Page 18 of Mate
“Could you explain why you believed you were Human until last year?”
Peopleadorebeing served a good conspiracy theory. However, one must choose its platter and garnishments very carefully. Take my situation: Icouldtell the truth— that I was under surveillance my entire life because a few despotic members of Human, Were, and Vampyre societies were so power hungry and pathologically unwilling to coexist, theyengaged in a complex web of sloppy but decades-enduring deceit. Problem is, it sounds . . . sketchy. Far-fetched. The responsibility is too diffused.
More importantly, it would only reinforce Humans’ hostility toward the other two species, and there are buckets of that going around already.
That’s why, after agreeing to this interview, Maddie, Lowe, and I put our heads down and workshopped a few talking points. The title of our story isAn Evil Human Ex- Governor Locked Poor Little Hybrid Me in a Basement Because He Hated Peace. It’s palatable. Easy to understand. Might even allow the average Human to feel morally superior.
Theywould never imprison an orphan and lie to them.
Theycould even be inclined to open their hearts to a victim of injustice.
Theymight decide to see Weres as people, instead of glowy-eyed butchering machines.
And in the end, this is what we hope to accomplish: buy goodwill for Maddie Garcia, the new Human governor, and enough public support to make reforms possible.
“My real nature was kept from me. The former governor was afraid that as a hybrid, I had the potential to become a symbol of unity between Weres and Humans— an unwelcome one, since his political career was based on divisiveness and fearmongering.”
“You’re talking about former Human Governor Davenport, who unexpectedly died in prison two days ago?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t us, Lowe was quick to say when the news broke of the governor’s death. A little too quick, considering I hadn’t even asked.
You sure about that?
Tragically, yes.Koen sounded disappointed.Though his Vampyre and Human accomplices may have had something to do with it. His death is very fortuitous for them.
My demure nod and murmured “Yes. May he rest in peace” should earn me several acting award statuettes. “He knew that I was half Were.”
“How?”
“That, we’re still researching. Unfortunately, I don’t have many memories of the first few years of my life, or of my parents. All we know is that by the time I was seven, I was living in a Human orphanage in The City. I suspect that through some routine checkup, one of the doctors realized that I was part Were and alerted Governor Davenport.” None of what I just said is a lie, which is highly unusual on my part.
“And what did Governor Davenport do?”
“At the time, he knew I was genetically half Were, but I presented as Human. Still, he thought it best to keep an eye on me.”
“And that’s why you grew up in the Vampyre Collateral’s mansion, as Misery Lark’s companion. She was the second- to- last Collateral before the program was discontinued.”
“Correct.”
“And when did you start exhibiting Were traits?”
“About two years ago.”
“By then, you were living freely in Human society, correct? Was Governor Davenport still watching you?”
I nod. “He had me abducted and imprisoned for several weeks.”
“Why?”
“I believe he felt threatened by the Human public’s possible reaction to my existence. At the time, Maddie Garcia’s gubernatorial campaign was picking up steam, and she was later elected. It was clear that many voters wanted to see some changein the Were-Human relationships, and Governor Davenport thought my presence might galvanize them even more.”
“Did he act alone?”
“As far as I know.” Blatant erasure of the Vampyres and Weres he was in cahoots with. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it when we meet again, in hell.
“How did you get free?”
