Yenn mutters under her breath, but the bees will be listening to a different language.
Solma sees the Gatra shift, anxiously. Many have never been this close to the insects and these tiny, strange creatures make them nervous.
The skin on the back of Solma’s neck prickles as the air thickens. She wets her lips, wondering if anyone else senses the change. The Whisperers do. Habu squirms. King clutches the side of his head. Mamba and Cobra both jump as if they’ve been stung. Mamba puts his arm around Cobra and meets Solma’s eye with an unspoken question.
What if they can’t do this?
And Solma knows there’s only one answer. They have to try.
A low rumbling comes from the hive and the air trembles with anticipation. Solma forces her hand to release the hilt of her knife. The low keening o
