Free The Choosing (The Arcadia Trilogy Book 1) by Rachel Hanna, Bella James Page B

usually martial in aspect, children of violent temperament or cold steal reason who would rise within the ranks.
    She'd asked about those from Pastoreum, but he simply didn't know, and she'd asked about those children taken who were not quick and bright and sometimes not even beautiful, and he hadn't known that either, though something in his eyes told Livy he did, and simply didn't want to tell her.
    Well, she was here now. She'd forgotten that beautiful day's story until it was too late. Now her grandfather's tales had proved not only true, but prophetic. Now she would find out all of it.
    And live to tell the tale.
    Somehow.
    Now the director of the institute stood before them. He was old, his face lined like Grandfather Bane's but possessing none of Grandfather's patience.
    "You are here at the will of the Plutarch," he addressed them, surveying the mess hall with cold, reptilian eyes. "You eat and breathe and live at the direction of the Plutarch and you will serve at his pleasure."
    He paused, as if waiting for his words to sink in, but Livy thought that probably most of them were saturated with newness and incapable of doing more than listening and trying to remember.
    "While you are here, you will be educated, given opportunities your poor countries could never have afforded you. You will have the opportunity to learn language and the arts, technology, war craft. You will all begin at the same level and the same ranking, the raw red sash of the beginner and at the end of the first learning period you will be tested in every subject. Those who excel in all three areas – language and arts, war and technology – will move up to a blue ranking. Pass two, and you shall wear a green sash. Pass one, and you will wear the yellow. Pass none, and you will be deemed Untouchable and cast out accordingly."
    Even the presence of this man, his authority made clear by the Centurion honor guard, wasn't enough to stop the buzz of panic at his words. The director simply spoke over it.
    "Blues are afforded luxuries, trips outside, trips to visit museums or the Senate, to have private audiences or dinners with the Plutarch."
    He surveyed them all coldly for a second and Livy doubted he saw any of them, only a sea of colors, pale and dark faces looking up at him, apprehensive or downright scared.
    "After the testing comes the trials, when you will present before a board of examiners, answering oral questions and showing off what you have learned. You will be tested into personality types and genetically screened. Your caste will then be assigned."
    He raised his voice over the groundswell of panic.
    "Alphas will continue their education before taking their places in the aristocracy. They will be leaders, Senators, Centurions. They will be the captains of industry and the officers in war. It is worth your time to work for such attainment."
    Again another long look at the assembled prisoners, all of them holding their breaths.
    "The Beta groups are the workers. To you fall the tasks that keep Arcadia running, to bake, to cook, to clean, to patrol, to care, to toil. It is not a hopeless life. You will work. You will be valued. You will not be cast out. You will not be Untouchables."
    A long look. "Alphas and Betas will not be Gammas."
    Livy realized she was squeezing her fists together in her lap.
    The look the Director now gave them was cold. "Gammas have one place in our society. They are good for one thing." He paused, almost as if he expected call and response.
    No one spoke.
    "Gammas are sent to the pleasure palaces. To serve."
    When they had quieted down again, almost left to react until they calmed on their own, he added one more thing.
    "This year, for the first time in more than forty years, one girl, one beautiful, talented, Alpha girl, will be chosen to receive a special honor. Because of her genes, because of who she is, she will be selected to become the mother of generations, the bride of the commonwealth – the bride of the