Contributor (Contributor Trilogy, book 1) by Nicole Ciacchella Read Free Book Online

the trash chute, barely managing to get her head inside before she began retching. To her surprise, Letizia came over and placed a steadying hand on Dara's back, leaving it there until Dara finished.
    "It's difficult to find focus when we're really upset. But focus is exactly what you need right now," Letizia said. Her words held an undercurrent, but Dara was too distraught to try to decipher it.
    "I guess I'd better get to work then," Dara said bitterly.
    How could her father think she could just ignore the fact that her mother was in the med center right now, that she might be dying? How could she just go on with her work as though nothing had happened? And how could Andersen be so callous as to judge her if she chose to be with her mother?
    "I know this is difficult for you, but I think you've made the right decision," Letizia said, her words stinging Dara.
    "Of course. Magnum comes first," Dara said, her stiff lips attempting to reject the words.
    "I think we should meet later, to discuss your upcoming project." Letizia's eyes darted around the room, and Dara wondered if her master worried Dara would lash out at her for the suggestion. If that was the case, she was right to be worried. Dara curled her hand into a fist and willed herself to be calm.
    "Certainly," she replied, her voice clipped. "Where would you like to meet?"
    "I'll come to your apartment at ten tonight."
    "As you wish."
    For one truly crazed moment, Dara wondered if the whole incident had been made up, a test designed to determine how she handled high levels of stress. She imagined that her mother was just fine, that she was hard at work as always. Maybe in another day or two, Ryan or Javier would be tested in a similar manner. Maybe they'd be told that their best friend or their girlfriend or their grandfather had died, and Andersen and the engineers would be standing there, tablets and styluses in hand, waiting to take notes on how they reacted.
    Letizia opened her mouth as if to say something, shook her head, and then closed her mouth, holding her arm out toward the door. Without another word, Dara walked through it and back to her station.
    "You're still here?" Javier asked, his low voice surprised. She hunched over her station, wanting to shut him and everything else out.
    "Yes. My father thought it would be for the best."
    "That's...that's kind of harsh."
    Startled, Dara turned and looked at him. She instinctively began defending her father. "My dad is just thinking of me. He knows—"
    Javier held his hands up in a gesture of submission. "Please, don't take offense. I honestly didn't mean anything by it. I'm just not so sure that if I were in your situation I'd be able to concentrate."
    She stared so intently at him that he dropped his eyes back down to his own work. It was impossible to say if he was being sincere. His words had sounded sympathetic, and the look in his eyes had been one of empathy, but she knew that he wanted this position every bit as badly as she did. It would be so much easier for her if she knew whether to count him as a friend or a foe.
    "Your mother will be fine, Apprentice Morrow. Magnum has the best medical staff," Andersen said, suddenly appearing to her right. She jumped.
    "Th-Thank you, sir."
    "Your dedication to your Contribution has been noted, and I'm sure your mother would be proud of you."
    For one dizzying instant, she was afraid she'd be sick again, this time all over Andersen's shiny shoes. She forced herself to focus on them. They were so slick that she could clearly see her agonized reflection.
    "Thank you, sir," she repeated, her own words making her feel nearly as sick as his.
    He nodded magnanimously at her, as if he'd done her some sort of favor by troubling himself to console her. In that instant, he so disgusted her that she wanted to storm out, telling him where he could shove his apprenticeship.
    And then what will you do? Go find work somewhere else? You think some other head will take you on, after