"His words were suddenly drowned by the cheers from the hall. Order was once more insisted upon and I could feel my legs trembling nervously while the...crowd settled down."Thank you!" The voice of the auctioneer shouted out to quieten the last of the nonconformists. "Settle down gentlemen please..." a ripple of laughter, "and we will show you precisely what is available next. Remove her hood."Abruptly my world changed from bitch blackness to light. My eyes blinked hard as my blonde tresses freed. I want you to use those credit cards as much as you can. Meals out, room service and even some casino cash advances, but don't go overboard. You need the card action to prove that you were there. Spread it out, time-wise, so that it doesn't look like you snuck back home. It might cost you a couple of grand, but it's cheap insurance."Sal knew his business. It all made sense. As I was mulling it all over, Carla came in."Tony. I ain't seen you since you moved up to the sticks. You look good."Now I. When Rachel finally roused from Her stupor the man was standing before Her, his features were scrunched into a cruel scowl though his eyes could not hide their friendliness. When he spoke his voice was just louder than a whisper and was all the more menacing because of it; “Tell me Your name girl, that’s all I want, tell me and You may leave. We will furnish with clothes and a little money and You can flee this dreadful city. If You do not answer You will be punished until You do, this. The pelts were fine fur but overall the clothes looked primitive and shabby. The villagers still wore their brown or white linen clothes, but they wrapped sarongs around their hips for the additional warmth. Many of the women added a red fox or coyote wrap that covered their normally bare shoulders and neck. The constant winter breeze seemed to carry more sea spray and a taste of salt so I asked for a wrap to wear too.Sparrow's father, Tassim, the senior hunter, gave me a wolf fur. He dropped.