The Mermaid He Sold Away

rge, open-topped "interactive display pool" in the institute's main lobby. It was shallow, leaving my upper body exposed to the air and the prying eyes of th

e stood by the pool with a group of her fri

her eyes sparkling with malice. "To liven thin

then looking away. "Isabelle, I don't think that's a good idea. Th

. I was just "the asset." My value

pouted, looping her arm through his. "Just a li

long metal rod used for cleaning the pool filters. "Let's see if it's

pain was sharp, but the humiliation was worse. The crowd roared with laughter and excited cheers. The

my tail, dislodging more scales. A bright red line appeared on the deep blue, blood blooming in the clear water. The i

ough the noise. He strode forward and

ight with anger. "Are you idiots? If her condition is compromised, her auction price will drop.

n, his eyes lingering on my body with a slimy, possessive gaze. "She's a feisty one.

nd vile. I felt like I was drownin

? You would know. You spent weeks alone with her on that island. Tell us, what is she like to play

m too, my heart pounding a slow, painful rhythm. There was a desperat

squeezed his eyes shut and violently turned his head away, staring at the floor as if it held the secrets of the universe. A wall of ston

large hall, leaving me alone in the center of the room, my body aching, my dignity in shreds, and my heart completely, u