“Supreme.”
“So beautiful.”
Words cooed at her from all directions, undoubtedly meant to soothe and flatter. Selma whimpered and sunk into a ball on the floor in the middle of the cage as an impenetrable onslaught of pheromones assaulted her mind.
She wanted—needed—them. It didn’t matter that they’d tear her apart; she needed the strength of their bodies and intoxicating scents, needed to be consumed by everything they were and everything they could offer. Now.
Selma staggered to her feet again and fell against the nearest bars, desperate for their heated touch on her bare skin, but when the demons tried to press their hands into the cage to oblige, black sparks flashed between the bars. Snarls erupted from the Lords close enough to get hit, but they didn’t withdraw.
“Please,” she gasped, pressing her own hands against the cool metal. No sparks flew at her touch, but she couldn’t penetrate the magic either. “I need…”
Desperately her eyes darted over the bars and the demons outside in an attempt to find some way she could get to them, only to freeze to the spot when a black gaze locked on hers.
“Kain?”
She was vaguely aware of her mouth hanging open through the shock and continued throbbing in her nipples, clit, and throat. The crowd moved, continuing to block her full view of the owner of those black eyes, and even as she was afraid to believe, hope sprouted somewhere deep within.
Hope. She didn’t have the mental capacity to try to reason the cause of this emotion, but she recognized it as she scurried along the bars in an attempt to catch an unobstructed glimpse of the demon’s face.
“Kain!”
More words were being slung at her, but she drowned them out. They didn’t seem to care that she wasn’t responding to them; they were only preoccupied with how her scent and body affected them as they attempted to sway her in their direction.
“Everyone, return to your seats. It’s time to begin the auction.”
At Maell’s command the crowd withdrew like an ebbing tide.
Selma bit down on her already bloody lip, trying her best to stay focused when her body started trembling with need for the males to return with their addictive scent, but it was useless. With a quiet sob she slid to the floor, her desperation to see if Kain was truly there suppressed by muted despair.
“My brothers,” Maell boomed somewhere past the hot pulse coursing through her body. “You have seen the Pure Breeder and smelled her readiness, and have been able to judge if she is a suitable match to carry your offspring. If you desire to partake in the bidding to claim her, you may remain.
“Remember the responsibility that lays on the shoulders of a Pure Breeder’s mate—her survival and comfort will be your main priority, even to the extent of abandoning your territory, should the need arise. Nothing will be more important than procreating to aid in our battle against the traitorous females and the gods by strengthening our ranks.
“Any who do not wish to make such a sacrifice for this Breeder may leave now.”
Silence carried the echo of his words across the arena. Not one demon moved.
“Very well. Remember—killing is strictly forbidden, and if you place the winning bid, you must reactivate the Breeder’s ring before claiming her.” Once more he gestured toward Selma with a sweeping arc of his left arm. “Brothers… the auction has begun!”
Killing? Why on Earth would killing be part of an auction? Selma frowned, worry mixing with the hazed lust.
“Ten million dollars!”
The shout from the benches came from a blond demon five rows up who got to his feet with a slow, deliberate flexing of his bare chest.
Selma was nearly shocked out of her hormonal daze. Ten million dollars? She stared open-mouthed at the male as he walked down the stairs with a saunter that subtly highlighted his perfect body control. When he made it to the sawdust he turned to face the benches, resting his massive hands on his hips covered in tight leather pants. It was the position of someone issuing a challenge.
“Fifteen!” Someone yelled from the benches.
The Lord who’d greeted her when she stumbled through the door—the auctioneer—nodded at the first bidder. “Do you wish to concede, raise your bid, or fight the challenger?”
The blond turned his head and smiled wickedly, his flaming green eyes catching hers for the briefest moment. “I believe the little Breeder would appreciate a fight, Maell.”
Another male stood up from one of the closer benches. He looked severe and determined as he made his way to the arena.
The moment his foot touched the sawdust, dark energy gathered in a swirling mass around the demon who’d first bid on her. With a flick of his arm it shot toward the newcomer.
The second bidder snarled and braced for the assault, raising his own dark magic to repel the attack.
