"No need. I believe I am near a charity I volunteer at," she smoothly replied. "I'll spend the day there helping those less fortunate."
How sweet.
The drone hesitated. The Cardinal clearly checking to see what charity organisations were located nearby.
"I shall accompany you, Honourable Selena Carstairs. These streets are not safe for one such as yourself."
Did that sound like a threat to the Elite as well?
I watched as she swallowed imperceptibly, the smile never leaving her beautiful, but pale face.
The world stopped.
I'm not sure why I did it. There is no way to explain my actions other than to call them for what they were.
Reckless.
Utterly, unbelievably, undeniably reckless.
Oh, yeah. This Elite was going to be the death of me. It was official now. I was totally screwed.
Chapter 7
And Bottomless Blue Eyes
Lena
"Stand down, drone," a Cardinal said as he strode across the street with purpose towards us. He came from out of nowhere. My attention fully on the iPol unit before me and the increasing sensation the Cardinal controlling it was suspicious of something.
I wasn't sure which option was better. A drone I could possibly trick if need be. Or an actual human being: A Cardinal in person.
My eyes flicked over his uniform, noting the regulatory wear, but something seemed off. I couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe it was the slightly longer cut to his hair. I'd never met a Cardinal with anything less than military grade hair styling. General Chew-wen's son, Wang Chao, had always been the height of Cardinal correctness. But as he was the only Cardinal I had any personal, close-up experience with, maybe I wasn't as knowledgable as I thought.
The Cardinal came to a halt beside us and offered the clack of heels they effected as greeting.
I blinked, trapped by his stunning blue eyes. The deep, bottomless blue of the ocean. A place I had never seen, but dreamed existed. A colour I had fantasied about.
I shook myself out of the moment and turned my attention back to the drone. Forcing myself to behave as a model Citizen would.
The drone was by far the better choice. But he was needed elsewhere. Plus, as an Honourable, I was socially above a Cardinal who controlled a drone. Not necessarily above the Cardinal to my side, who would make a better escort for my status, but senior to the drone in any case.
"Thank you, Cardinal iPol," I said with just the right hint of Elite superiority. "I believe I shall be adequately protected with this Cardinal by my side."
"As you wish, Honourable Selena Carstairs," the Cardinal drone replied impassively. "Wánměi above all others."
"Wánměi leads the way," both the Cardinal beside me and I said in unison.
I waited for the drone to depart, returning to the chaos up by the Yeh household. Thankfully, they hadn't been hauled out onto the street. But the fact the sPol were still in attendance was disconcerting. Right now, though, I didn't have time to consider why.
I had my own problems.
"You know," I said conversationally. "I've changed my mind. I have a slight headache forming. I think I shall return home. In which case, your services are most assuredly not required."
"I wouldn't think of abandoning you, Honourable," the Cardinal advised, most annoyingly.
I gritted my teeth, but refused to show a reaction.
"Your vehicle then?" I asked, looking about the place.
He hesitated, which was odd. Cardinals prided themselves on their quick and efficient responses. Always prepared for any outcome.
And then his answer explained why.
"I am on foot, Honourable. But I shall hail a limousine for your use."
I held his stunning blue eyes and raised an eyebrow. "A Cardinal on foot. How revolutionary."
I'm not sure why I used that particular word. A slip of the tongue. An obvious mistake. I couldn't take it back, so I stood my ground, effecting a haughty look on my face.
"What would an Elite know of revolutions?" the Cardinal asked softly.
So, two could slip up, it seemed.
"You do not consider yourself an Elite, Cardinal...?" I left the sentence open. Hoping he'd identify himself by name.
He didn't. Another mistake.
"I am Cardinal first and foremost, Honourable."
"I see," I remarked, starting to walk towards the Rap-Trans station, thinking a train would scare a Cardinal off.
"A limousine, Honourable?" the Cardinal attempted.
"I prefer utilising the Rapid Transit system," I explained.
