UNBREATHABLE by Hafsah Laziaf

imagined my mother’s laugh?
    “The gang's all here,” she coos. “This is perfect, just perfect.”
    I turn and my heart sinks to the dark pit of my stomach. Slate, Dena, and Chancellor Kole are here too.
    “Rhea,” Slate hisses. His eyes are livid, the pale gray as dark as a stormy sky, his hands are clenched and a vein bulges in his neck. There is no love in his eyes now, no conflicting emotions. Only pure anger. Tears sting at the edges of my eyes—they’re my parents.
    “Did you ever think our darling daughter would live, Slate? No. The moment you saw her blue body, you assumed. You were always too... human . Emotional and naïve.”
    “I'm surprised Gage never said a word all these years,” she adds flatly.
    “You knew,” Slate thunders, rushing forward. Chancellor Kole holds him back. Behind the Queen, the soldiers shift their weapons.
    “Oh, yes,” she says, unfazed by his anger. “Gage was a very smart man.”
    “Why keep it from him?” Julian asks, curiously. My heart skips a beat when the Queen narrows her eyes at him, her gaze darting to his hands on my shoulders.
    “I know you,” she muses. “You're the suicidal half-breed. The brother Rowan is always jabbering pointlessly about.” She says suicidal half-breed as if it’s a disease.
    His hands slowly tighten around my shoulders and his breathing quickens. Could he have known the Queen was here when he was tending to Dena? Is that why he was so afraid?
    “I have a job for you, half-breed. A way to make yourself useful to your society, wherever it is you belong.” She adds the last part with a laugh and slides closer to him, closer to me. “Will you tend to my darling princess and protect her with your life? She is, after all, your future queen.” Her question isn't a question. It’s a threat. An order.
    Princess. Me. I realize what she's doing. Where this is going.
    Where I will be going.
    “Julian, isn't it? It’s time you’re treated as the slave you were born as,” she says smugly. His hands freeze.
    Her moonlight eyes are cold and calculating. Waiting.
    “I will serve her, my Queen,” he says finally. His voice is flat with barely controlled anger.
    “It's settled then. You, dear daughter, will be coming with me. It is finally time for you to take your place. You belong at White Plains, not here in this wretched wasteland.” Her face twists in disgust.
    My lips are dry. My mother is the Queen of the Jute. The Queen who wants me so she can get to Earth. I want to turn and run.
    Julian said she doesn’t know why she needs me, but it can’t be for an heir. And she has the upper hand here, so why lie?
    “You won't take her,” Slate growls, coming closer. I had almost forgotten he was there. I rub my arms at his dangerous tone.
    The Queen’s eyes narrow to slits. “I can't take my own daughter? Is that what you're suggesting, Slate?”
    “Don't call her your daughter,” he spits. No one holds him back this time. The Jute soldiers drift forward like creeping shadows. “You didn't give birth to an heir. You wanted a tool. A way to get to—”
    He stops. His eyes widen. “You-Gage-Both of you… you knew all along. You-you used me.”
    “Oh, it was fun, Slate. But the wait has taken forever.” Slate has gone still. Very still. “How did you think Gage tested her blood? Where did you think he found the equipment? He was very loyal until he broke into the Chamber.”
    Slate pales. And I feel the blood drain from my own face. I trusted Gage with my every breath.
    She laughs seductively, denying nothing. “Darling Slate, you still are dashingly handsome. And still so young.” She cups her arms around his head and runs her fingers through his hair. He jerks away and storms to my side.
    I stare in surprise when he shoves Julian away. Anger rages in his eyes. Shame darkens his cheeks. Fury shakes his frame.
    “She's coming with me, Slate,” the Queen hisses.
    “No, Rhea, she isn't.” His voice is low.
    “Do you dare