Page 32 of Pet: Torment

“So, the hours are longer here,” I say, earning a smile from Remus.

“Yes.Xyrannisis slightly larger than Earth, so the hours are about thirty for a day as opposed to the twenty four you are used to,” Remus says, confirming my suspicions.

“It must have felt like you were always in a rush on Earth,” I scoff.

Remus shrugs, his attention falling to the notes I took. He isn’t just passing by. He came in here to spend time with me specifically, even after the long day he had where he spent most of it at a trial.

“Can I ask how the trial is going?” I ask.

“You can ask me anything you like,” he says without missing a beat. “But to answer your question, it’s going as well as one would hope. His sentence will be passed on by the end of next week if things continue to run smoothly.”

“And why wouldn’t they?” I ask.

“Leviathan are welcome to plead for his sentence. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few came forward to ask for leniency,” he says.

I shake my head in confusion. “Leniency? And you would just…give it to him?” I ask.

Remus shrugs.

“It is the council’s decision, not mine,” he says.

I scoff in disbelief, pulling his attention.

“Why is that even a possibility? The council wasn’t there. Why do they decide what happens?” I ask.

Remus notices my irritation, his expression falling blank as he studies me.

“Iriel is a Leviathan citizen who put his race at risk. And so, the council decides what happens to him. If those who are a part of his race feel the need to plead on his behalf, then the council is compelled to listen and take it into account,” he says.

“That’s bullshit,” I snap.

Now I have Remus’s full attention. He turns away from the shelf, standing tall as he closes the distance between us. I can’t tell if he is being threatening or just listening to my complaints, as my body is both terrified and excited that he is so close.

“Oh?” he asks.

I tense when I see the blue flecks within his irises gleaming in excitement.

“He…used us. All of us. Leniency shouldn’t be an option. He’s a coward who deserves death,” I murmur.

Remus laughs. “I’m sorry, but that isn’t how things work onXyrannis.”

I release a bitter chuckle.

“Only on Earth, right? Humans who fought for their homes are given instant death without a trial, or worse, become slaves to your empire. But Leviathan, who plot against their own and their entire race, get a fair trial. And the possibility of leniency,” I say.

Remus wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him. His warmth is overwhelming.

“Yes. Because you are the conquered, so you do not make the rules,” he says simply.

I try to push away from him, but his grip tightens around me, his face devoid of amusement. He’s realizing I am upset.

“Come now, Iris. I thought you put this behind you,” he says in disappointment.

My heart beats slightly faster from his tone and the strength of his grip. But my mind instantly shifts to his words to me before we left Earth.

“You won’t ever have to worry about my wrath ever again.”

“Let go of me, Remus,” I say. My voice gives away how I feel, and I feel Remus’s grip tighten slightly before he finally releases me.