Taken Read Free Page A

on it. At least, not if they wanted to survive the night.
    A loud crash came from within, immediately followed by the sounds of cursing. The guards around him exchanged uneasy looks before quickly finding something to do. He wasn't known for his patience with mistakes. Kosmas lifted his eyebrows as he waited for an explanation. It wasn't long in coming.
    Silver walked out with an impatient expression on his face, holding a box filled with shards of colored glass as he grumbled to himself. Stopping in front of Kosmas, he dropped it on the ground in front of his feet. “Nobody ever told me these balls were made of glass,” he hissed, in way of explanation, crossing his arms as he looked at Kosmas. “What moron came up with the idea of glass balls? Now, I've got a huge mess to clean up.”
    “They are not balls, you ingrate,” Kosmas replied, bending over to scoop up the small cardboard box. He quickly perused it before holding it out to Silver. “These are ornaments, and you use them on the Christmas tree. If you ever bothered to use your brain, you would have seen that it says to handle with care.”
    Silver shrugged, an offended expression on his face. Kosmas pointed at Evan, a guard known for his practical personality. “I want you to oversee the rest of the ornaments as they are unloaded. Make sure that none of them are broken, or there will be hell to pay.”
    “Yes, Kosmas,” Evan replied, in an even tone of voice. He disappeared in the plane to do his bidding.
    Kosmas turned back to Silver, his eyes narrowing as he decided where to send him. They were in a large warehouse, an area that was often used to store their space planes. His guards had taken two of them on their trip to Earth. The cargo plane had arrived before the passenger plane, which had worked out perfectly for him. The newest concubines were due in at anytime. Kosmas wanted to have the unloading done before then.
    In the distance, he spotted Bran struggling with the Christmas tree as he attempted to pull it to the amphitheater without damaging it. The other man had already felt Kosmas' wrath when he'd been ordered to locate one, no matter how difficult it was. Bringing one back from Earth would have been unreasonable, considering the size that Kosmas wanted to present Keely with. So he'd sent Bran out with clear instructions on what he wanted. Considering it had taken him ten hours to return, it hadn't been an easy task, but then again, Legionnaire was a big world. At least he'd found one.
    Kosmas turned back to Silver. “Go help Bran with the tree, and this time you better be careful. If even a branch is broken, I'm going to kick your ass. I promise you that.”
    Bran gaped as he looked past Kosmas, to the forty-foot tree that Bran was pulling. “What if he has already broken one?” he asked incredulously, his voice rising in pitch. “In fact, I'd be surprised if he hasn't. God only knows how far he has pulled it.”
    Rolling his eyes, Kosmas exhaled in irritation as he struggled to remain patient. Instructing the guards outside of the battlefield was much harder than he'd expected, but unfortunately the task had fallen upon him. He hadn't decided on a replacement since sending Zander to Diabolos. He would have to and soon, especially with his mate's pregnancy. And his sanity.
    “Just. Go.” he growled, his hands clenching the clipboard so hard he thought it would break. “Bran can carry it alone, but he will need some help installing it at the amphitheater. Follow his lead, as he already knows how I want it. Once it's up, it will need to be decorated, but for now, just get it in place .”
    Silver nodded before turning away, his lips compressed into a tight line. He shot Kosmas an outraged look over his shoulder, but he took off before Kosmas could comment on it. Good riddance. He was going to have to watch Silver closely. His manner bordered on insubordination, something that couldn't be allowed. Too bad Arania didn't have a sister, he