14 Infiltrating Enemy Territory

If I had a cloak, I would've long covered my hair with the hood. Apparently ashen gray hair is still a rarity among the folks here as it is in Wolf Territory. It always seemed to attract unnecessary attention. Maybe one of the merchants lined up here may have something that can help dye my hair to a more common shade. But it wasn't like I had any currency to buy myself anything, not even food to fill my stomach.

Thus, the only option I have is to find transportation to Argid and some food along the way. I have a few ideas in mind, but I'm at a disadvantage being a human and a woman and all. It's hard to drive a decent bargain around here without selling your soul.

My eyes dart around the area, scanning for anyone who seemed to fit the criteria in which I deemed reasonable enough to approach. Unfortunately, they were mostly vampire males flaunting their wealth. The few females I saw were all halflings—half human and half vampires—following or clinging onto their masters I presume. Of course, this place wasn't much for anyone aside from those who had power and money. Just as I remembered.

"Hey beautiful, aren't ya a bit lonely wandering by yourself?" a man from my sidelines said with a small accent.

I didn't acknowledge him. If I did, I would give him room to approach so I gambled and simply walked forward and ignored it. Luckily, he chose not to pursue any further. Figured he was probably drunk.

Walking a little further down the bustling street, I spot a partly closed off street. There were a few brawny looking vampires leaning their backs against the wall behind the particular area keeping watch over the lovely beings sitting obediently at the tables set up there. They were mostly all girls.

There was one in particular who stood out—a man with black hair and equally dark pupils with a hint of gold. He was simply holding a quill and scribbling something down on a long piece of parchment paper.

If I remember most of anything he had taught me on our short travels, it was to be able to identify any potential threats and steer clear from it. Each district had their danger zones and red light districts that he absolutely forbade me to enter even with entourage.

This was definitely something he would tell me to never get myself tangled with. So I take a step towards that blocked off path which was only intended for authorized guests.

Immediately, one of those vampire guards on duty towered over me, using his massive body as a barrier to prevent me from intruding into their turf. I look up at him with a passive expression before slanting my eyes in the direction of the man with the quill in his hand. He was unaffected, still scratching away at his paper.

"I only wish to speak with the master of the business," I state calmly.

The guard in front of me snarled, obviously displeased with my demand.

"Good sir, if you don't move, I might have to push past you," I say with a smile this time.

This got the other vampires present to let out a few laughs. Only then did the golden-irised vampire look up to see the small commotion his visitor created.

"Let the lady in," he permitted.

I walked past the guard and stopped about six feet from the head. At first he didn't bother to look up, but with a few more glances, he seemed to have changed his initial impression of me and actually put his quill down.

"What have we here?" he asked, standing up to circle around me. "A halfling?" he asked with interest. "No," he decided with further speculation. "A human with the beauty of a halfling..."

The last part surprised me. To think that I would ever be associated with that term.

"Your next batch will be for Argid?" I ask, hinting at the girls by the tables. If you look closely enough, all of them had chains around their ankles and were connected to each other. There is always a reason for obedience.

"Yes," he purred. "And you would make a fantastic addition."

"I think I would."

A wicked grin appeared on his face as he tilted his head in slight interest.

"Your motive, my lady?"

"I want a roof over my head and food in my stomach. Sell me to a good home."

"Deal," he said, motioning his head to an empty seat by the table with only three girls. "Give the girl some food."

I was handed a small piece of bread, hard as stone, but I bit into it like it was the best bread I had in ages. The other girls looked at me funny, wondering how I could find the appetite after volunteering myself to by sold. Unlike them, I didn't have time to be scared. I had a mission and I'll take whatever resources I can get. Who knows when my next meal would be.

"Poor girl, don't choke," a girl younger than me said as she pushed the only cup of water on the table towards me. She was a brunette with strong cheekbones and beautiful grassy eyes. Around seventeen. "You can have mine too. The journey to Argid will be a bit rough," she said while offering up her piece of stone bread.

