Days passed before Dave spoke to her again through the transmitter inside her head. "I was moved to a different location because your kind are sniffing us out," he explained.

"Is Kyle still with you?" she asked.

"No, they took our prisoners elsewhere."

"I need you to guarantee me his safety or this doesn't work, Dave. How can you do that if you're not even with him?"

"Relax! I'm in a pretty senior position here, you know. People listen to me, and I ordered them not to cut him up. Yet."

"If that's a joke, it's not funny."

"He's safe," Dave asserted. "Do you have any new information for me?"

Tess inhaled and released a big unsteady sigh. "I think Jade is trusting me more. She believes I hate the city, at least. Which is true. So we're united by hatred."

"What else?"

"I can give you all the targets she wants me to scope out. Suspected government hideouts."

"That would actually be tremendously useful. You're fulfilling your purpose."

"A normal person might just say 'thanks,'" she muttered.

"Thank you."

***

That afternoon, Jade called Tess to her office. It was crowded with kids she knew from the school, along with the younger new recruits.

Jade stood and addressed everyone. "I wanted to announce that half of the City's population has now been converted. This is a triumphant accomplishment for our kind, but it is only the beginning. After we're finished here, we will quietly move into other cities across the globe. This is a key part of the Species' broader plan. Your hard work has been and will continue to be rewarded. Thank you."

Jade threw a small party that night, with food and drinks catered by mindless converted humans.

Someone turned a large TV screen onto the news. The Species had taken control of the humans who broadcasted citywide television. This meant everything was portrayed the way they wanted. There was no invasion. There was nothing to worry about. Everything was under control.

The rioters in the streets had cleared out. Many remaining humans were now hiding out, making them a bit more difficult to find and convert.

At the same time, the Species' technology for detecting humans was getting more advanced. Their communicators now showed a heat map of living bodies. As long as people weren't deep below ground or outside the City's border, they would certainly be found.

Tess sat beside Jade now, sipping a sweet alcoholic drink. It felt like their friendship was rekindling as Jade acted softer toward her.

"Do you miss Kyle?"

Tess coughed on her drink in surprise. "Of course," she managed.

"I miss Shaun," she said quietly, tipping back her own shot of brandy. She leaned her head back in her chair and closed her eyes. Tess saw only her friend now, not the sadistic creature she had become.

Dave spoke up in her ear. "You have an opportunity here."

Tess eyed the disarmed Jade, then looked to her guards. Was he insane? He wanted her to attack Jade now?

"We've left a package outside the building," Dave said slowly. "Go get it."

That was a direct order, meaning Kyle was in danger if she didn't comply.

Tess left the room, the guards' eyes following her movements. She walked stiffly down the halls, trying to look natural. Her heart pounded. She focused on moving one foot after the other.

Outside, the night air was cool against her damp skin. The stars were out. She could see the dark ship above, obscuring some constellations.

"It's around the side of the building, hidden behind a short hedge," said Dave.

She searched and found the package within minutes. It was heavy, wrapped in brown paper.

"Unwrap it."

She felt like a puppet, his commands directly moving her fingers, surpassing her brain. She tore into the paper and revealed a grenade-shaped metal object.

"Now you need to be discreet. Go back inside, back to your little party."

"What does it do?" she whispered.

"It's a weapon."

She went back the way she'd left, her feet feeling heavier with every step.

"Keep going, Tess," he said in a soothing voice. "For Kyle."

Rosalie approached down a hallway, holding a wine glass. She eyed the object in Tess's hand, squinting. "What's that?"

Tess froze.

"Stay calm," Dave instructed. "Act as if everything is normal."

"I found it outside," Tess said robotically.

Rosalie shrugged and continued walking, unfazed.

Tess stopped before the entrance to the president's office, where the party was happening. Music and happy voices drifted into the hallway.

"Press the button and throw it into the room."

Tess swallowed and forced her trembling hands to move. There was a sharp click as she pressed the lone button on the device's side. She tossed it into the center of the floor.

Jade met her eyes from within the room as black smoke swirled from the device. She registered what was happening, stood, and vaulted over her desk at Tess. Her eyes were full of murder.

When the smoke met Jade's nose, she was immediately dead weight, collapsing into a pile.

With terror, Tess reached in the slammed the door shut, hoping to seal the chaos inside. She sat with her back against it, but no one tried to force their way out.

"It's been a minute," Dave said with a smile in his voice. "It's safe to open the door."

Tess stood and curled her hand around the doorknob. She inched it open. Inside, the smoke had already dissipated, leaving dozens of unmoving bodies in its wake.