His own dark eyebrows rose, a twist to his lips which was uncomfortably attractive.
"Even with a headache forming?" he queried politely.
Oh, snap.
"I never back down from a challenge," I tried, lifting my chin and keeping my eyes resolutely forward and off that smirking, striking, façade.
He was large framed, like all Cardinals. But not as well polished. Stubble coated his jaw. He could have been coming off night shift, that would explain the slightly rumpled sheen to his attire, the mess of his spiked hair. It looked as though someone had run their fingers through it. For a brief moment I pictured doing that myself.
A shudder, not altogether unpleasant, ran through me, and I banished the image from my mind.
From the side of my eye I continued my appraisal. He was wide across the chest, the sleeves of his cream uniform stretched over muscles. My gaze trailed over the stubble, wondering if it was rough to touch. His jaw was square, his skin tanned, but not as dark as a D'Awan. He may have had some Wáikěinese ancestry, though, we're all a conglomerate of nationalities in Wánměi, but I thought perhaps it was buried deep enough not to show. His stride was lengthier than mine, I had to take two steps to his one to keep up. His hips lean, his legs long, his shoes... scuffed.
My eyes flicked back up to his face, he was watching me silently, aware I was checking him out. I think I may have blushed; an unusual occurrence for me.
I didn't like unfiltered reactions, so I smiled sweetly and said, "Your shoes are unpolished, Cardinal. I fear you may corrupt me."
It was a blatant flirtation. Anything to move the attention from my pinking cheeks.
His lips twitched and he turned his attention to the Rap-Trans station we'd just arrived at. People rushed to get out of the Cardinal's way, despite their heads still being down over their vid-screens. I wondered if the Cardinal system directed them through subliminal messages on their cellphones. It seemed logical. Not much made a Citizen's attention broaden past their screens.
But I had a feeling it wasn't just that. Because as much as I hated to admit it, this man, this Cardinal, had a presence that seemed dangerous, above and beyond that of the Cardinal name.
I'm not sure what it was, but my natural instinct of self-preservation was telling me to escape as quickly as I could.
"Truly, Cardinal. There is no need to accompany me further," I semi repeated. "This line has a station next to my abode. I will be safe on board the Elite section."
I hated using the part of the trains reserved for Elite passengers. It was redundant usually. Elites preferred taxis and limousines, to buses and trains any day. But still the service provided a locked carriage just for their use. Complete with luxuriously upholstered loungers, soft music and personal snack bars.
"I wouldn't dream of leaving you," he remarked, then turned those compelling eyes directly on me. "You cannot escape me that easily."
And OK. I was officially in trouble. But I didn't know exactly why.
Did they suspect? Were they waiting for me to break down and confess? They'd be waiting a while. My lips were sealed. But despite my bravado the flash-drive in my pocket was burning a hole. The need to check its presence with my fingertips was excruciating, and potentially suicidal. I had to trust they didn't know, hadn't made the connection between Lena Carr and Selena Carstairs. Hadn't connected either identities with Wántel'
s break in last night.
But this Cardinal left me feeling off centre. As though I was hanging on by my fingertips and about to spin off into the ether, out of control. The sooner I sold the files the better. I just needed to decode them. Somehow.
I frowned down at the platform as the train pulled into the station behind the glass security doors. Shiloh announced the arrival and end station destination, then as the doors opened with an electronic hiss, she warned, "Mind the platform gap."
I jerked my head up at the familiar instruction to find the Cardinal indicating I should precede him through the doors into the Elite compartment. As expected it was empty. But definitely not unobserved. My eyes tracked the location of the Cardinal security cameras, automatically picking the seat with only one camera trained on it.
That could change, but if I gave them no reason to, the camera lenses would remain where they were.
The Cardinal watched as I moved to my chosen lounger, that perpetual smirk gracing his curved lips.
