Page 10 of Dissent (The Dissenter Saga #1)

W hen my alarm went off, I was up and out of bed, rushing to prepare for the assembly.

I didn’t want to be late. Raúl and Jacob hadn’t come home last night—too busy working and preparing for today, I presumed.

But that meant I didn’t have the opportunity to pounce on Jacob to get the details.

A part of me expected Belinda would ride to the arena with me.

That was what normal mothers and daughters did, right?

But the thought of having to sit in a confined space with her for any length of time caused my whole body to shutter.

I tried to shake it off.

Tap, tap.

“Miss Mara, are you ready?” It was Chelsea, her usual fire missing.

“Come in.” She entered, her uniform better pressed today, and her hair even more neatly tied back into a bun.

She wasn’t perfect, by no means, but it was the best I had ever seen her.

“Good morning, Chelsea,” I offered. It was my way of extending an olive branch.

Her eyes looked to mine, and I could see something within them.

Fear.

Tightness swarmed my chest. I didn’t want her to be afraid of me. Sure, she drove me nuts, but…I was a nobody. I was no one to be afraid of. I was just Mara, the girl with no mom and no hope of a future I could even come close to enjoying. For all my money and riches, in the end, I had nothing.

Chelsea didn’t return the greeting. She took a deep breath before speaking.

“Mistress Belinda has already left for the assembly. My instructions are to make sure you leave the house by eight. The household staff are also required to report to the assembly, but we’ll leave after you. I’ll clean your room once I’m back.”

A glimmer of hope skipped through me. I didn’t have to deal with Belinda this morning!

Relief swelled from my core. One less thing to worry about.

I was so distracted by the good news that I didn’t even notice when Chelsea left.

I snatched my mini-tab and strapped it to my wrist, quickly glancing at the screen.

No messages.

I grimaced. What the hell was up with Chase? He was definitely mad at me, no doubt about it. I rubbed my brow, biting my bottom lip. I didn’t want to ruin my relationship with him. Tapping the screen, I messaged him again.

Mara: Hey, are you mad at me? I’m getting worried about you. Can we talk after the assembly today?

With that, I turned my attention to the tangled mass that was my brown hair and neatly combed it back into a tight ponytail.

I changed into a white blouse and tan dress slacks.

Inspecting myself in the mirror, I made sure I looked presentable.

Raúl would want me to look my best, but I fully intended to bump into Chase and wanted to make sure I looked good.

Once satisfied, I peeked at the clock and felt my stomach drop. It was ten past eight. I was late.

Crap.

I ran out the door, through the hallway, down the staircase, and out the mammoth double doors of the estate.

Outside, the limo was waiting. The driver opened the door for me the second he saw me racing down the white stone steps.

The look on his face told me he already knew what I was deeply fearing. We weren’t going to make it on time.

***

The drive to the arena felt like an eternity, and I drummed my fingers on the car door, staring out the window, tapping my foot.

As the limo pulled up to our destination, I closed my eyes and tried taking a deep breath.

The outside of the arena was calm, which meant everyone had already been scanned in.

I wasn’t just a little late. I was a lot late.

I didn’t wait for the driver to open my door. The second the car stopped, I busted out. Without looking back, I ran to the north side entrance, but didn’t make it far before an enforcement officer halted me.

“Present yourself for scanning.”

I groaned, gritting my teeth. I hated retinal scans.

Raúl instituted retinal scans and GPS trackers years ago when rebel activity started.

They were incredibly helpful to the REG, but a major pain in the ass.

I tilted my head up, keeping my eyes open wide as he lifted his handheld monitor and scanned them.

It blinked yellow twice, then flashed green, and then he waved me by.

I took off again, doing my best to run up the marbled stone steps of the arena without killing myself in my heels. That was all I needed, to totally eat it. Flying through the entryway, I glanced at my mini-tab. The time mocked me, silently screaming five past nine.

I could hear Raúl already speaking—punctual, as usual.

