Page 10 of Monster Queen Rising

"The pregnancy was projected to complete in approximately three more weeks."

"And now?"

"Four days."

My stomach twists. "Have you ever done this before?"

"No."

"So Hollens is your first human test subject."

Silence.

"Answer me."

"...Yes."

"You've never tested it?"

"Only on primates."

"Results."

"Two pregnancies completed successfully."

"And?"

"One animal died."

"From the pregnancy?"

"From the Cascade."

"Can it be stopped?"

Vance says nothing. She watches me.

"Doctor."

"It shouldn't be."

"I didn't ask what you think."

Crull's hand tightens. Her feet leave the floor.

"The important outcome is the fetus."

"The important outcome," I say, "is keeping both the mother and baby healthy."

"There is no reason to stop the cascade."

"There is every reason."

"I won't help you destroy years of work."

I nod and then I call up the Queen.

"Tell me where the medicine to stop the Cascade is. Now."