It wasn't possible.

It wasn't right.

As foul as the towns was, Credence would have gladly taken her chances there rather than leave with John.

John, who she'd left to die in a puddle of blood.

Who was looking at her with malicious satisfaction.

I can't be alone with him, she thought.

How did he get into the towns? How did he know where to find her?

He walked in, she realized, like any other human, hidden in plain sight.

And he bought her.

He dared her with his eyes to stop him.

Credence's body wanted to faint, to drop her into the darkness to escape the horrible reality surrounding her.

But she couldn't allow it. She couldn't give John a moment alone with her while she was unconscious.

She might never wake up again, so she fought to remain alert. She thought of trying to run. At worst, they would catch her and pull her before the Chopper. Would it really be so bad to die now rather than later?

Credence was taken by an unknown man and lifted off the edge of the stage.

At the front of the crowd, John was waiting.

The masked man had already moved to the next prisoner up for bid, but several pairs of eyes continued to watch Credence, and their owners pointed and whispered as she was brought to their level and placed before her purchaser.

A length of rope was wrapped around her wrists, but before handing the reins to John, the one who tied her wanted a word.

"Payment in full before she's yours," the man grunted.

Without taking his eyes from Credence, John pulled a bulging leather bag from his cloak and handed it to the man, who lifted and lowered it several times, suggesting he could sense its worth by weight alone.

He opened the bag and plucked a golden coin at random to test with his teeth. Satisfied he had not been slighted, the man offered the rope to John.

"Follow me to the clerk's table. We'll get her papers signed and you can be on your way—unless there's another you have your eye on?" John shook his head. "Very well. This way."

John pushed Credence ahead of him, and she could feel his stare on the back of her head, and his growing eagerness to get her away from the crowd.

As they neared the clerk's table, a familiar voice stopped them.

"Credence! Over here!"

It was Rose, leading her keeper by the hand. Mistress Cinder had a sour look on her face, reserved for John alone, and the woman made sure to stand a little too close to him once they reached the table where a spectacled man sat behind a brass scale.

The bag of coins John had paid was unceremoniously dropped before the clerk, who eyed it with hunger and placed it upon the scale. He studied and added until a balance was met, then nodded his head.

"Purchase accepted," the clerk said.

"Hold yourself," Mistress Cinder's shrill voice snapped. She laid her fingers on John's shoulder. He turned to look at the woman, pulling lightly on the rope to keep Credence close.

"You put on a fine show, I'll admit," Mistress Cinder said, "but no man has that kind of money to spare—not without me knowing about him. And I don't know you. What house are you from? Where did you get that gold?"

John gave a look that suggested he placed her worth among a gnat's buzzing, and Credence thought he might reach out and choke the woman.

He remained calm and flashed an attractive, but tense, smile.

"Just passing through," he replied politely. "I'm not from the towns, nor do I belong to any house." His hand closed over the one on his shoulder. "And my wealth is nobody's concern." 

He gently removed the hand on his person and dropped it.

Mistress Cinder's eyes narrowed.

"What's your business in the towns?" she asked, fighting to remain civil.

"I came for the Auction. Heard it was a marvel."

"Came for the Auction—or came for her?" Mistress Cinder nodded at Credence. "This Auction was a surprise event. No passing traveler would have known of it."

"I suppose my timing was simply lucky."

"Why is she special to you?"

"She's not—is she special to you?"

"I laid claim to that girl over a year ago. I paid for her boarding and education at the school on the promise that she would belong to me. The Headmaster made a deal."

"And now the school is gone. Burned to the ground, didn't you hear? Now, by your own laws, all those who lived there are prisoners and forfeit any promises. Your claim was gone the second there was no Headmaster to board her. Poor luck, I'm afraid, to have bargained with a dead man. You'll have to take this loss and move on."

