Read Online Under My Skin by Shawntelle Madison - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Shawntelle Madison
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the bidding or as the lights from the balcony lit up with bidders. What I felt was my only connection to my family in this place being taken away. With every bid rising higher and higher, I clutched my gown tighter and tighter. All the while, Zoe smiled at the crowd.
“If we have no more bidders, item number 23608A has sold for 23,000 credits to Justina Helmquest in booth 9C. Congratulations!” My stomach clenched painfully. The usher arrived to take Zoe away. My cousin turned briefly to wave in my direction as the usher led her away. I tried to be strong—sit straighter, do anything except look at the empty seats around me. After over a half hour of bidding, most of the Water Bearers had sold quickly with smaller bids. But, so far, everyone had been sold. And what pained me with every breath was that my time would come soon. My gaze shifted to my hands, and then to the floor. I didn’t want to look up anymore to see what was happening.
When the time came, Justina Helmquest had to bid on me and win.
I almost didn’t hear when Valentin called my name. I glanced around to see that everyone was gone. I was dead last.
“Here she comes. Now all you reluctant bidders can try for the ultimate prize. We have here Tate Sullivan, item number 23607A. A lovely girl, if I may say so.”
His words drew me toward him. Past the empty seats. Down the rows toward the spotlight. During the whole way, my stomach threaten to purge. I knew what was coming. I knew what words would be said to the crowd, but they would be all about me. A set of stairs to the left was a means to escape, but I ignored them. There was no turning back now.
My hand itched to cover my scar—to keep everyone from seeing my deformity. All I could think about was the ill-formed stitches from the traveling physician who repaired the opening in my face shortly after my birth. If only he had used standard plastic-stitches the rich had available instead of regular stitches.
“We had enough prebids on 23607A to make this an interesting auction. I’m more than pleased to open bidding at 50,000 credits. Can I get a bid at fifty-five?”
I didn’t have to look up from staring at my clenched hands to see the rainbow of lights against the taut muscles. My heart jumped to hear him say that unthinkable number. Who’d want to bid on me? But then I remembered that woman with the black hair, red lips, and pale skin and how she said she couldn’t wait to bid on me.
My breath quickened as the number rose. Higher and higher.
“Eighty-five from 23C, another bid from 9C. Do you want to add another 10,000, 23C?”
Soon enough, the battle of bids jumped between three parties. Balcony 23C, 9C, and 14A continued on for another few tense minutes, the number catching my breath as it climbed. Eventually, two of them backed out, leaving one the clear winner.
“Congratulations to 14A, the winner of item number 23607A at 95,000 credits.” The spotlight dimmed. “And that concludes the 203rd annual Water Bearers auction! Congratulations again to our winners and thank you everyone for attending today!”
He hadn’t given a name and Justina’s booth wasn’t 14A.
Every muscle locked. I couldn’t even blink. I didn’t move even when someone appeared at my side. I heard Astrid say, “It’s time to go, Tate.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
As I made my way to the transport ship on the roof, I tried not to think of Zoe. She’d want me to hold myself together, and I would. But Claire’s warning clung to me.
No one spoke to me as we walked briskly through the corridors. Five soldiers in their crisp black uniforms accompanied us. Their faces resembled petrified wood, stiff and lifeless. Each of them rested their hands close to their las-guns. As if someone small like me would take a chance to run away. Astrid continued to stroll ahead of everyone, her heels clicking on the marble floors that turned into the concrete of the Training Facility’s launch bay. I stared at the back of her dark
“If we have no more bidders, item number 23608A has sold for 23,000 credits to Justina Helmquest in booth 9C. Congratulations!” My stomach clenched painfully. The usher arrived to take Zoe away. My cousin turned briefly to wave in my direction as the usher led her away. I tried to be strong—sit straighter, do anything except look at the empty seats around me. After over a half hour of bidding, most of the Water Bearers had sold quickly with smaller bids. But, so far, everyone had been sold. And what pained me with every breath was that my time would come soon. My gaze shifted to my hands, and then to the floor. I didn’t want to look up anymore to see what was happening.
When the time came, Justina Helmquest had to bid on me and win.
I almost didn’t hear when Valentin called my name. I glanced around to see that everyone was gone. I was dead last.
“Here she comes. Now all you reluctant bidders can try for the ultimate prize. We have here Tate Sullivan, item number 23607A. A lovely girl, if I may say so.”
His words drew me toward him. Past the empty seats. Down the rows toward the spotlight. During the whole way, my stomach threaten to purge. I knew what was coming. I knew what words would be said to the crowd, but they would be all about me. A set of stairs to the left was a means to escape, but I ignored them. There was no turning back now.
My hand itched to cover my scar—to keep everyone from seeing my deformity. All I could think about was the ill-formed stitches from the traveling physician who repaired the opening in my face shortly after my birth. If only he had used standard plastic-stitches the rich had available instead of regular stitches.
“We had enough prebids on 23607A to make this an interesting auction. I’m more than pleased to open bidding at 50,000 credits. Can I get a bid at fifty-five?”
I didn’t have to look up from staring at my clenched hands to see the rainbow of lights against the taut muscles. My heart jumped to hear him say that unthinkable number. Who’d want to bid on me? But then I remembered that woman with the black hair, red lips, and pale skin and how she said she couldn’t wait to bid on me.
My breath quickened as the number rose. Higher and higher.
“Eighty-five from 23C, another bid from 9C. Do you want to add another 10,000, 23C?”
Soon enough, the battle of bids jumped between three parties. Balcony 23C, 9C, and 14A continued on for another few tense minutes, the number catching my breath as it climbed. Eventually, two of them backed out, leaving one the clear winner.
“Congratulations to 14A, the winner of item number 23607A at 95,000 credits.” The spotlight dimmed. “And that concludes the 203rd annual Water Bearers auction! Congratulations again to our winners and thank you everyone for attending today!”
He hadn’t given a name and Justina’s booth wasn’t 14A.
Every muscle locked. I couldn’t even blink. I didn’t move even when someone appeared at my side. I heard Astrid say, “It’s time to go, Tate.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
As I made my way to the transport ship on the roof, I tried not to think of Zoe. She’d want me to hold myself together, and I would. But Claire’s warning clung to me.
No one spoke to me as we walked briskly through the corridors. Five soldiers in their crisp black uniforms accompanied us. Their faces resembled petrified wood, stiff and lifeless. Each of them rested their hands close to their las-guns. As if someone small like me would take a chance to run away. Astrid continued to stroll ahead of everyone, her heels clicking on the marble floors that turned into the concrete of the Training Facility’s launch bay. I stared at the back of her dark
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