Any other circumstance, I wouldn't have been that selfish. But I took it and thanked her.

"I've never been to Argid, but I hear it's at least better than here. I heard the clients at the auction halls in the central district have more money to splurge and treat their pets a little better."

I've never heard of any auction halls in Argid. He would never permit such abomination.

"What auction hall?"

"You don't know? We're being sold as pets at the biggest auction hall in Argid tonight. The one by the Argid manor."

There was no auction hall whatsoever when I was there. I guess a lot can change in four years.

"Who goes to buy?" I ask.

"That hall is exclusive to nobles and only the best merchandise can be auctioned there."

"What sells best?" I looked at the girl sternly. Pending on her answer, my escape plan may prove slightly more difficult.

"The more rare and exotic the better. They like something they can boast about. Halflings like me are a dime a dozen. Unless we possess another unique quality aside from our beauty, we usually just serve as pre-show. Lately Disabled vampires are a thing. And they always welcome pureblood humans as those are always in demand. Like you—your hair color and you're quite unique with that pale and petite face of yours."

Great. If I'm rare merchandise, they would definitely keep a closer eye on me. Still, following this group would get me to Argid fastest since they take all the shortcuts.

The journey was long and short. The hours passed by too quickly while the distance we covered wasn't gained at the same rate. However, talking to the young girl did let time fly even quicker. She was bright and deserved a better fate than becoming someone's "pet." We would've made good friends if not for the system we were trapped in. We humans didn't have the liberty to choose friends or engage in social interactions with anyone if not permitted by the dominating vampire who we belonged to.

Until that changes, it's best not to make friends. For they come and go and bring you enough heartbreaks for a lifetime. That's why I didn't bother to even ask for a name. It wasn't like I would be seeing her again. One of us would probably be gone before then.

When the carriage transporting the live goods passed through the gates of Argid, nostalgia hit me. The roads were just as I remembered, just occasional changes in the shop layouts. The old church was still there as well as the water fountain in the middle of the district. However, the wonderful library was no longer. Instead, it was replaced with a massive concrete structure decorated with a black fence on the outside.

It was none other than the infamous auction hall. The building exuded nobility with its tall doors and big pillars. There were uniformed vampires standing on guard to keep watch and another set of them aligned in two parallel lines ready to greet the guests.

We were taken in through the backdoor and immediately rushed to strip down to our undergarments. There were already some girls in the waiting room—naked and afraid as they sat trembling whilst they were dragged out one by one to entertain and gather bids.

A few more girls trickled in and then we were commanded to strip. I complied as it was no big deal back in Wolf Territory. It was a symbol of confidence in our own skin. However, it means the complete opposite here. It meant vulnerability and helplessness.

A poor girl fought to keep her top on only to have her entire shirt ripped open. She was dragged out right after.

I tugged at the collar around my neck and decided that it was impossible to take off without the key that was handed to our respective new masters once we get one. Good thing they didn't suspect me of bringing any weapons. I could still feel the sharpness of Ralphie's fang that was tucked snuggly along the insides of my corset.

"To our collectors in the audience, keep your paddles ready. Next, we have a once in a century specimen. A human possessing the unmatched beauty of a halfling!" the host introduced to the disbelieving but curious crowd.

The guards found me cooperative and didn't yank at my collar like they did to some of the previous auctioned.

As I walked on stage, I could feel the intensity in the room heighten and even before I made my way to the designated spot, the paddles went up.

I could've sworn I stood there for much longer than the other girls. The only good news was that I didn't recognize any of the guests and it appeared no one seemed to recognize me neither.

"SOLD!" the host yelled at the top of his lungs before scurrying across the floor and personally offering the highest bidder the key to the lock on my neck.

He looked at me with possessive eyes. I would grant he's extremely lucky that Ralphie wasn't here to see that. Otherwise, his head wouldn't be sitting on his shoulders another minute.

But since Ralphie's not...

I tease him with a subtle, but seductive smile. He seemed more than pleased.

The poor man can keep it there, but just for a little longer.