"I always choose that side as well," he remarked, sitting opposite me in a chair that was covered by two cameras at least. He didn't seem to care, but why would he?
"I have no preference," I replied, moving forward as though to stand. "Would you like to swap?"
Please don't.
"That is kind," he answered with a small bow of his head. "I do hate travelling backwards."
Blast.
"But I wouldn't think of taking a lady's seat," he added, just as my butt lifted off said seat.
I sat down too quickly and he actually laughed. It was suppressed immediately. Cut off as quickly as it began. But he'd laughed.
I narrowed my eyes at him. He was unlike any Cardinal I had ever met. And though I tended to avoid them as much as possible, only suffering Wang Chao's company when I had to, I had been in the presence of enough Cardinals when my father was alive to know their general demeanour did not tend to stretch to that of humorous.
There was something altogether unsettling about this man.
"Would you care for a drink?" the Cardinal asked.
"No, thank you."
"Something to eat, perhaps?"
"I'm not hungry."
"A cigarette?"
You never turned down a cigarette when offered one. They were too expensive to decline, and as part of our daily rations, it was expected you'd accept the offer to expedite your test.
"Thank you," I replied, thinking anything but.
He shook out a cigarette from a pack he'd pulled from his pocket. I absently noted it was Tyger Menthol. How apt. A Cardinal carrying the most exalted of cigarette brands. As per Wánměi doctrine.
I placed it between my lips and leaned forward for him to light it, watching as his eyes darkened. I couldn't tell if it was at the sight of my lips wrapped around the cigarette butt, or that he disliked cigarettes. Even obedient Cardinals would have opinions. Despite the Overseers efforts to remove all necessity to think for ourselves, we are still human at our cores.
Sentience is a given.
I forced myself to inhale the smoke, feeling my lungs baulk at the action. I managed to exhale without coughing, but my eyes did well with tears. I blinked, aware the Cardinal was watching me.
Aware he'd know I didn't smoke daily.
Tan was right. I'd spent too many weeks relying on replicas. There was no doubt I'd be in a tailspin as soon as I dosed up. The celebration was looking more and more ominous now.
"This damn headache," I offered as an excuse. "I do believe it is worsening."
"What brought it on, do you think?" he asked, exhaling his own trail of smoke without any issues.
"I'm sure I don't know," I managed, rolling the cigarette between my fingers, delaying the inevitable.
"Perhaps the shock of losing your way in a place such as Muhgah Keekee," he offered. And when my eyes met his, he purposely inhaled on his cigarette again.
He was playing with me. A spider with a fly.
I had the distinct feeling he knew. Who I really was. What I did to keep boredom at bay. Where I was last night.
"You're right, of course," I replied sweetly. Waving my hands around as though brushing my embarrassment away, and in the process letting the cigarette fly from my fingertips.
I swear he smothered another laugh.
"Would you like a replacement?" he asked instead, not bothering to pick up the discarded one. Below our class.
Thankfully, accepting the first offered cigarette was considered compulsory, but declining the second acceptable enough.
"I'm sure I'll survive," I said softly.
"Will you though?" he asked, and the artificially cooled air in the carriage chilled by several more degrees. "I hazard you had doubts last night," he added, so quietly I had to strain to hear.
My eyes darted around the section of train we were in. Still alone. Apart from the immobile cameras and no doubt strategically placed microphones.
Oh, no. This was bad.
"Whatever do you mean?" I asked, noting my voice sounded as strained as I was feeling.
"You know what I mean, Elite. Don't make me voice it here."
"I'm sure I don't." I licked my lips. "What is your name, Cardinal?" I demanded in a stronger voice.
"Where is it?" he said instead.
I shook my head, jumped when Shiloh blessedly announced my station stop, and stood immediately to my feet, losing my balance with the change in speed of the train. I stumbled as it began to brake; the Cardinal gliding to his feet and catching me before I fell. The move would have looked innocent on the cameras. Even as he placed an arm around my waist to further steady me and pulled me gently into his body, his head tipping down until his mouth was just at my ear.
