Taken to the Deadlands: Tales of the Stolen Demon Brides

Chapter 4 - Mia

I took my chance.

But instead of darting backward, I darted forward.

The only guards in front of us were already trying to keep their humans on lock down so I guessed that they wouldn't try to grab me.

And I was right.

I slipped beneath Eve's legs, dodging the hands that failed for me.

"Go Mia!"

Iris who had been compliant until now clashed against her guards, throwing them off balance enough for me to slip past them.

When I pushed back the curtains that separated us and the next room bright lights blinded me, but I couldn't stop. Not when I could feel the demons right behind me.

Loud rumblings and cheers called my attention. I blinked a few times until my eyes adjusted and followed the noise.

I froze for just a moment, taking in the darkness of the room in front of me. I realized in that moment that I was on a small stage and people—no demons—occupied the spaces. I couldn't make out their faces because of the lights but I could make out distinct shapes like horns, sharp glittering teeth, glowing eyes, and the heavy feeling of death in the air.

I didn't let it shock me for too long and bolted across the stage. A hard chest hit my back and sent me spiraling.

I screamed and jerked in the demons hold. When they tried to cover my mouth with their claws I bit down hard on their hand. Their loud growl roared in my ears.

In an instant, their weight disappeared only to be replaced with another. I turned my head to see the demon jerking against two others that had to pull them to the other side of the stage. Their eyes were wide and bright red, their teeth were barred, and loud growls rumbled from their chest.

"Oh my, it's your first appearance and already you've called forth a frenzy."

Dread hit me hard as I was pulled to my feet only to come face to face with the demon that had whisked me away here in the first place.

I opened my mouth to scream at her but with a single wave of her hand, my throat felt like it was on fire. Coughs wracked my body and my lungs burned. I couldn't breathe.

She didn't stop whatever magic she had done until black clouded my vision.

I swayed against the demon holding me. Their hand wrapped around me and gripped my face, forcing me to look out into the crowd. The longer I stared, the more I could make out the horrific faces that looked back at me.

Some of them could pass for humans, but many looked like something straight out of my nightmares.

"Since the spirit seer offered herself up so prettily, we shall start with her," the white haired demon said from off to the side. "Spirit seers are rumored to have a sharp taste to them with hints of winter and mulberry. We will start the bidding with three thousand royal gold, though remember you can always offer something from your realm to sweeten the deal."

The volume of the room raised in response. I couldn't make out the bids but the white hairs demon seemed to have no problem.

"Five thousand gold and... a mermaid scale! Okay any one... Six thousand and a dragon egg? No, no that would raise it to at least ten thousand gold. Can anyone match?"

The noises around me quieted as my heart slowed.

This was it? This was really how it was all going to end?

I didn't know how long the bidding went on for, only that the entire time I was faced with the hard cold fact that there was absolutely nothing I could do to save myself.

"Eighty thousand and a soul sphere going once... twice... sold to Demis from the fire fields!"

My breath caught in my throat. There were a few grumbles here and there but overall the commotion quieted.

A large demon that was at lest seven foot walked up to the stage. His entire body was hard like rock with racks all along his limbs and face, showing a burning red color underneath. He stood tall though his back seemed to be hunched permanently. His mouth opened to show me a set of decaying but sharp teeth.

"Touch me and I'll kill you," I forced out, though it only made the demon laugh.

"Come human, it's been years since I feasted—"

His eyes widened and his entire body froze. A smaller figure stepped out from behind him, her eyes narrowed in on me.

She was unlike any of the other demons I had seen before. Her skin was gray with an iridescent shine to it in the light. Her long black hair fell to her waist with two long strands braided back, keeping the majority of her hair out of her face. Two deep blue horns jutted from her head and curled back.

She wore a loose blue silk robe that was open in the front, showing off her bare chest, and loose black pants that were tied at the waist. Her hands were tipped in black and just then I realized that one of them was also dripping bright red blood.

She let out a sigh and pushed the giant demon, causing him to tumble to the stage. No one attempted to catch him as he rolled off of it.

"Seventy thousand." Her voice was low and husky and caused a thrill to go through me.

I looked to the white haired demon to my right. There was a small smile on her face.

"Killing the bidders is against the rules," she tutted, though she didn't seem all that angry.

The demon girl shrugged.

"We know you won't punish me, so why don't you just give her to me?"

The white haired Demon cocked her head.

"It's been awhile since you've had a human, Aris of the Deadlands. Pray tell, what amuses you so much about this one?"

Aris. That was her name.

Aris shrugged.

"Take it or leave it," she grumbled. "No one can match."

"Eros and Oros can."

Aris mouth twisted into a snarl.

"They will not bid on this one. Give her to me, I am running out of patience."

The white demon sighed, but didn't fight her.

"Seventy thousand going once... twice... sold to Aris of the Deadlands!"

When Aris' gaze met mine, my breathe was stolen from my chest. This woman—demon— was going to eat me.

Well at least she's hot. 

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