Codename Winter by Aubrey Ross Read Free Book Online

dream. There are beta and alpha waves as well, but our primary concern is theta.”
    “This is safe?” Winter turned the pieces over, studying them from every angle. They were slightly flexible and basically smooth. There were no prongs or visible circuitry. “Have you used this thing?”
    “I’ve created solo images, and Celinna and I have been taking turns ‘commanding’ each other. It’s really extraordinary.”
    Agitation threaded through Winter’s excitement. She wanted to believe this was a viable option, but there was a gaping hole in the explanation. She returned the succubus to its case and looked at Autumn. “What is gained by all this? You have a waiting list of women who are willing to fuck these men for real. Why bother with someone like me?”
    Autumn leaned her hip against the desk and smiled. “Ulrick hasn’t called my office asking about anyone else.”
    “You expect me to use that thing on Ulrick Brant?”
    “Only if you don’t want to have sex with him, which I think you do.”
    Winter shot to her feet and moved away from Autumn. There had to be more to this than she was saying. It didn’t make sense that a madam would accommodate her reluctance. “What do you really want from me?”
    “It’s not what I want from you. It’s what I want from him.”
    “I’ll bite. What do you want?” She crossed her arms over her chest and studied Autumn’s face, looking for any hint of deceit or insincerity.
    “Information.” The word rang with import and implications. “Brant is entrusted with locations and Gathosian activities that are crucial to our cause.”
    “Our cause? What cause is that, and who are you including in ‘our’?”
    Autumn moved back behind her desk and sat. “One step at a time. If you’re interested in working with me, Ulrick will be your first assignment.”
    None of this seemed quite real. It was all happening so quickly, and nothing good ever came without a cost. “Is there something specific you need him to tell me?”
    “There are all sorts of things he would be able to tell us, but our top priority is the location of Evard Keenan.”
    “Who is Evard Keenan?”
    “He’s a chemist who specializes in the compound. Ra’jen believes our best hope of escaping this infernal addiction is to find this man and gain his cooperation.”
    “And Mr. Brant knows where to find him?”
    “That’s our hope.”
    Winter nodded, still struggling to believe this was actually happening. “If I agree, what’s the next step?”
    “I’ll let Ulrick know you’re ready to be interviewed, and we’ll see how it goes. In the meantime, I’d like you to work with Celinna. We need to accelerate your training, make you more comfortable with your sexuality. These men must believe you’re a pleasure ambassador, even if we know your true purpose.” She closed the case and held it out.
    With trembling hands Winter took the succubus from Autumn. “How long do I have to decide?”
    “What are your other options?”
    The question wasn’t meant to be cruel, but it cut into Winter like a blade. No matter where she turned the ending was the same—she became the sexual plaything of some random man. This was her only hope of regaining some measure of control.
    “I’ll do it.” Her heart lurched at the thought. She’d just agreed to be a spy, an agent of some nameless force, using her sexuality as a weapon. At least she would be wielding the weapon, and her efforts would harm the bastards who’d brought her to this point.
    “Wonderful. I’ll let Ulrick know you’re available.”
    * * * * *
    Not wanting to seem too anxious, Ulrick scheduled his meeting with Winter for the following afternoon. He had expected Autumn to change Cub’s name, but Winter? Was that really any better than Cub?
    He shook away the thought and watched for her arrival on his security screen. A nondescript skimmer floated to a stop in front of his house. The passenger door swung open and long legs, sporting high