Nozzrefetei pushed her swollen body through the hole she had commanded her drones to dig. The tunnel collapse had been a minor inconvenience for her, delaying her ascension yet again as she pursued her prey. But she didn’t let the setback bother her. After all, waiting was what her kind did best.

Extending her crystalline forelegs, Nozzrefetei pulled herself through the hole one slow inch at a time. Technically, the tunnel was wide enough for her to pass through. Afterall, that was what she had asked for, and her drones were meticulous in following commands. That was what she kept telling herself over and over again as the rock scraped against her immaculate exoskeleton, which most definitely did not annoy her. Not one bit. Who cared if her pristine natural armor with all its sharp angles that refracted light in just the right way was damaged? Her elusive prize was more than worth any damage her current form underwent. Once she feasted upon the succulent power of her prey she would molt and grow another, more beautiful exoskeleton. One that would rival the Nest Queen herself!

Then, and only then, would Nozzrefetei show the rest of the queens in waiting that they had made a terrible mistake in relegating her to the outskirts of the nest! Oh yes. She would outshine them all!

At least, that is what she kept telling herself as she felt yet another seam in her exoskeleton crack under the pressure.

It was a good thing her hunt had proven far more lucrative than she had initially imagined. Never in living memory had she feasted upon so many sentients in such a short time. None of her sisters certainly hadn’t. Not for centuries if the Nest Queen was telling the truth. Yes, the drones had done their jobs well in capturing and preparing her meals, almost to the point where she might have to elevate some of the more resourceful ones.

The key word being almost.

She alone controlled her brood, manipulating their weak minds with hundreds of telepathic strands that wove together into an intricate web of mental dominance. Even now, Nozzrefetei stood in the center of that web, pulling, directing, snipping, and building connections with the delicate ease of a master born to rule.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Her drones were effective because she directed them to be, like little extensions of her will to ambush and prepare her meals with the very venom she gifted them. Venom that was essential in breaking down bodies so she could feast without harming her pure astral form. Every one of those sentients had grown her power. Power that she would use to elevate some of her drones if she so chose. Or she could use it for herself.

In Nozzrefetei’s mind, there was never even a question.

When she had been relegated to the outskirts, Nozzrefetei had been forced to elevate four of her larger drones into Strikers. Why? She had needed the protection of loyal servants to tame the wild fringes of their society. Well, that and every queen, no matter her station, needed a retinue. But that was then. Why would she need more Strikers when her drones could handle whatever threat they came across?

Besides, her pawns were simply fulfilling the role she had relegated them to, which was to serve her.

Yes, she could feel many of them dying up ahead, but that didn’t bother Nozzrefetei in the least. She could always birth more drones.

After long minutes of interminable shuffling, Nozzrefetei finally felt her forelegs fold over the lip of the entrance. She was close. So close she could sense it. Ever since that pure, fledgling astral mind had brushed against her mental web, she had known her time to exact revenge against her sisters was at hand! Adding his power to her already engorged body would be exactly what she needed to achieve her next evolution.

The foolish being had even removed the Nest’s jailors! For decades, she had sat waiting for even the smallest of openings within the accursed slimes overwhelming presence. And now they were simply gone! Slain by her prey’s own hand.

Yes, it was her time. First, she would feed upon the astral sentient’s flesh, ascend to a higher form, and then she would take her place within the Nest.

As Nozzrefetei pulled herself from the tunnel, a piece of her exoskeleton broke off, clattering to the ground. With an exasperated twitch of her mandible-like jaws, she skirted forward, anxious to be about her business. Four Strikers fell in around her, exactly as she had directed them.

In moments, they came across the remains of two smaller sentients, already bound in spider silk and ripened enough for her to safely consume.

More drone minds vanished from Nozzrefetei mental web, but she didn’t mind. After all, there were more sentients to devour.