The second they stepped out of the van, Axelina smoothly took charge, waving everyone toward the town like she'd done this a hundred times before.
The place had that heavy old-world vibe—uneven cobblestone streets, buildings made of massive stone blocks covered in thick green vines. The rooftops looked straight out of a medieval fantasy painting.
Locals wandered around in rough linen clothes, mixed in with a few trendy tourists snapping photos.
Beth looked around, phone out, clicking away. "This is gorgeous… it's like stepping into a fairy-tale castle."
"Yeah, even the air feels romantic," Lorna added, breathing deep.
The quiet, buck-toothed girl who'd barely spoken the whole drive suddenly lit up the moment they entered the town. She kept glancing left and right like she was hunting for her next adventure.
"Lorna? You look way too excited. Planning to pull out that little notebook and write an eight-hundred-word travel diary?" Whitney teased, pressing herself shamelessly against Soren's side.
She was loving the thrill of playing the seductive traveler in this exotic setting. Even if it didn't crack Soren's cool exterior, it might catch some other eyes.
Axelina wasn't about to be outdone. She hooked her arm through Soren's other elbow, leaning into him so close her body was practically glued to his.
Sandwiched between two smoking-hot women, Soren just kept casually scanning the architecture like a tourist.
He'd already noticed the group of burly locals tailing them at a distance ever since they got out of the van.
Patty trailed at the very back of the group, watching Soren get flanked on both sides. She'd already mentally cursed him out a thousand times.
When they passed under a massive stone archway that looked like a castle gate, a pack of kids suddenly swarmed out from every direction and blocked their path.
The children didn't look local—high cheekbones, pale blue eyes, and a sharp, feral cleverness that didn't match their age. They wore knitted caps and thrust out grubby little hands, shouting in broken English: "Dollar! Dollar!"
Axelina didn't even blink. "Anyone got a dollar?"
Beth reached for her wallet. "I've got it—"
"No, no, I'll handle it!" Lorna suddenly blurted, frantically digging through her bag like she was determined to prove she could manage the situation.
Instead of cash, she pulled out a small tin. "How about a mint? Super refreshing and tasty!"
She held one out to the boy in front.
The kid stared at the candy for half a second, then hawked a thick glob of spit right onto Lorna's face.
"Fuck!" Lorna froze, stunned.
"Get lost!" Axelina's expression darkened. She stepped forward and shooed the kids away.
Soren watched the whole thing from the back and gave a tiny nod.
So this was the Human Skin Inn.
All the "exotic charm" and "natural hot springs" talk was just bait from a massive underground network. Once victims checked into the hotel they recommended, their photos, info, and measurements got uploaded to the dark web for anonymous auction.
The highest bidder won full ownership—anything they wanted in the torture rooms downstairs.
Even the kids were part of the machine: lookouts, pickpockets, and bait.
Now that Soren knew the script, it was simple.
These rich freaks always showed up in person for their "special experiences," right?
He was just an innocent young traveler who got scared half to death by a bunch of perverts.
Self-defense, emotional distress damages… perfectly reasonable.
After the kids were chased off, Lorna wiped her face, mortified.
The group kept walking and finally stopped in front of a hotel called Eden Hot Springs.
Inside, the place was nothing like the rustic town outside. Soft carpets, scented candles, the works.
A few barely-dressed women lounged on the lobby sofas, silk robes slipping off pale skin, giving Soren hungry stares and slow, deliberate licks of their lips the second he walked in.
Behind the front desk stood a man with curly hair and round gold-rimmed glasses.
He flashed Axelina a knowing smile, then turned to the group. "Hi, what can I do for you folks?"
Before anyone else could speak, Axelina jumped in. "Our friends need to check in. Best rooms, please."
Soren watched the two of them work in perfect sync and almost felt bad for how easy it was to fool a bunch of college girls.
"No problem." The man glanced over the group. "Hotel policy requires IDs for registration. I'll have them returned to your rooms later."
Soren handed over two fake IDs. He glanced back at Patty, then said casually, "We'll just need one room."
The whole lobby erupted in teasing whistles.
Whitney's eyes bounced between Soren and Patty. Beth gave a small, amused smile.
The desk guy returned with the key, smirk turning downright sleazy. "Of course, sir. Enjoy your evening."
Patty's cheeks burned crimson, but with everyone watching she bit her tongue.
After they paid and took the tagged key, Soren led her up to the third-floor room.
The place had vintage charm—a huge bed with deep-red sheets dominating the center.
The second the door closed, Patty dropped her bag and claimed territory. "Listen up—this bed is mine. You're on the couch!"
She let out a happy little sigh, didn't even bother kicking off her shoes, and dove straight for the mattress.
Before she could land, Soren grabbed the back of her collar. "I think you should shower first. You're kinda filthy."
After a quick sweep confirmed no hidden cameras or traps, Soren heard the shower start running. He peeled off his coat, stretched, and settled onto the couch like it was his natural habitat.
Damn. Even the sofa in this rich-perv hotel was softer than the one back at the office.
He rolled over.
By now their info was probably already live on the dark web, up for auction.
Soren smirked faintly.
He was curious exactly how much a body like his would go for among these rich freaks.
With any luck… it might even hit seven figures.