Page 28 of Pet: Torment

“Remus, if something is going on with you, you need to talk to her. She will know what to do,” Xion says.

I shift my attention to her. I see the concern in her eyes. Xion knows how dangerous it is for me to lose control. There’s a devastated planet on the edge of our solar system that can attest to that.

“Do you think what happened at the council meeting has something to do with the visions?” she asks.

I nod.

“Maybe. They’ve become more vivid lately. I thought I had everything figured out, but if these are my memories…then what the hell am I? What am I capable of? How did something thatgruesome get so buried within me that I can’t remember it?” I ask.

Xion places her hand on my shoulder, offering me a soft smile.

“You’re my brother. You’re our leader. You’re the one responsible for this empire and for all the victories. And you would do anything to keep us safe. Don’t overthink it. It could just be your essence playing tricks on you for bonding to a human. There’s a reason she told us never to bond to a weaker species. Just go see Mother. She’ll have the answers,” she says.

I release a deep breath, my attention shifting back to the courtyard when I see another person joining Iris. It’s the woman Ezra took from Earth.

Sky.

“Ezra has arrived,” I say.

I note Xion still has a concerned expression on her face.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let things get out of hand. I’ll go see her soon.”

Trials onXyrannisare a rarity. The customs onXyrannisand Earth are extremely different when dealing with offenders of society. If an act is done against an individual, it is left up to that individual how the offender will be punished. Only if an individual commits a crime against the Leviathan society as a whole is there a trial. And unlike Earth, it is not a jury of peers who decides what happens to them. It is the council. And it is a very public event.

Today, however, it is between us, the council, and Iriel as we prepare for his trial.

The door to the chamber opens, and Iriel steps in with his hands in energy cuffs. His face is set in a stern and indifferent expression, but I know him better than he knows himself. And underneath the outward anger, he reeks of fear. His face still has hideous bruising from my attack that day, and I find myself wishing I could snap his jaw once again for everything he’s done.

Iriel’s eyes shift past the council members to where I and my siblings sit. He smiles, shaking his head.

“Iriel. You have been brought before the council to answer for your crimes against the Leviathan society. You have been found to have given important confidential information to rebels, given them access to our technology and weapons, and conspired to kill the son of our founder and savior. You have been the cause of hundreds of needless deaths on a colony world, and for this, you have been brought before the council to decide your fate.”

Acacius, one of the elders on the council, stands as he reads Iriel’s crimes aloud. But Iriel isn’t focused on him. His eyes remain on us, shifting between me and Ezra.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Acacius asks.

Iriel laughs.

“Does it matter? You will all follow yourAureon’sdecision, regardless,” he says.

I stand.

“So, you are angry with leadership then? That is why you betrayed your planet?” I ask.

Iriel’s eyes widen slightly, but he composes himself.

“I saw Earth for what it was. I have given my life to the armada, and I deserve to rule—”

“Oh? Because when you were given the chance to rule—to evenfightfor what you deserved, you ran, shielding yourself behind a human. The entire time, you hid behind humans, letting them run you. That is the mark of a coward. And I am disgusted that Iever saw something in you and chose you to be a part of this,” I say.

I gesture to Acacius as I sit, watching Iriel’s expression as Acacius reads off the results of the trial.

“Iriel. If you are found guilty, you will not serve your days in prison. Since you conspired to kill one of the Divine Three, your life will be his to decide. And anyone who shares your blood will be cast from this society,” Acacius says.

Iriel visibly pales, stumbling as he realizes what this means.

“Do not worry, Iriel. It is not me who will pass your judgment, but my brother who you focused your anger on,” I say, gesturing to Ezra.