Page 16 of A Savage Bargain

“It is always consensual. This is why you must consent.”

“Of course, if I don’t, I’ll be killed,” I responded drily. “So, in my case, can I even really give consent?”

Krake grunted. “You are unique.”

I waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, I point-blank asked, “That’s all?”

He shifted on the couch to face me.

I did the same and stared into his bright green eyes.

“What are you looking for?” he asked.

There seemed to be something beneath that question, but I wasn’t certain, so I took it at face value. “Can a woman say no when she’s purchased?” The flat gray eyes and grasping fingers of the alien during dinner flashed in my mind.

“She can negotiate.”

“But she can’t say no?” I pushed.

Krake stayed silent.

“That’s not consent.”

“I am not aware of an Obedient saying no,” he finally said. “My understanding is that the contract signed with the Collector says that the Obedient agrees to be bound to her purchaser.”

“I guess for enough money and other benefits, she makes it work,” I said, bitterness creeping into my voice.

“The Collector vets the purchasers,” Krake unexpectedly added. “Not all who apply are allowed to take part.”

Relief flooded through me at the additional information. “Maybe that’s why no Earth woman has said no?”

“I have not thought about it before, since I have not participated before,” Krake said, “but that is likely correct.”

“Oh, that’s right,” I said. “Since you’re trying to find your Runner.”

“Correct. That was why we brought the container—” He stopped.

My eyes widened at the significance of what he almost said. “Did you think your Runner was in the container? My container?”

A curt nod answered my questions. “The crew unloaded the items procured for aliens on Earth. When I heard movementin the container, I believed my Runner had chosen to hide in there.”

“Oh.” That’s how my entire life had changed in an instant.

“A rare mistake in my job.”

“Which is?” I asked, to move quickly past the idea that I was a mistake.

“I am an enforcer.”

“Ooh, that sounds intriguing. What’s an enforcer?”

Krake’s lips thinned into a line of displeasure. “I have said too much.”

I considered pushing for an answer but realized it didn’t matter. After the auction, I’d never see Krake again. A ping of sadness hit me at the thought. That confused me. And surprised me. Why would I be sad? One alien is the same as another. Even as I had the dismissive thought, I knew it wasn’t true. The image of Traston flashed in my mind yet again. No fucking way he would be the same as Krake. I couldn’t believe that.

“We have gotten off track. The Auction is later tonight,” he said, interrupting my wild thoughts.

Anxiety replaced the sadness with that single sentence. “I haven’t been approved yet,” I squeaked.

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