Page 51 of SummerTime Madness
My stomach drops, jaw tightens, and my restraint snaps, but quickly, Cordelia moves between us. Her hand presses right into the middle of both of our chests.
“No, this was all my plan.”
My brows come together as I study her gaze.
“We did it, Tate.” She smiles. “We created a connection... a purpose.”
I didn’t understand.
Her hand moves away, and I watch as she walks towards the door. Looking down at my hands, I see the same glow.
“Are we infected?”
She shakes her head.
“No, we are connected. We evolved into something that united as one.” I hear her voice in my head but her lips don’t move. Without any further explanation, she opens the door.
Glittery bodies stand by the entrance holding their breath, filaments erupting from their ears, mouth, and nose as they parted ways for their Queen.
“Let them see what evolution looks like. It’s time to bloom, my loves. Let the hive rise.”
Chapter Eighteen
Let the Hive Rise
Cordelia
The doors groan as they open, and the world parts for me. Glitter-slicked bodies sway in slow motion painted with foam, small sprouts erupting from their skin, and blood. Bioluminescent strands pulse beneath their skin like veins made of light.
All tethered to me.
Their mouths hang open–not slack but revenant, as if they held their breath. Waiting.
They don’t touch me.
They know.
They feel me. Hear my voice… my needs and wants. They feel the way my skin thrums, the rhythm of my heart, and the way the spores dance for me, like I'm the eye of the storm.
I step forward, barefoot as the wet ground kisses the soles of my feet, mud sliding between my toes. Warm and alive. I feel it all. Behind me I feel them–panting, glowing, and evolving.
My boys. My tether. My spark.
And the crowd opens for their Queen. With a deviant smile, I walk past them with my head held up high as I think of how it all came to be. How perfect things align when you're meant for the bloom.
Who would have thought that my plans would come thanks to Chase after a late night quickie. He had fallen asleep while I remained awake listening to the rhythm of his heart when the sound of a text notification pulled me from my lover girl moment.
I ignored it at first, but when it pinged again, I peeked and curiosity grabbed me by the throat. Dr. Elias.
Careful not to wake him, I pick up his phone, type in his password, and read the message.
“Professor Johnson gave me the information I needed. Whoever these two are, they are brilliant. I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you did well. The cordyceps adapted, more than adapted–they are thriving within the host.”
And just like that, my mouth went dry. My pulse quickens but doesn’t race. I already knew Daniel was a useful one, and I was aware he had stolen my thesis and notes from labs. Actually, I found them all on his computer. But this is shocking to say the least. Placing the phone back beneath him, I lay back on his chest.
While I formulated my plan... While letting him continue with his. I should have felt betrayed, but my heart felt proud. Finally, my beautiful boy found a way to claw back in, and I know it’s for us.
Everything he does is for us. For love.
