“First. How dare you mock the one being who may be our answer. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Selena spoke the truth. It was our fault the humans were left unprotected, and pure humans are extinct.” His eyes roamed the politicians before meeting mine once more. “Selena, if we gave you your freedom, would you allow us to create a research team to study only you? We would leave your offspring in peace. By doing this, you would be able to travel the stars whenever you wanted—but I hope you would allow one team member to travel with you. Does that sound reasonable?” Mentally, he added, “Just state everything we agreed on to make it official.”
“This better not be a setup. I am already angry at a group of males, grouping you with them wouldn’t be hard,” I said, studying the Assembly representatives.
“Why would I ruin potentially the only chance I have to assist my daughter in finishing my deceased bond-mate’s research?”he asked, his voice laced with irritation.
“Because I am used to others—especially males—taking without asking. Pardon me if I feel a little defensive about this deal,” I said, peering at the Circuli representatives. There was a female and male pair for both Circuli species, and all four watched me with stern expressions.
Why would they be angry at me?
I jerked my head away to prevent the members in the room wondering why I had stopped speaking. Mwe nodded when I returned my gaze to his.
“Chamber Master Mwe and the Assembly… I don’t believe I should be forced into experiments and treated as a product—an object—once again,” I paused at the rumblings of the representatives. I held my hand up the way I saw Mwe do earlier, and he mimicked my action. Once the room fell silent again, I lowered my hand and continued.
“I understand the significance of the research that is needed to solve fertility problems with multiple species in the CEG. Because of this, I would allow a research team to be created; but I want my nestmate, Master Scholar Xylo, and his team to be in charge of assembling and leading it. They know my limits and would respect them without hesitation. By agreeing to this, I want all of my offspring—current and future—to be protected from any experimentation or research, unless accepted by either me or them.” I sighed. “I understand why you want a team member to accompany me; I don’t fully agree with it, but I hope they will respect my privacy when I want it.”
“Thank you, Selena,” Master Mwe smiled. “Is there anything else you want to add?”
Gathering the capped anger I felt toward the group of males behind me and the raw freshness of the dark memories with the Yaarkins, I tilted my head in confidence.
“I will only say this once.” I spun around the room, meeting all the representatives’ gazes. “I was not asked to be created. I did not ask for the Yaarkins to alter me. I understand your laws about creating offspring via unnatural means, but just because I was born from a test tube, does not make it my fault. Thanks to Prince Zirene and his army, my creators were hunted and punished for their crimes.” Meeting thegazes of the Aldawi representatives table, I nodded my head before continuing.
“Humans may have been inferior to all the species within these walls, but that doesn’t mean I am. You can’t say that I am, then demand me to be tested because of my superior abilities.” Stepping toward the Circuli’s desk, I gave them a hard stare.
“I know there are those in the CEG who use their freedoms to self-govern their empires and territories. I have aligned myself with the Aldawi… and so has my clan. This alliance prevents them from any backlash by their species’ government.” I turned to face Mwe, meeting his face full of pride. “Prince Zirene has given us protections since we swore ourselves to him. Because of this, my nestmates, my offspring, and I are protected under CEG laws, no matter how I originated. If you do not honor this, you will be breaking your own laws; laws that have protected you since the creation of CEG.”
“Is there any more to add to your closing statement before the Assembly votes?” Mwe asked.
“No. I believe that is it, Chamber Master,” I replied confidently.
Mwe stood and peered at his fellow politicians. He had an elegance to him—one that only comes from maturity and age. The ruffling of his black robe thundered throughout the eerie silence of the chamber. Was it from my closing statement? Or from their Chamber Master’s presence demanding their attention? Was it respect or fear that made them not question him?
“I would like to believe both, but I know that isn’t the case for a few of them,” Mwe said as he held his arms out. It looked like he was praying to the Fates and Stars above.
“Now is the time to vote on whether Selena should beallowed to live among the CEG with no restrictions. She has agreed to allow a research team to study her until the fertility problems in the CEG are cured, or until she can’t provide any more useful data. Her nestmate, Master Scholar Xylo, and his fellow healers would lead the research team. They would be in charge of building their team to help aid the CEG’s needs. None of Selena’s offspring would be studied, unless she gives permission—or they do once they reach maturity.” He lowered his arms and faced them toward me as if he was welcoming me.
“Now, I ask you to determine Selena’s fate, and vote.”
Suddenly, the room came alive. Mwe sat down and watched me as the surrounding chaos unfolded. Politicians were whispering to their fellow representatives. Others grabbed their tablets from their desks and made a selection after a few moments before setting them back down.
This was it. All the studying I crammed in was for this moment. Was it enough? What would happen if it failed?
My fury at my males battled with how upset I was with them for setting me up. I thought Zirene would lead my case. Why did they even bother to come? Emotional support? What emotional support, when they knew I had to prove my case alone, and that others would bring up my past? All without my connections with my nestmates.
Did Zirene have something to do with Xylo and Odelm not warning me about today?
“You should clear your mind from such questions and deal with the males behind you once this is over. Voting has completed, and it’s time for me to make the announcement,” Mwe suggested gently, pulling me from my thoughts.
The room dimmed as a dull light beamed from behind me.
Hovering in the air was a chart of the Assembly floor. There were twenty-seven blocks—sixteen were blacked out,eight were green, two were red, and the remaining one was gold.
“Results are in with eight accepting the planned deal and two denying. Since there was no tie, my vote is not needed,” his deep voice filled the chamber’s walls.
Two species representatives didn’t agree I should be free. Why?
“The Quaww and the Trr’kiki voted against you. I would be wary around them if I were you,” Mwe cautioned, pulling my gaze to him.
Did he warn me about something coming in the future? Or did he know something I didn’t?
