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

“This new bill, passed just this morning, has made communication between the people living in the District and those outside it illegal. It comes on the heels of rumors about a radical Veilorian rights group plotting to overthrow the new mayor. Sources say this group is working with individuals inside the District to coordinate an attack, and this law is the best way to squelch the rebellion before it happens.”

The image switched to one of Mayor Waters looking grave. “I’ve long suspected something like this would happen, but learning so many humans are involved in the plot saddens me. We’ve arrested more than a dozen individuals on suspicions of treason, and let me assure you, when they are found guilty, justice will be swift and severe.”

“Does this mean it’s now illegal for humans to go into the District?” someone called.

“At this time,” Mayor Waters said, “no, but if I determine that’s what it will take to keep our city safe, I won’t hesitate to put the vote before the council. We have to put humans first.”

Applause thundered through the air following the statement.

It was what I’d suspected when my call cut off, but having my fears confirmed wasn’t comforting in the least. I couldn’t even talk to Ione now, which meant I wouldn’t have a clue if she was okay, if she was getting enough food, or how her pregnancy was going. We were totally cut off. Even worse, I didn’t know what would happen to my cousin or her baby once it became illegal for humans to set foot in the District. Would the mayor allow the humans already in the District to stay? Would they be imprisoned, or worse, put to death as traitors?

I didn’t have answers to any of those questions, but I did know one thing. I had to get inside. Even if it meant risking my life, I had to get in and figure out a way to help my cousin and Rye.

And Finn.

There had to be something I could do.

The following day I headed for the District as soon as my shift was over. My hair dripped from my shower as I hurried through the city, leaving a wet spot on the back of my shirt, and the closer I got to the District, the harder my heart pounded. I felt suddenly desperate to see my cousin and make sure she was okay, even though less than twenty-four hours had passed since we’d talked.

The area was as crowded as usual, but no one seemed to notice me—thank God—and I managed to make it halfway down the street before my progress was thwarted. But it wasn’t because anyone had stopped me. It was the rising roar that made me pause.

The crowd shifted, bumping and jostling me until I stumbled. The cry grew louder, outrage ringing through the air like a bell, and I lifted myself on the tips of my toes, craning my neck to get a look around. At first, I couldn’t see a thing through the throng of bodies, but then I spotted the reason for the disturbance. It was a man. He was wearing a sweatshirt zipped up to his chin, the hood pulled over his head to hide his face from view, but it didn’t help him blend in. At six and a half feet tall, the man stood out, towering over the other people on the street.

A Veilorian was outside the walls.

I wasn’t sure that had happened since integration efforts were abandoned twenty years ago, and I had no idea how he’d gotten out. Not through the front gate, that was for sure. Was there a back way? A tunnel or secret exit no one knew about? Or had he climbed the wall somehow?

I didn’t know, but one thing was certain. He was in serious trouble.

Most of the crowd had backed away like he was diseased and highly contagious. There were others moving toward him, though, men of all ages trying to block his way. A guy who couldn’t be more than eighteen held his hoverboard up like he was considering hitting the Veilorian with it. At his side, another man with graying hair lifted the briefcase he was holding in a gesture that mimicked the kid. Most of the men, however, only had their fists. Not that it mattered. The Veilorian was outnumbered, and once he was down, more of the crowd would join in the beating. He wouldn’t make it out alive.

The Veilorian tried to back away when a beefy guy stepped toward him, but he didn’t make it far. The crowd pushed him forward just as the big guy took a swing, and I could almost hear the crunch of his knuckles slamming into the Veilorian’s face.

“No!” I called, trying to shove my way through the crowd.

Another man had stepped forward to take a swing, and the sickening thud of bone on bone seemed louder than the roar of the voices calling for blood. I tried to elbow my way through but didn’t make it far before people started pushing me back.

“Species traitor,” someone to my right snarled.

I was shoved first to the left then to the right. Then, out of some divine intervention, someone pushed me from behind, moving me closer to the Veilorian. I could no longer see him, although I knew where he was. He was down, surrounded by men who were intent on beating him to death simply because he was different. Someone to my right tried to shove me again, but I threw my elbow up, and the sharp point made contact with his nose. The crunch of cartilage made me cringe, but I didn’t turn to survey the damage.

Using all my weight, I pushed my way through the crowd until I stumbled into the opening. The Veilorian was curled up on the ground, his arms over his head and his long legs pulled to his stomach as three