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“Cato?” I ask, scared.
He looks down at me and smiles, but I can tell he’s worried. “It’s okay. Just stick close to me, all right?”
I nod, and he slides me down his body. He grabs the bags, and with one last lingering look at the other monster, Cato pulls me after him. My eyes go back to the man who attacked me. He didn’t hurt me, but he wanted to, and if Cato hadn’t been there, I have no doubt I would be dead.
He was so fast and strong, I didn’t stand a chance. It gives me a new appreciation for their species, not to mention Cato. He was stronger and faster than the other monster. I find myself drawing closer to him, even as I note the sadness in the other monster’s eyes before his gaze lands on me and narrows in hatred.
Is it for my kind or for what it’s done to Cato? I don’t know, but I know I’m about to be paraded in front of a group of monsters and that my fate hangs in the balance. I just have to trust Cato and hope I won’t end up dead before I’m able to save Aria.
Cato keeps his eyes on me, clearly worried, and when we approach the building they sleep in, fear blooms within me. I’m walking straight into their nest, and this time, there will be no running or hiding. I’ll have to answer to them, and if they choose, they could kill me.
I’ve reached out before I know it, slipping my hand in Cato’s much bigger one. He looks down at me and stumbles over a step before curling his claw-tipped fingers around mine and squeezing. He’s showing me I’m not alone and letting me know he’ll protect me with just a look and a touch. It gives me the confidence I need to walk into that building, hand in hand with a monster.
* * *
He keeps hold of my hand the entire time, despite the whispers, glares, and roars for answers as we are led before his people. I thought we would just be marched before them, but I was wrong. A meeting was called, and they filled into a lecture hall in the building, where we were left upon the stage. Cato’s brother prowls before his people, shooting me disgusted looks the entire time, but I refuse to shrink away, especially when Cato stands strong and tall at my side, taking it all with a steady calmness that seems to affect even me. Eventually, his people quiet down and he clears his throat.
It’s clear they respect and care for him—it’s evident in their hurt.
“My tribe, I am before you today because I broke our laws. I harboured a human.” Roars go up, but it’s hard to tell what they are saying. It’s clear, however, that they are angry. Not necessarily at him, but at me. “She was hurt, scared, and running through our lands.” I was, was I? Did Cato just lie to protect me? “She is a female, and not a soldier, but a scientist.”
Eyes swing to me, and I realise their fear makes them dangerous. He groans, scrubbing at his face. “Please, let me explain.”
I step forward then. “Can I speak, please?”
Cato looks to me before nodding, and I wait until they quiet down enough for me to speak. I don’t know what I will say, but it’s important. If Cato is to be held accountable for this, then they deserve the truth. I mean them no harm, even if they never believe me.
“Yes, I’m a scientist. I understand why that must be frightening, but I swear upon my life I am not here to hurt you, nor am I like those who did. I believe in science, in the ability to find the truth within the universe to explain the unexplainable, never to cause harm. Not ever. I did not know the truth of what my people did, but I was sent here to collect their experiments. As soon as I learned of the truth, I felt sick to my stomach, and I refused to. I was helping Cato collect their research and hide it from the humans who would use it against you again. I know you probably don’t believe me, and that’s okay, but please, don’t be angry with Cato. He didn’t kill me because he felt sorry for me. I was weak and stupid, running around your world without understanding the consequences. He hated keeping this from you, but once he found out why I was here, he wanted to protect you from my people and what they did to you and still clearly want to do to you.” I glance back at him. “He’s a good man, torn between duty and doing what’s right.” I look out over the lecture hall filled to the brim with monsters of all ages and sizes, a sea of red as I beg for their understanding.
Beg for a monster’s life, how strange.
“I didn’t know what my people did. I know that’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth. He kept me alive because he thought I could help, that I knew something, and I did. I wasn’t just any scientist, I was working in their lab. Not on this, but on other research. I was surrounded by them at all times and looked down on for being a woman, so they talked freely around me. I know more than they ever could have thought. I know how they think and what they want. I won’t give it to them, even if it costs me my life. I want to help you. I don’t deserve your mercy after what my people have done, but I’m asking for it anyway. I’m asking for you to let me help you, and if you cannot, I understand, but please, please don’t take this out on Cato. All he is guilty of is loving his people so much, he was willing to break your laws to keep you safe from those who would hurt you.” I look at his brother. “Even if he hated it. Thank you.”
I step back to find Cato watching me, his jaw dropped and eyes warm, before he clears his throat. “We were just coming back from the lab when we were found. I should not have lied. I should have presented the tribe with this when I found out, but I…I wanted to protect you. We had just found a way of life, of safety and freedom, and I was hoping to preserve that. I know it’s wrong, I should have shared my concerns, but I did it out of love, that I promise you. I will not ask for mercy, I will abide by whatever you wish, but if your wishes are for me to step down or for me to be exiled, please know this—I am lucky to have been your leader and see our people grow from such pain, and I hope one day, you can understand why I did what I did.”
There’s murmuring as he steps back, and I take his hand again, suddenly nervous now that my bravery has gone. “Now what?” I whisper, worried for our future.
Despite what may happen, I know I would do it all over again, even if I ended up back here, facing a sea of angry monsters, standing next to the one creature in this world I should hate but don’t. It’s worth it to protect them, to stop what my people were doing and protect this city and these monsters.
Even if they hate me, it was still worth it.
“We live in a democracy, Talia. Everyone gets a say in our tribe,” he murmurs. “A vote will be cast, a vote for our future, for my leadership and exile…and for your death.”
I shiver, and he holds me tighter.
“I will not let them kill you. Despite everything I fight for to keep our freedom, I would say the hell with it all if that’s what it came to, to keep you safe.”
“We vote!” Cato’s brother yells, but he looks back at me with a considering look before his gaze moves to his friend. He’s worried for him. Despite his hatred for me, he’s worried for his brother and what this means. He was just doing his duty as well, and I understand his abhorrence of my kind.
The voices all blend into one, and I close my eyes, waiting on their answer. A species who has been nothing but hurt by humans is deciding my fate. Fitting, I suppose, but I can’t blame them if they call for my death. I knew the risks when I came over the wall.
I open my eyes, watching as sheets of paper are passed down to the front and given to an older monster, who starts to read them and count. Cato squeezes my hand and looks down at me, his voice lowered just for me. “Whatever happens, trust in me, okay?”
I nod. “Aways,” I murmur, squeezing back. “Thank you for saving me that day.”
“You saved me, Talia,” he whispers as a yell goes up.
We both turn back as the man stands. “The votes are in. For Cato, our leader, the vote is clear. You will be forgiven for this transgression, but do not let it happen again. Despite everything you have done for us, your duty must still come first.”