"Now, now," Mistress Cinder answered through gritted teeth. "A deal ended opens the door for a new one. Surely you and I could think of some beneficial arrangement. It'll be installments, but I can pay double what you just gave up—and I'll give you first right to her, at my own loss. A whole night, completely free, if you have the spirit." She winked at him. "And you certainly look like you do."

"It's more than one night I'm after, lady."

Mistress Cinder clucked her tongue and leaned closer to him.

"You have no idea how much effort goes into their keeping," she said with a flirtatious air. "More trouble than it's worth—and far more coin than you're ready to lose, I suspect. Let me purchase her and...you can have her anytime you pass through the towns, at your leisure, and without any waiting. I'll give you fair discount, after the first free night, of course."

"I must decline your offer."

The false coyness drained from Mistress Cinder's demeanor. 

"You're not from the towns, so let me explain. I am one of the most highly respected keepers here, and my generosity does not come quickly or often. One would be very foolish to cross me."

"I didn't cross you, I outbid you. If she really is that special, you should have brought more gold."

"She's not special," Mistress Cinder said with a snort. "It's a matter of pride. I don't like losing. I've avoided the feeling for most of my life. You slighted me in front of everyone, in front of potential patrons, and a lady has nothing if she doesn't have a good reputation."

John's jaw clenched and he bent to whisper in her ear.

"Consider it my honor, then, to have dented such impeccable renown."

Mistress Cinder scoffed.

"I'll not be crossed by some filthy gimp stranger. How do you intend to make this right?"

"I don't," John said bluntly. "The girl is no longer your concern, just as your pride is none of mine. Lick your wounds, lady, and look elsewhere for a prize."

He turned from her and took a rolled-up parchment from the clerk. With little regard for manners, he roughly pushed Credence past Mistress Cinder and Rose, towards the ruined gate at the entrance of the towns.

"Safe travels in the dark," Mistress Cinder called after them. 

John ignored her and pressed on, shoving people aside to make way.

When they reached the entrance, John nodded at the guard and moved beyond the wall.

He grabbed Credence's arm once they were on the other side and dragged her from the lights and voices of the towns, leading her to a carriage at the edge of the trees.

It was a finely decorated transport, but there was a sinister quality to the black and purple thing, as if it had been built from a curse instead of wood.

Tied to lead it were four beautiful stallions, their coat a match of the night.

There was no driver, but John was not concerned. He opened the door and shoved Credence into the riding compartment, then moved to follow her inside.

Credence had only caught a glimpse of the woods, but even under such dire circumstances the sight and smell of it was a blessing. She'd almost forgotten what it felt like to take a breath of air unencumbered by the stink of society.

A man's voice stopped John before he could settle in.

"A moment, sir."

John's hands squeezed so tightly on the carriage door that Credence thought the wood might splinter. He threw her a glance that promised pain if she attempted escape, then left the carriage and slammed the door shut behind him.

There were no windows for Credence to peer through, and all she could do was wait and listen to the voices outside.

"What is it?" John questioned the voice.

"Mistress Cinder's not to be ignored. She's a highborn lady, and powerful too. You've got something of hers and she wants it back. She tried to be reasonable, but you've gone and pissed her off. Now you'll have to bargain with us."

Several more voices chuckled.

"Let's not make it difficult, eh? We'd like to get back to—"

The man's voice was stopped by a sudden crunch. Gasps followed, and then a long silence.

Then came screaming.

Credence closed her eyes and tried not to listen to the sounds of breaking bones and tearing skin.

Even with a cane, it took no time at all for John to handle Mistress Cinder's men, but he left one alive to relay a message.

"Tell your lady that her life is my bargain. If she, or her men, set one foot in the woods after us, I'll feed that highborn bitch the delicacy of her own tongue."

The quiet thud of footsteps followed his promise, as the survivor raced across the dirt and stones.

When John opened the carriage door to enter, Credence caught a glimpse of carnage scattered about the ground. She held no concern for any of them, that violent lot, those despicable humans.

John took his seat across from her and knocked twice on the ceiling with his cane.

The driverless carriage took off, carrying the pair into the trees.