The Shifter's Kiss, Book 1 by Lucky Simms Page B

the oxytocin sub-programming was still online. The optimized pheromones would allow anyone receptive to instantly find Sunshi charming. Someone they wanted to hold - to protect, to possess.
    It also meant Maren would miss her even more.

----

Chapter 2 - Nothing Is Rare Anymore

    Small children peeked from the windows as Maren and Sunshi walked across the barren, dusty courtyard. The houses all faced inwards, and Maren knew everyone’s eyes were on the transaction.
    The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the empty, dusty space. Maren positioned Sunshi in the remaining light, letting the sun bathe her, set her aglow. The gown rippled around her subtly, curving to her long legs, her smooth belly.
    The last of the three big trucks rumbled into the courtyard, kicking up a huge cloud of bronze dust. Maren covered her mouth and nose. Sunshi obediently followed.
    Pushing the gates closed behind the trucks, the men disappeared back into their homes or found places to watch the transaction without being seen.
    Maren shook her head in disgust. Adversity was supposed to make heroes out of ordinary people, wasn’t it?
    A few dusty men left their vehicles and stood against the wheel wells with their arms across their chests. Most had black or grey scarves wrapped over their heads, and the dull black rebreathers strapped over their faces. Squinting into the pack, Maren could make out a few human faces here and there, and few that were definitely… not.
    “Ahem!” she cleared her throat, hoping the negotiator would show his face. The light was getting low, and she didn’t want to be in the courtyard after dark again.
    Nothing happened.
    Sunshi swayed where she stood, still glowing. She seemed to have calmed down immensely and had a smile on her lips. Maren scowled. The effect wouldn’t last much longer.
    “Where is Dowd?” she demanded. The travelers shifted their weight and stared at her from behind their goggles and bandannas.
    “Dowd!” she yelled again, forcefully.
    A truck door opened and a man got out. He pulled the bandanna off his face and tossed it on the seat, slamming the door behind him. Walking slowly forward, he pushed his hair back and gave Maren a sarcastic smile.
    “You called?” he sneered.
    She stifled her rising anger. “You’re late,” she said evenly. She jerked her chin at the caravan. “Why don’t you have your freakshow take the trucks to the storeroom and unload while we do this? The sun is going down and I have a village to save.”
    Dowd shrugged. “There’s no rush,” he said slowly. He was keeping his distance. She could tell. He looked at Sunshi, whose glow was quickly returning to normal levels. “What’s this?”
    Maren stepped aside, hoping he would advance to a pheremonally-optimal location. Already she could feel her own attraction to Sunshi solidifying. Stepping away from her felt like tearing out pieces. It was a good pheromone cocktail.
    But Dowd wasn’t buying it.
    “This is not what we ordered.”
    Maren’s mouth fell open a little bit. “What do you mean?”
    He pursed his lips, walking around Sunshi slowly, keeping a safe distance. His boots kicked up little whorls of dust storms.
    “She looks very nice,” he said finally.
    Maren relaxed slightly. “She is very nice,” she replied.
    “Yeah?” he scratched his head. “Well, we didn’t order nice. We ordered durable. ”
    Maren began to feel the panic rise in her chest. Though she couldn’t see them, she knew everyone in the compound was watching her. They relied on her to keep them safe. She could almost sense their thoughts. What if it doesn’t work? What will we do?
    “Listen, Dowd,” she started. “This is Sunshi.” Sunshi executed a small curtsy. “She is the absolute best in pleasure girls.You know this. This is what you got last year, and the year before that, only better. Because I like you. Because we have… history.”
    Dowd chuckled. “Oh, please, Maren. Don’t act like you’re doing