“I’ve learned the hard way that even when I’ve been desperate it’s not a good idea to make a deal with the devil.” I study each person on the council. “It’s hard to know who to trust out here and you don’t know us at all but we’re the real deal. We know what we’re talking about.”
“I’ll admit, Ms. Ramsey, it’s a hard story to digest. We’ll take your plea into consideration but Colonel Hamilton is scheduled to arrive in the next few weeks. We owe him an audience.”
“Wait. There’s one more thing,” I say, feeling the truth bubble in my chest. I look at my friends and I’m met with universal approval. Everyone except Wyatt who stares at the ground in silence. “We’re wanted by Hamilton. We abandoned our positions as bounty hunters. He’s probably also under the impression we kidnapped his daughter.”
“Which is not true,” Zoe says. “For the record.”
“So if you’re here, we’re harboring fugitives.”
“Not only that but in the course of the Hybrid wars, many sacrifices were made. Several of us--” I don’t name names, “--took a booster shot that gave us enhanced abilities. It was temporary and frankly, the only thing that kept us alive.”
Parker gasps and the rest of the room falls into instant chatter. The guards at both doors reach for their weapons. Ms. Perez stands and says, “You’ve just told us how dangerous the Hybrids are and now you admit to being one?”
“No.” I hold my hands up. Ethan moves the knife from the leg strap. Wyatt is a heartbeat behind me, daring anyone to make a move. “No. This is what we’re trying to tell you. The E-TR virus changed us—changed the fabric of humanity. It changed everyone and to survive we have had to take risks. We weren’t lucky enough to live behind the walls of a safe city. I lived forty miles away and had no idea this place existed. Instead, I went through hell and back to fight for humans. In the end I had to make a difficult choice. One that threatened to tear me away from those closest to me, but one that also was the right thing to do.”
“What do you want from us, Ms. Ramsey?” Perez asks.
“We want you to help us fight for the future, the kind with a real leader and not some deranged sociopath that managed to survive The Crisis with twisted logic and sketchy ideas.” I glance at Zoe. “No offense.”
She shrugs.
“We’ll take your concerns into consideration,” Ms. Perez says. “I don’t think anyone on the Council feels comfortable making a decision until we have more facts and an opportunity to talk to Hamilton directly. The idea of using the Mutts as protection may be a good one, but there would have to be limitations. Segregation from the rest of the community.”
“What?” Jude says. I glance back and see his upset expression. “No. That’s not okay. They’re still people.”
“Are the Eaters not still people underneath?”
“It’s not the same thing,” Parker says.
“How do we know that?” Perez asks.
“If you spent any time out there you’d know the difference.”
Perez shakes her head. “I think we’re through here. Since you’re admitted fugitives and we’re under a complicated alliance with New Hope we need you to stay here until Hamilton arrives. I appreciate your information and honesty and I see no reason to place you in the prison cells. You’re welcome to return to the hotel under guard and supervision while we consider everything that transpired today.”
“That’s all? You’ll consider it?” I ask. Wyatt tugs on the back of my shirt and I reluctantly quiet. “Thank you.”
“What about Parker?” Jude asks.
“She can go with you.” She looks down at our friend. “I apologize for keeping you in isolation. We have to take precautions.”
“Don’t waste this opportunity,” I say to the council as Sophia ushers us out the door. “It seems like you’ve got an amazing town. It’s exactly the kind of place people love to destroy.”
Chapter Seventeen
We arrive back at the hotel and Wyatt takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom. His face is grim, jaw tight and set, eyes boring into mine.
“That was very—”
“Stupid? I know, I’m sorry, I’m just tired of lying and being on guard and I just want—”
“Brave.” He steps close and takes my hands in his. “You’re so brave. I’m envious of your strength.”
I snort and run my hands up his arms. His biceps are rock hard. “Me? I don’t think so.”
“I’m not talking physical strength, not exactly. I’m talking about how you fight for us over and over.” The way he looks at me rocks me to the core and I’m terrified for some reason. “You’re the girl who kicks ass. The one that hits back. The one, when the time calls for it, shoots without hesitation. In the end Alexandra, you’ll be the one that saves us all.”
“That’s a lot of pressure.”