The teaching began at dawn. Every day. Without exception. Without rest.
The seven Darks took turns. Each one teaches baby Hope something different. Something essential. Something that would help her control the power their love gave her.
Dawn taught her about restraint. About choosing not to act. About understanding that power unused was sometimes more valuable than power used.
"Small Hope," Dawn said gently. It had taken them to call her that. Distinguishing her from big Hope, the fragment. "You want toy. The toy is far away. You can make a toy come to you. Can use power. Can shift reality. But should you?"
Baby Hope looked at the toy across the room. Looked at Dawn. Thought about the question.
"Want toy," she said simply.
"Yes. You want toy. But wanting is not needing. Desire is no
