Read Taken for Free Online

coming.
    “Escort the girl into one of the empty rooms in my wing and assign Cara to oversee her care,” he growled out, his heated blood pumping coarsely through his veins. There was only one way to fix his problem with his mate, and his shaft was already twitching in anticipation. “In fact, I want Cara to remain with the girl until I tell her differently.” He stopped thinking about Keely long enough to shoot a warning glance at each male before adding, “She's to be treated in the proper manner that we would treat any child of her age. She's not a concubine, and she's not to be considered one. Make sure that this is spread far and wide. Anyone found treating her any differently will be put to death. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Of course,” Zander replied incredulously, his eyebrows raised high, while his guard vigorously nodded his head, a relieved expression on his face. They'd all been placed into an awkward position, but one that they should have been prepared for. Kosmas wouldn't put anything past the corrupted leaders of the mortal world. It was likely that the girl was just the first of several that would be sent. It made him sick.
    Walking over to her, he squatted down to gently remove her blindfold. Big blue eyes stared up at him, rimmed red from crying. Kosmas muttered a curse, hating that the child had experienced so much fear, before glaring at his guard for blindfolding her. “Should this happen again,” he growled out. “Make damn sure you don't terrify the child before she reaches Legionnaire.”
    “I'm sorry,” he sputtered out. “But in our defense, none of us knew what to do.”
    “I understand that,” Kosmas replied, attempting to curtail his anger out of fear of scaring the girl in front of him. He sent her a small, reassuring smile before adding, “That's why you're still alive. Now get out of here and inform the rest of the guard of what I have told you. Zander will escort her to her room. You've done enough.”
    “Y-yes,” the guard replied, all but running for the double doors that would lead him to the interconnecting hallway.
    “So,” Kosmas said, his tone lightening considerably. “Where was I? Oh, yes,” he continued, patting the girl awkwardly on the head. “My name is Kosmas, and I'm the leader here. I'm sorry that you had such a scary trip to our world, but here on Legionnaire, it's really not so bad. In many ways, our world is very similar to Earth. I hope that one day you will consider it home.”
    Kosmas knew he was rambling, but what else could he do? His experience with children was very limited. He was much more comfortable in a battlefield.
    The child remained quiet for a moment, studying him with her wide eyes. After a moment, she nodded as she asked, “Are you a king?”
    Zander chuckled softly behind him as Kosmas considered it. “Yes, I suppose in a way I am,” he agreed quietly. “And because of my position, I can assure you that you will be safe. In a moment, I'm going to have Zander to escort you to your new room. After that, you'll be joined by Cara. I think you will like her. Cara will see about getting you some new clothing and food. Before you go, though, can you tell me your name?”
    “Abby,” the girl murmured quietly. “I'm thirteen years old.”
    Kosmas and Zander exchanged surprised glances. As small as she was, she could have passed for someone much younger. He wondered when her last good meal had been. “It's nice to meet you, Abby,” he replied, coming to his feet. “Are you ready to go with Zander? After your trip, I'm sure you must be hungry and tired. We will speak again soon, though.”
    “Okay,” she replied, with a shrug. The fear was gone from her youthful face, much to Kosmas' relief. Still, he couldn't help but wonder at what tribulations she'd already experienced in her short life. Too many, if the sadness in her eyes was any indication. It made him want to rage at the leaders that let the children of their world suffer