The Superiors by Lena Hillbrand Read Free Book Online Page A

Unfortunate, though. I think you’d make a good one with some training. Would you like to eat with me?”
    “Oh—I’m not accustomed to dining with Enforcers, sir. I’m afraid I’m quite unprepared.”
    The Enforcer laughed again and clapped Draven on the shoulder. “Relax, inspector. I need nourishment as quickly as possible. It’s nothing to get dressed up for.”
    “I’d be honored.” Draven followed the Enforcer up the stairs and through the club. The sky to the east showed a streak of blue. “There is a small eatery above the club, sir,” he told the Enforcer.
    Inside, the Enforcer ordered four cans of sap and sat down at a small table. Draven had forgotten that some people preferred the convenience of a meal in a can instead of lingering to enjoy it from the source. He hated the stale taste of canned sap, like something essential had been stripped from it. But under the circumstances, perhaps he’d have done the same.
    The Enforcer popped the top of the first can and downed it without pausing. Then he looked at Draven. “Will you have anything?”
    Draven looked down. “I used my ration card already, sir.” He wondered if the Enforcer could read the deceit in his face. He knew they received training in lie detection. He wasn’t exactly lying—he had used his ration card. He’d also used a few rations beyond his card. Now that the rush had left him, the drugged sap began to make his thoughts sluggish.
    “I write this off, compensation for a business related injury. You closed my shoulder wound, and you should be quite a bit stronger for having ingested some of my blood. But if you would like, I’d be happy to repay your kindness by adding another ration tonight. Might as well show you a kindness in return.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Draven said, concealing his surprise at the Enforcer’s candid speech regarding his blood.
    “You licked my shoulder for fifteen minutes. Why don’t you just go ahead and call me Byron now that we’re intimately acquainted.”
    Draven looked at the Enforcer, trying to determine what his wry manner indicated. But he wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to call a Second by name and stop saying sir every sentence. “It’s nice to meet you, Byron,” he said at last. “You were quite brave trying to take down Ander alone.”
    “Or very stupid. I should have called for backup.”
    “I did my best. I didn’t know he was so strong.”
    “He’s been feeding illegally. He’s very strong. We’ll put him in the system, but he’s probably smart enough not to go back to his establishment.”
    “How did you track him in that club?” Draven asked, accepting the can of sap from the waitress. He kept his face from betraying distaste for his new friend’s choice of beverage.
    The Enforcer smiled. “Years of training and years of practice. Ander is very dangerous. He can probably identify your smell as the man who tried to capture him. He doesn’t have to know you’re an inspector to want you gone.”
    “Thank you for the warning.”
    Byron pushed the last can of sap across the table. “Here, take this. As a thank you. Maybe it will give you the strength to catch the next one.”
    “Thank you, sir. But I imagine you need to replenish your strength much more.”
    “Quite right. I have two saps at home, though. And you, I’m guessing, don’t.”
    Draven tried not to bristle at the reminder of his status. He knew the older man hadn’t meant an insult, but he didn’t like to think of himself as the inferior that he was.
    Byron stood. “I just meant, because you’re an inspector. I don’t know any inspectors who own livestock.”
    “Of course. You are correct. I don’t own property.” If only he had some way to purchase a sap. Not just any sap, either—he wanted one in particular.
    “I should be getting back. It’s getting light and I don’t have my strength back yet,” Byron said.
    “It was an honor to dine with you, sir.”
    Byron smiled. “And you,