“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!”