Pain exploded inside his head. It wasn't sharp like a blade. It was heavy. Deep. As if something ancient had been struck awake inside his mind.
For a fraction of a second, the world around him vanished. The auction hall blurred. The voices faded. The music dissolved into silence.
And all that remained—
Was her.
She knelt at the center of the stage.
Chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles, faintly glowing with suppression runes. Her head was lowered slightly, long black hair spilling over her shoulders like ink.
Her body swayed faintly. Not with pride. Not with awareness. But with weakness.
Drugged.
Her black cat ears twitched faintly, uncoordinated. Her tail lay limp against the floor, barely moving, as if even the instinct to react had been dulled.
Her breathing was shallow. Her eyes were half-lidded.
Unfocused.
Aiden pressed his fingers lightly against his temple.
"…What the hell…" he murmured under his breath.
