COLD STEEL, BLEEDING HEARTS
she screamed, but her voice barely carried.
She looked over at the eggs. One started to crack open. A tiny creature crawled out—winged, covered in glowing fur. It didn’t have fangs or claws. Just big, trusting eyes. It curled up against Maya’s leg, thinking she was its mother.
Everything twisted in that moment. The Hive wasn’t some terrible weapon. It was life, brand new and innocent, just trying to survive.
“Catherine,” Maya said, locking eyes with her aunt. “You have to get Julian out. Tell him I died in the blast. Make him leave. That’s the only way he’ll be safe.”