Page 29 of Let Sleeping Vampires Lie

We watched over his shoulder, the glow from his phone illuminating his hands. He composed the bid with careful attention, filling out encrypted fields for buyer identity, budget range, and intent. He added Dimitri’s name where required, though the action clearly pained him.

When he was done, he looked up.

“Ready?”

“Send it,” I repeated.

His thumb hovered over the screen for only a moment before he tapped the icon.

The bid vanished into the encrypted void.

Marcus lowered the phone but did not relax. He stood very still, watching the device as if it might detonate.

Seconds ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last.

Finally, the phone vibrated.

Marcus swiped the screen and read the message aloud.

“‘Bid acknowledged. Await further instructions.’”

A cold ripple traveled down my spine. It wasn’t confirmation. It wasn’t denial. It was worse. The limbo between.

I exhaled. “I hate waiting.”

“You’re not the only one,” Raven muttered.

She rubbed her arms as if trying to settle the tension beneath her skin. Through our bond, her anxiety brushed against me—restless, filled with shadows shaped like Rene’s fading strength.

Con stepped closer, his presence grounding. “We’ll get the instructions. Then we move.”

“We better,” I said. “Because Rene doesn’t have time for these games.”

Marcus pocketed his phone. “They’ll respond soon. These circles don’t like delays any more than you do.”

I frowned. “Soon isn’t fast enough.”

Raven nodded. “Agreed.”

Isra sank onto the couch beside Jana, lifting a trembling hand to his forehead. He didn’t speak, but he didn’t need to. His entire posture radiated pain, betrayal, and fear.

Marcus watched him, guilt threading through his expression.

Con’s voice cut through the room. “This is our lead. We stay focused.”

I crossed my arms, pacing once to dispel some of the restless energy beneath my skin.

“Fine,” I said. “But the second those instructions come in… we act.”

Marcus nodded. “We will.”

The tension in the suite stretched so tightly it felt like the walls themselves were holding their breath. Marcus pulled out his phone and placed it on the small table beside him, face down, as if looking at it would tempt fate or hurry the next message.

Con broke the silence first.

His voice was even but edged with impatience. “How long could this three-stage auction process take?”

Marcus rubbed the back of his neck. “It varies. These private networks operate across different time zones and under tight surveillance. They stagger their stages to avoid tracing.”