Word and Breath Read Free Page B

Readers’ work.
     
    Fortunately, the page she searched for was printed on pale blue paper—an old-fashioned invitation to a birthday party. It had been trendy several years back for affluent families to use written invitations, even though few people could read them. A couple of days ago, she’d quickly glanced over the invitation and tossed it into the discard pile.

    But now, after reading over the scripted lettering on card stock, she confirmed what she remembered and had just now connected to two other incidents.
     
    There was definitely an anomaly here. It must be significant, but she couldn’t begin to guess what it meant.

    Or what she should do with it.
     
    The obvious choice would be to alert Smyde, particularly after what had just happened. She didn’t feel comfortable calling attention to herself, though, unless she was sure of her conclusions. She wasn’t inclined to talk to Smyde anytime soon anyway—not after how he’d embarrassed her a few minutes ago.

    But what if this incongruity really was something important?
     
    She normally kept to herself at work, aside from some casual banter, but right now she needed advice. For the first time in months, she wished Connor was still here. He’d been the only real friend she’d had in the office, and it was at times like this she missed him most.

    As she walked back into the main office with the three sheets of paper, her eyes drifted over to Jenson’s desk. Noticing he was watching her, she decided it was worth a try and headed over in his direction

    Readers came in two forms. Those who pursued the line of work temporarily as a step toward more lucrative administrative positions within the Union. And those who did it for life.

    Riana was a lifer. She’d loved to read ever since her grandfather had taught her the alphabet, and she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She wasn’t interested in power, and money wasn’t a strong motivation for her. She didn’t really like the Union, and she had no desire to move up into the inner ranks.
     
    It had been years since she’d entertained any dreams of the world offering more than she had at the moment—a decent job, her sister, and a quiet, undisturbed life.

    Jenson was a lifer too. While she’d been a Reader for eight years, he had been one for twenty. Connor wasn’t here anymore, but maybe Jenson could help her with this puzzle.
     
    His dark eyebrows lifted as she pulled a chair up next to his desk. Jenson was attractive in an unconventional way, with brown hair, deep-set blue eyes, and slightly craggy face with high cheekbones. He’d been her mentor when she’d first started on the job.

    “I appreciate your sticking up for me yesterday,” she said by way of greeting. “But there’s no sense in your getting on Smyde’s bad side too.”

    Jenson shrugged. He’d taken off the brown tweed jacket he wore every day and hung it on the back of his chair. The sleeves of his dress shirt were now rolled up to his elbows. “It wouldn’t be the first time. And it’s not like they’re going to fire me.”

    Jenson was the best Reader the Union had in Newtown—perhaps anywhere. The number of codes and secret messages he’d found in innocuous texts was legendary. His job was secure, if anyone’s was.
     
    She adjusted in her chair, feeling strangely self-conscious. She was used to being independent and self-sufficient. She wasn’t entirely comfortable when people went out of their way to help her.

    “What do you have there?” Jenson asked mildly, evidently sensing her discomfort.
     
    Riana showed him the three sheets of paper she’d brought over. “I’ve noticed an anomaly and was wondering if you’d noticed it too.” She spread the pages out on his desk and studied his face as he looked down at them.

    Because she was watching his expression, she noticed the slight tightening of his thin lips.
     
    “Do you see?” she prompted, pushing one of her braids back over her shoulder.

    He