“Hmm, well the two ofyouare looking good,” he said, nodding atBurnandBrightwith an approving grin.“Thatbig, muscly warrior look is popular with lots of buyers—especially theMistressesofYonnieSix.You’llneed new outfits, of course, but that’s easily managed.”
Burn made a low, rumbling sound in his chest—dangerous and unamused.
The little man ignored him.Thenhis gaze landed onNoelleand his lip curled slightly in disapproval, like he was looking at a scratched piece of furniture.
“Butyou, my dear,” he said, shaking his head, “you need a makeover.Infact, you need onedesperately.”
Bright stepped closer toNoelle, frowning.
“What?”
Burn’s voice dropped an octave as he growled,
“Stay the fuck away from her, little man.”
“Now, now—let’s not get all hot and bothered,” the alien said, raising both hands in a universaldon’t shootgesture.“I’mnot going to hurt your lady—Ijust want to make her presentable for the auction at theFleshBazaar.Thebetter she looks, the more likely it is that the three of you will be sold to an affluent master or mistress—rather than a poor one who’s likely to whore the three of you out.Surelyyou can see that?”
Noelle’s stomach dropped.
Auction.OhGod.Arewe really going to be sold like cattle?Andwas it really possible that whoever bought them would want to use them as sex slaves?Shedidn’t even want tothinkabout it.
“What are you planning to do to me?”she asked, trying not to let her voice tremble.
The orange dwarf grinned at her.
“Why, let me see.”Hecircled her again, those neon-green eyes flashing like lasers.“Anew outfit, that’s a given.Butalso,Ithink we could use a full rejuvenation treatment.You’repretty enough—for your age, my dear—but we can do better.Let’ssee if we can’t take at least ten years off you.Also, a fertility treatment,Ithink.Somebreast enhancement, perhaps.Atleast your hips are nice and wide already—lots of buyers like a slave with child-bearing hips.”
“I…I’mtoo old to start having babies!”Noelleprotested, her voice rising despite herself.
“Right now you are,” the alien agreed.“Butwe can change that.”
He reached for her arm.
Burn moved so fast he was a blur—putting his huge body between them with a snarl.Brightstepped in beside him, fists clenched.
“You’re not taking her anywhere,”Brightsnapped.
The alien sighed dramatically.
“Isaid,I’mnot going to hurt her—quite the contrary!She’llfeel like a new woman whenI’mdone with her.Pleasedon’t make me get the guards.IfIhave to ask them to restrain you, all three of you will lose your food, water, and bathroom privileges.Andthat’s no fun now, is it?”
Noelle’s ears perked up.
Bathroom?
She hadn’t seen a single toilet since they got here.
Dios,she already had to pee and there was nowhere—nowhere—in this freezing metal box to go.
“Come now,” the orange dwarf said coaxingly.“Ifthe three of you are good,I’llhave your non-contact manacles removed so you can be comfortable tonight.Youcan all cuddle up without shocking each other.”
“No fucking way,”Burngrowled.
“Our lady stays with us,”Brightsaid firmly.
ButNoellestepped out from behind them.
“It’s all right—I’llgo with him.”
