Free Redemption (The Restoration Series Book 1) by Christina Simpson

eyes went wide. “You mean they know?Someone is coming? My family?”
     “Shhh. Nova, stay quiet.” He stepped forward, bracing a hand on the door as he listened intently to see if anyone had heard my outburst. I immediately quieted down and strained to hear. After a few beats of silence, he sagged against the door and looked at me.
     “Yes, Nova. Your family knows, and we’re working our best to try and get you out of here safely, along with Evie. There’s going to be a sale tonight. A big one. All the girls will be led into a showroom of sorts.”
     Shivers went up my body and I whimpered at the thought. The doctor took a few steps toward me, but kept his hands to himself.
     “Don’t worry, Nova. We have an inside guy. But you have to act your part.” I nodded, waiting for him to continue.
     “Nova, this is serious. You have to stay quiet, and try to hold it together. These men…these men are very horrible creatures. They are here to bidon you and take you home. They want to own you and treat you however they see fit. Our goal is to purchase you before any of the other kings can buy you. If we are successful, and we have never failed yet, you’ll wait beside him as he settles up, so to speak. Once finished, he’ll lead you out and bring you to your parents. But you can’t react in a way that’s suspicious. Do you understand?”
     Hope began to blossom in my chest and I held his gaze fearfully. “What happens if you aren’t successful?” Fear crept through me and made its way out of my mouth.
     “We won’t let that happen, Nova. Even if it does, we’ll try to intercept you somehow. Just, be careful. Keep your head down. Help is coming.” He took a few steps toward the door.
     “Why can’t you just take me with you now?” I stood and slowly approached him.
     He shook his head. “I can’t, it’s too obvious. This is how it works. I stay undercover, which allows me to help more and more people.”
     I understood, but I wanted to run. Fear of what could happen raked through my body, and I sat down on the mattress again.
     “What’s your name?”
     “It’s better if you don’t know it. You can’t slip up and call me by my name out there if you see me. The guards can’t know that we’ve spoken. Do you understand?”
     I nodded and turned my face as tears formed in my eyes.
     “It’s almost over?”
     He breathed out a deep sigh. “I hope so.”
     With that, he gave me a quick smile and headed out the door. For the first time in days, I felt a little bit of peace inside. But an hour later, Demon walked into my cell, his face devoid of any emotion.
     “It’s time to go. Stand up.”
     I obeyed, my sore legs trembling as they struggled to hold my weight.
     “I will not be chaining you. These men do not want to be reminded of how you came to me, but do not forget who is in charge and how you should act. You know the consequences, and you better pray that you get sold tonight.” He chuckled. “Then again, if you don’t, that just means I get to keep you.”
     The fear trickled down my spine as I nodded. I followed him out of the door and took my place in the hallway. The line was smaller than usual, which I took to mean that not all of the girls were going to be sold tonight.
     The line began to move, following Demon down the long dark hallway, opposite the direction of the showers. The end opened to a large concrete room. In the middle of the space rested a wide wooden platform, coveredin red silk cloth. Placedaround the platform were large wooden high-backed chairs covered in red leather. Each seat sat empty for the moment, as Demon instructed us to stand in line by the far wall in the darkness. There were six girls ahead of me, each in a different colored silk gown. I reached down and grabbed the hands of each girl beside me. They glanced at me with tears in their eyes before turning at the sound of the large wooden door creaking at the opposite side of the room.
     We