Page 51 of Glitter Rose
“For how long?”
“Ten years. Started when I was nine.” The memories of sterile labs that smelled of bleach, needles that burned going in, and my father’s face, clinical and detached as he recorded my symptoms, flood back. “Sometimes I think he stopped seeing me as his daughter. I became his project. His miracle in the making.”
Knox’s jaw tightens, but he stays silent.
“The thirteenth attempt nearly killed me. Organ failure. Seizures.” My lips twist into something that’s not quite a smile. “The fourteenth saved my life. Fixed whatever genetic fuckery was wrong with me in the first place.”
“And that was it? He cured you and moved on?”
“No. That’s when the real work began.” This is the part that matters. The truth I’ve carried alone. “The treatment that saved me. He kept refining it. Kept studying how it changed my immune system. How it made me… different.”
“Different how?”
“I—”
He reaches for my discarded top, hands it to me like he senses my growing discomfort. I drag it over my head, grateful for the barrier it provides.
I meet his eyes. “BC-7 exists because of me, Knox.”
His entire body goes rigid. “What did you just say?”
“The treatment that saved me…” I hide behind my hands. “What if I told you that everything out there—all of it—exists because my father couldn’t let his sick little girl die quietly? I don’t know how it got out or why it affected everyone else differently, but I know it started with me.”
“Your father.” His voice drops to a dangerous whisper. “What’s his name?”
“Jacques Green.” I lower my hands. “He’s dead. Died before it all started.”
His lips part. “Green? Your last name is Green?”
“Yeah? Paris Green. Not exactly a state secret.” Something cold slithers up my spine at his expression. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Gabriel Green. That’s your brother?”
“He took over after my father. The news were?—”
“Fuck.” He stands, pacing. “Fucking hell. I almost brought you there. I almost?—”
“What’s happening?” I stand too, confusion turning to panic. “Do you know him? I haven’t seen Gabriel since before the outbreak.”
“Or he sent you to find us.” He whirls on me, eyes cold. “Was that the plan? Seduce the scout? Get information about our location?”
“What?” I extend my hand, but he steps back, avoiding my touch like I’m contaminated. “Knox, you’re scaring me.”
“Am I?” He scrubs his hands through his hair. “Good. Because I’m fucking terrified right now. I was about to bring you to my community. To the people I protect.”
“And that’s… bad? I don’t understand.”
“I—This doesn’t make sense. Your brother is hunting us, Paris.” Each word drops like a stone. “Capturing people for his experiments. For his little army of enhanced soldiers. To create more people like Gavin.”
“Who the fuck is Gavin?” My voice rises, tears burning behind my eyes. “I don’t know anything about his experiments. I’ve been alone in this penthouse my whole life. I didn’t even know you existed until you crashed into my life.”
“You’re invisible to zombies.” He backs me against the cushioned wall. “Just like Gavin. Just like the others yourbrother is hunting. Why would he leave you if it all started withyou? Did you lie?”
“No. That’s not—Gabriel wouldn’t?—”
“Wouldn’t what? Experiment on people?” He gestures at my scars. “Seems to run in the family.”
Tears spill down my cheeks now, hot and unwelcome. “I don’t know anything about Gavin or enhanced soldiers or whatever the fuck you’re talking about!”
