Page 65 of The Monster's Daughter
No.
I surge forward, claws out, and tear the thing open. Inside, buried in the fluff and cotton, is a black node. Smooth. Old.
But not dead.
It’s pulsing.
It hums with life.
On the surface, etched in microscopic runes.
Nulegion.
“Vessel complete.” she mutters out of the blue before she goes limp.
My blood turns to frost.
“Bella!” I roar.
The whole apartment shifts. Lights flicker. A static charge buzzes under my feet.
Natalie jerks. Her body goes stiff—then collapses.
I catch her before she hits the floor.
She’s not breathing.
No no no.
Bella crashes through the door a second later, breathless and wild-eyed. “What—Kage?! What’s happening?!”
I lift Natalie gently, cradling her like she’s made of glass. Her chest rises but slowly. Too slow.
“She said—” My voice is shaking. “She said ‘vessel complete.’ She wasn’t… it wasn’thervoice.”
Bella’s face drains of all color.
Her eyes fall on the destroyed stuffed animal. The node.
“Oh my God.”
“She’s been tagged. Since infancy.”
Bella’s hand flies to her mouth.
I rise, cradling our daughter.
Because that’s what she is now.
Ours.
And she’s in danger.
Bella’s lip trembles. “It’s not over.”
“No.” I meet her eyes, my voice a growl, raw and broken. “Nulegion is still alive.”
I clutch Natalie tighter.
