Chapter 12 The Slave Market

Later that day, Kai followed the slave wagon as it rumbled toward the outskirts of the city, just shy of the Beastfolk District. The makeshift slave market had been set up in a cluster of tents, hidden from the main roads but still well-frequented by those with the means—and the lack of morality—to shop there.

Kai tightened his grip on his pouch, feeling the weight of the gold and the precious stones he had collected. It felt heavier than usual, though he knew that was just his nerves talking. He hated this place already. He wasn’t even inside yet.

He exhaled sharply. He was going to regret this.

When he stepped inside the largest tent, the smell punched him in the face. Rot. Sweat. Old piss. He almost gagged but managed to swallow it down. He kept walking.

Cages lined both sides of the tent. Beastfolk of all kinds crowded inside. Some stared blankly at nothing. Some shrank away as he passed. Others just stared at him like he was another monster. It made him feel sick.

At the far end, a trader sat in a big wooden chair, as if he was a king in his own tiny kingdom. The man was fat, wrapped in expensive silk robes. Gold glinted on his fingers. His guards stood close, thick arms crossed, faces like stone.

Kai went up to the trader and leaned closer. “Listen, pal. I’m looking to fulfill my needs… if you know what I mean.”

The trader gave him a grin. Yellow teeth. Greedy eyes. “Of course, young man. We cater to all tastes.” He waved a hand at the cages. “Anything special you’re looking for?”

Kai forced his face to stay calm. “I fancy a fox girl—name’s Fera. I like her… qualities.” He played the part. Let his eyes wander a bit. Pretended to be like the other scum in this place. “Think you can hook me up?”

The trader chuckled. “She comes with a bit of history, young man. It’s said she was an adventurer at some point.”

Kai crossed his arms. “Which would explain her… endowments.”

The trader kept smiling. “But surely you’d want to examine her before buying?”

“I don’t think there’s any need—”

“Nonsense,” the trader cut him off. “I make sure my customers are satisfied. You may even have a trial run if you wish.”

Kai felt his stomach twist. He clenched the pouch at his side so hard his knuckles popped. But he kept his voice flat. He nodded once.

The trader waved over his workers. Beastfolk slaves, eyes down. They opened a flap in the tent and motioned Kai inside.

He walked into a smaller tent. The lanterns inside flickered, throwing shaky light on the dirt floor.

Fera stood there, blindfolded. Naked under the yellow glow. Kai sucked in a sharp breath and turned his eyes away. He heard her ears twitch. She sniffed the air.

“Kai?” Her voice was steady, but cautious. “Are you here out of curiosity? Did I spark interest?”

He stepped closer but kept a distance. “I’m here to set you free.”

She tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“No one deserves this,” he said.

She gave a dry laugh. “And yet here you are, looking at me in my most vulnerable state. Do you like what you see?”

Kai clenched his jaw. “I’m only following the process. If I’d known they’d show you like this, I’d have gone straight to the payment.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. Please… don’t feel ashamed. I’ll step out so you can get dressed.”

She hesitated. “That’s… it? You just looked, and that was enough?”

He met her blindfolded face. “Would you have it any other way?”

Silence hung between them. Then her lips moved a little. “No… I guess not. I was expecting the worst. But I’m glad it was you and not someone else.”

Kai turned toward the exit. “Get dressed. Be ready to leave in a few moments while I finalize the payment.”

“Just like that?” she whispered. “I can’t pay you back.”

“You don’t have to.”

“But there are others…” Her voice dropped lower.

Kai sighed. “I know. Right now, I can only help you.” He looked back at her. “Do you want to be helped?”

For the first time, Fera nodded without hesitation. “Yes. Please.”

Her shame, it seemed, had left with the wind.

“Kai?”

“KAI!”

The voice tore through the air like a whip. Kai spun around, eyes scanning the cages, until he saw Skye. She was crouched behind iron bars, shackled like an animal. Her eyes were bright, angry, scared.

“What the hell happened?” Kai’s voice was low but shaking. “Skye, how did you end up here?”

She looked away. “That’s not important.”

Kai clenched his jaw. “That’s true.” He forced himself not to yell. Anger wouldn’t help right now.

He turned to the trader. “I’d like to make two purchases. The fox girl and the cat girl—this one right here.”

The trader’s smile slipped. He shook his head slowly. “I’m afraid I cannot do that. She’s already been sold.”

Kai felt like ice poured into his veins. “To who?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot reveal that information.”

Kai pulled a single gold coin from his pouch and laid it on the table. It made a sharp clink in the quiet.

The old man paused, eyes flicking side to side. He leaned closer. “His name is Gregory. That’s all I can tell you.”

Kai’s fists curled so tight his nails bit into his palms. Gregory. Who the hell was he—and why Skye?

Kai stormed out of the tent and found Fera standing outside, still shackled. She stared at the ground, shoulders slumped.

“Why are you still shackled?” he asked.

She snorted. “They think I’ll run.”

Without a word, Kai grabbed the lock on her chains. A twist of his wrist, and the metal broke with a snap.

“There. That’s better.”

Fera rubbed her wrists. “How did you do that?”

Kai gave her a half-smile. “A simple thank you would do.”

“Fine. Thank you.” She squinted at him. “But seriously… how did you do that?”

He waved it off. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

Fera hesitated. “I don’t have a home. I was an adventurer—always moving. Taking jobs. Earning my keep. But now…” She looked down at the broken shackles. “As a slave, I can’t go back to the guild.”

Kai met her eyes. “Then we’ll figure something out.”

They started walking. Fera trailed behind him. Kai barely noticed the people passing them, his mind racing. He needed to find Gregory. And Skye.

Fera finally spoke. “You look like you’ve got something heavy on your mind.”

Kai let out a breath. “A cat girl I know was locked in a cage and sold off. I need to find out who bought her and get her back—one way or another.”

She hesitated. “You could trade me for her. I mean… I’m a fox.”

Kai stopped and turned to face her. “Don’t even suggest that. You’re too valuable as a person to be reduced to a mere transaction.”

Fera blinked. “Wait… You called me a person. Not a beast. Not a creature. A person. Who are you?”

Kai shrugged it off and kept walking. “Fera, why don’t you stay at my room at the inn? Helena, the owner, will help you get settled. There’s a bathhouse in the back. I’ll handle the rest.”

She tilted her head. “And by ‘the rest,’ you mean finding your friend?”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “I guess she’s my friend.”

Fera’s ears twitched. “I know who Gregory is.”

Kai froze mid-step. He turned back to her, eyes narrowing. “Your ears. You picked up on the conversation.”

It wasn’t a question.

Fera stared at the ground. “I’m sorry. I overheard—”

“On purpose.”

She sighed. “Yes… I didn’t mean to pry.”

Kai waved it off. “Forget it. What do you know?”

“Gregory is the leader of the adventurer party that defeated the last Demon Lord.”

Kai clenched his jaw. The name tasted like ash. “I’ve crossed paths with that blowhard before. Looks like I’ll have to teach him another lesson.”

“If he’s still in the city, he’ll be at the guild.”

Kai smirked. “Then that’s where I’m going.”