The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga)

by Stephanie Hudson

  “The next lot is number 2 in your catalogues and goes by the name Chupacabra. This goat sucker has come all the way from Puerto Rico and in his previous owner’s own words, he’s glad to be rid of the ‘nasty little bastard’. A diet of animal blood is all that is needed to keep this demon in good health. I know there has been some interest in this lot, but as the owner was adamant to get rid of him there has been no price set, so we will start the bid at as little as 10 dollars, do I hear 15?” I could hear the snarling and gathered the ‘nasty little bastard’ was being shown to the crowd as the bidding for him commenced.

  I had to say that right now I could relate to that goat sucker as I knew what it was like to be caged, soon to be put on display and sold. In the end the creature only sold for 85 dollars and I knew its buyer was an enthusiastic woman, as I could hear her gleefully shouting out as the last price was accepted.

  “Next, we have lot 14 and in keeping with the pet part of the auction we have for sale this rare Red Tibetan Mastiff. It is considered in the human world as the most expensive dog, but as we all know in our world this is not the case, as a Hellhound at the last auction raised a mighty 30 million. However, we still have a starting bid on this fine animal, whose owner has named him Eugene and has thrown in the diamond encrusted dog collar. Let’s start the bidding at the vendor’s lowest asking price of 1 million, do I hear 1.5 million?” I listened to this lot get up to 2.5 million and then the auctioneer said,

  “Come on people, this is a great lot and not one I want to go for so little. Please remember this breed has its direct ancestry leading all the way to Apedemak, who for those of you lacking in our history was a lion-headed warrior God, worshiped in Nubia by Meroitic people. Also the Maahes has been linked, who was of course an ancient Egyptian lion-headed God of war.” After this little history lesson the price reached 4 million within a few minutes and poor Eugene had a new owner who spoke in what sounded like Chinese.

  It went on like this for what seemed like a long time and things auctioned ranged from The Sultan’s Golden Cake that was decorated with gold leaf, that went for $1500, to one of the lost Fabergé eggs from the fall of the Russian Royal Family in 1917 that sold for a cool 10 million dollars.

  But in total they must have got through about 40 lots, which also included two dinosaur fossils "locked in mortal combat" according to the auctioneer that went for 8 million dollars. Now, this would have been something I would like to have seen but really, if I was honest with myself, I would have been fascinated to have seen all that was sold.

  They had a whole section of five lots dedicated to antique weapons from a pair of pistols, that were once owned by President George Washington during America's War of Independence and then there was some Emperor dude’s gold dagger, who built the Taj Mahal! I have to say though, that one of my favourites had to be the 1954 Superman Lunch Box that sold to a deep voiced man who won with his bid of 14, 500 dollars. But with each time the hammer struck down again and again ringing out like a death drum, it only brought me closer to my doomed fate of being sold.

  “Now, time for the last item from the catalogue with lot number 35. This beauty was made for Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary and is called The Veneno and as most of you here know this is Spanish for ‘poison’ and rightly so. With its V12 it thunders out a 750 horsepower which will bring you to 60 in 2.8 seconds. As you can see from the write up it also reaches speeds of a daring 220 mph. So, for all you speed junkie Angels and Demons out there, then this lot is for you. So let’s start this off at the company’s own buying price, but please do remember that there are only 3 of these hard tops made, so that will reflect on the bidding. Who will bid me to start off with 4 million?” I started to listen for the bidding but then got distracted by the sound of a chain moving.

  I looked down to see the chain attached to my restraints had started to snake on the floor before lifting. I watched in horror as it kept going until pulling my bound hands up with it. I stood to give it even more slack but this ended up just giving me a few more seconds before it started to lift my whole body off the cage floor. I cried out as the pain lashed through my shoulders from being held up by just my wrists. The metal from the cuffs started to cut into my skin and I held onto the chain to relieve some of the pressure.

  I looked up as I twisted round like a giant fish on a hook and saw that the swinging perch was coming closer. Then the pulling of the chain stopped and I hung limp for a painful second before swinging my body towards the seat. I then held on tighter to the chain and on a yelp brought my legs up enough to hook them over the metal swing. I shimmied my butt up until I was sat on it and tried to keep myself steady but it was difficult. I ended up battling to keep myself from falling back or forward but with my arms pulled above my head and with the perch moving under me, it felt like I was partaking in a circus act…and not doing a very good job at that!

  Then I heard the hammer go down on the price of 6.5 million for the Lamborghini and I braced myself for what was coming next.

  “Right, ladies and gentlemen, now it is time for the mysterious lot you have all been waiting for and our crown jewel of the night. Stewards, if you please.” The auctioneer said and then suddenly, in a great whoosh, the red curtain was pulled back from my cage and great gasps filled the enormous space. Tears filled my eyes as I looked down on the sea of people and took in the sheer size of the auction with utter disbelief.

  I couldn’t comprehend how so many faces looked up at me now and not one single one of them looked at me with horror of what was being done to me. If anything, it was sick fascination and wonder that shone back in their eyes. I looked from them in disgust and focused on the vast room they held the auction in.

