Chapter 72

Harper’s POV

Once again, I silently thank Nora for leaving this laptop with me. If she hadn’t, I would have been bored out of my mind. Instead, I stare at the screen, trying to decipher the puzzle that is the last obstacle keeping me from getting into the dark web.

Three puzzles in, the fourth one is starting to kick my butt. The jumble of numbers and letters are supposed to form a cypher that will help me decode the phrase at the top of the screen.

I think.

Either that, or it forms an extremely complicated math problem that I might not be able to solve. Still, I’m not going to let some stupid underground dark web beat me, so I force myself to focus.

Soon, the numbers and letters are blurring together, and I have to rub at my eyes to keep them straight.

Two days of solving ridiculously difficult puzzles is starting to get to me. I move the letters and numbers around, plugging some of them into the message until it starts forming real words.

“Just a little more,” I mutter, plugging the last few numbers into the system.

When I put the last number in, the screen flashes blue before it whizzes and words scroll across the screen.

“Welcome to the Netherworld. Access is granted. Enjoy the realm and its treasures.”

Again, the screen flashes blue. For a few seconds it flashes until it stills, and a load of different things pop up on the screen. Shops, chat rooms, videos, sales, people, businesses, and many other things assault my eyes.

I quickly scroll past a video of an indecent woman dancing and begin searching for anything that would look like the underground market Logan is tied up in. He and Lucas had called it the Domain when they were arguing about it in the forest, so I scan the dark web for that particular name.

Images of cute little magic animals for sale pop up every few minutes. If that doesn’t pop up, images of naked or mostly undressed women pop up. I move past them quickly, scrolling and scrolling until I find what I’m looking for.

“The Domain- an underground traveling market,” I read. A little further down, I find a short description. “The Domain moves through neutral territories. The Domain caters to the fantasies, wishes, and fetishes of their buyers with their wide variety of wares through sales and auctions.”

Okay, if they move around, how do you find the location when they move? There has to be a way they get the word out or else they would never get any business.

Scrolling a little further down, I find an entry button. I click it, and another puzzle pops up. My head instantly begins to ache again, but I focus and piece the cypher together one letter at a time.

After almost an hour of working on the puzzle, it finally breaks, and The Domain accepts my entry.

“Yes!” I pump my fist in the air before pulling the laptop closer and diving into he Doman’s section of the dark web. I immediately head for the various chat rooms. If someone here knows where I can find the Domain, and in conjunction, the wolf souls, they’ll be in the chat rooms.

Even underground illegal websites will have some sort of monitor or manager watching, so I keep quiet as I look through the chats. No need for me to get spotted before I need to. I’m here for one reason, and fooling around isn’t it.

No, I need to gather information to take back to Lucas so that he realizes that I’m not working with Logan and the people who sell wolf souls.

My life is on the line here, and I won’t mess it up by fooling around.

Several of the chats are geared toward people selling and buying items made by witches, like charms, potions, and curses. I steer away from those chats but make a mental note to come back later since Logan was dealing in potions.

Another chat is solely being used to pimp out faeries and is filled with pictures of half-naked pixies and delicate wing pictures. I quickly exit out of that chat and move to the next one.

The next chat is about selling exotic pets, magical creatures, and supernatural beings.

“Bingo,” I mutter, scrolling through the chat.

There are images of frightened little animals and creatures as well as larger ones that look like they could tear you in half. Though, I’m not sure if half of these images are real. I’ve never heard anyone talk about seeing a real dragon before, yet this seller says he has a dragon for sale.

I’m not sure how to bring up the subject of the wolf souls without seeming suspicious because honestly, I don’t know if anyone in here knows about them. Are they rare or are they common enough that people wouldn’t think twice if I mention them?

So, I lurk in the chat, watch other people’s conversations, and read through previous comments until someone brings it up.

“What you’ve been waiting for,” an account that I’ve pegged as a moderator comments. “The wolf soul auction will be taking place soon. If you would like to attend the auction, let us know, and a moderator will reach out to give you further information.”

I read the message three times, watching several other chat members ask for more information. I wait until a few other people comment before I comment.

Not even a minute later, a private message pops up in the bottom right corner of my screen. I click it and it opens with a new message.

“Thank you for your interest in The Domain Soul Auction. Your interest is noted and recorded. The entry fee for the auction is one thousand dollars. If you wish to continue, you have two payment options. Pay the entry fee online or pay at the door before entering the auction.”

I type that I will pay when I arrive at the auction, since I don’t have the money currently, and another message comes.

“Per Domain Soul Auction regulations, only one person will be permitted entry with the entry fee. No plus one accepted.”

I respond that I understand.

The third message pops up, “The Domain Soul Auction will take place in the Renan District on September 1 at eight in the evening. Entry fees must be paid at the door or beforehand to be permitted access. No weapons or animals will be permitted on the premises for the safety of all customers. If The Domain Soul Auction’s rules are violated, you will be fined then banned from future events. Any further questions can be sent through this chat up until the day of the auction.”

September first.

That’s not even two weeks away.

Sitting back in my chair, I take out the phone Nora left me and snap pictures of the chats just in case they disappear later.

Could I use this to prove my innocence? If I take this information to Lucas, would he believe that I haven’t been helping Logan?

There’s only one way to find out, and it’s my only chance. I don’t have time to waste, so I gather up the laptop and step out of the cabin for the first time. I’m not sure how far away the pack house is, but I know it’s to the left.

Setting off in that direction, I start jogging.

My foot catches on a root, and I tip forward. I shriek, curling my body around Nora’s laptop as I tumble down the side of a hill. Every rock and branch hits me on the way down, gasping when my leg slams against something hard just before I hit the bottom of the ditch.

I gasp for air, laying there until I no longer struggle to breathe.

When I sit back up, I check the laptop, and there doesn’t seem to be any damage. Thank the Goddess.

Pushing myself up, I ignore the pain in my leg and limp back to the pack house with one thought on my mind.

I have to find Lucas.