Electus (Regnum Series Book 1)

by K. M. Link

  “I have no desire to torture you, which is something that the other leaders and I disagree on. Alas, that is the difference between me and everyone else in the capitols. As far as these rules, they must be followed. Not because I necessarily believe in them, but rather for your protection. Your lives depend on it.”

  Everyone stares at him. “Now, it is time to sign.” Javan pulls out a pen and a sharp knife. “First, you all need to take the knife and cut a tiny slit in your finger. Then, place the pen on the cut to absorb the blood. Use the pen to sign here, next to the little ’x’s. Sound simple enough?”

  The group of five nod, still speechless, then Daniel grabs the knife. The prick in the finger doesn’t hurt as much as Tia imagined. She writes her name in blood, surrendering her life to Javan.

  “Fantastic, everyone! Welcome! I think we are going to accomplish great things together.” With the word together, Javan’s eye finally catches Tia’s. He then turns to the scroll, rolling it up again.

  “I believe you are all to be shuttled to the dining room, in your hotel. So, follow me and I will lead you to the bus,” Javan suggests, as they exit the room. Tia is leaving the arena for the last time, she senses a weight lifting, but at the same time, an ache deep inside from losing her family.

  Somehow, Tia feels she is in the right place with the group Javan picked. Not only does she still have her best friend, but some new ones as well. She catches up with Delilah for small talk, hoping to keep her mind off of her family.

  “Your dress is really pretty this evening,” Tia compliments her. Delilah is donning a full-length, burgundy strapless gown with pearls. Her dark hair is swept up in a bun.

  “Thank you, I love yours as well,” she smiles back at Tia.

  “You two act like you picked out your outfits yourself,” Nathan jokes, coming up behind them.

  Tia laughs, realizing female conversation is foreign to her. If she can adjust to a new life anywhere, it would be with this group. Tia knows they won’t replace her family. However, she hopes with time, their company will soften the blow.

  Chapter 15

  They arrive at the dining room of the hotel around six. The room is dark with small twinkling lights floating around the ceiling. It reminds Tia of fireflies, lighting up the night. Navy blue tablecloths cover five, round tables with various seats at each one. All candidates are now sitting with their leaders at a designated spot.

  Tia finds her name, next to Quade’s, on the table. They sit down, Daniel to her other side. At Javan’s table, they are spread out rather far compared to the other table settings, where there are at least ten settings for each capitol. The candidates that were not selected do not have the privilege of sharing dinner with anyone. They are already on a flight straight to Letum.

  “So hard to believe we ended up in the same capitol,” Quade mentions to Tia. She turns and slightly lifts the corners of her mouth, “I know.”

  Tia is unsure of how to respond to Quade. She remembers their conversation from a few weeks ago, where she gave him hope about a romantic relationship. Now she is caught up in her feelings for Javan. Tia knows there is no future with him, but she can’t help wanting more than for him to be her leader. Quade is a good man, would make a wonderful husband, maybe even great a father. Tia can’t imagine having a life like that right now. She is too young to concern herself with being a wife and mother.

  Javan sits down across the table from Tia. His eyes refuse to touch her. She is slightly annoyed at his evasive manner today and wonders if it was because of the kiss last night. Maybe I did it wrong, she thinks.

  "Ladies and gentleman! This week has been a fantastic display of some of the finest work our candidates can muster! Congratulations on all the scores and everyone's winnings! Now, let's eat!" Mr. Avery announces.

  Just like the first evening, servers enter the room. Only this time, they don white, collared shirts and kaki pants.

  Tia waves at Caesar, who returns her gesture with a smile.

  "Who is that?" Quade asks.

  "Caesar. He was my waiter the first night here,” Tia responds, placing her hand on her lap.

  "You know his name? I couldn't remember my server’s name,” Quade remarks, with a snort.

  "I remember him," Delilah chimes in, cheerfully.

  "You guys are weird," Quade responds, unfolding his napkin.

  "Girls pay attention to detail," Delilah smiles. Daniel mimics Delilah, making Quade chuckle. Tia just rolls her eyes.

