The auction dragged on.
Meta-human after meta-human.
Some cowered.
Some stared blankly ahead.
One—a man with rocky skin—snarled through his collar and was immediately shocked into silence by the guards.
The crowd barely reacted.
Alex watched it all.
Memorized faces.
Cataloged buyers.
Some of the meta-humans clearly came from Wolfe.
The Mayor’s smug satisfaction grew with every high bid, his fingers tapping against his knee in a rhythm of quiet greed.
But meta-humans weren’t the only thing on the block.
A table was wheeled out bearing a shard of glowing crystal.
Alien technology, the announcer claimed.
Bidding started at two hundred thousand.
A sealed case followed.
Confidential information on Star Labs’ meta-human database.
Sold for half a million to a man in a booth Alex couldn’t see.
Then came the part that made Alex’s blood run cold—though his face never changed.
A row of children.
Young.
Too young.
Shackled and collared, led onto the stage like livestock.
The announcer called them “companions.” The buyers called them something else entirely.
Alex’s jaw tightened behind Jensen’s borrowed face.
‘Bunch of bastards.’
He looked at Wolfee
‘I bet he’s got an island too.’
But he didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
He’d learned long ago that justice without intelligence was just murder with good intentions.
He needed evidence.
Leverage.
A complete picture.
Patience.
While the bidding droned on, Alex scanned the venue with an assassin’s eye.
Sightlines.
Exit routes.
Elevator access.
The hidden wall they’d entered through.
The guards were nothing special.
Ex-military.
Mercenaries.
Competent enough to handle a bar fight, but not a real threat.
A few carried high-end rifles, but their stances were lazy.
Complacent.
‘Too easy.
So what’s the catch?’
He leaned toward the guard beside him….a thick-necked man named Briggs who’d been with Wolfe for three years.
Kept his voice low, casual.
Just a concerned employee.
“How do they handle security here again?
I still don’t understand their trust in people not to start shooting away.” A pause.
“I don’t feel comfortable with the Mayor surrounded by rich competition that might want him dead.”
Briggs snorted.
“Jensen, Jesus.
How many fucking times must I remind your ass?” He shook his head.
“The mayor’s good.
The event organizers have some meta-humans enslaved.
They wouldn’t be able to do shit.” He jabbed a thumb toward the ceiling.
“We wouldn’t be able to do shit.
I mean…
Livewire’s here.
That bitch can basically shut the entire electricity in this place.
Good luck escaping without that special elevator.”
Alex’s eyes flickered….just a fraction.
‘Livewire?
Intresting’
“Oh…
I suppose.” Alex nodded, playing the fool.
“But I can’t help but worry still.
You know how it is.”
Briggs grunted and turned back to the stage.
Inside Alex’s mind, a message went out, sharp and clear.
‘Did you hear that?’
‘Yes, Master,’ Medusa replied, her voice calm and ready.
‘Find out where they are.
this Livewire person and any other meta-humans they’re using as security.
I’ll be handling the rest here.’
‘Understood.’
Alex returned his attention to the stage just as the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
I know you missed my voice!
HAHAHA!”
Scattered laughter.
Polite applause.
“The NEXT item…
is one TO DIE for!” The announcer spread his arms wide, building the moment.
“A special item.
A special person.
Not many can get their hands on one.
In fact…
many wish to even meet one.
Let alone OWN one.”
The lights shifted.
A dramatic pause.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
I present to you…the hottest item in our collection!”
The stage floor split open.
A small cage rose from below, steam hissing from hydraulic pistons.
Chains rattled.
Inside
A child.
No older than twelve.
Maybe fourteen at most.
Small.
Thin.
Dark hair matted and tangled.
Shackles bound her wrists, her ankles, her throat—forcing her to kneel against the cold metal floor.
Her eyes were squeezed shut.
The announcer’s voice dripped with relish.
“A young…
and easily trained…
AMAZONIAN!
from the Island of Themyscira!”
The crowd stirred.
Murmurs.
Raised paddles before the bidding even began.
Alex’s mind raced.
‘An Amazonian child?
Oh…
shit.’
This just got much more complicated.
He knew the politics of this world now.
Had studied the Justice League’s files….what little were public, and what little more he’d stolen.
Unlike other League members, Wonder Woman wouldn’t just arrest these people.
She’d execute them.
Swords would swing.
Heads would roll.
And the resulting chaos would burn bright enough to attract attention Alex couldn’t afford.
But…
His lips curved just a ghost of a smile.
‘I can take advantage of that.’
He sent a mental message to both Medusa and Medea.
Sharp.
Immediate.
No room for hesitation.
‘Change of plans.’
‘We’re getting evidence…
and stealing that kid.’
‘Understood, Master,’ came the dual reply.
….
“SOLD!
For Fifty five million dollars to the gentleman in booth nineteen!”
The announcer’s gavel cracked like a gunshot.
Wolfee erupted.
“HAHAHA!
YES!” He shot up from the couch, fists raised, face flushed with triumph.
“Finally!
I’ve got her!
I’ve GOT her!”
He spun toward his bodyguards, eyes blazing with manic joy.
The men clapped—some genuine, some performative.
Alex joined them, palms meeting in measured rhythm, Jensen’s smile plastered across his borrowed face.
“Congratulations, sir.” Alex’s voice was smooth, deferential.
“You did it.
The search is over.”
Wolfee crossed to him in two quick strides and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.
Squeezed.
Hard.
“It is…
It is…” The Mayor’s grin widened, almost feral.
“Jensen!
Finally!
I’ve gotten her!”
His gaze drifted back toward the stage, though the cage had already descended.
His voice dropped, conspiratorial.
“Oh…
yes…
We’re gonna make an army of her.”
Alex tilted his head, playing the curious subordinate.
“An army, sir?”
Wolfee gestured broadly, painting his vision in the air.
“Can you imagine it?
They say Amazonians live for a few hundred years.
This girl?” He jabbed a finger toward the floor where the cage had vanished.
“She’ll be breeding my army for me.
The first ever army made of Amazonians outside Themyscira.”
‘Breeding’
The word landed like acid in Alex’s stomach.
His smile never wavered.
His posture never shifted.
Inside, something cold and precise clicked into place.
‘His time will come….
Oh…
it will.’
Wolfee grabbed his wine glass, drained the last sip, and set it down with a satisfied smack.
“All right.
Let’s prepare now.” He straightened his jacket, all business again.
“We’ll go down to the storage to check on her and the other items.
See how we can transport her to the base.”
He turned toward the door, already barking orders at Briggs.
“We’ll need the reinforced truck.
The one with the interior cage.
And I want four men on her at all times….”
Alex followed a step behind, eyes scanning, mind racing.
/*
If you Like this story!
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Shadow Monarch in Danmachi!