Page 57 of Shadow's Claim

Dr. Grey's hands freeze over the keyboard, his already pale face going ashen. "You heard this... where?"

"In the service stairwell," Kael answers, shadows darkening around him. "Researchers named Vestra and an unnamed human colleague."

"Vestra is head of Accelerated Development," Dr. Grey says quietly. "The Morphos Project is... not official Academy research. It's Sovereign Obscura's private initiative, run through black-site laboratories outside regular oversight."

"And they want our child for this project?" I ask, feeling sick.

Dr. Grey nods slowly. "The transfer order specifies immediate transport to Central Research after birth. That's the euphemism they use for the Morphos facilities."

The hybrid's consciousness pushes against my mind with clear distress, sensing the danger in our conversation. I place my hand protectively over my abdomen, feeling the shadow patterns pulse with increased intensity.

"We won't let that happen," I say, as much to the hybrid as to the others in the room. The fierce protectiveness in my voice surprises even me—when did this life growing inside me become so precious? When did I start thinking of it as ours rather than his?

Dr. Grey finishes his documentation, submitting it to the administrative system with official medical override codes. "This will hold them temporarily," he says, then turns to face us fully. "But you need to understand something. The Academy isn't truly neutral territory. Obscura maintains ultimate authority here, just as everywhere in the Shadow Dominion."

"Then where can we go?" I ask, the weight of our situation settling heavily on my shoulders. "If nowhere is beyond Obscura's reach..."

"I don't have answers," Dr. Grey admits. "Only temporary measures to buy time."

Kael has been unusually quiet, his glowing eyes focused on the medical scans still displayed on the doctor's terminal. "The shadow integration patterns," he says suddenly. "They're forming connections beyond normal hybrid development."

Dr. Grey follows his gaze, frowning slightly. "Yes, I noticed that as well. The neural networks show unusual configuration—more complex than typical shadow-human hybrid pathways."

"What does that mean?" I ask, looking between them.

"It means the offspring is developing abilities that might exceed both parent species," Dr. Grey explains, his clinical tone barely masking excitement. "Theoretically, the combined genetics could create capabilities neither shadow demons nor humans possess independently."

The hybrid shifts inside me, its consciousness brightening as though responding to this discussion of its potential. I've felt its developing abilities—the way it sometimes shares perceptions with me, how it strengthens my connection to shadows. But the idea that it might develop powers beyond what even Kael possesses is both thrilling and terrifying.

"Which is exactly why Obscura wants it for the Morphos Project," I realize aloud.

Dr. Grey nods grimly. "Precisely. Unique hybrids with exceptional abilities are the project's primary focus."

"Then we need more than temporary sanctuary," Kael says, his four arms creating patterns in the air that manipulate nearby shadows. "We need a permanent solution."

"There is no permanent solution within the Shadow Dominion," Dr. Grey responds, voice dropping lower. "Obscura's authority is absolute. Even territorial rights can be overridden for matters deemed essential to shadow demon future."

A heavy silence falls over the laboratory. The hybrid stirs restlessly inside me, its consciousness projecting emotions too complex for simple words—fear and determination, confusion and resolve, all mixed together in a swirling storm of feeling.

And then, something unexpected happens. A clear image forms in my mind—dark water, endless depths, a stillness beyond shadow. It doesn't come from my thoughts or memories, but from the hybrid itself.

"The Yellowstone Anomaly," I whisper, the words coming from nowhere and everywhere at once.

Both men turn to stare at me.

"What did you say?" Dr. Grey asks, his professional composure cracking.

"The Yellowstone Anomaly," I repeat, the hybrid's consciousness growing brighter in my mind. "The unstable area with ongoing dimensional fluctuations."

Kael's shadows darken around him, his massive form tensing. "How do you know of this?"

I blink, confused by their reactions. "I... I'm not sure. It just came to me." But that's not entirely true. The knowledge came through the hybrid, a concept pushed into my mind from its developing consciousness.

Dr. Grey and Kael exchange a look heavy with meaning I can't fully interpret.

"The Anomaly is forbidden territory," Dr. Grey says carefully. "The dimensional instability makes it dangerous for both humans and Primes. That's why it remains unincorporated into any territory, despite being surrounded by Prime-controlled land."

"But it's also beyond Obscura's authority," Kael adds, his voice thoughtful. "Beyond any Prime jurisdiction, technically."

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