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That shut me up.

He had never asked me to be grateful for being taken from Earth. Never told me the mating system was good for me. Never suggested that Zuna’s need for fertile women made what happened acceptable.

Sera’n had only ever dealt with the life I actually had.

Which made what he said next worse.

“There are times when knowing more does not give you more control.”

“Then what does it give me?”

His eyes held mine.

“A target.”

I hated that part of me felt guilty.

Sera’n hadn’t abducted me. He hadn’t put me on an auction platform. He hadn’t decided the mating system should exist.

He had, in fact, given me an alternative when the system didn’t know where to put me.

But that didn’t make this less frightening.

“Just tell me one thing,” I said.

His shoulders lowered slightly.

“Was my record changed by accident?”

Silence.

That was enough.

My stomach sank.

“Sera’n.”

“I cannot answer that.”

Cannot.

Not do not know.

Cannot.

I took a slow breath.

“Okay.”

His eyes narrowed.

Apparently my agreement worried him more than arguing did.

“You will leave it alone?”

“Yes.”

He watched me for several seconds.