  Escargot is the first dish. Tia pushes her plate towards Quade.

  "You can have this. You like weird foods.”

  "No way!" He pushes it back in her direction. She is surprised, by his finicky demeanor. Usually he shovels anything in his mouth that will fit.

  "Come on, I've seen you eat worse at home," she nudges the plate, once more. Quade slides her a look of indignation.

  "You two are like an old married couple," Daniel comments. At that note, Javan glances in Tia’s direction, then over to Daniel, “Who is?"

  "These two, Quade and Tia,” he replies, poking his food with a fork.

  "Are you two dating?" he questions, politely.

  "No," Tia responds, more abruptly than she expects to. Everyone at the table moves their attention over to Tia, dropping their own conversations and attempts to devour their food.

  "We go way back. Tia and I are friends. Best friends,” Quade responds, not removing his gaze from Javan. Everyone at the table remains silent, watching them intently.

  “So, how about these lights. I think they are just swell,” Tia interjects, breaking the silence.

  “Agreed,” Nathan follows, sensing the awkwardness.

  “It’s nice to know that you two stick by each other. Better not get too accustomed to seeing one other, though. I will have quite a work load for you both once we reach Elatus.”

  “What does that have to do with Tia and I seeing each other?” Quade snaps, clenching his fork.

  Javan is taken aback by Quade’s outspoken behavior. He ponders for a moment, sucking down his escargot, then replies, “Don’t expect much down time, is all I am saying.”

  Tia attempts, once more, to change the subject, this time successfully. Quade and Javan don’t speak the remainder of the dinner. The main course is lamb with mint jelly. Tia is surprised with her enjoyment of the meal. Unlike the first day, Tia accepts the dessert of the evening, chocolate mousse. Since she didn’t want to eat the escargot, Tia’s stomach holds some extra room.

  As music develops softly in the background, Nathan escorts Delilah to the dance floor. Daniel finishes his dessert and heads over to the bar. Kira pulls Quade away for a chat, leaving Javan and Tia alone at the table.

  Tia fiddles with her spoon from her chocolate mousse and glances in his direction, his eyes ending with her, as well. The glow of the centerpiece shimmers across his face. She has a sinking feeling in her stomach, her heart skipping a beat.

  “Come on,” he stands, guiding her towards the floor. His hand lands on her waist, with the tips of his fingers grazing her back. Tia remembers it is bare, and she senses a tingle down her spine.

  “You look beautiful, this evening,” he whispers, watching her as they move.

  “Thank you. You don’t look too shabby, yourself,” she responds. They glide along with the music, Tia keeps pace with Javan. She remembers when it seemed so difficult to keep step while waltzing.

  “What did they do with the necklace that I gave you?” he inquires. Tia lifts her arm, allowing the sleeve to slide down, exposing the necklace.

  “Very smart, Miss Trumble.” He smiles, the corners of his mouth don’t raise as high as usual.

  “Am I back to Miss Trumble?” she raises an eyebrow.

  “For now,” he responds. “Nice answers today at the meeting, by the way. Especially to my last question.”

  Tia runs through them in her mind, trying to remember the last question. She recalls the one that
upset her. It had something to do with change. Then, she realizes something. Javan never allowed her in his company without her permission. He used the interview as a way to ask her if it was alright for him to bid on her. How clever.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she remarks. He nods and maintains focus on leading her around the floor.

  “Your dancing improved,” he comments

  “Some guy I know taught me.”

  “He must be a marvelous teacher,” Javan replies, playfully.

  “The best.” Her eyes sparkle, as they examine every inch of him. There is no one she could want more at this moment. She remembers his lips on hers the night before and finds herself staring at them. The corners of his mouth slowly turn down.

  “Tia, I need to confess something to you. It’s been bothering me, and I think you should know...”

  Quade taps Javan on the shoulder, “May I cut in?”

  “Of course,” he responds, releasing Tia. “We can continue our discussion later, Miss Trumble,” he advises before turning away. Come back, her body screams.

  Quade takes her hand and places his arm around her waist. “Hey, figured I would get away from Kira. Apparently, she is upset.”