Reaching my assigned entrance, I took a deep breath and walked through.

The hall was brightly lit, white marble walls reflecting the glow of the gilded chandeliers above.

I made my way to the elevator and pushed the button.

My foot tapped as I let out a heavy sigh.

Come on! Why did elevators take for-freaking-ever?

I pushed the button again, and then a third time.

Finally, the damn thing dinged, and the doors slid open.

I slipped inside and selected the top floor.

The doors slid shut, and the machine kicked into motion.

Taking a deep breath, I blew it out slowly.

I was going to be in so much shit for being late.

The elevator dinged again, and as the doors opened, I rushed out, following the hallway.

My feet pounded the ground as I whipped around a corner and came to a bright red door with the Telvian crest painted on the exterior.

A REG officer guarded the door and stopped me.

“Halt, citizen. Unauthorized entrance is not permitted.”

“I’m Mara de la Puente, daughter to the President. Citizen ID 1311.”

“Present yourself for scanning.” I scrunched my face, fighting the urge to stomp my feet and screech at the man.

With a deep breath, I relaxed my facial muscles as best as I could and lifted my head, eyes opened wide.

The officer scanned my retinas, waited a moment, and then waved me by when it blinked green.

I wasted no time letting myself in through the door.

The majesty of the arena greeted my eyes.

Nothing but marble white columns and beautifully carved stone work surrounded the place.

It was an oval shape, with stadium-style seating rising high several stories around an empty space in the center.

Subclass citizens sat at the very top while District 2 members sat somewhere in the middle.

Noble Class citizens were located closest to the bottom or in box seats around the arena.

A gust of cool air hit my face, and Raúl’s clean and eloquent voice greeted my ears.

I slipped inside, trying my best not to be noticed.

The Presidential box seat was intended for the de la Puentes, as well as a few other chief government officials.

It looked out onto the grand open space of the arena, right in the middle of the east side.

Thousands of citizens were present for the assembly.

In the center of the arena, three wooden posts had been driven into the ground in a single line.

Raúl, facing everyone who had gathered, spoke into a microphone as his arms opened wide to greet the assembly.

“Citizens, as we gather today in the arena, its beauty and powerful symbol of redemption awes us. This is a place with much historical value to our Telvian history. I called you all forth today to discuss a growing concern for our wondrous way of life and to celebrate. To begin, it is with great pleasure I present to you our new general of the Rebel Enforcement Group. A young man who has shown great promise and will further enhance the security of Telvia as we face the foes outside our walls. I introduce to you General Jacob de la Puente.”

My eyes bulged as my jaw hit the floor. Jacob was being promoted as general of the REG.

It was an incredible accomplishment for him, and would make him the youngest general ever in Telvian history!

Jacob stood from his place on the other side of the box and stepped forward to stand next to Raúl.

He lifted a hand in the air, waving to the masses.

My eyes peeked over at Belinda, who remained seated.

She clapped gently, shoulders back, and a gleam in her eye. I imagined she was brimming with pride.

Jacob put his arm down and stepped in front of the mic.

“It is with great honor that I assume the position as General of the Rebel Enforcement Group. I vow to serve in Telvia’s best interest and to protect all of its citizens from the threat beyond our wall.

Thank you, President de la Puente, for this great honor.

” The audience clapped as he stepped away from the mic.

He shook Raúl’s hand and took his place just behind our father.

Once the crowd settled down, Raúl began speaking again.

“Now, I know you are all aware of the rebellion that has plagued us for what seems like an eternity.

This group, a small band of individuals who are more concerned about themselves than the well-being of all, refer to themselves as Dissenters.

This group has caused destruction, devastation, and death to our grand city, to our government, and to you, the citizens.

As much as I would like to detain these lost souls and reeducate them in the way of our government, as is customary, their atrocities against us have grown in number and in gravity.

The attack against the administrative system was egregious.

I would be lying if I were not to admit that I fear for the wellbeing and safety of all Telvians.