Imago (Xenogenesis, #3)

by Octavia E. Butler

It preferred whatever pain I gave it to the unnatural itch of apparent rejection.

Nikanj had warned me. Helpless lust and unreasoning anxiety were just part of growing up.

Humans were genetically inclined to be intolerant of difference. They could overcome the inclination, but it was a reality of the Human conflict that they often did not.