  “Why?” Tia pries, pushing her thoughts of Javan aside.

  “She wanted us to be in the same capitol. Instead I’m in the one you are in. Not a good conversation.”

  “You can’t control that, though,” Tia assures, annoyed Quade wastes his time with Kira.

  “I know. I’m just trying to avoid her, for now. Do you want to celebrate with us tonight? Dan says we should go out and enjoy the city one last time.”

  “Nah, that’s okay. I’m actually considering,” she leans in to whisper, “sneaking out to see my dad and uncle.”

  “Oh! Be careful. Do you want company?” he offers.

  “That’s okay. I need to do this alone,” she responds, with a sigh.

  “Alright, if you have any problems or change your mind, you know you can ask me.”

  “Thank you, Quade.” She smiles, then peeks over to find Javan watching her from the bar. Part of her wants to spend the evening with him. Nevertheless, she knows that would be impossible. Besides, she has an aching feeling that she needs to see her father tonight.

  Kira motions to Quade. Like a puppy dog, he follows. Before he leaves, he thanks Tia for the dance and kisses her cheek.

  Tia rests at her seat. She removes her heels to relieve her foot pain. Kira and Quade are wandering off, screaming at each other. Delilah is dancing with Nathan still, laughing as they move. She lost sight of Javan. It appeared whatever he was about to say was important. Tia heads over to the bar and asks Al if he knows what direction Javan took off in.

  “I think he went down that hall, miss,” he points toward the hallway that leads to the lobby.

  “Thank you,” she remarks, then follows the hallway to the lobby. Javan is no where in sight. She decides to check with the receptionist, “Did you see Mr. Leporem come through here at all? I need to ask him a question.”

  “Yes, actually, he just headed that direction,” the lady answers, pointing toward the hall where they were this morning. It leads to the conference room. Tia treks the hallway, wondering what Javan could possibly need from the conference room.

  Tia turns her attention to the conference room door, noticing a crack and light protruding out of it. She peeps through the small crack, momentarily, wishing that she hadn’t. Her heart stops at the sight of Javan holding a gun to Osborn Trumble’s head.

  Before Tia’s eyes, Javan pulls the trigger, firing a bullet into her father’s skull. Osborn falls to the floor, lifeless. There is no loud bang, no dramatic end, yet he is gone. A life that took years to develop, vanishes within a single shot. Tia turns away, placing her hand over her mouth to prevent screaming. Her heart is pounding in her chest, as she hears shuffling in the room.

  “You fired a little prematurely, Javan. I wanted him dead, but I thought we were going to have a little more fun with him,” Mr. Avery comments, clearing his throat.

  “We need to dispose of the body as quickly as possible,” Javan states, softly, ignoring him.

  “This isn’t your first murder, is it Javan,” Mr. Avery jokes. Tia doesn’t hear him respond, just the sound of his feet stepping over to her father’s body. She decides to peek in the crack, again. Javan’s hands are shaking as he closes Osborn’s eyes.

  “What are you doing?” Mr. Avery quizzes Javan.

  “I don’t want to see his eyes.”

  “Maybe this is your first murder,” Mr. Avery comments, then snorts as though it is humorous. “I have a team for these matters, Javan. Don’t bother touching the body. No one will care if a Regnumian is found dead, anyway.”

  Tia’s blood boils at the sound of them discussing her father as though he is worthless. She clenches her fists, fighting the urge to storm in and strangle them both.

  “You better call them over, then. I don’t want anyone finding him, especially his daughter,” Javan remarks. “I should return to the party so not to arouse any suspicion.”

  “Fine. Have a scotch for me.” Mr. Avery snorts, once more, Tia realizing it must be a nervous habit of his. She hears a stirring over from her left and turns her head in time to catch Quade approaching her, her heels in hand. Not now, she thinks.

  "Hey, what you doing here?" he questions Tia. She shushes him, waving for him to disappear. Unfortunately, it is too late, Mr. Avery opens the door.

  "Well, look what I found, Javan, two of your new employees spying on us,” he remarks, his lips curling. Javan is frozen at the sight of Tia and Quade. She stares at Javan, her eyes swelling with tears.

