Skylar's Guardians by Breanna Hayse Read Free Book Online Page A

me, but you kidnapped me! As far as I am concerned, that eliminates the necessity to offer you any social graces associated with appreciation. Seriously,” Skylar said with a mouthful of food.
    “Now see here…”
    “I’ll handle this, Troy,” Tralec said, sitting at the table and reaching across to tap her nose. “You will start with saying please and thank you, young lady. You will speak to us with respect and use appropriate language. You will do as you are told, for your own good, and you will do so cheerfully. There will be no more screaming, profanity, or defiance. These are your first set of rules as you adjust yourself to living in our household. Disobedience will result in punishment.”
    “You can’t make me stay here. I want to leave and…”
    “Where are you going to go? Where will you stay, and how will you survive? Who will care for you?”
    “I have skills…”
    “You, my darling, have nothing except us. You were in grave condition when we found you, beaten near to death by one of your own kind. Your shelter was void of fresh food and what was there you had no means of opening. The half-container of water the Paul left was contaminated,” Troy said as he leaned forward to stare directly into her scowling face. “In addition, you have already commented about our sizes. You know neither of us will hesitate to discipline you, yet you insist on arguing and pressing us to exert ourselves. That would not be wise, would it? I strongly urge you to reconsider your position and realize that we, Tralec and I, are your only chance of survival right now. We want to take care of you, Skylar. We want to belong to you, and you to us.”
    “Are you really aliens?” Skylar asked timidly.
    “If you are asking us if we are little green men from Mars, no. If you are asking if we are intergalactic travelers of a different species and cultural practices, yes,” Tralec answered, sipping from his canister and making a wry face. “Now, if you ask me if my race is more advanced than yours in every aspect, the answer will be no. Your food smells much better than this nutritional supplement.”
    “Have you ever tasted real food?” Skylar asked quietly.
    “Yes, but not like what you are eating. You look confused. Explain.”
    “I can’t wrap my mind around this. I don’t know whether to be terrified or excited, angry or grateful… this is too surreal.”
    “We understand. However, that does not give you the right to misbehave or be rude to us. Agreed?”
    “I’ll try to watch my temper.” Skylar looked down at her plate. “Sorry.”
    “Does your temper exceed what we have witnessed?” Troy asked, eyeing Tralec with a wince.
    “Sometimes. I can get a little hot under the collar,” Skylar admitted honestly.
    “Well, we know how to handle it should you fail to exercise self-control, don’t we, young lady?” Tralec asked firmly.
    “Yes, sir,” Skylar forced out uncomfortably, eager to change the topic. “Do you want to try this?” She stabbed a piece of the chicken with the double-pronged eating utensil that was too large for her mouth, frowning as the meat fell back onto the plate.
    “Our bodies cannot digest animal flesh well. Not in solid form, anyway. Our race primarily consumes agricultural products and synthesized liquid supplements.”
    “We do not have meat products on Calipi that remotely resemble this human food. I wish to try it,” Troy said boldly. Skylar picked up a piece with her fingers and offered it to him, her mouth forming an ‘O’ as he gently wrapped his lips around the meat, fingers and all.
    “Mmmm, it really tastes exceptional. I have never experienced such a wonderful flavor. Perhaps that is because of your fingers,” Troy said, taking her hand and inserting her index finger in his mouth. Skylar’s jaw fell open.
    “You are rendering her speechless. Amazing,” Tralec chuckled. “Stop playing with her and get back to business. You are going home with us, Skylar. Your