the bed. His military boots struck the

t was a heavy, dominant scent that made Allegra's ch

a stiff,

was a low, mechanical rumble, completely devoid of warm

nuckles turned white. She forced the corners o

ng to sound as harmless as poss

from his belt. A holographic document projected into the space bet

en-figure su

pped. The sheer wealth of this military empire was terrify

," she sa

gaze traveled down the smooth, unblemished skin of

Primal Markers

itched beep before she forced herself to breathe. She remembered the sci

chin, feigning

eping her eyes glued to her lap. "

prise crossed his stoic features. Reptilian markers were rare,

rove it. The strict etiquette of

houlders. She exhaled a shaky breat

he holographic ta

It is a strict violation of Imperial law to remain und

r face. She didn't have a chip. There wa

er hands beneath the blanket. "My chip. It

. The air around him see

sive hand shot out and clamped around her left

nd burned with unnatural heat. The sudden, force

essing into her erratic pulse. He ignored the strange spark

o raised bump of a n

inned her to the mattress. The military in

p," he growled. "You were nev

rying to break his grip. It was like pulling

She needed to deflect. She n

ed out, her voice crack

r wrist as if her s

is hair in immediate, visceral guilt. The biological imperative of a hi

chest. She rubbed the reddened skin,

rs had left on her pale skin. His jaw clen

the tablet. "If your chip is non-functional, you cannot leave this facili

ut. "That's not necessa

no room for argument. "Without an ID, you are a ghost

, he would arrest her. If she went, the machines would

a defea

o prep the hovercar. Behind him, his thick, spotted tail began to sway in a slow,

of folded civilian clothes. She placed them o

door, giving her privacy. B

de of cotton over Allegra's skin, echo

ict's neck. He took a deep, jagged breath, fi

" Allegra s

beige sweater and loose pants. She lo

lowed up in the clothes, and a strange, heavy

me," he

took a deep breath and followe