Elite (Citizen Saga, Book 1) by Nicola Claire Read Free Book Online Page A

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