Through the observation window, Valerius watched his son stand protectively over the hybrid infant while the people who had destroyed his life’s work prepared to sacrifice themselves to save a single premature baby. The irony was not lost on him—decades of research into supernatural enhancement, and the most powerful demonstration of hybrid abilities he’d ever witnessed was a young woman burning herself to protect others.
“Nineteen minutes remaining until facility destruction.”
The countdown continued its relentless march toward zero, but for the first time since activating the sequence, Valerius found himself genuinely conflicted about letting it reach completion.
“Father,” Cassian said from below, his voice carrying through the crumbling observation window, “you taught me that power w
