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He gave her a sober look. “You don’t wish to be for Hmrain?”

“I like taking care of people. It makes me happy. Anyone can experience lust that they can consume.”

“I cannot lie and say you don’t have a high rating, but I can lower it to noticeable and not exceptional.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I can take that chance. The offer is very kind.”

He smiled. “I had heard your kind had a high level of companion class. You are the first batch I have met.”

“It seems to be linked to the level of effort required to survive.”

“Interesting. Well, you don’t need to change into companion clothing, just walk out to the right, and they will take you to the auction.”

“Thank you, may your day be bright.”

He smiled. “You get extra points for cultural attentiveness.”

Riley blushed and headed for the door. She walked out of the room, and an attendant was watching for her. “Miss Riley, please come with me. The auction is underway.”

She followed, and the woman asked her if she would consider a sexual posting.

“No. That isn’t my field of interest.”

“Very politely done.”

“I believe honesty is best.”

The attendant walked with her to an auction floor, and she waited in line while the women ahead of her went up for bond.

Tessa went up, and she danced, which made Riley wince. Even back on Earth, dancing was indicative of sexual interest under certain circumstances.

The bidding was strong, and Tessa got excited when she saw the number that she would end up with after her service was over.

When she cleared the floor, Riley walked out at her attendant’s urging and stood as her résumé was rattled off.

“Sexual contact is not on the menu with this one.”

She waited, and to her surprise, the number started rising. It went astonishingly high, and then there was a pause, and someone said, “End of auction. Private bidder.”

The number flipped up to seven figures, and the attendants beamed as she was led off to the side where a veiled and cloaked figure was waiting. The female grabbed her wrist and chuckled. “Come with me, Riley.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Riley walked with the woman to a contract room where they were escorted to a podium, and a contract was designed with rapid strokes of the stylus.

When the drafting was done, Riley walked over and read the contract. She blinked as she read what the woman wanted with her. She looked for any hidden clauses, but there were none. She was to be a lady’s companion and a host, so learning to entertain was part of her education, paid for by her lady.

She smiled and looked at her new lady. “Are you sure?”

“I am sure. I have been looking for a companion, and you meet my criteria.”

Riley signed, ocular scanned, and gave a drop of blood. Her bondholder did the same, raising her veil for the scan. The attendant gasped.

The veil lowered, and her lady said, “Come with me, Riley. Our transport is waiting.”

Riley followed her respectfully, and the woman with the Hmrain marking on her forehead grabbed her by her wrist and hauled her to her side. “If I wanted a meek servant, I would have bought one. You are smart, you are determined, and you had a chance to take an easy life, but you value your dignity.”

Riley walked with her, and the transport was a sleek skimmer-type arrangement that looked expensive. The lady got into the transport, and Riley hopped in next to her. The driver immediately took off and got them away from the auction house as if it were distasteful.