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

a fine line between love and hate,” Rye said, moving past his wife so he could throw himself on the couch, his eyes on his cousin. “I told her not to freak out. Veilorians can take a beating better than humans.”

“It was barely a beating,” Finn grumbled. “That asshole, Johnson, took a cheap shot.”

“Jealousy will cause a man to do strange things.” Rye was grinning.

“Yeah, well, so will rage. He better pray we never bump into one another in the dark,” Finn replied.

Fear gripped me at his words.

“Don’t say that.” I turned to face him, my voice pleading. “Don’t. Who knows what they’d do to you.”

Finn’s expression softened. “I’m joking, obviously. My mother has already made me promise to never do anything foolish. Trust me.”

“Um, speaking of the councilwoman,” Rye said.

Finn and I turned to face him.

“She’s kind of on her way here,” his cousin continued.

Finn’s body straightened. “Why?”

“She heard about what happened,” Ione explained. “Everyone did.”

Only a few seconds later, the thud of footsteps warned us someone was approaching. Unsure of what to do, I looked from Ione to Rye to Finn. My hand was still in his, and while I didn’t want to yank it free and hurt his feelings, I wasn’t sure what to say if his mom—who was on the Veilorian council—asked questions. The smart thing would have been to stay quiet and let Finn do the talking, but keeping my mouth shut had never been one of my strengths.

My gaze met Ione’s, and she gave me a reassuring nod, helping me relax a miniscule amount. I tried to remember what she’d said about Finn’s mom, but couldn’t recall anything except the part about her being on the council.

She swept in the room the way a cool breeze swept across the city after the sun has set, taking my breath away. I had no idea how I hadn’t noticed her during that broadcast. She was absolutely gorgeous. Six feet tall, thin and muscular, her sandy hair—the same color as Finn’s—contrasted with her pale skin and made her light green eyes stand out. They were big and round but intelligent as they moved across the room, barely taking in Ione and Rye before looking her son over and finally stopping on me.

There was recognition in her gaze, but what was more, I felt it too. I didn’t know how or why or from where, but I got the distinct feeling I’d met this woman before.

She blinked, rearranging her expression as she turned to her son. “Finn, what in the heavens were you thinking?”

“He was helping me,” I said, once again succumbing to my inability to stay quiet. “I was being assaulted, and he stepped in.”

Finn’s mother looked at me again, her lips twitching in a way that reminded me of her son. They looked a lot alike.

“This is my cousin,” Ione said, jumping in.

“Ava Mendoza,” Finn’s mother said, whispering my name in a tone that was almost reverent. “It’s so nice to meet you after all this time. Ione has said wonderful things about you, and I heard what you did for Arch.” She moved toward me, her hands out, and I extracted mine from her son’s so I could extend them to her. “I’m Finn’s mother, Melora.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well,” she said, her gaze steady and even, holding mine captive in a way I couldn’t explain.

Again, there was a twinge of recognition.

How did I know this woman?

“It shouldn’t be an issue,” Finn said, forcing his mother to turn his way. “It was minor and over fast. I don’t think anyone will make a big deal about it.”

My hands were still in Melora’s when she said, “These days we can’t be too careful. Remember that, son.” Her gaze moved back to me. “Although I’m very glad he was able to help you.”

“Me too,” I said.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” As if just realizing she still had my hands, Finn’s mother dropped them and stepped back. “Because we have much bigger things to worry about.”

Finn’s body stiffened. “What is it?”

“Arch,” Melora said simply. “The humans want us to turn him over.”

“What?” I said just as Ione cried out, “No!”

Rye jumped to his feet. “They can’t be serious. He’s a child.”

“They are very serious, I’m afraid,” Melora replied. “A crime was committed while he was out of the District, and they’re blaming him.”

Suddenly, I remembered what Dean told me.

“A girl was raped and murdered,” I murmured.

Melora focused on me, frowning. “Yes.”

“He couldn’t have done that,” Rye said.

“He claims he did not,” Finn’s mother replied, “but the humans think differently. They want justice.”

“If you turn him over there won’t be justice,” I said. “They’ll kill him.”

Melora bowed her head, her hands clasped in front of her. “We have to take the big picture into consideration. It’s our job.”

“You can’t really be considering giving in,” Rye argued.

She kept her head down. “We all know what will happen to Arch if we do what the humans ask, but we also know what might happen to the rest of us if we do not.” She lifted her head, her gaze sweeping over us as she said, “No decision has been made, and we are trying to find a peaceful resolution, but…”

Melora gave a slight shake of her head.

There was almost no possibility of a peaceful solution, and we all knew it.

“Come. The council is gathered at Anara’s house.” Melora looked at Rye, then me. “They’ll want to meet you. To hear your version of what happened.”

“I don’t know how much of a help I’ll be,” I said, “but I’ll do what I can. I only wish I could help negotiate with the humans.”

“As do I,” Melora said and turned toward the door.

Rye followed his aunt, Ione’s hand in his, and Finn took mine so we, too, could go after them.

The District was quieter than ever as we headed across the walkways and up a couple staircases. People were out, gathered in groups as they watched us go. Humans, Veilorians, and half-human