Linette crossed her arms. The tendons in her neck were sticking out from how hard she gritted her teeth as she stared through the crowd at Ms. Oliver. A small body collided into my hip, and I looked down to see Ronaldo, wrapping his arms around my upper leg. I pressed a hand to his head and looked around for a guard, but none of them were watching us.
I found Tater on the other side, staring ahead like a zombie. My insides lurched at the sight. I watched as the Senator got to the front and raised a hand, which hushed the area into complete silence.
“You all know the rules,” he said in his polite voice. “Unfortunately, two members of town have broken those rules. There are to be no sexual relationships until you are given permission. There is a time and place. Humanity can no longer allow itself to lack self-control. Let this be a reminder.”
Tears streaked Ms. Oliver’s face as she closed her eyes. I swallowed hard, and closed my own eyes when I saw two Baelese soldiers lining up in front of them. Screw the rules. I pulled Kelsey tightly to my other leg and pressed my hand into Ronaldo’s back, pulling him closer too. Though I was prepared, I still jumped when the guns sounded and the sound of bodies falling filled the air.
All around me, my fellow humans were jarringly silent, hands covering their mouths, eyes filled with moisture or something stronger . . . anger and disbelief. Yes, malevolence filled the atmosphere. Could the Baelese feel it?
I glanced behind me to see the nearest guard about seven feet away, but ten people stood between us. I stepped closer to Linette’s back.
“Mating begins in four days,” I whispered. “The Senator is not participating.” She made no show of having heard. I smoothed Kelsey’s hair back, then tweaked Ronaldo’s chin. “Be good, both of you. Listen to Ms. Linette.”
They nodded with tearful eyes.
Linette bent to scratch her ankle, whispering without looking at me.
“Find out exactly when the other ships are coming. And the code to the gate.” She walked away, gathering the kids, not looking back.
Unless that information fell into my lap by dumb luck, there was only one way I could obtain it. At the moment, getting close to the Senator was less appealing than ever.
I joined the Senator in the back seat of the vehicle, this time with a steel coat of armor around my heart. I didn’t cry on the way back to the palace. He slumped in his seat, staring out. In his hand, draped across his leg, I saw a slight tremble.
I refused to feel bad for him.
