Adulthood Rites (Xenogenesis, #2)

by Octavia E. Butler

Later he realized he had actually tried to become her, to join with her as he might with his closest sibling. It was not possible.

keep quiet, they suppose it’s because the truth is terrible. I think we’re as much symbionts as their mitochondria were originally. They could not have evolved into what they are without mitochondria. Their earth might still be inhabited only by bacteria and algae. Not very interesting.”

the life source that was wife, mother, sister,