Page 71 of Shadow's Claim

"We mean no harm," I call out, stepping slightly forward to show my human appearance. "This is neutral territory."

The woman doesn't lower her weapon. "We've heard shadow demons say that before," she answers, voice hard with experience. "Right before they tried to take Briar."

Briar—the child's name. From my hip, Nimara makes a small sound of interest, her shadow patterns pulsing visibly even in daylight.

"We are refugees as well," Kael says, carefully keeping his four arms in non-threatening positions. "This valley exists beyond Prime authority."

The man and woman exchange doubtful glances, clearly weighing their limited options. They look exhausted, clothing torn from their journey through the Anomaly's outer zones, faces gaunt with hunger.

Before anyone can speak again, Nimara wriggles from my grip and drops to the ground. Before I can grab her, she takes three steps forward, small hands raised with palms outward in what somehow looks like a formal greeting despite her tiny size.

"Hello, Briar," she says, voice clear in the still air. "I'm Nimara. I'm like you."

The child behind the adults peeks out, curiosity overcoming fear. I get my first good look at her—delicate features framed by what appears to be actual leaves growing from her scalp instead of hair, skin marked with vine-like patterns that occasionally move of their own accord.

"You're not like me," Briar says, stepping fully into view despite her protectors' attempts to keep her hidden. "You're shadow. I'm plant."

Nimara smiles, and with a gesture that she definitely didn't learn from either Kael or me, she creates a small shadow butterfly that flutters toward Briar. At the same time, one of Briar's leaf-hairs extends, growing rapidly into a tiny flower that blooms as the shadow butterfly lands on it.

"Different outside," Nimara agrees. "Same inside. Both not-one-thing."

The adults watch this exchange with expressions ranging from confusion to wonder. I understand their disorientation—Nimara has that effect on everyone. Six months old and she's already better at diplomacy than I ever was.

"Your daughter?" the woman asks me, finally lowering her weapon slightly.

I nod. "She's a hybrid, like Briar. Shadow demon and human."

Understanding dawns in her eyes. "You escaped the breeding program."

"Something like that," I confirm, not wanting to get into the complicated reality of my relationship with Kael. How do you explain evolving from prisoner to partner, from captive to willing mate? How the fear and hatred transformed so gradually into something else entirely that I can't pinpoint when the change occurred? "We found sanctuary here six months ago, after Nimara was born."

The man steps forward, keeping Briar partially behind him but no longer in defensive posture. "I'm Thorne. This is Seren." He gestures to the woman beside him. "We've been running for two months, ever since the Verdant Expanse's Sovereign claimed Briar for some project called?—"

"Morphos," Kael and I say simultaneously.

Seren's eyes widen. "You know of it?"

"It's why we're here," I explain. "It's an inter-Prime initiative to develop hybrid abilities for..." I glance at the children, not wanting to say too much in front of them, though Nimara likely already knows everything I could tell her.

"For weapons," Thorne finishes bluntly. "They want to turn her into a weapon."

Nimara and Briar have moved closer to each other, seemingly engaged in their own conversation that involves shadow butterflies and rapidly growing plants interacting in patterns too complex for me to follow. Despite their different origins, they seem to understand each other perfectly.

"You can stay here," I offer, the decision made instantly. "The valley is relatively stable, and we have supplies."

Seren studies Kael with lingering suspicion. "And the shadow demon? He just... lives here? With you? Voluntarily?"

It's a fair question. Under normal circumstances, shadow demons don't exactly play house with humans unless claiming is involved. But nothing about our situation has been normal since the moment Nimara was conceived.

"Kael is Nimara's father," I say simply. "Our family exists outside Prime hierarchy."

For the first time, Thorne smiles—a tired expression but genuine. "Then we have something in common." He places a gentle hand on Briar's shoulder. "She's my daughter too. Seren and I were resistance runners from different factions who fell in love. When the Verdant Expanse was briefly occupied by plant creature insurgents, one of them claimed Seren. After Briar was born, we escaped."

A complicated history, but in the post-Conquest world, whose story isn't? What matters is that they're here now, seeking the same sanctuary we found.

"Come," I say, gesturing toward our home. "You need rest and food. We can figure out the details later."

As we walk back, Nimara and Briar lead the way, the older girl showing the younger how she can make flowers bloom in impossible colors while Nimara creates shadow animals that dance around the blossoms. Their laughter—one melodic and echoing, the other rustling like leaves in wind—fills the valley with a sound I haven't heard since before the Conquest: joy.

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