The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Chapter 77: The Auction House

"What?" Moreen asked, her eyes wide.

Nina smiled.

"Come with me."

Three hours later, they were seated inside a carriage riding through town.

Moreen had barely spoken since they left. She sat stiffly across from Nina, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. A sheen of sweat covered her forehead despite the cool breeze slipping through the carriage opening. Every now and then, she would glance at Nina, as though hoping the Luna would suddenly change her mind and order them back home.

Nina, however, appeared completely unbothered.

After a few minutes, she would lean forward and peer through the opening of the carriage, her eyes sweeping over the streets outside.

The guards at the pack’s gates had bowed immediately Moreen had presented the Luna token. At first, they had exchanged startled glances among themselves before quickly lowering their heads and stepping aside to let them pass.

Moreen had wished they had prevented them from leaving, but she’d been disappointed when they just opened the gates and let them through.

Nina withdrew her head back into the carriage and frowned slightly, ’’It’s almost an hour now, where is this auction house?

"My lady, we should head back. It’s almost noon," Moreen said suddenly, unable to keep the panic from her voice.

Nina glanced at her once before turning her attention to the coachman.

"How far away are we?" she asked.

"We are almost there, Your Grace," the coachman replied from outside. "Just a little farther down the road. We’ll have to walk the rest of the way, though. Carriages are not allowed on this side of town."

"Okay."

Nina nodded and settled back into her seat. "That’s even better," she said. "We don’t want anyone seeing us."

Across from her, Moreen looked miserable. Nina didn’t pay attention to her expression.

Moreen stared at her for a moment before lowering her gaze.

"Luna, the Matriarch would have my head for this," she said quietly. "We have to return. Please."

"Shh..." Nina waved a hand dismissively. "We’re already here. I’ll just take a look, and then we’ll return."

Her voice was calm, as though leaving the pack’s house unassisted and without guards was nothing. Moreen let out a soft sigh.

If anything went wrong she was in trouble.

Nina folded her hands in front of her as she thought quietly.

If the Vothraki or the Earthstone was here, she would feel it at least. Her powers were in it, so it would respond to her.

She just needed to see it.

Moreen pressed her lips together tightly. The closer they got to their destination, the more uneasy she seemed to become. Her leg bounced restlessly against the floor of the carriage as she sat in silence.

"We are here."

The coachman’s voice cut through the tension.

The carriage rolled to a stop.

Nina immediately pushed open the door and climbed down. Moreen followed a moment later.

The sun was still high in the sky, yet the street before them was strangely quiet.

A road stretched down into the valley below, but there wasn’t a single person crossing. No merchants.

No pedestrians.

Nothing.

Nina’s brows drew together as she turned to the coachman.

"Why is everywhere quiet?" she asked.

The coachman closed the carriage door before facing her.

"Today is a black auction, Your Grace. Extremely valuable goods traded in the underground markets would be on auction today. The streets are cleared to ensure nothing goes wrong. The auction house is down the valley and to the right."

Nina looked in the direction he pointed before nodding.

"Alright. Wait here. We’ll be back soon."

The moment the words left her mouth, Moreen shot her a panicked look and shook her head.

Nina ignored it completely.

"If you’re scared, you can wait with him," she said as she started down the road without looking back.

Moreen stared after her in disbelief.

Then she cursed under her breath and hurried after her.

The two women walked down the cobbled path until they reached the end of the street. Just as the coachman had instructed, they turned to the right.

Nina slowed her pace slightly.

As they walked, she focused on the space around her, searching for the faintest trace of energy.

Anything.

A pull.

A reaction.

But she felt nothing.

Which of the two was on auction,

The Vothraki or the Earthstone?

Her mind worked as she continued forward.

"Luna," Moreen whispered as she hurried to keep up beside her. She glanced nervously over her shoulder before lowering her voice even further. "We should have brought a few guards with us. If the Alpha finds out..."

"The Alpha would find out nothing if you keep your mouth shut," Nina cut her off and continued forward.

Moreen opened her mouth as though she wanted to argue, but whatever protest she had died on her tongue.

Nina’s eyes lifted to an old signpost hanging above a weathered building ahead.

The Auction House.

Her steps slowed.

By the time they reached the entrance, she had already noticed the two men standing outside.

Both looked out of place.

One was bald and broad-shouldered, his arms folded across his chest. The other was taller, with a beard so thick it covered most of his mouth. Neither looked particularly welcoming.

Nina came to a stop in front of them.

The men looked the two women over from head to toe before their expressions darkened.

"What are you doing here?" the bald man asked. His voice was deep, rough, and openly irritated.

"Forgive us, sirs," Nina said politely. "We’re here for the auction."

Neither man looked surprised.

That caught her attention immediately.

"There seems to be something valuable on sale today," she continued smoothly. "We’ve come to place a bid."

Her voice remained calm, carrying not a trace of uncertainty.

Beside her, however, Moreen looked as though she was moments away from collapsing. Nina could practically feel the girl’s nerves radiating through the air between them.

She really should have left her with the coachman.

The taller man let out a bark of laughter.

"You think the Earthstone is some toy?" he asked. His voice rose as he spoke. "Leave this place at once."

Nina’s eyes widened slightly.

The Earthstone.

For a brief moment, everything else faded into the background.

It was here?

How?

