"SOLD!"

Even as the cart moved over the ruff terrain, I still sat there in absolute shock over the declaration. Sold? What did that mean? How could I possibly be sold?

Regardless of what kind of world I lived in... It didn't matter, I am not baggage. I couldn't be traded and definitely not sold! Even saying that means nothing. I am a woman and that says enough about my standing.. but the Order! I was in The Order! I was a saved woman, they couldn't take me away! They all swore it! The KING swore it.

Nonetheless, here I am, away from all of the others who were in it with me. All of the other forsaken men and woman. Most of them ended up with the same men, the same few buyers; the same men, all interested in new whores and soldiers. But not me... I sit here alone, with this man in a gothic styles black horse drawn carriage.

"Are you alright, my Dear?" his voice breaks the silence, making my panic rise.

I try to shuffle as far as possible from his touch, and his chilling voice. This man who will soon try to claim me as his own, to do Lord knows what!

"You seem so frightened, my Dear. Don't worry, I am a good man"

A good man? GOOD . MAN! Losing grip on myself I spit at him "No 'good man' would buy a woman of any sort, especially a woman of virtue, as though she were fruit from the market!" I speak, and immediately regret it seeing his eyebrows arch in shock.

"I disagree. A good man, such as myself, would hold back his hand when an insolent unlearned woman speaks to him as though she has some authority over him, despite the fact that she is his property"

My inhibitions fade entirely upon hearing this "'Insolent unlearned woman?!' Listen you mindless pig, I am not now or have I ever been the property of anyone! And I will not accept such disrespect form someone like you! I do not speak as though I hold superiority over you; I am simply stating that you call yourself a 'good man' expecting me to find trust in you, so that I will not fight your fowl will. I am no fool! I know that you, like many of the men of the auction, are not a mortal man and I have no intention of trusting you so that you can later bring harm to me"

"Woman, you test my patience, I will appreciate your desire to remain strong, because you believe I have some malicious intent and refuse to fall for some nefarious plot that many immortals would scheme. But as I have already informed you, My Dear, I am a good man. I have no intentions to bring harm to you. If I did, I would not have spent so much on you just to hurt you later. What sense would come from damaging such expensive merchandise? Now, we have almost reached the manor and I tell you now, the moment we reach my property, my tolerance for your rudeness will have fully dissipated. So, before things become anymore tense, I am Brian."

My eyes narrow at his commanding words and insistent statements, but all I say is "Mary"

He smirks knowingly "And she would be? I already know your name, you don't have to tell me it... but I would much appreciate your cooperation"

"My name is Claire"

"My dear Claire, welcome to my home" he says right as the heavy carriage came to a halt.

The door opens, and there stands three straight-backed people. All three look and seem human enough.. but then again, you can never be too sure.

"Meredith, this is Claire" he speaks to a short young girl, with a platinum blonde pixie cut and a black and white maid's uniform on. She looks up at him, with clear grey eyes that matched her hair. "Fix her" he says rudely, as though I were not still within earshot, as I sit in the carriage still. I strongly prefer the warmth of the small carriage to the cold gust that is coming from the outside.

Without even looking ruffled, as I definitely felt by that statement, she simply nods her head in understanding and says "yes, Sir," her eyes once again downcast. I am in utter shock, by this point, that the poor girl is not shivering from the intense chill that is rising from the air.

"Vladimir, get the staff prepared for dinner, we are having guest." He then says, not even looking at the man, who just bows. "And Trixie... Trix.. Come" he speaks the words in an airy, pensive voice. A smile plays on his face, and I wondered what he intends to do with Trixie.. Trix. Then again, I don't actually care.

Trixie who I only just notice, is a slim brunette. She stands out dramatically, in the cold, wearing just an oversized T-shirt and flip flops, I realize. I am starting to get a pretty good idea of what he and Trix would be up to. The thought disgust me.

