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I take another step towards the champagne, wondering:Did I pause too long before saying the fake name?

It’s impossible to tell if the tension I sense from the Aurelians is because they’re Law Enforcement, operating undercover…

…or they just want to throw me to the ground andclaimme.

I shudder at the thought.

The mating frenzy of Aurelians is infamous, throughout the universe. Upon completion of their hundred years of military service to the Empire, Aurelians spend the remaining thousands of years of life scouring the universe, searching for their fabled ‘Fated Mate’. The only way to confirm that a woman is their Bonded mate – the only woman in the universe genetically compatible with that specific triad, and able to bear their sons – is through the act of mating.

As a result, Aurelians descend into madness when they’re aroused. The brutality andneedof their mating is unrivalled. If these three decide they want to claim my body, I won’t get out of this room unscathed. They’lltakeme – and Spur and Obbit have made it clear I’m not to refuse them.

That means I have one chance, and one chance only.

I smile and uncork the champagne, giving a fake gasp at the sound of thepop. As I pour the bubbly liquid, the three Aurelians sit back down slowly; never taking their slate-grey eyes from my scanty outfit and exposed flesh.

I carefully pour three glasses of the bubbly liquid. As I do so, I turn away from them – working my tongue into a cavity on the inside of my cheek.

A long time ago, a black-market doctor sewed a tiny pouch into the inside of my mouth; just big enough to hide a single capsule.

The capsule I’ve had hidden there for months emerges from its hiding place with the pressure of my tongue, and I let it fall into my hands; hopefully unspotted by the Aurelians.

I break open the capsule in my fingers, crumbling the white powder inside it into the drinks.

This drug is one of my three weapons of last resort. I fear I won’t have to resort to the other two.

The drug I dosed the champagne with was specifically formulated to drop Aurelians to the ground. That much powder would kill a human – numbing their autonomic system to the point of unconsciousness and death. For a four-hundred-pound, monstrous Aurelian, it’s enough put their muscular asses into a deep and dreamless sleep.

My hands are shaking with adrenaline as I stir the drinks with the swirl of my wrist; watching the powder blend with the bubbles.

If I get out of this unscathed – and that’s a big if – I’ve made up my mind. I can’t work in Spur’s joint anymore. If an Aurelian triad came here today – inviting me to this private room, no less – then more will be on their way. Sooner or later, one triad or another will recognize who I am.

I need toleave…

…but first, I have to get rid of these three Aurelians.

I pick up the glasses of bubbly champagne, my mind already plotting my course of action:

First, I escape this room – and these three huge, dominant Aurelians. Then I get to that locker, two blocks away. Afterward, I catch the first flight I can off this fucking hell-hole planet.

It’s far from ideal. It means I will have lost two years of my life fornothing. I spent two years here, putting together my escape plan, and now all that work is going to come unraveled as I flee like a rat from a sinking ship; leaving everything I’ve worked for behind.

The sound of the Aurelian’s low voices snaps me from my plotting.

“Put the glasses down,” the leader growls. Panic hits me. I turn, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.

“N-Not thirsty?” Dammit, why did I have to stammer?

The Aurelian doesn’t smile. Daccia simply orders: “Dance for me.”

His voice is a harsh command – but it carries a thin edge of lust beneath it. That lust is the only thing that reassures me.

If these threeareRogue Aurelians, I’ll survive. I might not like it – but I’ll be able to get out of here no matter what they do with me.Tome.

A shiver runs down my body. I’ve slept with two men since escaping the Aurelian Harem – human men. Both were big, standing over six-feet-tall, with muscular bodies…

…but both left me utterly unsatisfied.

That’s the part I’m most ashamed about in all this. No matter how far I run. No matter how much I hide. No matter what escape plans I have in place, or tricks up my sleeve…