Page 16

Chapter Thirteen

Communication

Cordelia

Click.

Click.

The sound echoes in my mind. replaying like a mantra. The salt air clings to my skin, not from the beach but from the blood.

The spores.

Under my thick lashes, I look over at Chase who tries to conceal the bite on his arm. But I saw.

I saw the man's teeth tear into his flesh like a delicacy…

I wonder if Tate saw it… if he realizes what’s happening. My brows furrow as I study Chase. What are you hiding? I didn’t say a word on our way back as Tate carried me. They think I’m shocked, but what do you call someone so excited that they go inwards to understand.

To logically comprehend the events.

But we can get back to that later, right now, there’s something more urgent.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Tate is sound asleep with Chase in his arms, as I stare down at my phone screen. I hold back the scream that wants to rip through my throat, my excitement rippling off of me in waves.

That wasn’t pain… that was communication. I’m sure of it.

Chase groans in his sleep, sweat beading along his brow. He looks pale. His hand clutching his arm. I quietly start moving closer until my hands hover over the wound. Biting down on my lip, I try to calm myself of this excitement that I’m feeling.

‘This isn't normal, Cordelia,’I keep repeating to myself as I peel his shirt away from his arm.

As expected, the bite is irritated–red and swollen.

Small, translucent filaments flow out of the wound, but quickly retract like self-preservation.

His pulse is slow but loud—almost like it’s not his own anymore.My mouth curls into a sly grin as I lean into the wound.

My tongue darts out, flattening out on the site.

The taste of iron and dirt floods into my mouth as I lick over the wound.

Testing my own little experiment…

The filaments twitch at the heat of my breath.

Curious. Hungry .

This weekend will prove to be everything and more…

Chase thought he had secrets of his own, but I’m like smoke, everywhere so penetrating that it’s impossible to remove.

Even Daniel tried to one up me, stealing from us like I wouldn’t have noticed–the pictures he took, the notes from Tate’s experiment.

But all it did was fuel my never ending enthusiasm to create something greater…

I wouldn't only study–I was the experiment, and this island will be the birthplace of my legacy. Licking up my saliva from the bite site, I pull away, savoring the taste of him–turning into something completely mine. There won’t be room for anything but us.

Sharing our network. Our own bubbles…

And all thanks to my beautiful boy–who played a game with no chance of winning, but opened the door for me to consume.

To win…

Laying beside him, I close my eyes, take a deep breath in, and get ready for the madness that’s awakening.