Sovereign (Sovereign Series) Read Online Free Page B

make sure you have something proper to wear.  All minors
must be present for an announcement immediately following the service.”
    Many
citizens have died, but none have earned a funeral, so this is new. 
    When
I meet Nathan’s eyes, he whispers, “You should ice your cheek.”  Then he
winks.  Winks!  And I can’t shake the feeling that something awful is coming. 
For a moment, a brief moment, I wish he would go ahead and put me out of my
misery.  If he wants me dead, I’d be easy to kill, what with all the soldiers
and weapons at his disposal. 
    When
he leaves, I wait about two minutes then bolt for the door.  Alyssa calls after
me, but I have to get out of here.  I can’t breathe, and I need to think.  I
need to process. 
    After
I bust through my bedroom door, I slam it then sink to the floor.  When I draw
my hand to my face, I realize for the first time that it’s sore.  I poke around
to figure out how big the mark must be.  Most of my cheek hurts, as well as
both sides of my jaw.  I guess he gripped me harder than I’d realized before he
hit me. 
    I
close my eyes remembering his cold fingers on my skin.  I shudder and can’t
help the tears that overwhelm me.  Two days ago, I was in control and
untouchable.  Today I'm nothing.  I’m a vapor.  A little girl who cries
when someone puts on a little pressure.  Savagely wiping my tears away, I drag
myself out of my pity party.  How am I going to face the dangerous world on the
outside if I can’t even hold it together in here?
    No
more tears, Cori , I tell myself.
    A
light tap on the door startles me, and I jump to my feet as the knob turns. 
Dylan slides through the door.  Although I’m relieved it’s only him, I can’t
believe he’s on the girls’ floor.  He shouldn’t be here. 
    “What
are you doing?”  I hug my chest, gripping my waist, and I feel myself blush.  I
doubt it shows, though, since my face is probably already red.
    “Everybody
is still eating,” he whispers. 
    “How
did you get up in here?”  I glance at the door, thinking of the guard at the
end of the hall.
    “Bathroom
break.”  I’m glad he’s being cautious.  He should be.  “What happened to your
face?  Are you okay?”  Holding his hand awkwardly in the space between us, I
can tell he wants to touch my wounded face, but refrains.  I’m thankful he’s so
respectful of me.  Alyssa is a lot less considerate.  She often throws an arm
around my shoulder, giving me a good squeeze before I can squirm free. 
    I
try to sound okay, casual even.  “Oh, you know.  Just another night in the slammer.” 
    His
nostrils flare and his eyes widen.  “Who hit you?”  There’s an edge to his
voice now.  Less tender.  I can’t place it, but from the fists at his side, it
might be protective. 
    “Nathan.” 
I look away, ashamed.  Scared. 
    “I
knew it.”  He turns his back, and all the muscles are tensed beneath his
shirt.  When he slams his hand into the wall, I jump.  I can’t figure out what
he’s thinking and it’s driving me crazy. 
    A
knock at the door sends both of us into panic.  All I can think is to hide
Dylan. 
    “Under
the bed,” I hiss.  Once he’s hidden, I sit on the bed and try to look casual. 
“Come in.”
    Ginny
steps inside, her arms full of clothing.  She closes the door and lets out a
little exhale, seeming tired.  Ginny is my beloved caretaker.  Has been ever
since I was seven, when I first arrived at the colony.  She’s a little cold,
but she has to be.  Still, the coldness never reaches her eyes and that’s how I
know she cares.  Honestly, she could pass for my mother; we have almost the
same shade of strawberry blonde hair.  But her eyes are blue, not brown like
mine.
    She
drops the clothes beside me.  “We need to get you presentable.” 
    I
look myself over and wonder if that’s even possible. 
    “Up,
up,” she beckons me to stand.  When I’m up, she takes my place.  I wince