Introduction: The Vex are a monstrous species. A ruthless swarm of man-eaters, and a plague upon any nation unlucky enough to find a hive within their borders. The world over, the Vex are to be killed on sight, lest they grow and consume all in their wake.Rythica is one such monster. A hive queen, no less. Through a quirk of fate, her egg was recklessly smuggled into a human city to be studied. Being raised secretly in a proper society, without ever seeing another Vex, Rythica is forced into a constant internal struggle as brutal and unfamiliar instincts war with the alien life lessons imparted by her unlikely guardians.What is nature and what is nurture?As the first Vex hive queen to ever learn politics, strategy, and more grows towards maturity, the world can only hope that mercy is something that can be taught.Because a Vex never forgives, and certainly never forgets.Note: There are several interlude chapters at the beginning of the book due to the nature of the MC during that time. These POV shifts will become far rarer after chapter 20 or so.We now have a small Discord server!...