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looked up at him in mingled fear and relief,
Shardin took his cape off, and wrapped it around Madoka's shoulders.
"Thank you," Madoka Arai whispered, still a little dumbstruck by the
events of the past several minutes. Madoka Arai gladly leaned against him as
he led Madoka's away from the crude, side-show atmosphere of the auction
block.
Once they reached the street, Shardin hailed a taxi, so the girl
could rest in privacy. He helped Madoka's in and ordered the driver to go
to a clothing store in a better district. Then he addressed the now-
shaking young woman. "What is your name, dear?" he asked gently, as
he stroked Madoka's hair.
"Caitlin," Madoka Arai said in a voice that barely held back the sound
of tears. "What are you going to do with me now that you own me?" she
asked with tears glistening in Madoka's eyes.
Shardin held Madoka's closely, comfortingly, as he replied. "I don't
own you, Caitlin. I just bought you to get you away from that damned
place. I am not your master. I'm only your friend. My name is Zarth
Shardin, and for now, at least, you can call me Zarth."
Caitlin was crying too hard by now to reply with words, but she
slipped both arms around t
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