he entertained the thought of purchasing another, only to discard the idea. The thought of spending such an outrageous sum on someone whose blood he would end up drinking anyway irritated him.
Even blood servants don’t cost this much, he thought with mild annoyance, recalling the slaves sold purely to be used as a source of blood.
Cain remained silent, hoping Vazer would grow tired of talking, but experience had taught him better. He slowly opened his mouth to respond.
"I just need her around, that’s it. I don’t care about anything else."
Vazer turned to look at him then, his expression unreadable.
"Just because she’s my mate doesn’t mean a thing. She left on her own. And now, to me... she’s nothing but a slave I need beside me."
His voice was apathetic, his dark gaze unwavering as he fluttered his lashes closed, waiting for the time to collect his new possession.
Vazer studied him for a few seconds before finally looking away, his interest waning. His mind wandered elsewhere, no longer concerned with Cain’s mate problems.
If even this monster can get a mate... why can’t I? Vazer wondered, shaking his head at the thought.
Reds didn’t have mates, at least as far as he knew. The only certainty was that Reds could not procreate with any other species but their own.