No Light by Devi Mara Read Free Book Online Page B

the tabletop to see most of the handlers were busy with their own conversations. She let out a soft sigh, slowly relaxing into a slouch.
                  Her hands curled into loose fists on the cold table surface, as if trying to escape the stone. As she stared at them, the room faded away. She studied her fingers, thin and pale like tiny spider's legs. The skin on the back of her hand smooth, without any visible imperfections.
                  She frowned slightly and turned her hands over, forcing the delicate skin into contact with the cold stone. She ignored it, staring at her palms. There, the skin was rough and pink with scar tissue. Burns, cuts, gouges. She bit her lip and trailed her fingertips along the skin of her right palm. In the midst of the ridged burn scars, a roughly healed gash cut from below her pinky to the base of her thumb.
                  Her fingers skimmed the old wound, feeling the ghost of a sharp edge. She jerked her hand away from the phantom pain. She suddenly felt her rapid heartbeat, her frantic breathes. She flipped her hands over, gazing at the unscarred skin until she felt herself calm. She jerked her head up at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
                  Her eyes immediately landed on Farran. He stood perfectly still, less than four feet from her, watching her with cold calculation. She watched his gaze drop to her hands where they lay on the tabletop. His eyes narrowed. She looked away from his expressionless face to glance around the room.
                  Deserted tables, the other handlers already returned to work with their Dems in tow. She scanned the serving counter. It was deserted. Luke leaned in the doorway to the kitchen, his back facing her. She gaze returned to Farran in time to see him frown.
                  "I have floor duty in Corridor One."
                  Sarah fought not to cringe back from the growling tone. She watched his gaze slowly move over her, still oddly assessing. An uncomfortable feeling began to blossom in her stomach. As if he sensed her emotions, Farran's lips curved.
                  She dropped her gaze. "Alright." She scooted her chair back, glancing around him.
                  She watched the Dem from beneath her eyelashes, tensing as his head turned to the side. She watched him inhale deeply, then turn his head toward her again.
    Luke stood in the doorway, facing her. Their eyes met and she saw the concern in his gaze. She watched him look from her to the Dem and back. He raised an eyebrow.
                  "I have work."
                  Sarah nodded at Farran’s quiet statement, sensing the steel beneath the words. She stood from her chair, careful not to meet his gaze as she walked around the edge of the table. For a moment, it appeared he would block her path. She stared at the front of his suit, her head just reaching to his chest, and waited. After a moment, he took a step back and she exhaled.
                  She saw his head turn as she passed him, watching her progress. She tried to ignore it, but it seemed to have physical weight. She slouched and fought not to glance over her shoulder. She did not hear him follow her toward the kitchen, but she felt his presence. She shivered.
                  Luke stood in the same place, his blue eyes narrowed and pointed just over her shoulder. Irritation and something else. His gaze swung to her face when she stopped in front of him.
                  "Handler Mackenzie," he said formally, a question in his tone.
                  She gave him a small smile. "Handler Williams."
                  She looked away without answering his unasked question. She saw him staring at her from the corner of her eye. After a tense moment, he looked away and stepped to the side. She felt Farran shift behind her, just a soft