But I wasn’t Veilorian. I was human. They wouldn’t hurt me, right? True, they might call me a species traitor, maybe even spit on me, but that was it. They wouldn’t attack me. If they did, the guards would stop it from getting too far. I wasn’t in any real danger.
I walked faster, keeping my head down and pulling my bag higher on my shoulder to get a better grip. The closer I got to the gate, the angrier the words seemed, and against my better judgment I ventured a look up, scanning the signs as I passed. The words Veronica Waters for Mayor were on most of them, but there were others, too.
Save Humans
The Visitors Have Overstayed Their Welcome
Human Rights
No matter the words, the purpose of this gathering was obvious. These people wanted the Veilorians gone.
It wasn’t until I’d pushed my way through the line of protestors that someone finally noticed me.
A hand wrapped around my right arm, just above my elbow, and a man growled, “Where you goin’?”
“Let go,” I said, working to keep my voice even and my tone firm. “Now.”
My captor narrowed his bloodshot eyes, and they flashed with hatred, making it seem like something evil was living inside him. “You’re goin’ in there, ain’t ya?”
“That’s none of your business.”
I jerked my arm, ripping it from his grasp, and had to bite back a gasp of pain when his filthy nails scraped along my skin. The man’s lips pursed, warning me he was either going to spit or call out to the other protestors, and I took it as my cue to get the hell out of there. The crowd was packed so tightly I had to push my way through, and I’d only managed to make it a few steps when I heard his shrill voice behind me.
“Species traitor!”
People turned, looking around, but thankfully most seemed unable to figure out who he was referring to. I shoved harder, putting my elbows into it, and managed to make it through the crowd before anyone else spotted me. I stumbled from the throng of bodies, nearly tripping over my own feet, and staggered forward. Insults and rage were thrown my way, but I didn’t look back. Part of me was afraid if I made eye contact with anyone the mob would decide to get physical, but another part just wanted to focus on getting away. On making it to the gate and inside the safety of the fence.
“Ava.” Johnson moved when he caught sight of me, one hand reaching out while the other raised his pulse rifle. The mob quieted enough that I was able to hear his words. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I have something for Rye,” I managed to gasp out.
“Shit.” His grip on my arm was firm as he pulled me farther from the crowd. “Do you even understand what kind of risk you’re taking?”
“I’ve come here dozens of times.”
“Open the gate!” Johnson called.
He released my elbow and to my utter shock slipped his arm around my shoulders. I told myself it was a protective gesture and he was just doing his job, but part of me wondered. He’d always been nice, but I couldn’t deny that he’d paid more attention to me than to my cousin.
“Things are getting out of hand,” he said as he ushered me inside. “Coming here is going to get dangerous.”
The gate clicked behind us, signaling we were safely inside the District, and Johnson’s arm slipped from my shoulders. I was panting when I looked up, finding his face only six inches from mine. The sun was behind him, causing me to squint and making it impossible to read his expression, but his close proximity was enough to get my already hammering heart beating harder.
“What’s happening?” I managed to ask.
“Haven’t you been paying attention?” Johnson sighed when I shrugged in response. “Veronica Waters has everyone riled up. The most recent polls have her ahead by a landslide, and with things the way they are, it’s very likely she’ll win the election. When that happens…” He exhaled as he shook his head, the movement blocking the sun’s rays long enough that I could see the uncertainty in his blue eyes. “Well, I don’t know. No one does, not yet. But I can tell you this. There might come a time when you won’t be able to visit Ione. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up in prison.”
“Prison?” I gasped out the word, unable to comprehend anything so extreme happening. “You can’t be serious. They wouldn’t do that, would they?”
“This Waters lady has been saying all kinds of radical things, and it seems most humans agree with her.”
“But they can’t do that!” I protested. “The Veilorians haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Look, Ava, it’s time I gave you some hard facts. I understand the Veilorians aren’t the kind of threat Waters is trying to make them out to be. I admit it, okay? But you have to understand something. They’re not human. They just aren’t. It doesn’t matter how much you want them to fit in, they’re never going to. They’re aliens, and they’re not welcome here. We didn’t invite them.”
I took a step back, putting space between Johnson and myself. “I can’t believe you would say that. You work here. You see what they’re like.”
“I know a lot more than you do, Ava.” With the distance now between us, I was able to make out his expression better, and I didn’t miss it when his eyes hardened. “Keep that in mind.”
I waited to see if he would say anything else, but he didn’t.
“I only know what I see,” I said. “And what I’m seeing right now is that humans are more of a threat to Veilorians than they are to us.”
Without giving him a chance to retort, I turned and headed into
