The Regenerates Read Online Free

hands. “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry!”
    “Thanks, Florentine.”
    “Do you know what happened? Why was she sentenced all of a sudden? What did she do?” asked Hans.
    “Nothing. She hasn’t done anything . ”
    A strange, pulsing anger was spreading through Ven like a wave, along with another abnormal feeling. It was confusion. Abolition Day normally meant nothing to him. As much as he was grateful when it had passed, to him it was just a particularly unpleasant holiday that came and went. The Sentenced were no one to him. In fact, he used to laugh at them. If they hadn’t bothered to commit the crimes in the first place, they would have been able to keep their lives, simple as that. But Coralie was different. She never broke the rules, never stole from anyone and had never hurt anyone. She might be opinionated at times, but she was a model citizen.
    Ven’s stomach jolted. The woman yesterday who had reacted to Coralie’s comment – surely she hadn’t gone to the authorities? As he slowly recollected the moment, however, his heart began to sink. Every sentence mattered. No matter what, the Stratum Order was to be worshipped and given the highest respect. Even a single negative remark was considered a potential threat to the Order, and every threat had to be eliminated. Why hadn’t he given more thought to how foolish that notion was? Were they really that restricted in their speech? Had the previous Sentenced all been executed because of a silly comment they had made by accident? It wasn’t just them – their immediate families were executed, too.
    The look on Ven’s face was enough to cause Florentine’s lower lip to quiver. She glanced at Hans for backup, but he stared back helplessly.
    “Ven,” said Florentine in a soft voice, “are you sure you’re alright?”
    Ven said nothing for a moment, then walked over to the door. “I’m going out,” he said, leaving a concerned Hans and Florentine in his wake.
    Ven didn’t know what he could possibly do to alter a sentence. It had never been done before. While he could only guess what Coralie’s crime was, he had to at least try and say something to the Grand Magistrate. His mother was in a respectable position and had served Kayn and his father for many years. Surely Kayn would hear him out before making a decision.
    As he made his way to Council Hall, he tried to mentally rehearse what he would say, but his mind was too frantic for him to think. Finally, he reached the entrance of the hall and stopped. The massive door was still missing, and repairs were being conducted by diligent workers. Inside, Kayn sat at the end of the hall, deep in discussion with several council members. Ven gulped. He’d never spoken to the Grand Magistrate before, and despite his young age, Kayn Stafford was powerful and intimidating.
    Ven took a deep breath and motioned for a nearby guard. “I need to speak to Lord Kayn. Is this a good time?’
    “One moment. I’ll let him know.”
    The guard walked down to the end of the hall and whispered something in Kayn’s ear. Kayn looked up in Ven’s direction, and Ven felt his heart leap. The guard motioned for Ven to come closer. As he neared the end of the hall, his legs feeling like jelly, he recalled Kayn breaking that strange man’s nose and splattering his blood on the floor.
    “Yes? What can I do for you?” said Kayn, smiling brightly.
    Ven began to feel at ease. “I didn’t mean to bother you, Lord Kayn,” he began, “My name is Ven Kealy. I just – I have a concern to address with you.”
    “Of course. What’s the matter?”
    “It’s about one of the Sentenced. Her name was just added recently and I think there’s been a mistake.”
    “Oh? What’s her name?” Kayn asked, reaching over to a stack of papers in front of him.
    “Coralie Hasset, sir.”
    Kayn went down the list, then stopped. “Oh, here she is. She was added last night, I believe. Let’s see what it says about her crime.