Read Online Saven Deception by Siobhan Davis - Free Book Online Page B

Swiveling around, I spot the girl with the green eyes
advancing toward me. “Hi Sadie,” she says, pulling up alongside me. “I wanted
to formally introduce myself. I’m Neve.” Thrusting out her hand, she beams at
me, as if I’m her favorite person in the universe. Her over-the-top enthusiasm
is somewhat freaky, but I’m hardly one to throw stones, so I accept her
proffered hand. 
    She loops her arm through mine, as if we
do it all the time, and grins. “Shall we get a coffee?” She’s propelling me
forward before I’ve actually responded, but I decide to go with the flow.
    We’re seated at the far end of the
kitchen, nursing cups of coffee—cappuccino for me and regular coffee for Neve.
“So, Sadie,” she says, in between blowing on the billowing steam arising from
her mug, “Tell me all about yourself. What Sector are you from? How many are in
your family? Do you go to school or work? What age are you?”
    I  almost choke on my drink. It’s as if
I’m at a job interview. Briefly, I wonder if this is the usual upper class way.
She hands me a paper towel, and I mop up the coffee dribbling over my chin.
    “That’s a lot of questions.” I gingerly
sip on my cappuccino.
    “Oh.” She scrunches up her face. “Is it
too much?”
    “No, not at all,” I rush to reassure her.
“You caught me off guard. Um, I’m seventeen, and I’m from New York. I live with
my mom, dad, my sister, and my two brothers. I work on the assembly line in
Medi-Tech. That’s it. Not much more to me than that.”
    She appears to consider this. “Do you like
your job?”
    “Not especially,” I answer truthfully.
“What about you? Where are you from, and what do you do?”
    “I’m Neve Dennings from Maine. I live
there with my extended family, and I’m attending the University of New England.
I’m studying to be a marine biologist. I’m so excited to be a part of ‘The
Experimento,’ and I’m sure it’s going to be a fabulous experience.” She spits
the words out lightning-fast, as if it’s a prepared speech or her standard way
of introducing herself.
    Before I can respond, a shadow falls over
the table. Jenna’s glossy eyes meet mine. “Hey, Sadie. I was looking for you.”
    “I was in the training room for a couple
of hours.”
    My eyes flit from Sadie to the abnormally
tall boy standing next to her. Jenna is extremely tall for a girl, but this guy
towers over her. His dark hair is curly at the front and shorn tight at the
back and sides. A defined line zigzags through his hair on one side and I
recognize the style. A few of the boys in Medi-Tech have been wearing their
hair like that the last few months.
    It’s the same boy who asked a question at
the session yesterday. Clearly noticing me giving him the once over, he grins.
“I’m Odie. Nice to meet you.”
    I blush to the tips of my toes. “Sadie.
Same here.”
    “I’m Neve.” Neve shoves her hand in his
and dazzles him with a megawatt smile.
    Odie’s mouth hangs open in obvious
admiration. Jenna visibly stiffens.
    “Odie and I are off to get better
acquainted.” Jenna takes his hand possessively, glowering at Neve. “But I’ll
definitely catch you for dinner.”
    They wander off together, but not before
Odie has glanced back at Neve. Okeydokey. Not awkward or anything.
    “I don’t think your friend likes me,” Neve
says, in a nonplussed manner.
    “She’s a little preoccupied right now.” I
fight the smirk threatening my lips.
    Neve’s brow puckers slightly. “Ah. I
understand. She likes him, but he likes me. That annoys her.” Neve slurps from
her drink, a brooding look on her face.
    She may well be right, but how the hell
would I know? And how does she? All because of a few sly looks her way? My lack
of experience with boys is obvious in the extreme. Maybe I should rectify
that in Thalassic City. Have some fun with the hottie like Jenna suggested. I
shock myself with the thought. I take another sip of my delicious coffee.
    “Although