Fear Me Not (The EVE Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

his roots. The principal claps Taj on the shoulder.
    “Taj is the leader of the Student Enforcers. They are a club that takes it upon themselves to enforce the rules. They can give out detention if they see a misdemeanor occurring, yes. Anyone is welcome to join this club, be they human or Gutter.”
    “So anybody can give anybody they don’t like detention?” Johnathon presses.
    “Of course not.” The principal smiles. “There are cameras in every corner of this building. Faculty like myself will double check that the misdemeanor was legitimate from the camera feeds. Now, please. Club Day is in two weeks. For now, focus on getting to your class before the bell rings. Go on, shoo.”
    The crowd’s ruckus grows, and people stream away down the hall. The principal and Taj talk, and then the principal leaves, and Taj walks over to us.
    “Shadus.” He nods. Taj is much broader in the shoulders and chest than Shadus, but Shadus is slightly taller. It’s like a pitbull and a greyhound staring each other down.
    “Do you expect me to congratulate you on diffusing a pathetic situation, or on your newly appointed human lapdog title?” Shadus asks. Taj grins crookedly.
    “Not bothering to pretend you have a nice personality, I see. Didn’t the elders and our parents tell us to keep a happy face up while we’re here?”
    “I will never hide behind something false just to put humans at ease,” Shadus says shortly.
    “I pity your EVE, then.” Taj looks to me. “Is this her?”
    “Nah, I’m just a really humanoid paperweight,” I offer.
    “He’s very difficult.” Taj ignores my jab. “You won’t last a month as his EVE.”
    “Uh, sorry buddy, but if you think this grump is going to scare me off a hundred thousand dollars, you’re a moron.” 
    I can feel Shadus’ crimson eyes on my face. Taj sputters for a moment, then laughs, thumping Shadus on the back.
    “You’re in luck. Human greed might win out over your gift to drive people away. Maybe this one will stick around long enough for you to get a snack from her, hm?”
    Taj looks to me, smile fading.  
    “You know, your face says it all. Greed and anger. Not the best taste combination. Fear is savory and strong, the best taste there is. Being in a school full of aliens must scare you, right? Be more afraid . It’ll make my dinner tastier.”
    “Kiss my ass,” I snarl. Taj just laughs and waves as he walks away.
    “Defiance is sour. Enjoy your curdled meal, Shadus.”
    The blonde-streaked head disappears in the crowd. Shadus pushes off the wall, and I start after him.
    “What was that all about?” I demand.
    “Taj is Adjudicator sotho ,” Shadus says simply. “A sotho is –”
    “I know what it is - the leading family.”
    The crowd around us sounds dim and far away. Shadus’ stoic expression cracks, incredulity peeking through.
    “How did you know that?”
    “Raine told me. She’s my roommate.”
    Shadus raises a brow. “Of course she is.”
    He pulls open the door to math. He picks a seat in the very back, and I pick a seat in the very back on the opposite side so as to remain as far from him as possible. I doodle in my notebook and start to think. The Gutters listened to Taj even before the principal said he was the leader of the Student Enforcers. Adjudicators get to give out punishments according to the law, and the Gutters listen to them.
    Shadus is Executioner sotho . Does that make him a soldier? Does he know how to kill like the rest of his faction? Suddenly, his high cheekbones and blood-red irises make the fear in my chest boil higher. My EVE organ gives twinges of anxiety every time he looks my way, which isn’t often. He just sort of glances. He glances at everyone – never stopping to look at one person too long before he stares out the window again, bored. He’s bored with us all. I’m afraid of him and pissed off at him and frustrated with him all at once.
    “Shadus,” Mr. Weylan taps the whiteboard. “Could you come