Species Traitor: A Science Fiction Dystopian Novel by Kate Mary (books to read to get smarter txt) 📕

even way she said it all made even me believe her words. It also made me wonder how many times she’d lied to me.

“Good.” Mom headed back into the living room, the ice cubes in her glass clinking as she called over her shoulder, “There was an attack on the District tonight. Some humans managed to get inside.”

Before we could respond, the news was once again booming. Lena shot me a grin and headed to the living room, but I stayed where I was, listening to the coverage.

“Mayor Gunderson is expected to address the city tomorrow morning, while his opponent has already given a statement.”

Suddenly, the voice of Veronica Waters filled the room. “What happened tonight in the District was inevitable and a direct result of Mayor Gunderson’s inability to understand the danger we’re in. If he’d made humans his priority over his multiple terms, this wouldn’t have happened. Instead, he chose to live with blinders on, unable or unwilling to see the invaders for the danger they are. The humans who stormed the District were not in the right, and they should be dealt with accordingly, but they were driven to these extreme measures. Things have gone on like this for too long, and as your next mayor, I promise I will do everything in my power to put humans first. Always.”

Listening to that woman’s voice made my skin crawl, and hearing her words had my stomach churning, but there was nothing I could do about it. Especially not in the middle of the night.

I’d just taken a step toward the hallway leading to my room when a knock made me freeze. It was late, too late for visitors. Did this have something to do with Lena and me being in the District tonight? Were they questioning all humans who’d been inside the walls?

My heart was in my throat as I glanced toward the living room. The viewing screen was at full volume, so it was doubtful my mother had heard the knock. Lena, too, had to be unaware that someone was at the door. If they were here trying to get information about what had happened in the District, they would want to talk to her, too. What if they dragged us out of here for questioning? What if, for some crazy reason, they thought we were involved, and it went on my sister’s record? I couldn’t let that happen. Couldn’t let her life be tarnished because we’d gone into the District. I had to take full responsibility. Had to make sure Lena was okay. Even if it meant I wasn’t.

Another knock sounded, and I moved to the door, hoping to get it before anyone else heard. My hand was shaking when I turned the knob, and I felt certain I was about to be questioned as a possible terrorist. But when I managed to force myself to pull the door open, the sight I was met with made me freeze.

Dean stood on my doorstep, dressed in civilian clothes.

He blinked when he saw me then let out a deep breath. “Shit, Ava, you scared me.”

For a moment, I thought he meant I’d startled him when I opened the door, and since he’d been the one to knock, I couldn’t quite figure out why. Then it hit me. I’d scared him because I’d left the District without telling him I was all right.

Dean looked past me into the dark house. “Is your sister okay?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I stepped out, glancing back to make sure no one was paying attention, then pulled the door shut behind me. “You can’t be here. My mom doesn’t know we were there tonight. She can’t know, or she’ll kick me out.”

“Your mom doesn’t support the Veilorians?” Dean asked, sounding somewhat shocked.

“No. She hates them.”

He shook his head like he didn’t understand, but instead of asking about my mother, said, “Why didn’t you find me, so I knew you were okay?”

“I didn’t think about it,” I said before I could stop myself.

There I went again, saying whatever popped into my head without considering the consequences.

Dean grimaced, and I immediately went on damage control.

“I mean, I wasn’t with Ione and Lena when it happened, and all I could think about was finding them.”

“Why? Where were you?” he asked, his words slow and calculated and his eyes narrowed on my face.

I thought about seeing him in the alley and how he’d known I was with Finn, and it occurred to me that Dean suspected I’d been sneaking around with another guy. A half-human, of all people.

“I was in the square, but they weren’t. Lena had to use the bathroom, so Ione had taken her back to their house. Thankfully, Finn found me and helped me hide.”

“Oh. Yeah. That was lucky.” Dean exhaled and ran his hand down his face. “God, what a night. You can’t believe the mess we had to clean up.”

“Were a lot of people hurt?” I asked, remembering the scene Finn and I had come upon in the square.

“More than two dozen injured, four dead. Only one human, though, so that’s lucky.”

I cringed, both from the memory of the human girl’s blank eyes, as well as Dean’s callous words.

“I’m sure the families of the Veilorians who died don’t feel very lucky right now.”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s too late to get into this again, Ava. I just came to check on you.”

The door opened behind me, and I stiffened, expecting my mom.

“Ava?” Lena said, and I was able to relax.

I turned to face my sister. “Hey. Dean just came to make sure we were okay.”

Lena pulled the door shut behind her and smiled up at Dean. “How nice of you.”

“Glad someone appreciates me,” he said, trying to hide his bitter words with a smile but failing.

Of course, he was right. He’d come here in the middle of the night when he had to be exhausted just so he could make sure I was okay, and I hadn’t even thanked