  "Maybe they would like to join us," Mr. Avery continues, "and see what it is really like to sacrifice for their capitol." He pulls them both, by the arm, into the room, shutting the door behind them.

  Quade just now notices Tia's father lying still on the carpet, blood spilling from his temple. He peers up at Tia, then turns to Mr. Avery, then Javan's hand where the gun is still present.

  "What have you done?" Quade retorts to Javan who remains stagnant.

  "He was taking care of a problem for me. That is all,” Mr. Avery responds, snorting. With that note, Tia lunges at Mr. Avery, choking him. Quade attempts to pry her off of him, but she doesn't move. It finally takes both Javan and Quade pulling her off of him, for Tia to release her grasp of Mr. Avery's neck. He gasps for air.

  “Let me go!" she barks, her eyes blazing pink with anger.

  "Tia, calm down," Javan commands sternly.

  "Who are you to tell her what to do? You just killed her father, you prick!" Quade is screaming at Javan now, as well.

  “Enough!!” Mr. Avery shouts in a hoarse voice. All of them turn their attention to him, both men still holding Tia back. He stands, then approaches her. “Leave me with Miss Trumble. I wish to have a word alone with her,” Mr. Avery commands, rubbing his neck. Both Quade and Javan release Tia’s arms.

  “She is my employee, Anscom. Whatever you need to discuss with her, you can talk about in front of me,” Javan replies forcefully.

  “I don’t need your help,” Tia snaps back at Javan.

  Ignoring her comment, Javan advises, “I have every right to stay with her, she is my property.” Property? Tia repeats in her mind, surprised by his use of the word. He truly is like all the other leaders.

  A smile creeps up on Mr. Avery’s face, his eyes poised on Javan. His breathing steady, once more.

  “I would recommend being a little less demanding, Mr. Leporem, considering you have been secretly meeting with this young lady, during the entire Electus. As well as, from what my sources told me, kissed her last night, outside of her hotel. If you don’t want to see her suffer, or find yourself in a mess of trouble, I believe you don’t have much choice but to do as I say.”

  Javan’s color drains from his face. “Come on Mr. Tendo, you heard the man. We must leave
.” Quade’s expression is a mixture of disappointment and fear as he glances over to her. Tia’s heart breaks for him all over again. Javan and Quade exit, leaving her alone with Mr. Avery in the conference room.

  “Miss Trumble. Do you understand why I had Javan kill your father?” he inquires, pulling out a cigar. She doesn’t reply, just stares daggers at him. He doesn’t deserve my answer.

  He continues, without her response, “He withheld information from me for quite some time. He swore up and down that you have no knowledge of this secret. However, I noticed the first night you were here that you wore a particular necklace.”

  Tia flashes him a puzzled glance.

  “This necklace bears a pendant, Miss Tumble, which is associated with a certain group of Regnumians. One that believe there is no need for their kind to be held under control of the capitols. These people, as you can understand, plan to disrupt our peaceful world.” He takes a puff of his cigar. Tia is trying to keep up with him.

  “They do not grasp that the treaty was designed to equalize the Regnumians with the humans. Your kind obviously possess a gift for such powers that could destroy us, if you so desired. Therefore, if we have control over your powers, we can ensure our safety. In turn, we provide clothing, homes, medical attention, as well as some extra income to use as you please.”

  “Okay....” Tia comments.

  “When I asked your father where you received such a necklace, he acted as though he had no clue of it’s origins. Please explain to me, Miss Trumble, since you are the owner, how did you obtain it?”

  Tia hurries with an answer as to where she received the necklace, without it causing harm to anyone else.

  “I found it,” she responds.

  “Found it, Miss Trumble?” he inquires, then takes another puff of his cigar.

  “Yes, at one of the donation bins in town. I thought it was pretty, so I wore it to the first event with the dress my father bought me,” she responds, hoping her voice is convincing. Mr. Avery stares at Tia, momentarily, sucking on his cigar. She feels sweat forming on her forehead, her eyes glued to him. He advances on her, until he is inches from her face.