The Auction
chapter 8

LILA POV

This little girl needs to just be grateful we are being so kind to her. Ayoung woman in her position could have ended up in a very bad place.We will get what we want from her. But we will not hurt her. She will beset for life. All she has to do is breed a few hybrids and she can be onher merry little way.

"Tatina, you look so worried," I say. I desperately am trying to soundsympathetic. It is hard when you feel like someone is so damnungrateful.

"I am fine. This place just looks a little creepy,” she says.

Her innocence, Mr. Craig will play on that. He will have her eating out ofthe palm of his hand. She just wants to be loved so badly.

"Oh darling, I understand. But what I do not understand is why youthink 1 would put you in harm's way," I say. I am trying to not come offas a bitch, but I probably did.

She sits there across from me. Looking at me looking at the people inthe room.

"I am sorry. I have not been out in the world much and this is a bigcity," she says.

I scan the room. The vampires are checking her out. I notice one reallylooking at her. Maybe I will introduce him.

"Excuse, Tatina. I need to speak with someone,” I say.

I leave the table and her whiny self there. I walk over to the bar. Ayoung vampire with dark hair and dark green eyes is watching mewatch him. He smiles like the devil himself when I approach.

"See something you like tall dark and handsome,” I say.

He stands up from the bar. "Actually I do," he says.

I reach for his arm. "You looking at her," I ask.

He smiles. "She looks ripe. Is she?" He asks.

"Mr. Craig will be examining her soon. The auction will be this Saturdayat the mansion," I tell him.

I walk away. I knew this was a good idea. They are going to bid likecrazy. This one. This girl is going to make a lot of money. She probablywill not be happy with the way things are going to go down. But in theend, she will have everything her little heart desires.

I sit back down at the table. Her mood seems to have changed. I hopeso. I cannot take it another minute if she starts whining again.

"Feel better," I ask her.

"Actually I do. The vampires in here seem okay. Don't get me wrong Iwas raised by a vampire, but I know that there is something about methat they want and it makes me uneasy sometimes,” she says.

I reach for her hand. "My dear, you will be fine. You are under theprotection of Mr. Craig. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Hewill take care of you," I tell her.

The waitress comes back with two plates and sits one down in front ofeach of us. Tatina's eyes get really big.

"It's a lot of food isn't it?" I ask her as a place the red linen in my lap.She takes her red linen napkin and places it in her lap. "I have neverseen so much food. I will never eat all this," she says.

"Whatever you do not eat I will have them box up. You can give it tothe homeless girl we saw on Royal street,” I tell her.

The homeless girl. She had to stop and talk to her. Tatina is a very sweetperson. I will give her that, but we have things to do. I can't have herout there trying to be a saint. I need her to be ready for Saturday.

"Eat up Tatina. It won't nourish your frail little body with you staring atit," I tell her.