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.