Page 53 of Taken to the Deadlands

“And what do I get out of this?” I asked.

It was her turn to raise a brow.

“Going back to Aris isn’t enough?”

My chest puffed. “Why would I want to go back there? I have a good life here.”

Her silence spoke louder than anything she could have said. Of course I had been waiting for this opportunity, but now that itwas here… Could I really take it? Could I really leave the human world for good?

Will Aris still want me?

“Take it or leave it,” she spat. “My auction starts in less than five minutes, and I won’t be coming back.”

I swallowed thickly.

“Can I… prepare first?”

She shrugged. “If you can do it in… three minutes.”

My mind was made up. I had imagined this enough times to know exactly what I needed to do.

I packed a bag of clothes and underwear and whatever else I could fit in there. Then I left the shop door unlocked, filled Momo’s bowls and petted her, and finally, I left a note for Agnus.

Thank you for everything. I will miss you.

Please take care of Momo.

The demon sighed as I placed the note on the desk, right where Agnus wouldn’t miss it in the morning.

“Come on,” she growled and pulled me backwards into the portal.

Chapter 24

Aris

This would be my last auction. It had to be. I couldn’t take it anymore.

The house was growing far too much, and I just had to face it… Mia was gone for good.

I sat down in the back in my usual seat and waited for the auction to start.

I had forced myself to come later this time, in hopes that I could get here right as it started. It was unheard of, but today they seemed to be running late.

Murmurs broke out among the demons, and some even got visibly upset.

"Bring them out!” one of them growled from the right, standing up.

A few others laughed at him.

"Don't get too excited now," another teased.

He huffed and settled into his seat.

My eyes were focused on the curtain that hid the stage. I couldn't hear anything behind it.

But then, out of nowhere, it was pulled back. Everyone sat up in their seats, ready to get a glimpse of the humans, but we were met with an empty stage.

Confused whispers spread throughout the room, until our host, Madam, stepped through a portal.

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