Chapter 32

Valerie

Branding was a horrifying measure. Many masters used it to prevent their slaves from being stolen. Some simply liked to see their branding, pressed into the flesh of a poor, tortured girl. Regardless the reason, branding had been a hot topic back in the shop. I recalled the aunts discussing it while they muddled over business ideas that could bring in more potential clients.

Aunt Rita had suggested a free branding service. Branding was not popular among masters, but for the few very rich that desired to leave a permanent mark on their property. It was not like tattoos, which could be removed. Once a slave was branded, it could not be resold to another master. Which meant that slaves who had been branded and discarded by their masters were left to fend for themselves.

Thankfully, Aunt Louise thought it would be a terrible waste of many. “There are too few guests interested in branding a slave,” she had said. “And all in all, brands are a hideous thing. Only guests with a part