Malinee Sutthirat's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Malinee Sutthirat tightens her satchel strap and steps from the trees. She adjusts her round glasses, breath held. Her dream is clear: a secret auction house for dangerous books. She tests a whisper flyer she made, ink still tacky, a single lot listed: Book With Teeth. The paper shivers. Somewhere, a reply snaps loose. Malinee smiles. The first bidder has found her. Now she needs a place to hold the auction. Malinee walks into town and spots a general store at the corner. Through the window, she sees a small room attached to the back. The owner nods when she asks about renting it. Perfect. The auction room will hide behind ordinary shelves of flour and rope. She exits the store and studies the elegant display cabinet on the wall nearby. Glass doors protect rows of rolled notices inside. Malinee pulls a coded flyer from her bag and pins it behind a lost cat poster. Only collectors will understand the symbols. They'll know where to come. Behind the cabinet, she finds a camouflage battleboard mounted low on the wall. The storage pocket catches her eye. Buyers can leave payment here. Sellers can drop keys or coordinates. No one needs to meet face to face. Malinee runs her paw over the dark grey surface. Her auction house is ready. The dangerous books will finally have a home.