“Relax,” said the beautiful, dark-haired burglar whose theft I had interrupted.

The word washed over me, taking the tension from my body with it. A moment ago, I’d raised my fist to threaten her. Now, it took all my strength to keep my arm from dropping to my side. I could barely mumble, “What’s happening to me?”

The burglar smiled. “Nothing bad. Nothing scary. Just relax.”

The word massaged my muscles, sending me staggering back onto a nearby table. My eyelids drooped, but I fought to keep them open. “Huh?”

“You heroines are so adorable when you’re helpless,” the burglar said, looming over me. “They call me Allie Kaza’am. We’re going to have a lot of fun together. You’re going to listen to my special, lovely voice when it tells you what to feel and what to believe. Listening is going to make you feel so good.”

My limp body pulsed with pleasure, like every inch of me were receiving a sensual massage. All I could do was let out an inarticulate moan.

“There’s my good girl, little heroine. It’s going to feel so much better when I can talk right to your sleeping mind. It helps my words slip inside and thrive where your waking mind can’t see them.” Her face was inches from mine, her eyes so big, so lovely. “Relax.”

Even the allure of her beauty couldn’t keep my eyes open. With a blissful sigh, I slept. And I listened. And I relaxed.

—

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