Read Online Captive by K. M. Fawcett - Free Book Online

lass.” Duncan took her trembling hand to lead her away, but the gladiator caught his shoulder and turned him around. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he stared Duncan down. Her heart pounded. She had no doubt Regan would get his answer by force if necessary.
    “Don’t toy with me, Gramps. That body”—he pointed at her but kept his eyes locked on Duncan—”was meant for breeding gladiators. Who was her stud?”
    Duncan tapped his lips in a slow and deliberate show of contemplation, further annoying the warrior. “I do seem to recall a name.”
    “Well?”
    “I believe it was...Max.” Duncan smiled as if he laid down a royal flush.
    Regan howled with laughter.
    Why he thought her being in the breeding box with Max was so funny, she had no idea. Funny wasn’t close to the word she’d use to describe it. She lowered her gaze, suddenly interested in the grass.
    Regan’s meaty hand covered her shoulder. His condescending eyes patronized her. “My poor pet. Having to endure that old man. Lucky for you, he couldn’t last long, eh? Don’t worry. I’ll show you what a real man can do.” He slapped her butt.
    Heat surged angry through her veins. “He’s more man than you.” Max had jumped off her after she called him an animal. This cocky bastard would never do that.
    “You say that now because you don’t know any better. I’ll see you in the breeding box. Stepping closer, he licked his lips and whispered in a husky voice, “If not sooner.”
    She pushed him back, but her hand slid off his sweaty shoulder. He didn’t move. “You’ve got spunk, pet.” His mouth curled into a wicked grin. “I’m going to have fun with you.”
    “Ye best get back to practicing, lad, if ye wish to best Max at the championship.”
    “Ha. Beating Max is no wish, Gramps.”
    A musical tune like a cell phone ringtone sounded behind Regan.
    “If I’m no’ mistaken, it hasna been reality either, aye?” Duncan grabbed Addy’s hand and quickly ushered her away, but not before she saw Regan’s face flush with anger.
    “I expect that whiskey before I leave tonight,” he yelled after them. His voice and the musical tone faded into the distance.
    Once out of the warrior’s sight, Addy turned on Duncan. “Thanks a lot for introducing me to Mr. Alpha Jerk back there...Who the hell does he think he is?...It wasn’t my fault I was in that stupid box with Max...Why doesn’t he go pick a fight with your stupid Hyborean?”
    “Settle down, lass. I had no choice on the matter. Regan is the alpha gladiator in the Yard, and no mistake. That wee display of power was his way of explaining things to ye.”
    “Well he didn’t have to hurt me to do it.” She rubbed her sore scalp. “A simple ‘Hi Addy, I’m in charge here’ would have sufficed. This planet is insane.”
    “Aye, well, Hyborea is different, to be sure.”
    “Different? I’ve been here one day, and half the people I’ve met shoved their tongues down my throat. I’m like S’mores at a Boy Scout jamboree. Duncan, these men can’t help themselves to me whenever they want. I won’t allow it.” She smacked a low hanging branch out of her way. “I can’t stay here.”
    “Dinna fret, lassie. It’s no’ so bad. Ye’ll get used to the way of things.”
    Was he serious? Who could possibly get used to being a sex slave? A human broodmare? He was as insane as the rest of the planet. She stopped, turned to him, and lowered her voice. “Max told me he knew someone who had escaped.”
    Duncan’s face changed from surprise to sadness then back to normal. He shifted his weight to the other leg. “Did he now? Perhaps that was another of his wee fabrications. Like the baby-selling cult.” He started walking again, his pace quicker than a moment ago.
    Clearly Max wasn’t the only one lying.
    *  *  *
    They spent the rest of the day walking the perimeter of the Yard—which, according to Duncan, was three miles long by one and a half miles wide—so she