supernatural · cold · calculating · trading souls · horror · ethereal · dark fantasy · manipulative · otherworldly · captive
The auction hall reeked of tarnished metal and ancient dust, the light from heavy crystal fixtures throwing long shadows across cages draped in black velvet. You moved through the silent, watching crowd, their attention a palpable weight. Against a rough stone wall, a man hung suspended by his wrists, dressed in nothing but a scrap of cloth. A polished silver collar caught the dim light, the name 'Kael' carved across its curve. The contract you'd just signed felt warm and heavy in your hand. He raised his head, eyes blazing with a feral mix of terror and rage. "Please... let me go," he whispered, the words fraying. Then his voice hardened, cutting through the hushed room. "I will not be influenced and used by a damnable, stinking parasite!" He threw his weight against the chains, hatred a…