The Superiors Read online

  In the car, Draven contacted Byron. Byron’s face came onto the screen, blurry and divided. Draven had never fixed his dash screen. “You have my human,” Draven said. Might as well get to the point. Byron liked directness.

  Now he laughed. “Ah, I was afraid you’d say that.”

  “And now I have.”

  “My friend. It’s good to hear from you. I was glad to purchase my favorite sap when I found out I’d be rewarded with one when I left. I was afraid you’d buy her first when you got paid. It only worked out perfectly that you were so slow getting back after killing Ander. If you’d been faster, perhaps you would have bought her before I was sent away.”

  So Byron hadn’t even had to pay for her. She served as his prize, his incentive for taking the assignment. Draven had worked so hard for her, and the government had just handed her over to Byron.

  “Can I buy her from you?”

  “I’m afraid not, soldier. I’m only sorry we have such similar tastes. I knew when you said you’d acquired the taste for her that you might try something like this. But remember, I’m your superior, Mr. Castle. I should have precedent over you in all things, the choosing of a sap included. You understand, I’m sure.”

  Byron admitted he was a man of principle. He was also a man of hierarchy. Just as he would always despise sapiens for their primitive natures, he would always believe he came before a Third. He always would.

  “Yes, I understand,” Draven said, forcing his voice to stay neutral. “But I saved your life. Is that worth nothing?”

  “Ah, yes. I’ll tell you what. Since I am fond of this sap’s particular flavor right now, I’ll take her on assignment. And in ten years, when I return, I’ll look you up and sell her to you for her value at that time. Which is less than you would pay now, probably. Saps decline with age, and she’s in her prime breeding age now. I’m getting a male for her to mate with so I can get a profit off the offspring and earn a little extra money in the deal. It’s the best way to go with livestock. I’ve bred the two I have as often as I can, and the saplings always bring in a pretty good price.”

  “I don’t want her in ten years. I want her now.”

  “Ah, see there, my friend, this is what I warned you about. You don’t focus on the big picture. You’re rash. So you like the taste of her, too. You’ll still like it in ten years. I’m really growing impatient. My offer is more than fair. You’ll most likely have her for more than ten years, considering how long saps usually live. So you’ll own her for longer than I do anyway.”

  “You gave her an infection by leaving her bites open. In ten years she’ll probably be dead.”

  “See, there’s where you let your emotions get too involved with the saps. I know they can look pitiful, but you really shouldn’t get so attached. They’re just animals. Let it go, my friend. If she dies, you can find another sap you like. Maybe in ten years you won’t even remember her. You might find one you like better.”

  “That won’t happen.”

  “Very well then. I’d like to give you more advice, but I’m getting a bit hungry talking about this most appetizing sap. I think I’ll go have a bite to eat. Goodbye, soldier.”

  Draven slammed his palm into the screen and the picture went out altogether. His friend would never change. Byron was as unchanging as time itself. He would never budge on this. He felt entitled to what he had gotten. Draven knew Byron’s offer would seem fair to anyone else. He also knew that Byron made a cruel master, and that he would never ask Cali for her permission for anything, and that no matter how she begged, he would never listen to anything else she said either. He would do with her what profited him, no matter the effect on Cali.

  And he had snubbed Draven, insulted him. He had belittled his friend, dealt a blow to his pride. Draven didn’t consider himself an impulsive man, and he didn’t believe he had a temper. But perhaps he would amend that opinion. If Byron would do something underhanded to get what he wanted because he thought he deserved it, Draven could do the same thing.

  When he arrived home, he went into his apartment and sat and considered what he’d been thinking. He couldn’t let Cali go that easily, not without a fight. And he didn’t want to wait ten years before he saw her again.

  Byron could have planned the whole thing, let them take their time getting back so he could plan his departure for the night after their return. That way the government would give him Cali before Draven had the money for her. Byron had known Draven wanted her and he hadn’t sent his report on the road like he could have. He had made sure Draven couldn’t buy Cali.

  And now she might die. Who knew how long before the same thing happened again, before she got poisoned or infected. Even if nothing drastic happened, she would live in pain for the next ten years. And Draven would live with a constant craving.

  He thought about the things he had told himself. That he would get Cali, no matter what happened. That he would treat her better than other Superiors. Certainly a lot better than Byron. Draven had told himself that he had killed a man for her.

  He had wanted adventure, excitement. He had wanted an interesting life instead of a routine one. He had thought a sap couldn’t give him that. But she’d proved him wrong.

  This time Draven would go alone. He would have the adventure, the struggle to survive. He had a long way to go to catch up with Byron, and he didn’t have a plan once he found the man. But he had said that tonight he would change his life. Nothing kept him from making that statement into truth. Nothing kept him from walking out of his apartment and his city and never looking back.

  His bags were already packed.

  Fin

  About the Author:

  I am a lifelong Arkansas resident who lives there still with my family. I studied English and psychology at the University of Arkansas. I enjoy reading and writing in many genres. This is my first published novel. It is published in print format at popular online retailers if you'd like a print copy.

  Look for the second book in the Superiors Series coming soon: The Vigilantes.

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  My Blog: http://lenahillbrand.blogspot.com

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