The corridors snaked around, but, in place of bedrooms, he had outfitted the entire floor with winding corridors of mirrors, where, at staggered intervals, boxes created by two-way mirrors placed the available Tabus on display. His clan trimmed and dressed them, selecting their attire carefully to ensure they looked their best. After all, trappings made all the difference, and he presented them beautifully with all their information displayed on the outside of each holding cell.
The cells themselves were forged from the strongest substance he could acquire. While inside appeared to be a prison created solely from mirrors, his patrons enjoyed the anonymity of exploring his wares from every angle. Often, Tabus were purchased not only on the strength of their unique ability to withstand the opiates forced into them, but because they were appealing to the eye. The bidders were buying a servant to satisfy all their vices, which is why he ensured they were broken, ready to serve. All except for one. Not that it mattered; those who would have the means to acquire her would be able to handle an unbroken breeder.
Breeders were identified easily at the age of fourteen, their scent becoming compelling to any preternatural. It was at this age that they would be purchased by the council and sent to a training facility. Two years later, they would be ready to serve their purpose. Finding a breeder this old, and with Elder blood, was unprecedented. He expected great things from her, and cooperation and subservience were not necessary for the role she would play.
“Now, if you could make your way back, you will find the bidding cards with the appropriate reference numbers in place. The auction closes in one hour. For those of you who were issued the platinum badges, if you could wait with me for a moment, there is one more product.”
When everyone but the three carefully selected Elites had disappeared, he smiled, speaking again. “Before we continue, there are some terms and conditions attached to the sale of this magnificent creature. Mainly that the victor allows resale to the other bidders once the duty is complete. My fee is twenty-five percent of all sales, as well as certain… ‘special privileges’, shall we say?”
As he spoke, he led them through the winding corridor of mirrors to the isolated cell where his Elder blood breeder was displayed.
“Is this for real?” questioned Thaddeus, his eyes examining the digital statistics displayed, while his fingers traced the large scar across his left cheek.
“I have confirmed it myself. Now, it was brought to my attention that the council ruled that none of your clans be allowed access to any known breeders, due to your various indiscretions. What you see before you is an unregistered preternatural and, as you can see, she has very interesting chemistry.” Vincent gestured towards a secondary sheet. “Even should she be caught in your possession, she lacks the breeder markers, meaning you can feign ignorance.”
“Are you certain this creature can provide offspring?” Thaddeus questioned, moistening his lips eagerly. Vincent could tell by his longing gaze that, even if she couldn’t, she was still of interest to him. She was just his type; pretty.
“I would place my entire power and fortune on it.” He watched with satisfaction as they studied her figure, taking in everything her feminine form had to offer. “Of course, there is one drawback, which I am certain you gentlemen will be bound to enjoy. She isn’t broken. Now, if you’re ready to adjourn, you’ll find her bidding card along with the others.” He chuckled as they made a hasty retreat back toward the main lobby.
He lingered a moment longer, enjoying watching her struggle against her bindings just as the lucky winner would, and felt a pang of envy towards the one who would become her owner.
Chapter 15
Alex drew his car to a halt on one of the back roads leading to the mansion. William and Jack had been secured carefully in the back of his vehicle, neither showing signs of waking. Although, from what he had observed, he would be surprised if William would ever find the strength to wake without aid. He had expended himself beyond his tolerance even before throwing himself to the mercy of the henge. It had been a brave but foolish thing to do. The henge gave power, but it also exacted a cost.
If not for William’s actions, it was doubtful Jack would have survived. He had never witnessed such an intense and violent reaction to a Perennial henge before. He had believed the healer would have been sufficient to create a balance, especially given what he had been doing to his sister. He had been wrong. William had been expended, on the brink of unconsciousness barely a moment after Jack had entered trance. Such energy-burning suggested there was some manner of warding protecting wherever his sister was being held. Jack had been trapped, suffering in a realm of perpetual pain as his mind tried to break through, and his refusal to fail saw the energy begin to shred him from the inside out. If it hadn’t been for William throwing himself into the centre and taking his friend within his arms while he, too, pulled upon this ancient source of power, Jack would have died. But his actions had come with a cost. The healer’s body had been injured, perhaps irreparably.
As he had sat there, embracing his friend, channelling the henge’s power to push Jack through the barrier of pain and repair the shredding damage of the raw energy, their skin had
