“Go get our prize,” I said, looking at Oros.
The command seemed to surprise her. As if I hadn’t understood the hints she gave Aris.
I knew my sister was curious about the human lie detector inthatway. I had seen her with humans before, so I knew she had a preference for them.
Wouldthishuman be susceptible to her advances?That would be something we’d both have to figure out. But if there was one thing Oros and I had in common, it was that we found no greater joy than watching our partner come apart because of us.
Oros advanced on the stage with quick steps, only for the human to shrink back. She glared at my sister, her body tensing.
“Touch me and you’ll regret it,” she warned.
I couldn’t see it, but I knew there was a smile on Oros’s face.
“I’m not sure I will,” she replied, and in a blink of an eye, Oros was behind her, whispering in her ear. The human’s eyes widened, and the telltale smell of fear burst through the air.
But then Oros hit the back of the girl’s neck, rendering her unconscious before gently picking her up and carrying her to me.
The demons she passed looked at her with envy. I had no doubt they would have fought for her if it hadn’t beenusbidding—and what we offered for her. Still, now that they knew we were interested, the want for the human grew.
“We should leave soon,” Oros whispered.
“And miss out on the fun?” I asked and carefully took the unconscious human from her arms.
I was so focused on her that I didn’t even realize the next one had come on stage.
“Last but not least, we have an empath!” Madam announced.
A silence descended onto the crowd before the yelling started. The human in my arms didn’t even stir.
“Twenty royal coins and a fire gem.”
“Thirty coins!”
“A portion of The Glowing Isle!”
The poor shadow demon was running out of luck. She wasn’t from a particularly rich realm, but neither was Aris. And that’s just how the auctions played out—whoever could give Madam the most valuable thing would win.
No one ever said it had to be money.
“Maybe if you beg, I’ll buy her for you,” Oros said, a smile curling her lips.
I gave my sister a wicked grin. Ilovedseeing her mischievous side. Especially since she so rarely showed it.
Something about the demons at our side seemed to pull it out of her.
“Don’t you have a plaything to take home?” she shot back. “Hurry before she wakes up and rejects you.”
Oros’s smile turned into a deep scowl. I couldn’t help the smirk that flitted across my face. I ran my claws down her cheek.
For some reason, I didn’t think that would be a problem.
“At least we have one,” I muttered. Oros let out a laugh.
“Half a soul sphere!”
Shouts rang. Chairs were thrown. Some started pushing and shoving at each other. I let myself watch it unfold.
Maybe a more responsible court member would put a stop to the chaos.
