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

I scanned the soldiers, counting. There had to be at least twenty, all of them with pulse rifles and wearing armor that made it look like they were getting ready to go into battle. A sudden chill moved through me at the sight, as if ice had coated my veins.

“They’re going to turn him in,” Finn said, almost to himself.

I tore my gaze from the screen and focused on him. “How do you know?”

“Because I know the council.” He nodded toward the viewing screen. “Look at those soldiers. If we don’t hand Arch over, they’ll come in here. If that happens, he won’t be the only one who gets hurt.”

Finn was right.

I reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Then we just have to pray that whatever happens to him, it’s over quickly.”

“Will they kill him?” Finn asked.

I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“Will there even be a trial?”

This time, I had to pause to think it through. “I don’t know. So far, the mayor has done everything by the book, but she wants all of you dead. We both know that. If she can figure out how to get away with it, she’ll sentence Arch without even giving him the chance to speak up for himself.”

Finn blew out a long breath but said nothing.

This was where his hostility toward humans came from, I realized. It wasn’t just about being abandoned by his human parent; it was about the big picture. About how he and everyone like him was trapped inside these walls, about how he had no real rights, no way to make things better for himself or his mom, for his people. Humans had done that, and while I wouldn’t take back what I’d said about there being good humans, I could understand why he was so angry.

“I’m sorry,” I told him even though it seemed like such a silly thing to say.

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about,” he replied. “What the mayor does to Arch will be on her hands, but he knew what he was risking. He knew he would bring hell raining down on us if he left the District, but he did it anyway. Now he’s going to have to face the consequences.”

And what huge consequences they would be.

The Veilorian council was waiting for Mayor Waters and her entourage of guards when they arrived at the District shortly before noon. Finn and I stood side by side one walkway up, looking down at the scene as the mayor stopped in front of Anara, who was flanked by dozens of Veilorians.

The Mayor’s expression was grim, but her eyes gleamed with triumph, telling a different story than the one she was trying to project. “Have you come to a decision?”

“We have.” Anara’s head dipped once.

Before Mayor Waters could say anything else, Arch emerged from the cover of the nearby shadows, his head down. His hands unbound. His body rigid. Every spectator in the District knew what was going to happen, and no one made a sound of protest as the boy walked toward the waiting council.

In front of them, the mayor’s eyebrows lifted, but it wasn’t just surprise on her face. There was something else, too. Disappointment.

I looked past her, and the truth slammed into me. She’d wanted the council to refuse. Only four guards had followed her into the District, but a handful of others stood by the gate, and I was willing to bet the rest were just on the other side of the wall, ready and waiting for a signal from the mayor.

Thank God the council decided to hand Arch over or there would have been a bloodbath.

“He’s not cuffed,” Mayor Waters said, her voice rising like she wanted everyone watching to hear.

“He has chosen to face the consequences of his actions and surrender himself of his own free will,” Anara said.

“So, he admits to the crime?” the mayor’s body grew stiff.

For the first time, Arch looked up. “No. I did not hurt anyone. I was only looking for medicine for my sister.”

“You’re just a boy.” Mayor Waters’ upper lip curled in disgust. “I guess Veilorians learn crime early in the District.”

She snapped her fingers, and two guards rushed forward. They grabbed Arch, forcing him down so he was lying flat on his stomach, his face pressed against the dry ground. A murmur of shock and disapproval moved through the crowd of onlookers, and I squeezed Finn’s hand.

“That is not necessary,” Anara said, stepping toward Arch, her hand out as if trying to offer him aid. “He gave himself up.”

“How do I know he doesn’t have ulterior motives? He could have a weapon. He could be planning to assassinate me,” the mayor said, giving the other woman a challenging look. “We already know he’s capable of much worse crimes.”

“I didn’t,” Arch grunted when one of the guards kicked him in the side, “do it.”

Mayor Waters said nothing, watching as her men roughly searched the boy. Once they were certain he wasn’t hiding a weapon, they cuffed his wrists behind his back and yanked him to his feet. He towered over the guards, but his young body was slender and not yet filled out, making him seem almost small next to the humans.

“Thank you for your cooperation,” Mayor Waters said as Arch was dragged toward the gate.

“He will have a fair trial?” Anara asked, stopping the mayor just as she’d turned to follow the others.

The mayor’s lips twitched. “Of course. Due process. All that.”

At my side, Finn’s entire body stiffened.

“Have a nice day,” Mayor Waters said.

Her gaze swept across the city, over the crowds on the ground and then up to the walkways, stopping when she spotted me. The recognition in her eyes forced me back a step, but it was the cruel smile curling up her lips that made me want to run.

“She knows I’m the one who saved him,” I said after she’d turned and began marching toward the gate.

Finn slipped his