DAUGHTER
He watched his child play.
She would never know, but the little girl was hers too.
That last time 452 was a guest of the Conclave they had taken some eggs. When Ames was selected as the candidate to provide the other half for a hybrid experiment, he'd been equally disgusted and proud – they had chosen him as the strongest genetic material for a twisted creature that went against all their teachings.
But stood outside the delivery room, watching through thick glass as the surrogate mother red-face and panting commanded her body to obey, Ames felt a surge of warmth for this tiny person. Instinct or memory, of another woman, another child; the new baby was a second chance, a second child he could teach and nurture. He could watch her grow and she'd never be taken from him by the enemy. By his Superiors, maybe – but only for her education, and never kept from him, merely put on the path of her destiny.
The child in the school room, not yet three years old and playing quietly; unaware that she learned an intentional lesson from her toys, unaware of her father's regard – that he watched with love and pride, never distaste at her mixed heritage. She was stronger and faster and smarter than her peers and they shunned her – jealous like kids are, but also prompted by the whispered words of their parents.
Ames watched the little girl play.
She would never know.
But was that good enough for his daughter...?