Page 54 of Dark Auctioned Mate

The tears came before she could stop them, hot and fast, years of holding everything together finally breaking apart. She expected Rael to step back and give her space to compose herself. Instead, he pulled her into his arms.

She sobbed into his chest, holding on to him, while he murmured words of comfort she couldn’t quite make out over the sound of her own crying.

“Shh. I’ve got you.”

They stayed like that for a while. Until Alanis cried her eyes dry. When she pulled back, Rael’s shirt was soaked with her tears, but he did not seem to mind.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, wiping her eyes. “I had no intention of breaking down in front of you.”

“No need to apologize. You needed that. Especially with all you have experienced and after this evening with those women in that warehouse. It must have brought back memories.”

“It did, and that is why I could not leave them there, because I know how it feels to be in that position, to wait to be sold and to know that no one is coming to your rescue.”

“Somebody did come to their rescue, though. You did.”

“We must get in touch with the Lumen,” Alanis cleared her throat, pulling herself together. “Those women need appropriate long-term care and money to build a new life. The Shadowridge medical facility can stabilize them, but they require more than that.”

“How fast can your organization act?”

“Within hours. They have response teams in various locations, once I am able to access a secure line.”

“August can create a secure line, and we should tell him about the Lumen, anyway. He will insist on arranging their arrival.”

They located August in the main office of the facility, keeping track of communications. Rael gave him the condensed version of Alanis’ story.

“A rescue and rehabilitation organization? That sounds interesting and helpful. I will get started on the secure line, so Alanis can make the call.”

Ten minutes later, Alanis sat in a private office with an encrypted cell, dialing a number that she hadn’t called in weeks.

On the second ring, Deva answered. “Identify yourself.”

“It’s Alanis.”

“Oh my god. Alanis! Are you okay? Are you safe? What the hell?!”

“Yes. I am safe. Look, I will explain later, but I have ten women from the trafficking network who need long-term care”

She provided Deva with the coordinates, situation, and urgency.

“We shall have a team over there in four hours,” Deva replied. “Where have you been, Alanis? We’ve been searching for you for weeks. We thought you were killed or taken prisoner or—”

“It is complicated. I will tell you everything soon.”

Deva sighed. “Fine. See you in four hours.”

The call ended, and Alanis sat for a few moments, taking in what she had just done. She’d revealed the Lumen’s existence to outsiders, compromised operational security, and violated procedures she had been obeying for years.

But looking through the office window, thinking of those women being treated, Alanis was sure she made the right decision.

Protocols were not as important as some things. There were things that were worth the risk. She only hoped that Deva would think so too.

Chapter 17 - Rael

Three cars pulled up to the Shadowridge medical clinic just as the day was breaking, and six people stepped out, carrying an air of professionalism.

An older woman who looked like she was probably in her mid-forties with threads of silver through her dark hair went directly to Alanis and gave her a fierce hug.

“You crazy, brilliant fool,” the woman said, her voice thick with emotion. “Do you know how concerned we have been?”