"I intend to discover all your secrets, Selena Carstairs," he whispered, in a voice that would surely not be picked up by any recording devices on board. "You are reckless and proud," he added, making my world cease spinning and all air leave my lungs. "But no match for me," he finished, just as the doors opened to the patient gazes of three entirely unexpected Elite.
He released me immediately. It was one thing to be witnessed steadying a woman on a train. But to be in such a compromising position for any length of time in front of Elites was just not done. He ran the risk of one of them messaging a friend on their cellphones and the Overseers picking it up. Even Cardinals didn't push the rules like that.
"Thank you," I said stiffly. "But I'm quite capable of making my own way from here."
He opened his mouth to argue, the intent clear on his hard face. A face that did not suffer from such a look. Only improved its character. Made the danger that surrounded him reach out and stroke delicious tendrils down my arms.
I rubbed them as I stepped back, closer to the exit. The Elites boarding as we'd taken too long, finding seats and watching us with amused expressions. Even they could be lured from their vid-screens on occasion.
The situation was escalating and the Cardinal knew it.
He sat down with a nod of his head, admitting silent defeat, and withdrew another cigarette almost nonchalantly.
I slipped through the closing doors, Shiloh warning again to "Mind the platform gap." And watched as the train pulled out of the station, the Cardinal's stunning, contemplative and far too knowing eyes locked on my face.
I'd dodged a bullet. No doubt about it. But somehow I was sure I was still in his rifle's sights.
I crossed the platform and took the escalators at a steady pace, moving to a connecting line.
With my back to the train tracks, my head down as though over a vid-screen, I placed contact lenses in each eye and blinked them clear.
Enough of playing an Elite. I was never very good at it.
Citizen Lena Carr boarded the next train to Wáikěiton, sitting happily in the main section, not missing the snack bar, luxurious loungers or soft music.
And definitely not missing the cigarettes.
I told myself sternly that I was also not missing the Cardinal, with
his deep, bottomless blue eyes like the distant, unseen ocean and the air of danger he wore better than that ridiculous red cloak.
It wasn't hard to convince myself. The thundering of my frightened heart led the way.
I was bored with my life, but not that bored. There's only so much danger a woman could court.
And Cardinal whatever-his-name-was, was more than I fancied even on a good day.
Despite his ruggedly handsome looks.
And strong arms, which I still felt wrapped around my body.
And spiky, unruly, borderline inappropriate hairstyle.
And deep voice and surprisingly amused chuckle.
And bottomless blue eyes.
And the way I felt so very alive, much like the sensation I get when I break into a secured building and steal something from beneath their Wánměi minded eyes, when he turned them on me.
Yeah, I didn't miss him at all.
Chapter 8
We'd Make A Fine Pair Of Elites
Trent
Pale blue. Her eyes were the palest, softest, most alluring shade of blue I had ever seen. I could still see them. When I shut my eyelids and inhaled deeply from my cigarette. The chatter of Elite behind me not even diminishing my remembrance.
Pale blue. I think it was my new favourite colour.
"Done flirting yet?" Si asked, through the earpiece in my ear.
I grunted. I could hardly speak aloud in here.
Keeping my eyes closed, I inhaled deeply again. God knows what they put in these Tygers, but they did give you a buzz.
"I can see you dosing right now, Trent. Stub that fucking thing out and get off the train."
I softly shook my head, enjoying the break from reality too greatly.
"Cardinal controlled iPol drones waiting to board two stations on from where you are."
OK. That woke me up. I opened my eyes, checked my surroundings - still mindless chatter from the Elite and no one else on board - and stubbed out the remainder of my cigarette. Then stood as the train glided to a stop at the next station.
"This one's clear. But take the south exit into Viaduct Quay itself, there's some Cardinal action over by the Central Mall."
Elite (Citizen Saga, Book 1) Page 5
