Children of the Goddesses (completed)

Auction

Unknown POV

            The small auditorium buzzed with chatter as representatives of collectors and bio-research companies made polite small talk with one another before the auction began. Normally, attendees of such auctions would show up in magical disguises, masking their scents and keeping to themselves. However, today was different, a special session opened to only the most distinguished customers of the auction house. The attendees were few and everyone knew everyone in our small circle, excluding the need for extra caution. After all, if one of us went down at the hands of the Union, then all of us would go down together. It was clear to us the importance of protecting our common interests, and we would hang separately if we didn’t stand together. 

            A tall and skinny man in a ridiculous looking top hat took the stage, and all attendees took it as a signal to take their seats. Like the rest of the attendees, I collected my bidding paddle from an usher and took my seat at the front of the auditorium. The prime seating was a privilege granted only to representatives of the Vampire King, who despite being a self proclaimed King, was a King nevertheless, at least in terms of wealth and generosity. The Vampire King had tasked me with procuring the product on auction today at all cost and seeing how Mr. Ailsworth, the owner of the auction house is hosting the auction personally today, I could only imagine how priceless the auctioned product today would be. 

            “Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for gracing our premium auction session today. As conveyed in the invitations, today, we would be auctioning a rare product, and though I might be a mere century old, even I have to say that I have never laid eyes on such a fine product in all my days. If I may, I’d say that this product exists only once in a lifetime.” Mr. Ailsworth's introduction drew a chorus of oohs and aahs from the crowd but I dismissed his grandiose words as typical sales theatrics. I never had much respect for this vampire. He was one of us but loyal only to money and nothing else. It never mattered to him whether werewolves or witches were bidding for products and intended to use them for plans that were detrimental to our kind. As long as the price was right, he would be more than happy to close the deal. 

            “Without further ado, may I present to you a rare female vampire,” he exclaimed excitedly. All eyes were glued on the stage as a glass cage forged by witch fire was rolled onto the stage and before Mr. Ailsworth could continue the introduction of his product, the auditorium was once again abuzzed with gasps and exclamations of disbelief. My heart leaped into my throat as I laid eyes on the female vampire being presented. Her golden tresses cascaded over her shoulders like rays of sunshine and despite the dark circles under her eyes and the blank look in her eyes, I found myself drowning in the pools of those dark blue orbs. My mind immediately took me back to a time in my life that I had buried so deep down in the recesses of my mind, that I struggled to process those memories. 

            Images of a little girl with pitch black hair and dark grey eyes smiling her toothy smile at me flashed across my mind. Her soft hands handed me a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie that her mother had baked, while her mouth formed an adorable pout at having to share such a rare and precious snack. Her warm arms comforted me the night that Dad didn’t come home while her childish but firm voice promised me that I would never be alone, because she would always be there for me. Her hopeful eyes as she dragged me to watch the night sky with her, patiently waiting for a shooting star so that we might make a wish to see our mothers again. Her heart shattering screams as she chased after the truck that came to transport recruits for the bio-research unit to the fortress of Lady Lae echoed in my mind and reminded me that I was missed during the many lonely nights in the unit I was assigned to. 

            The female vampire on the stage was like a magical song, waking my heart up from its slumber two years ago, when news of Laila’s death spread across the vampire community. That was the day that my heart had turned cold and as I stared at the female vampire on the stage, a familiar warmth that only she could bring filled my heart once again. I knew enough from my work that most vampires had dark hair and eyes, as well as deathly pale skin due to the way we were created. In rare cases, some vampires had either light colored hair or eyes but never both, and certainly no vampire had skin color that bore any hints of having ever seen the sun, at least not until the daywalkers were created. Yet, the scent of the female was unmistakably that of a vampire and the uncanny resemblance of the vampire to Laila’s mother left no doubt in my mind that this vampire was somehow related to my Laila. 

            “Product is an 18 year old female vampire, no physical defect identified, blonde hair, dark blue eyes, 5 foot 3, 110 pounds and still a virgin. You heard it right folks, blonde hair and dark blue eyes.” The pride in Mr. Ailsworth's voice was a good indication of the rarity of the prize tonight and I was grateful for the fact that I was here on behalf of the Vampire King, and he had given me permission to win this bid at all cost. 

            “The product has already been branded with our standard tracking mark, and as always, the winner of the bid would be given the ring that is linked to the tracking mark to ensure the safety of the product. If there are no further questions, I will proceed with the bidding.” 

            Someone must have raised their bidding paddle as Mr. Ailsworth nodded and gestured for whoever it was to speak. “Can the product speak? I’d assume no physical defect included the ability to speak.” 

            “Fair question,” acknowledged Mr. Ailsworth as he nodded at this assistance. Anxiety overwhelmed me and I felt my mouth go dry as the assistant, a witch I presumed from her smell, approached the glass box and began chanting. Instantly, the female vampire’s face contorted in pain but she continued to press her lips tightly together, resisting the urge to make a sound, until finally, the pain must have been unbearable as she screamed for mercy. 

            My grip on the bidding paddle tightened until my knuckles turned completely white and I hoped desperately that the bidding would begin immediately. To my relief, that was the only question from the floor and like a greedy businessman, Mr. Ailsworth began the bidding without any further delays. 

            “Starting bid today is at 1000 ounces of gold. Do I have a taker?” 

            I sat completely relaxed in my seat as I listened to the bids coming in, not bothering to compete with the rest of them until it was time for the final bid. There would be only one outcome today.

            “20,000 ounces of gold, do I have a higher bid?” Mr. Ailsworth’s lips curled up so high they might soon reach his ears if he wasn’t careful. 

            “21,000 ounces,” called out a voice behind me. 

            “21,000 ounces of gold, do I have a higher bid?” Silence filled the auditorium as Mr. Ailsworth raised his voice in suspense, “going once, going.”

            “24,000 ounces,” I called out confidently as I raised my bidding paddle. 

            “24,000 ounces of gold, going once, going twice and sold! Thank you for gracing this event today, ladies and gentlemen. For the gentleman with the winning bid, please follow the usher to collect your product and for everyone else, you’d find a small spread prepared for you in the salon on your right after exiting the auditorium.” 

            I stood up and straightened my blazer as I followed the usher waiting for me at the aisle. My heart fluttered in anticipation as we made our way to the collection point and for the first time in my life after my twelfth birthday, I wished that there was a shooting star for me to wish upon, that somehow my Laila had survived that m******e at base camp after all, and this female vampire was her or could lead me back to her.