Caste (The Corporation) by fry RaeLynn

Author:fry, RaeLynn [fry, RaeLynn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Publisher: Terebinth Tree Publishing, lLC
Published: 2013-05-31T04:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

“How is it that the air is breathable here?” I ask when we’re outside.

“Huh?” Ethan says as he takes us through the streets.

“The air, in Dahn, how is it breathable? I haven’t noticed any filters around. In Neech, it’s never quiet, there are so many.”

Ethan shrugs. “That’s one of the things I’ve been trying to figure out. There are no cameras here, either.”

I glance around. Now that he’s said something, I realize I haven’t noticed any. “Is it because the Corporation trusts the citizens of Dahn more?”

“I don’t think the Corp trusts anyone.”

We’re nearing the market, and the air is starting to clutter with talking. We walk by a group of girls who, as soon as they see Ethan and me together, lean their heads in, casting looks as we walk by.

“Ignore them,” Ethan says as we enter into the buzz of the market. “Just typical Inner City girls—superficial and dull all at the same time. It’s quite a talent, really.”

“How would you know what typical Inner City girls act like?”

“You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed a pattern since being here.” He raises a brow.

He’s right. I’ve noticed a pattern among all the Inner City citizens.

Ethan administers a charismatic smile to a fat man in a well-tailored suit as we walk by.

“How are you doing, my boy?” The man slaps Ethan on the shoulder as we pass.

“Looking good,” Ethan returns. His grip tightens on my arm, but his face betrays nothing but calm. I can’t believe he’s confident enough to act so casually.

A group of boys our age huddle against a building, eyeing us as we walk by. They hoot and holler. “Pretty thing on your arm,” one with shaggy red hair says. He winks at me. Ethan draws me into his side and offers a tight smile as the group steps out a few feet ahead of us.

“Yes,” Ethan says, “on my arm.”

“Pass her my way when you're through, will ya?” The red head winks at me again.

My cheeks start to burn. “I'll pass something his way.”

Ethan tries to suppress a smile as he picks up our pace. “Simmer down.”

“Why do you act like you know everyone?”

“Just playing the part they expect me to play. In Dahn, you always make eye contact.”

“It seems dangerous,” I say.

“Only if caught.”

“Are you Paired?” I ask. It’s a silly, out of the blue question, and I don’t know what made me ask it, but my heart sinks a little when I do.

“Everyone our age is; you know that.”

“Not me. Not anymore, anyway.”

“How can you not be Paired anymore?”

My mood shadows.

“Wait a minute,” Ethan’s voice goes soft. “The Sharma boy—Kavin—he was your Pair?”

I don’t say anything. Tears are already welling in my eyes. I blink them back.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. Kavin’s a good guy.”

I only nod.

“I met him once.”

“You did? When?”

“The same way I met you.”

“Cornered in a dark alley?”

“Outside the Artist’s place in the Black Market.”

“Oh,” I say, in a voice so small it couldn’t possibly belong to me.

Ethan takes a deep breath.

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