How had the Earthstone ended up in an auction house?

Questions flooded her mind, but she kept her expression carefully neutral.

Only the rapid pounding of her heart betrayed her excitement.

"Gentlemen," she said after a moment, tilting her head slightly, ""Business is business," she said lightly. "Surely you aren’t turning away potential buyers."

The two men exchanged a look.

Their eyes traveled over her clothing, her face, and then briefly toward Moreen.

Neither spoke.

Then they stepped aside and lowered their voices.

Nina watched them carefully as they spoke to one another.

For the first time since arriving, she found herself hoping luck was on her side.

After a short discussion, the men returned.

The bald one cleared his throat.

"You’re right on time, my lady. The auction just started."

A strange smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he pushed open the doors.

"Right this way."

Nina studied him for a second longer.

Then she stepped forward.

Behind her, Moreen hesitated.

Only for a moment.

Then she followed.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the doors swung shut behind them.

A second later, there was a click.

Nina heard it.

So did Moreen.

"Please continue forward," the bald man said pleasantly. "The auction house is just down the hallway. We’ll take you there."

Nina didn’t move immediately.

Her eyes shifted from one man to the other.

Did she just walk into a trap?

The thought crossed her mind before she could stop it.

Her gaze drifted down the corridor.

No.

Even if she had.

Getting the earthstone means regaining her powers, the risk was worth taking.

She didn’t have much time left in this body.

Drawing in a slow breath, she forced a nod and continued forward.

The hallway was lined with thick rugs, with doors stretching along both sides. Chandeliers hung overhead, swaying gently as they clinked against one another.

Voices drifted from behind some of the closed doors as they walked.

At first, everything seemed normal.

Moreen stayed close enough that their sleeves brushed occasionally, while the two men followed several paces behind.

Nina could hear their footsteps against the carpet.

Steady.

Heavy.

Close.

Too close.

She glanced back.

The men were smiling.

The sight unsettled her more than it should have.

Nina returned her gaze to the hallway ahead and continued walking.

Everything would be fine as long as she found the stone.

Once she had it, she could save herself.

And Moreen.

The corridor stretched onward.

Gradually, the voices disappeared.

The chandeliers became fewer.

The light grew dimmer.

Nina frowned.

Something wasn’t right.

An auction house should have been crowded.

There should have been people.

Guests.

Bidders.

Guards.

Instead, the deeper they walked, the quieter the building became.

Soon there was nothing left except the sound of their footsteps.

Nina slowed.

Moreen noticed immediately.

"Luna," she whispered.

Nina reached for her hand.

The girl’s fingers wrapped around hers at once.

Cold.

Trembling.

Nina looked ahead.

The hallway continued into darkness.

Only a faint light flickered somewhere in the distance.

This was not the way to an auction house.

Shit.

The realization settled heavily in her stomach.

They were taking them somewhere else.

Nina swallowed carefully.

Breathe, Annalise.

Panic wouldn’t help.

She couldn’t outrun these men.

And if she tried to scream or fight without a plan, both she and Moreen could end up hurt.

She needed to think.

Fast.

Beside her, Moreen’s grip tightened.

Nina glanced at her face.

The girl had reached the same conclusion.

For the first time since entering the building, sweat prickled across Nina’s back.

When she finally stopped walking, they had reached the darkest part of the corridor.

The chandeliers were gone.

The voices were gone.

Only a single torch burned at the far end of the hall.

Nina turned.

"Where is the auction house?" she asked.

The bald man chuckled.

Without hesitation, he pointed toward the distant torch.

"Right over there, my lady."

His smile never wavered.

"Due to the nature of today’s bid, it’s being held in a private room. Attendance is restricted to a select few." freёwebnoѵel.com

Nina held his gaze.

She searched for the faintest trace of magic around them.

Anything.

Even the smallest sign.

There was nothing.

As powerful as the Earthstone was, she would have felt it by now.

The Earthstone wasn’t here.

Nina smiled.

"Maybe you should lead the way," she said lightly. "I don’t do well in the dark."

The effect was immediate.

The hallway fell silent.

Nina watched as the smile slowly disappeared from the man’s face.

A cold sensation crawled down her spine.

Beside her, Moreen edged closer.

"My lady," she whispered shakily. "I told you... we should have gone back."

Nina didn’t answer.

Her eyes remained fixed on the two men.

For a moment, nobody moved.

Then suddenly, the taller man burst into laughter.

The sound echoed through the corridor.

"I forgot," he said.

His grin widened.

"The auction house is the other way."

Nina’s heart hammered against her ribs.

"We’ll take you there," he continued, taking a step forward.

Nina immediately stepped back.

Then the man’s grin stretched wider.

"But as an auction."

The bald man threw back his head and laughed.

His laughter rolled through the hallway, bouncing off the walls.

When he finally looked at them again, there was nothing friendly left in his expression.

His eyes moved between Nina and Moreen and then back to Nina, and swept over her face slowly,

A greedy smile spread across his lips.

"Look at her," he muttered.

The taller man gave a low whistle.

"Exquisite features. Noble bearing. Poreless skin without a single flaw."

The bald man nodded, licking his lips.

"If we say she’s untouched by a man, she’ll fetch at least five hundred thousand gold coins."

All color drained from Nina’s face, as she took a step back.

"You two," he said with a grin, "would make a very good sale."