Breeding in the Academy: Searching for Freedom (All 9)

Chapter 4

A wide smile took over the auctioneer's face that showed too much teeth. His eyes grew round then squinted with obvious happiness at the amount of money I had offered. He laughed. "Does anyone else want to bid higher?"

No one spoke although I felt their eyes narrow at me with jealousness and hatred. When no one spoke, the auctioneer banged the podium with his gavel. "Sold to Prime Devonport."

A black masked man came towards my way with the black obelisk on a silver platter in his hands. When he came to my side, he bowed at his waist, lowering the platter. I looked up at him, noticing the blue collar around his neck and his lowered eyes. I lifted my card and lightly tapped it against the point. The silver light ran down the obelisk, signifying the end of my purchase. As the man scampered away, I looked back at the stage.

Owen Blackbourne gracefully walked down the platform and made his way towards me. Since I sat in the back, I noticed the way all the women were staring at his form. Almost unnoticeable, I saw the three other men make eye contact with the oldest Prime before looking away. When I looked back at the man walking towards me, my eyes connected with the emotionless grey eyes. I frowned before standing up to greet him.

Mr. Blackbourne bowed gracefully as he reached me. "Prime Devonport, it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

I nodded and motioned towards the couch. His perfect brown eyebrow arched slightly, showing his slight surprise at my behavior. I had stood up as he approached, telling him that I was respectful, and signaled for him to take a seat without forcing him to kiss her hand or cheek. He gave a nod before sitting on the couch, looking at me. Behind my mask, I sighed silently, trying to think of another plan.

The man beside me talked softly so the others wouldn't hear me. "Do I not meet your wants, Prime Devonport?"

I turned my head to look at him. His eyes stared at me, searching my eyes. I tilted my head and smiled underneath my mask although I knew that he couldn't see me. "Do you know my wants are, Mr. Blackbourne?"

He was silent for a moment before speaking. "No." His gray eyes met mine through the mask. "Not yet."

We both fell silent as the orator spoke again. "The next prime who is also making his first debut is Mr. Dakota Lee. He is known as the Scholar due to his thirst for knowledge. He was born on January 3."

The curtains parted to allow another man step from the darkness. He was tall, not as tall as North but had some height. His hair was a dark chestnut and was swept back in a similar hairstyle that the man beside me had. Black frames perched on his nose. Behind those frames were almond shaped eyes and long lashes that framed captivating dark green eyes. His lips were drawn into a straight line. Other than his pressed lips, he was emotionless.

"Shall we start at $100,000?" The man asked. Within moments, he was bought to an older woman who was old enough to be his mother. The orator smiled at the sum. "Sold to Silver Holden for $419,000."

I watched as Dakota Lee walked across the stage. As soon as he sat down, the curtain was drawn back. A man with red hair walked through. Although he was shorter than North, his body was more muscular. It was obvious that he worked out to a point to a point that was muscular but not too muscular that would make him stiff. Dead blue eyes stayed straight, not even bothering to look at the crowd of women who looked at him in lust and awe.

"Mr. Nathan Griffin was born on October 5. He is known as the Athlete. Due to his stamina, he excelled in sports." The orator gave us women a sly look. "And other things, too."

Giggles rang around the room although I grimaced at the lewd statement. Every moment that passed made me hate the man. Although he wore a yellow collar, he didn't have to rub these men's unfortunate positions in their faces because he was jealous.

Moments passed before he was sold. The woman who purchased him for $392,000 was in her early twenties. Her hair was dyed a fire engine red. Combined with her fair skin and green eyes, she was beautiful if it wasn't for the evil glint in her eyes and wide smile.

The auctioneer rubbed his hands together as he was about to announce the next Prime. "The next person is the son of the pairing of two Primes. Mr. Victor Morgan was born on January 29. Mr. Morgan is known as the Prodigy. Ever since he was three years old, he'd shown an affinity to the piano along with other instruments. Before turning eighteen, he is known for playing for the several important people including the..."

