The sun was making its descent with pink brush strokes across the sky. Somewhere scattered throughout the dusty terrain, insects serenaded the night with their chirping and a light breeze blew a few tumbleweeds about. Any other evening would have been peaceful. However, Luna's heart drummed like a war dance, keeping with the trot of the horse.

The wagon rolled over bumps in the sand while turning onto the road for the camp. Except Luna wasn't the only one. A trail of horse riders wearing black galloped ahead of her with lanterns in their hands. She tugged on the reins, forcing the horse to slow down, and furrowed her brows as she stared at them. Why did it feel like deja vu?

"The answers to Corbin's vision must be here," she said to herself. "The answers have to be here..."

Except her vision led her to the devil's door, and what she saw in Corbin's eyes was an unfinished story. She was going in blind. Yet, she couldn't help but smile as she signaled for the horse to pick up its pace again. It would all unfold in time, she just had to trust it.

When she made it into the camp, Hounds guarded the entrance with weapons cradled across their arms, ready for a threat.

"You there," one of them said as he approached her. "Are you here to buy a potential slave or a Water Witcher?"

Luna couldn't help but smirk. Were they not both the same? She pulled the flyer out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Says there I can buy a witcher."

"You can but..." His brown eyes did a quick sweep of her. "I don't think you can afford a Witcher. Perhaps bidding on one criminal would be better?"

"The flyer says I can buy a Witcher," she repeated.

"Unless you have one thousand dollars, I suggest bidding on one criminal. They're more affordable and groomed into submission for slavery."

"I'm here for a Witcher. I don't care what price the bidding starts. I can afford it. Now, are you letting me in?"

The Hound took one long, last look while sizing her up and stepped aside. Raising a hand, he pointed to a few horses drinking by a water trough. "Park your wagon over there and proceed to the security station over there."

Luna nodded, giving the reins a gentle whip, and rolled the small wagon past the guard. She was underdressed compared to most of the guests arriving. Velvet rope blocked rows of foldout chairs for men smoking cigars and fancy dressed women holding plastic wine glasses.

After parking the wagon alongside the horses, she walked to the security station and stood behind two people getting searched. She couldn't help but notice the fancy-dressed guests getting escorted straight to the sectioned off area instead of the security station.

When it was her turn, she folded her arms and said, "why aren't they being searched?"

"Look at them and look at you. Now spread your arms so I can frisk you."

"I don't think so." Luna stepped back. "I have a lot of money. I'm here to purchase two Witchers, minimum. Don't let my appearance confuse you."

"Oh really?" the Hound scoffed. "Prove it."

Luna reached into the messenger bag slung across her shoulder and removed a billfold. When the Hound tried grabbing it she snatched it away. "I don't think so. I'm not stupid, and if you're kind to me..." She pulled out a one hundred-dollar bill and tucked it into his shirt pocket. "I have more."

He pulled out the bill and glanced at it. "This is a good start."

"And what does it get me?"

A tiny smile flashed across his thin lips and his eyes did a quick scan of the camp as he replied, "I can't have you sit in the front, not with how casually you're dressed but I can give you a head's up about investment-worthy specialty items."

"Like what?"

The Hound leaned in and whispered, "if you're in the market for a baby or a child Witcher, one you can raise and train however you see fit, we can specially arrange for one of them."

"What do you mean by special arrangement?"

"Those specialty items are part of a private auction for elite guests. I can get you in but..." he sighed with a shrug.

Luna swallowed back the bile rising in her throat. The Hounds were far worse than she imagined! Selling babies and children? As she opened the billfold again, she tried her best to hide the tremble in her hands. Luna smiled, slipping another one hundred-dollar bill into his shirt pocket, and left her hand on his chest as she looked him in the eyes.

"I would appreciate getting into one of those auctions."

"As you wish." The Hound winked and leaned in as he pressed his mouth to her ear. "Now take a seat. I'll see what I can do when it's time."

When Luna walked away, she pushed her shoulders back and held her head high despite the queasy rogue waves in her stomach.

It was only about fifteen minutes into the auction and The Hounds had Luna convinced they needed to die. The first Witcher sold could barely stand and was in labor, which created a bidding war amongst the elite guests when the Bid Caller claimed the baby would inherit water witching abilities from its mother. More witchers sold, yet no sign of Clara or Corbin until Luna felt a tap on her shoulder.

Turning her head, she forced herself to keep a poker face as her eyes met with The Hound who tried provoking her father in the Lake Tahoe brewery. Her heartbeat quickened as she waited for him to recognize her, but he said, "I hear you're interested in the private auction?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Follow me."

Walking behind him, she could only imagine what her father and Jasper were thinking as they observed from their hidden locations. There she was, following a Hound into a trailer which wouldn't provide her with any visibility if she needed help.

"I'm Alexander and if you have questions, please direct them to me." He winked and opened the trailer door.

They staged the living room like a nursery with small children playing on the carpet. Along the wall were rows of cribs with babies taking naps and off to the side mothers pumped breastmilk. Curiouser were the numbered name badges each of them wore.

