No Light by Devi Mara Read Free Book Online Page A

Sarah?"
                  "Never open the cell door, unless the Dem is in basic restraints," she whispered, the memory of Farran's recitation still fresh. She looked up to see Luke had paused.
                  "What is rule two?" The obvious disappointment only fed the burn of shame.
                  She could not meet his eyes. "Never call a Dem by name. Only use given names when referencing a Dem to other humans." She bit her lip. "I thought it was the only way to gain control of the situation." She looked up at the sound of a sigh.
                  Luke shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "Normally, a violation of such a basic rule would mean suspension."
                  Sarah cringed. "So, I'm suspended?"
                  His smile widened. "No. Actually, I think you did very well. It was unorthodox, but given the circumstances…"
                  "You mean, because Farran is level black in DCS?"
                  He smiled slightly. "That, too."
                  Sarah frowned. "What else?"
                  "Farran is a difficult Dem for the best of handlers," he said.
                  Sarah heard the rest of his sentence without him speaking it aloud. "But with so little training, I really don't have very good chances."
                  For a moment, he did not answer. "That's not what I meant."
                  Sarah nodded. "Thank you for that, but it's true." She looked toward the door. "I'm not sure if I am capable of doing this job."
                  "I know you are, Sarah." He frowned when she looked at him in surprise. "But are you willing?"
                  "I don't have a choice," she answered quietly.
                  He looked at her and she forced herself to meet his gaze. "To do this job, you need to keep a healthy perspective." He walked toward her. "You need to be here when you are here, and leave everything in The Corridor when you are off duty."
                  He stopped in front of her. "Taking this stress home with you is the best way to lose your focus. If there's one thing you need down here, it's focus." He looked at her for a minute longer, then stepped around her.
                  Sarah looked at him when he paused.
                  He turned his head and their eyes met. "Don't let this job be the thing that beats you." He patted her on the shoulder lightly. "Let's get back to work." He walked out of the kitchen, leaving her alone.
                  Sarah stared at the door after he left. Encouraging or not, the words could not change the facts. Less than a week of training, left far too many holes in her knowledge. Farran did not consider her an equal, and certainly not a superior. She sighed. Do not let this job be the thing that beats you. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this. Her hands shook, fingertips numb with the cold, but she pushed open the door.
                  She scanned the room, avoiding the serving counter. Skipping past the curious stares of the other handlers, she looked over the empty tables. Her eyes landed on a two-person table in the right corner, farthest from the counter and the Dems. She felt their attention. Far heavier than the handlers. Her gaze briefly flicked to the left.
                  Farran met her gaze, something that looked like amused calculation gleaming in his eyes. She tensed, waiting. A brief moment later, he looked away and served the handler across the counter from him. She turned her head before he could look up.
                  She nodded to the other handlers as she passed, weaving between the tables. Many of the faces held curiosity, interest. She moved around the edge of the table, keeping her eyes on the smooth stone until she sank into the chair. Her eyes rose from