  It looked to be a late-Gothic style building with a central glass dome that had part of its roof covered in metal squares. The great hall must have been at least 50 meters long and just as wide, with rows and rows of highly decorated pillars. There were galleries on all four sides and the upper one that I was closest to must have had at least 30 of these ornate pillars alone. Arches filled every space along the room’s full circumference and in the middle on the second floor were two stone plinths that jutted out with one either side as a mirror image. They looked fit for a king and the ideal place to stand and wave at his loyal subjects below. It was a truly stunning piece of architecture and one I would have no doubt admired more if it was not for my dire circumstances.

  My cage was hanging in the centre, directly behind the raised platform the auctioneer stood on next to a podium. This angle gave me a clear view of all the people taking part in the auction, sat on row after row of red velvet chairs which had been laid out in arches like in a theatre. But it wasn’t just the hundreds of people sat down, but also every available standing space was taken up adding hundreds more. All had paddles with numbers on ready for their bids to be written down and assigned to their winning lots. I couldn’t help but look round wondering which number I would soon belong to?

  I looked down to see the auctioneer nod to someone on the side out of view. I was then a bit happier at least when the chain lowered enough for me to grab onto the sides of the swing so that my shoulders no longer felt like they would pop off. I felt the lasting ache when they lowered and I tried to roll my arms to relieve the remaining tension, whilst still gripping on for dear life.

  “I now present to you our last lot of the night and by far the most prestigious we have ever sold in our many years holding this auction.” The auctioneer actually took a moment to take off his small round glasses and rub his face as though he couldn’t quite believe what he was about to say. He nodded to the crowd, replaced his glasses and gripped each side of the podium to lean forward.

  “I give you all…The King’s Electus!” He raised his arm up to me and the whole room gasped in utter shock and then erupted into a deafening roar of applause once more. My hands gripped the sides of my perch in frustration and when looking around the room I saw Gastian stood on the sidelines looking smug.

/>   “Yes, yes, please everyone calm yourselves.” He waited for the room to hush down their tasteless excitement before explaining ‘the goods’ in further detail.

  “As you can all be in no doubt about the seriousness of this last lot or the ramifications behind taking part in this bid, I will stress that you all made a vow upon entering into this auction and what has taken place here tonight is to remain under secrecy within the realms of that vow.” Even as he said this some people actually stood up and walked out after nodding their respects to the auctioneer. Good, I thought, knowing that at least six people remained faithful to Draven…although, out of hundreds didn’t look like good odds.

  “You can understand then that the valuing of this lot has taken some great thought, as it is seemingly priceless, but like nearly all of my vendors, they are here to make some money, so without further ado, I will begin.” I was very tempted to shout out a string of obscenities when I heard the guy call me a ‘lot’ for the umpteenth time, but decided to hold my tongue in case my punishment was being held up by my wrists again.

  “This lot is not numbered but named ‘The Chosen’ and personal details of the girl will be given along with purchase. As you can see she is a fine female specimen and although rumours of her status of her not being the Chosen One that are running worldwide, we are happy to confirm these rumours are not true. Found in her personal effects was the book of Ouroboros, given to her from the very Oracle herself, one to which she is blood bound. This is also included in the sale and one does not have to worry about the Master of the Ouroboros channelling through the book to find her, as the vendor has already had a warlock take care of this problem, which will reflect on the price, as I’m sure you can understand.” On hearing this important piece of information, I at least now knew why no-one could have contacted me throughout my imprisonment. Gastian had obviously heard from the snivelling Dimme about the book and gone to great lengths to prevent anyone from communicating with me.

  There were nods and most started discussing amongst themselves, whilst looking up at me every now and again. I finally knew what it felt like for all those poor zoo animals being gawked at all day!

  “I must also caution before the auction starts, that anyone who bids does so under their own risk of life as rules state clearly that no supernatural contact is to be made with this particular human and as we all stand here now, we are in fact in breach of that ruling. Anyone not willing to take those risks may leave like the others with our well wishes and hope to see you back here again next year.” Once again I was pleased to see this time ten more people stood up and left.

  “Very well, now that all formalities are out of the way, let us start. This is a lot for the elite, so we will begin with an elite starting price, do I hear 10 million?” Now I was the one to gasp…really, 10 million?! I have to say, even though I knew I was letting go of some mental marbles for even thinking it, I couldn’t help but be a little flattered at the price set. I think if these feathers had been really attached, they would have puffed up on hearing that.

  “10 million, do I have 15?” The auctioneer was soon having to go up in the tens instead of the fives and soon after that by the twenties! I was dumbfounded by the ludicrous prices being shouted and when it got up as far as 350 million, I nearly fell from my perch! What in the Hell did these people think they were going to get for that price…me crapping gold and sneezing diamonds?!

  It had finally started to slow down and I noticed it was now down to three bidders and neither one looked like the friendly captive type. I was just about to start coming up with escape plans in my head, when a booming voice cut through the auction and vibrated the walls with the sheer strength of it.

  “One Billion!” Was the next price shouted from a shadow in the back and the Auctioneer looked to Gastian and when he nodded he brought down his hammer, sealing my fate when he shouted…

  “The Electus is Sold!”