"What do the numbers mean?" Luna turned to Alexander.

"This is a silent auction so once you've made your choices you'll jot down the number on the badge and place them in that drop box over there," he said as he pointed to the kitchen counter where a Hound sat, guarding it. "The children, babies, and mothers are for sale. If you win the bid for a baby, we'll provide you with a week's supply of breastmilk as a courtesy. Although it is a better investment if you buy both mother and child."

Down the hallway, guests walked in and out of rooms as if checking out museum exhibits. "What's over there?"

"More specialty items for purchase." He winked. "I'll show you."

In the first bedroom, three pregnant witchers sat amongst cozy lounge chairs with knitting supplies and tranquil music playing. Alexander explained how each of them was at different stages in their pregnancy, therefore, their prices varied with the farthest along being the most expensive.

"Oh, and we give a little discount for the mixed ones."

"Mixed... ones?" Luna turned to him, her brows crooking in question.

"Mixed babies aren't as popular as pure ones, so to make them more appealing we offer a discount to encourage multiple purchases."

"Is anyone pure anymore? We're all a mix of something."

"Forgive me, you misunderstand what I'm saying. These mothers are Witchers impregnated by other Witchers, therefore, their babies are purebred. Mixed breeds are only half Witcher, which means their gift might not be as strong as a purebred, hence, the discounted price."

"I see..." Luna replied, trying to keep a straight face. She knew you couldn't breed water witchers like championship dogs. It was mother nature's roll of the dice, like her gift of seeing.

Alexander motioned for the hallway. "So is anything capturing your attention so far?"

Luna teetered her hand back and forth. "Getting warm but not yet."

"Well, let me show you door number three..." He laughed as he guided Luna to the next room, but then paused and gave her a once over. "Have we met before?

"No."

"There's just something familiar about you." He narrowed his eyes as if trying to place her. "You sure we haven't?"

"Positive."

"Well then..." He cocked his brow and leaned in. "Perhaps we should get better acquainted. Something tells me we'd get along really well."

"Maybe." Luna moved past him, forcing him to stand up straight.

When she stepped into the room, she nearly choked on her spit as her eyes landed on Corbin dressed in a light blue dress shirt with grey, slim-cut slacks. His eyes widened at the sight of her, but then shifted away when Alexander entered. He and Clara stood in the staged room with a small decorated table, as if they were on a date.

"These two are popular amongst our bidders tonight. We're selling them as a breeding pair, but you can also buy them individually. Both are physically fit, fertile and, as you can see, attractive. But like I said, buying both is a better investment. They'll can breed more Witchers for you."

"What price does the bidding start for them?" Luna asked.

"The male starts at one thousand and the female at five thousand. Together, ten thousand."

"I want them."

Alexander winked. "Lots of our guests do."

Luna smiled with her eyes and placed her hand on his arm. "How do I guarantee my bid wins?"

"We can work something out." A sly smile stretched across his lips as he scanned her from head to toe. "Come with me and we can discuss it in more detail."

"Good. It just so happens I love a thorough discussion." She batted her lashes.

"I bet you do."

It took every bit of strength for Luna to fight back the desire to shrug away from him as he weaved his arm around her waist and began escorting her from the room. Her arms filled with goosebumps and a slight shiver ran down her spine, but she went along with it. Before exiting, Luna glanced over her shoulder and said to Corbin and Clara, "I look forward to taking you home with me."

When they made it outside Luna could finally breathe and looked for the shrubs where her father was watching with the sniping rifle. She brought her hand to her chest, forming the letter "C" twice. Except Alexander wasn't letting go of her waist, so she pulled away, but he blocked her path with suspicion in his eyes.

"You know what I think?"

"What?" Luna asked with a playful laugh.

"I DO remember you. From Lake Tahoe and that brewery."

Her expression fell, but she gave another playful laugh and pushed past him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes, you do!" he sneered and latched onto her wrists. "What are you really doing here?"

"I told you, I'm here to purchase Witchers."

"I don't think so, and I'm not letting you play any more games. I'm taking you to Merric!"

Realizing Gunner's plan was slipping from her grasp, Luna yanked her arms free from Alexander's hands. The motion caused the blades hidden up her sleeves to release and before he understood what was happening, she sliced the razor edges across his throat. His hands slapped the wound as his eyes widened with fear while blood seeped between his fingers and dotted the earth at his feet.

Luna stepped back as he fell to his knees and did a quick scan of her audience. Almost everyone's attention was on the stage, but a few Hounds turned their heads in her direction. Gurgling sounds escaped Alexander's mouth as he choked on blood while grabbing for her ankles. It was drawing too much attention. Luna needed to move fast.

Heads turned as she sprinted to the wagon and Hounds guarding the gate began chasing after her. She weaved and dodged their hands as they lunged, but somehow she made it and climbed on top.

"I want to speak to Merric. I have something I want to trade," she shouted.

And right then, she had everyone's attention.