Chapter 28 · Buy Her Debt Back

The auction hall smells like old money and new threats. I can't be here. Not physically. But Ivy's wearing a tiny mic clipped inside her jacket collar, and I'm riding every word through the mall's network like I'm standing right next to her.

She's in the back row. Hair tied tight. Hands flat on her knees. She looks calm. She's not.

I know because her breathing's shallow. Because her fingers twitch every time the auctioneer's gavel drops. Because she hasn't looked at the stage once since Vex walked in.

Vex is three rows ahead. Posture perfect. Smile polished. She's got a tablet in her lap and a assistant hovering at her shoulder like a well-trained shadow.

The auctioneer's voice rolls through the hall. "Lot forty-seven. Debt contract. Hunter-grade. Ivy Rowan. Opening bid: eight thousand marks."

Ivy's jaw tightens.

I watch the number climb on the projection screen. Ten thousand. Twelve. Fifteen.

Vex doesn't move.

That's bad. If she's not bidding, she's already won something else.

"Sixteen thousand," someone calls from the middle row. Young guy. Expensive coat. Probably thinks he's buying cheap labor.

Ivy's hand drifts toward her belt. Stops. She's armed. She can't use it. Not here.