‘The way he went in, he’s probably done a ligament; I’m sure Lilith can tell you which one. Look, try to keep your leg as straight as possible, yeah? After... Well, you know, I can try to strap it up for you if you want. Might make it a bit more comfortable?’
I’d barely had time to give a tentative nod when we heard a distant door slam. ‘Coyle. Time for you to act like a twat again.’
‘Sure.’ Nat glanced down the corridor as though another attack might be imminent. ‘Good luck, yeah?’
‘You too. Just remember, watch out for the mad bastard.’
‘Will do,’ Nat whispered, then added, ‘Shit, nearly forgot. God, I’m sorry about this, mate.’ He pulled the blindfold back in place, just in time.
‘All sorted now. Cheers for that, fella.’ Coyle grabbed me by the wrists and shoved me forward towards the marketplace.
*****
In previous years it had been some anonymous, terrified girl; usually eastern European – Polish, Ukrainian, Latvian – always beautiful and always petrified, and I would have to stand with her, useless in my pity. Tonight was a million times worse because it was Lilith next to me and every sinew ached to reach and hold her, let her know I was next to her and that everything would be fine. Only hours earlier we’d been in each other’s arms, and I’d have given anything to be back there again.
I knew Gabriel was under orders, but it was little comfort. She would still have to stand there whilst the filthy bunch of freaks sat and ogled her and imagined what they might do to her. I prayed that Henry had kept his head for once, and the bastards sitting around the table had got stuck into the wine.
There was the delicate ring of a silver knife against crystal glass and the murmurs and laughter subsided. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, welcome once more to Albermarle Hall,’ Blaine began. ‘It barely seems like weeks since we were last gathered here, let alone a year. And yet here I am, a year older -’
‘You’d never guess it,’ a voice called out, and there was a ripple of polite laughter as Maxwell broke the rule of silence to get his arse-licking in good and early. Probably after a discount.
‘How gracious of you to say,’ Blaine said. ‘Now I’m sure those of you familiar with this evening’s ceremony may have noticed a slight change in the proceedings; at her own request, you have the opportunity to bid for the attentions of my renowned artist-in-residence, Lilith Bresson. In the morning, as you’re aware, she’ll be unveiling her latest masterpiece, but for tonight she can be yours to do with as you wish.’
Just the very thought of that made me want to grab Lilith and drag her from the room, but for good or ill, the evening had begun.
‘So, shall we start with the customary, but frankly insulting, one thousand pounds?’ Blaine asked merrily.
*****
‘…Sold, for fifteen thousand pounds.’
Fifteen grand. The bunch of cheap bastards. Not that the amount itself mattered, just the fact that Lilith was safe with Gabriel, but there was something obscene about Lilith ever coming with a price tag.
‘Thank you very much for your generosity. Mr O’Halloran will take your purchase to your room, and you’ll be able to join her as soon as we’re finished here. Those of you who were disappointed – you now have a second opportunity to bid.’
Now I had to try to keep myself in one piece long enough to be any use. I’d half-expected Blaine to lower my reserve this year, maybe down to a couple of quid, but she optimistically kept it at the thousand. I waited for someone – probably Maxwell, after a bargain – to place the first bid, and then things started to get crazy.
‘Five thousand? Goodness, how generous.’ I could hear the shock in Blaine’s voice.
Over the next few minutes my price rose faster than I had ever known, first by the hundred, and then by the thousand, when it appeared that the auction might go on for the rest of the night. To my amazement I went for thirty grand; more than I’d ever fetched in my time here, and more than it had cost Blaine to buy me in the first place. Something clearly wasn’t right.
*****
I was shoved into my buyer’s room by Coyle, and waited in silence for the great reveal. The cuffs were unlocked first, and my wrists and fingers burned as my circulation returned, then I felt tentative fingers fumbling at the knotted fabric of my blindfold and guessed that I’d got some pissed-up first timer, their courage failing now they were alone.