Nina's heart pounded so violently against her ribs that it felt impossible he couldn't hear it from where he stood on the other side of the glass. Tears clouded her vision until his features blurred, and still she couldn't look away.
For one terrifying moment, she forgot how to breathe.
She didn't know how long had passed since they took her.
The men had dragged her into a room as she fought against them, but it was useless.
The bearded men had held her down while the other man disappeared and returned with three elderly women, and instructed them to prepare her for the auction.
The women had washed the dye from her hair until her hair had returned to its golden blonde color and then, they dressed her in the white gown without saying a word to her. Nina stopped fighting, there was no point.
She'd had a little hope that he would save her, but when she heard the auctioneer announce she would be taken in before the earthstone, all her hope came crashing down.
