Sovereign (Sovereign Series) Read Online Free Page A

please, come close.”  He waves people closer, though I can’t see how
we can pack in any tighter.  I already feel the heat of those around me, and
I’m thankful I’m standing near the back so I’m not completely closed in.
    “Today
we suffer a great loss together.  Our fearless leader, my father, has passed
away.”  With absolutely no reaction from the crowd, he rephrases.  “Cornelius
is dead.” 
    Whatever
he says next rushes past in a blur.  I’m stuck in the moment with the words
“Cornelius is dead” reverberating in my skull.  Every hair on my arms stands on
end as I realize all at once the gravity of what he’s said.  Cornelius is
dead.  Cornelius, my saving grace--who I saw just hours ago--is dead.  The man
who laughed at my sarcasm when Nathan was enraged by it.  The ruler who
disapproved of my tricks and schemes but forced Nathan to punish me
mercifully.  The only person keeping Nathan from really hurting me, is dead.
    I
scan the crowd and manage to locate Dylan, whose eyes are already locked on me
and filled with concern.  I look away to find another pair of eyes, Nathan’s. 
My body goes cold, and I think I see him smirk for a fraction of a second. 
This is bad.
    At
lunch, the room is somber, but normal and orderly.  Kids file by the buffet and
sit quietly with their trays.  I sit with Alyssa, wishing it were Dylan
instead.  She’s dear to me, but our friendship is shallow.  She doesn’t know me
like he does, and I don’t trust her as much.  I catch Dylan’s gaze several
times and wish he would relax.  Our friendship has always managed to offset the
best and worst of each other’s moments--though I have more bad moments than
anyone here--but right now I need him strong because I’m on the brink of
falling apart. 
    I
can’t imagine what the death of Cornelius means other than Nathan is now the
number one.  He has total control, complete authority.  His rule will be
sovereign.
    A
commotion draws my attention away from my bowl of muck, and I see him standing
in the doorway, Nathan.  I’ve rarely seen him set foot in this building. 
Usually government and military dine in their own underground facilities.  Only
civilians live topside. 
    He’s
messing with me , I think, scared but a little pissed off,
too. 
    When
he strides over and sits beside me, all I can think is that I should have sat
with a random today and not Alyssa.  I hear her spoon shaking against her bowl
and I shoot her a quick look.  She rights herself and pulls the spoon from the
bowl. 
    Nathan
takes a long, deep breath and exhales so slowly it irritates me.  I just watch
him, transfixed, not sure what to do.
    “Good
afternoon, 1206.  Nice to see you again,” he says.
    “Hello,”
is all I can manage. 
    “A
bowl for me, please,” he shouts across the room, which has been dead silent
since he entered.  A moment later, Dottie comes through the kitchen door with a
fresh, steaming bowl of slush.  She sets it softly before him then hands him a
spoon, careful not to make eye contact.  Smart lady.
    Nathan
stirs the slush gently and scoops out a little.  As he blows on the spoon to
cool the food, I glance over my shoulder and notice two guards by the door.
    Nathan
takes a small bite, considers the food, moving it around in his mouth.  It
seems to take forever before he finally swallows and says, “It’s horrible but
it contains the necessary nutrients.  It keeps us alive.  Sometimes the things
we need come in packages we don’t enjoy.”  He seems to be talking to no one in
particular, but I know it’s directed at me.
    I
can feel Dylan staring, but I don’t chance looking back and Nathan following my
eyes to him.  I’ve already put Alyssa at risk by sitting with her.  Can’t put
Dylan in danger, too. 
    All
of a sudden, Nathan perks up and drops his spoon in the bowl.  He stands and
addresses the whole room.  “The funeral for my father will be held at 1800. 
Your caretakers will