Species Traitor: A Science Fiction Dystopian Novel by Kate Mary (universal ebook reader .TXT) 📗

Maybe it was stupid, especially with the way things had been lately, but with the mayor promising to do everything in his power to protect the Veilorians on Landing Day, it seemed like the best time to take a risk. Especially considering it might be illegal a year from now.

“You’re going?” Lena asked, sounding surprised.

“Sure. Ione will be there, and Veilorians don’t mind if humans come to their celebration as long as they behave.”

Lena looked toward our still snoring mother, frowning as she thought it through. I was almost certain based on her expression she was going to say no, but a second later she surprised me by nodding.

“Okay. Yeah.” My sister smiled, and her face lit up. “I’d love to go.”

“Great,” I said, returning her smile.

Chapter Eleven

Mayor Gunderson was true to his word, and when Lena and I turned onto the street leading to the District, we weren’t greeted by the mob I’d almost gotten used to. The protestors were still there. I doubted much could have kept them away at this point, but they’d been corralled behind a barrier, and more than two dozen guards stood between them and the gate. It was a relief, because as eager as I was for my sister to experience what the Veilorians were really like, the last thing I wanted was to put her in jeopardy.

Lena’s eyes were huge and brimming with doubt. “Is it always like this?”

“No, it’s usually much less controlled.” I put my arm around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. “Don’t worry. The mayor promised the District would be safe today.”

My sister nodded but swallowed nervously, her big eyes on the crowd shouting insults.

Hover cameras flew above us, capturing images of the disturbance as well as the mayor’s attempts to control the crowd, and broadcasting them for all of Polis to see. Gunderson had to know this move was a death sentence for his re-election—assuming he’d ever stood a chance—and it was to his credit that he’d chosen to go out taking a stand. If only he’d done more with the terms he’d served. Then again, it was entirely possible he’d tried his best but hadn’t gotten any support from the council. It was now glaringly clear how few humans supported Veilorian rights.

Dean was among the throng of guards, and he headed my way before we were halfway down the street almost like he’d been keeping an eye out for me.

“I can’t believe you,” he said when he’d joined Lena and me, his gaze flitting to her but only briefly. “And you brought someone with you?”

“My sister,” I said, nodding to her. “This is Lena.”

She managed to conjure up a rather beautiful—and somewhat flirty—smile despite the fear shining in her eyes.

“Your sister? Are you crazy?” Dean grabbed my elbow and pulled me toward the gate, his focus on the mob of screaming people. “It’s too dangerous, Ava. You’re risking too much.”

Lena scrambled to keep up, and I grabbed her hand to pull her along after me.

“I’ve told you more than once. I’m not going to abandon my cousin.”

Dean stopped when we reached the gate, staring at me as we waited for Brentwood to open it. “It’s worth risking your life?” He nodded to Lena. “Her life?”

My sister’s eyes doubled in size, all her charm gone in a blink.

Heat flared through me, both because he was once again showing a side I didn’t like, and because he’d just scared Lena. Then I thought about the sister he’d lost, and some of it melted away. Not all of it, which meant I had to take a deep breath. I needed to be gentle with him. The wound was still raw, still healing, and it probably had a lot to do with his current hostility.

“Stop,” I said to Dean, keeping my voice soothing even though part of me still wanted to jump down his throat. “We’re not risking anything. The mayor promised today would be peaceful so the Veilorians could celebrate, and look what he’s done.” I waved to the barricade. “He’s a good man.”

“But he’s only one man,” Dean insisted.

The gate was open, and Brentwood stood—scanner in hand—ready and waiting for us to cross into the District while Dean and I stared each other down.

“We’re going to be fine,” I assured him. “We’re not risking anything. Not really. It’s a party, and there are armed guards at the gate, for God’s sake.”

His expression hardened. “If you think these men would sacrifice their lives to save either the aliens or the humans who have chosen to shack up with them, you’re kidding yourself.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “It’s only a matter of time before the mob realizes the truth, Ava. Remember that.”

I jerked away. “What are you saying?”

“Nothing.” Dean nodded to the gate. “Get inside where it’s safer. We’ll talk later.”

I grabbed Lena’s hand again before heading off, leaving Dean behind. My head was spinning as Brentwood scanned my chip, but no matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t deny the truth of Dean’s words. Did I really think the guards would die to protect people they considered inferior? I hadn’t thought about it until now, but the answer was obvious. They wouldn’t. Not even Dean.

When Brentwood had scanned Lena’s chip, he looked around like he was making sure no one was paying attention, then said, “If there’s trouble, hide. Don’t be a hero.”

I tried to meet his gaze, but he wouldn’t look directly at me. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“I just know how crazy things have been,” Brentwood said. “That’s all.”

I didn’t believe him, and for the first time I started to think Lena and I should head home.

The thought had just entered my head when a squeal broke through the air, and a second later Lena released my hand and rushed forward. She threw herself into Ione’s open arms just as the gate clicked shut behind us, cutting off our chance to leave as well as pushing away