  Chapter 51

  Worth Every Penny

  At the sound of my sale, I felt like an arm had just been pushed down my throat and forced my heart into my stomach! Was I really just going to be going from one sorry prison and on to the next and what would my next captor be like? Well, one thing was a given, I doubted it would come with my very own Percy!

  “If you please Sir, can you show us your paddle number?” The auctioneer asked loudly trying to reach the back of the room. I held my breath as I saw a shadow walk in between the crowd and soon it was going to be my very first view of my buyer. I think, like everyone, we were expecting the buyer to just come to the edge of the gallery’s balcony and hold up a number, but he didn’t do this.

  Oh no, not for this man! People started to fill the room with murmurs that seemed to travel straight from those who quickly got out of his way, as though this man was someone very important. The hum of noise washed along the crowd in a wave of gossip and I soon found out why. The mystery man simply stepped up on top of the stone banister and grabbed hold of the centre pillar, situated in between the six arches that faced me on the second level. This was done with such grace and masterful flair, I knew what I was seeing had to be true.

  I released a stuttered breath as the reality hit me dead centre in the chest and a sob was wrenched from deep within my fragile soul. For the first time in three weeks of brutal imprisonment, I now felt my heart soar and my hope regain strength. I felt the tears fall from beneath the mask and I didn’t care one damn bit that a hall full of people could see it. I only had emotions for the man now stood at the pillar staring right at me, with that bad boy smile I had once grown to know so well. Then I whispered his name and prayed to the Gods that created him that this dream wouldn’t shatter.

  “Lucius.” He must have heard me because he nodded slowly and then winked at me before dropping to the floor below. I was left breathing heavy and trying in vain to hold back the flood of emotions that threatened to take over my senses. Was it possible…? Had I been saved?

  Following the sight of Lucius, everyone quickly bowed down in their chairs and all around the hall was an echoed sound of those stood, falling to their knees. The auctioneer took in the sight of Lucius striding down the centre aisle straight to the podium. He fell to his knees also and lowered his head until he found the floor.

  “My Lord.” He uttered in quivering fear.

  The sight of Lucius wearing a pair charcoal suit trousers, matching waistcoat and a light grey shirt unbuttoned at the neck, which was also casually rolled around his thick forearms, was a sight to behold for anyone. His dress shoes clicking on the stone floor made for a powerful beat as he ate the distance to the shaking auctioneer.

  When Lucius made it to him, he looked down with disdain and motioned without words for him to rise with a simple bend of all his fingers from the hand still held relaxed at his side. He did what he was told and rose to face my buyer.

  “The Electus is yours My Lord and I have been assured you will not be disappointed.”

  “No, imagine not.” Lucius said letting me hear the hidden meaning in his smug gaze up at the cage. I finally let myself smile back knowing from now on everything would be ok and he would take care of me. I was not alone any longer.

  I saw him look back at the crowd and nod to some woman with a massive hat, one that looked like a flying saucer had landed on her head. He nodded to my cage and whoever she was, she jumped up and bowed to him over enthusiastically, making him roll his eyes.

  “You have something for me to sign?” Lucius snapped at the auctioneer and he nodded anxiously before running off to get what I assumed was my paperwork. Now I really felt like a prized cow being sold! Meanwhile the woman with the massive hat had disappeared into the crowd and the auctioneer seemed to be arguing with Gastian over the other side of the podium. Well, I knew one thing, the second I got down from this bloody cage I was going to be having words with my kidnapper and letting my fists do the talking…oh, who was I kidding, I would just ask Lucius to do that for me!

  “Hey Too
ts, how’s it hangin?”

  “PIP!” I shouted as I saw that the woman wearing the big hat was in fact Pip! She was stood on one of the middle plinths on the second level and she dramatically whipped her hat off, letting all her green and blue hair fall down. She wore it in a mass of voluminous tight curls resembling a green afro with a blue halo from the tips.

  I couldn’t help but grin until my jaw hurt when I saw her and took in what she was wearing. It was some kind of poncho dress made from long hair that reached from her shoulders down to mid-thigh. It was sectioned in different colours and looked like she was wearing part of a rainbow! With this she’d added a belt that looked as if a pair of monster hands were holding her waist. She completed the look with a pair of knee high striped socks with high heeled blue wellington boots that had little red and yellow cars all over them.

  “Tootie Cake.” She said beaming at me. Then she threw her hat into the crowd below, bowed to them all as they cheered like this was all part of the show. Then she launched herself at my cage, landing on the sides like a little monkey! She climbed up the bars until she was level with me on my perch making her hair poncho sway in a mesmerizing display of colours. Well, if I was the captured black and white bird then she was definitely the wild free parrot in this picture!

  “I have to say, I’m not digging the new crib Toots, but the new look is bitchin’!...Although…you do kinda need your roots doing” I laughed at her and shook my head whilst thanking all the Gods combined for her!

  “Sorry honey, I would have tidied up and done a touch up if I knew you were coming.” I said making a joke back, but also thinking my blonde roots were that last of my worries!