Read Electus (Regnum Series Book 1) for Free Online Page A

his smile intact.
    Mr. Leporem heads towards the other end of the room to the bar, where he orders a scotch.
    “He is so gorgeous,” a girl, named Delilah, sighs from the other end of the table, “I hope he bids on me in the Electus.”
    “Wouldn’t that just make working as a slave for these greedy bastards so much more bearable,” Tia remarks in a mocking tone.
    Delilah snaps her head back to Tia. She looks her up and down with a snarl.
    “You are just upset because you blew your chance already. In the easiest stage of the Electus, no less.” The girl stands up. “Enjoy working with the criminals, bitch.”
    Tia glares at Delilah, who walks over to the bar, next to Mr. Leporem. Anger builds up in her stomach. Next thing Tia knows, she is up and walking over as well.
    “And what can I get you, miss?” the bartender, named Al, asks Tia.
    Seeing as her father and uncle rarely bought liquor, Tia is clueless on what to drink. “What is the strongest thing you have?”
    Mr. Leporem and Delilah turn to Tia, now.
    “Whisky, miss. But I advise...”
    “I’ll take a shot of it, please,” Tia cuts him off, her body full of adrenaline. Al slowly pulls out a bottle and pours it into a shot glass.
    “Thank you,” Tia replies, with a smile and swallows the shot as quick as she can, then slams the glass onto the bar. “Another, please.”
    Mr. Leporem and the girl continue to stare at Tia as she drains the glass a second time. “Another,” Tia demands. The bartender is hesitant.
    “It’s alright, Al.” Mr. Leporem nods. “She believes she can handle it. I say give it to her.” With the word her, his blue eyes pierce right through Tia.
    Al pours the third shot, Tia grins wide at Delilah, who is now staring daggers at her. She swallows the third shot and places the glass down. “Who’s going to work with the criminals now, bitch?”
    Before Delilah can answer, Tia stumbles away. She is slightly wobbly, compared to before, leaving Al and the girl speechless. Mr. Leporem just smirks and sips his scotch.
    Tia sits back down at the table, her whole body shaking. Most of the people in the dining room are up and about, chatting amongst themselves. Mina is flirting with a boy from Novo over at her table. She knows that if she doesn’t at least attempt to socialize, her chances of any leaders bidding on her, are slim.
    A band starts to play music and Tia watches Quade escort Kira to the dance floor. Several couples amble to the floor. Tia remains seated, next to Lucas, who is busy adjusting his tie.
    "May I have this dance," Tia hears a deep voice from her right. It's Mr. Leporem, extending his hand.
    Without a word, Tia accepts and follows him to the dance floor. They begin to waltz. Dancing was never Tia's strong suit, and she carefully watches her feet.
    "So, tell me, Miss Trumble," Mr. Leporem starts, "what is a beautiful, young, Regnumian woman, like yourself, doing, drinking such harsh liquor?"
    "What is a young, handsome human, like yourself, doing, running a capitol?”
    "I asked you first, Miss Trumble."
    "The name is Tia," she notes, "and I like to try new things."
    "Me too," he responds, with a smile, "Tia."
    Forgetting her footing, Tia steps on Mr. Leporem’s shoe. "I'm so sorry.” She looks down at his feet.
    “No worse for wear.” Mr. Leporem studies her, as he continues to lead her across the dance floor. They follow along to the music for several minutes. Tia feels extremely tense in this man’s presence. His eyes follow her face, down to her neck.
    “What a beautiful necklace,” Mr. Leporem remarks, staring at Tia’s pendant. “What does the symbol mean?”
    “I’m not sure, it was my mother’s. I never met her.”
    “Interesting,” he carries a surprised look.
    “Is there something wrong with it?” she inquires, not sure why he is confused. He peers back up at her face.
    “Not at all,” he smiles again. His grin is charming, and Tia finds herself staring longer than she would like to at