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“Not cruel? I’ve heard differently.”

Again, I feel like I’m playing with fire – poking a tiger with a stick – but the alternative is just to accept my captivity – to be the helpless girl the Aurelians and my father think I am.

“How do I know you’re even affiliated with the Aurelian Empire?” I challenge them. “I think you’re Rogue Aurelians. That would explain everything – including why you want those Orb-deposits.”

I nod, watching the glower in Brennan’s eyes.

“That’s it, isn’t it? It makes sense. The Empire would never allow kidnapping, for a start – but you snatched me right out of my own bed.” I narrow my eyes. “Rogue Aurelians. I’ve read about your kind. You treat women like objects – like property.”

Brennan snorts angrily.

“Who says the Empire wouldn’t allow kidnapping? We do what is needed for the Empire – even if they don’t need to know exactlyhowwe did it.”

Then he pauses, and his eyes darken ominously.

“As for why we want those Orb-deposits for the Empire? You know the answer to that yourself – although you might not realize it.” He leans forward menacingly. “There is a storm coming, Natali. You can’t feel it – not the way I can – but it’s there, and it fills you with an unease you can’t even explain.”

I stare up at him with wide eyes. There’s an intensity to Brennan’s gaze which is deeply disquieting – like he’s trying to share information with me that my human mind can’t even comprehend.

Then, just as abruptly, the towering Aurelian snaps:

“Now – be quiet.”

Brennan takes a slow, deep breath in through his nose. I can tell he’s tasting my scent – drinking it like nectar. I shiver.

So does he. As he tastes me, Brennan’s forearms tense, his biceps flexing until they strain the material of his shirt. I know he’s not doing it on purpose – not to show off.

It’s because of me – his raging, ravenous desire for me.

I affect each of these three, proud aliens. They’re each battling their desire to claim me.

Then, it comes to me.Thisis my weapon against them.

How can I use it to my advantage?

For now, I keep my mouth shut. Speaking after being told explicitly to stay quiet would get me nothing more than a sore bottom – the thought of which leaves me anxious and trembling.

Then, Brennan turns and walks to where he’d been standing earlier, busying himself in a manner that suggests he’s trying to distract himself from the scent of me.

I wriggle forward in my sleeping bag, and then reach out to unzip the duffel bag.

As I root through the contents, I raise my eyes at the selection of clothes. To say they’re skimpy would be an understatement.

It’s like a man who knew nothing about women except how good they looked with their curves hanging out chose the selection of clothes they’d packed for me.

Wait – maybe not. Maybe they just brought these clothes from the same shop they’d found the ball gag – not even thinking that the outfits on offer were chosen for their erotic appeal rather than their practical appeal.

I glance up at Brennan.

He looks so poised, standing there towering over me. You’d imagine from his haughty demeanor that he’s utterly confident – the epitome of masculine competence.

But I know the truth. I’ve already seen how these three Aurelians are making up this kidnapping scheme almost as they go along. I imagine the same is true for their interactions with women.

For all their hundreds of years of life, I wonder if the only women these three gorgeous, towering warriors have ever dealt with have been women from those infamous Aurelian harems.

Back on their home world of Colossus, Aurelians who complete their hundred years of service often start to gather hundreds of willing women to sate their endless sexual desires – and possibly bring to them their fabled Fates Mate.

But those women? They’re there to serve – to pleasure. A slinky, revealing gown might be perfect for lounging by the pool in, or sipping cocktails.