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Daccia

Idemanded: “Do you sell your women?”

I was asking the question because ofher– the woman I’d just seen dancing on stage. She’d been exquisite. I’d felt my cock surge the moment I saw her gyrate those ripe curves up on that stage. I could tell that she wasn’t there in her mind – only in her body. She’d dialed out, going through the motions. She was clearly a woman just trying to survive – just trying to keep her freedom.

Her name was Allie – and while she was dancing to keep her freedom, I was here to take that freedom away from her.

Allie had lied. She’d stolen. As beautiful as she was, that human female deserved to rot in a prison cell…

…but my body betrays me.

The owner of this club, Spur, cocks his head to one side and gives me a shrewd look. He’s got five men behind him. They’re silent – there to mirror the two other Aurelians of my triad, and give him some sense of confidence.

It’s laughable. We Aurelians could cut through Spur’s thugs without breaking a sweat.

My two battle brothers are Kitos and Hadrian – my silent shadows. I’ve trusted them in a hundred battles, and the only worry I have is the thin thread of lust that lurks deep within their minds. I feel it too. There was something about that woman that triggered a deep, instinctual desire inside of us.

“We need to call this mission off,”telepaths Kitos. “She may be our mate.”

Kitos is the smartest of the three of us, and I trust his advice. More than that – I feel it too.

It’s not a certainty – in fact, there’s only a one in a billion chance that this woman couldactuallybe our mate – but all three of us felt it. Feltsomething.

The suspicion that she could be what all Aurelians spend their lives searching for: Their Fated Mate.

Of course, most likely, she’s just learned how to seduce Aurelians…

…but there’s always a chance, however astronomical.

I take a deep breath.

“We’re one more capture off a promotion,”I telepath back. “Wehaveto take her in.”

The owner, Spur, taps his desk.

“Selling women is illegal,” he warns – a twinkle in his eye.

Of course, Spur isn’t being serious. He’s just trying to drive up the price – and cover his ass. We’re posing as Rogue Aurelians, but the man isn’t dumb. He knows slavery is strictly forbidden in the Empire, and even discussing the subject with any Aurelians – Rogue or not – carries risk attached to it…

But this manisa slaver, if I ever met one. No – perhaps that’s giving him too much credit. Spur is merely an opportunist, who’d sell his own mother for a thousand credits.

“Hiring illegal women is illegal,” I counter. “Your club isn’t afraid to crossthatline.”

Spur’s eyes narrow. “What are you? Aurelian Law Enforcement?”

See? Not dumb.

A cowardly, immoral, opportunistic piece of scum…

…but not dumb.

I sneer back: “You think we’d come here, looking tobuya woman for our harem, and be working for the law? The penalty for slavers is death – Aurelianorhuman.”

I narrow my eyes.

“You’ve got a reputation as a businessman, Spur. Don’t disappoint us.”