Brain and Trixie walked off to the manor, he, apparently has forgotten all about me... Bastard. Vladimir walks off a few moments later, and then it's just me and Meredith standing out in the cold.

When everyone else gets back inside the manor, and I suppose it is evident to her that I don't want to come out of the carriage, Meredith just make a sharp turn, and says "If you don't want to catch a cold, I advise you to get out of the carriage and follow me." Without even waiting for me to move, she starts to strut back to the manor, at a very fast pace.

I, not wanting to get trapped out here, with no way to get back to safety, hop out of the carriage and let my bare feet take in the sting, as they come in contact with the little jagged rocks that cover the ground. I gasp in shock and pain, and shudder suddenly. I start walking quickly across the rocks, not wanting to get any colder then I already am. It seems to me, that Meredith takes no notice to me, since she continues at her fast pace, not even taking a glance back. So considerate...

While I walk, for what feel like an eternity over the stones, I look up at the small mansion, soaking in my surroundings. My eyes skim across the side of the building, and without meaning to, I locked eyes with someone watching me. In a brief moment, when our eyes connect, I am lost in his warm amber eyes. It seems that my steps stopped entirely, as I am taken in by the beautiful charming eyes that seem to know everything about me. This is when I hear Meredith shout out, annoyed, "Would you hurry up, you are in no position to just be standing there like a deer in the headlights!"

I look at her and nod stupidly, still a little out of it, but before I start to move again I look up again to find those beautiful, entrancing eyes.. but they're gone. I scurry to the door quickly and just stand there, observing. I just stay still, letting my feet absorb the soothing cold of the floor, as the door closes behind me. I look quickly to the right and left, taking in the area, the glorious marble staircase, and the hand laid stone walls, the dark wooden floors make the cozy atmosphere complete. I look to my left and right again, no longer just looking, but searching. Meredith is gone.

I stand alone, feeling eyes on me, staring me down, and began to feel very self conscious. My long legs are entirely exposed by the thin silk gown I had put on when they raided our chambers at The Order, as we were preparing to go to sleep. I feel entirely nude, beneath the glare of the invisible eyes. The icy chill on my body causes me to shiver as I begin to frantically search for the owner of the eyes, or more to my wishes, Meredith.

"Me- Meredith" my voice cracks from disuse and it echoes throughout the empty entrance way. I am extremely tempted to go back out of the door, and run into whichever direction I could... but who knows what would find me if I try to do that! Instead, I just begin shifting from one foot to another, to give me something to do.

"Meredith" I try again

"Yes" she says, causing me to jump

"You scared me!"

"You called me. What is it?"

"Oh, yes. I just- Where did you go. I just turned around, and when I looked back you were gone, and I felt as though someone was watching me"

"Hmm, well, I had to go prepare your room"

"Why am I here?" I asked, not comfortable with this arrangement

"Ask him, not me"

"But Brain didn't tell me anything, I don-"

"Don't call him by his name, maybe when you were in the carriage he allowed it, but don't do it to yourself, nothing good will come of it"

"O..kay." I say finding it strange but not arguing, she would know better then me

"Let's go. I have plenty of work to do if he wants me to fix you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Listen church girl, he has strict expectations of what anyone who walks into his house is supposed to look like, and now, you're not cutting it. Now, if you want him to be upset with you, go up to him and make your complaint, but this is my job and I am not getting in trouble, because you have a problem with a makeover."

"All I want to know is why I need to be fixed"

"Because you have potential to be gorgeous, but you hide it with your holier-than-thou attitude. I get it, but obviously you don't yet; you were a church girl, but things are different now. You have got to change to make it here. So suck it up and get over it." Her grey eyes get darker the more she speaks, her voice getting lower, less of a statement and more of a threat.

"Now, now, Meredith. She is being hurled into a brand new world. You could at least try and be understanding" a voice says, but no one besides Meredith is to be seen.

"Let's go" she says, sounding even less patient then before. I begin to walk behind her, finding it wise not to get lost when again, when again I see those clear amber eyes.