The man's words faded to the background as I noticed the man stepping into the light. He was about the same height as Dakota, but his figure was slimmer. Light brown hair, that reminded me of the color of brown sugar, was slightly longer on top of his head and laid softly on his forehead. He was different than the others because his eyes held some emotion. His eyes burned with light behind his irises, but they seemed subdued, almost sad and resigned.

"Sold for $571,000 to Yellow Rivers," the bang of his gavel drew me from my thoughts. I sighed. Only a few more people.

"Next is Dr. Sean Green, also known as the Charmer. No matter who you are, he charms you." A man stepped onto the platform. Although he walked with a smooth gait, blonde curls bounced with every movement. The blonde curls framed his heart shaped face. Friendly green eyes roamed over the room, winking at us. He winked and smiled as if this wasn't wrong, but I could see the weariness in his eyes. "Dr. Green was found to be very smart and was able to graduate with his medical degree when he was seventeen. He is now twenty-one years old. Along with his colleague Mr. Blackbourne, he is well known and favored."

Ten minutes of raised voices went by until he was sold for $910,000 to a woman named Goldie Mann. I winced inwardly as Sean walked towards to the woman. She was known to be very cruel, making Jade and the woman who bought Nathan seem tame. Mann enjoyed breaking men until they had no hope to continue living.

"The second to last man is Mr. Silas Korba, also known as the Greek Orion. He was born on June 11." The auctioneer's words once again faded when the man stepped out into the light. He was the tallest with a muscular figure that made him look intimidating. His hair was as black as night, and his eyes were a deep brown. Despite his large figure, he strode over the floor silently. "Mr. Korba is Greek and can speak that language. He can be whatever you want. A protector. A hunter. Who shall start the bidding?"

A heaviness settled on my shoulders as I realized that I was about to face the person I've been looking for years. I bit my lip, waiting for the calls of amounts of money to cease. I knew that Mr. Blackbourne knew something was up by the way he was staring at me from the corners of his eyes, but I didn't bother to confront his stare as I watched the auctioneer pound his gavel on the wooden surface of his podium.

"Sold to Silver Dewson for $521,000." The auctioneer smiled widely before pouting. "The evening is almost gone, ladies, and we have come down to our last Prime. He is one of the eight that has recently turned eighteen. Known as the Sweetheart, he has earned a spot in both men and women's hearts for the way he treats people. Mr. Michelangelo Lyons was born on October 6."

I held a breath as the boy turned man that I've been looking for the last thirteen years walked through the curtain. Blonde hair shined in the light. Brown eyes looked at the crowd with a sweetness that made my heart melt. He wasn't as tall as Mr. Blackbourne and wasn't as muscular as Nathan, Silas, or North. I could see that he walked with a purpose, but his eyes betrayed him. His eyes were filled slightly with fear and hesitancy.

My heart sank as I looked at him. My plan was to use the money that I had to purchase him, but since I had bought Mr. Blackbourne, I had to come up with another plan quickly. I couldn't bear to hear the bids circling the room, so I let go of everything and paid attention only on him. With every bid that came up, I saw the light in his eyes and smile dim.

"Sold to Silver Oliver for $783,000." The auctioneer smiled as he pounded the podium for the last time. "This purchase concludes the Bidding." He bowed at his waist. "For those who have bought a Prime enjoy. You will have a week with them before they are to come back to the Facility. You can collect these men tomorrow at eight o'clock in the morning. Good night."

With those words, he bounded off the stage into the back as the lights flicked on. Women murmured before rising from their couches. Pressing my lips together, I made a move to get up when Mr. Blackbourne rose and offered me a hand. I stared at his hand before looking up into his eyes. Silver met green as they both searched for answers. Placing my hand in his, I allowed him to guide me up. As soon as I was up, I took a step away from him and started towards the women. Behind me, Mr. Blackbourne followed.