Page 50 of Shadow's Claim

"Prime imprinting leaves psychic traces," Gabriela says, her expression clinically detached from years of adapting to shadow demon rule. "Kael could track you through the hybrid's consciousness if you tried to leave."

The knowledge settles heavily in my stomach. Of course he could. Even in offering protection, Kael maintains his control. But something else in Gabriela's words catches my attention.

"You said 'neutralizing shadow demon influence'—what exactly does that mean for the hybrid?"

Gabriela hesitates, and that hesitation tells me everything I need to know.

"They would... modify certain developmental aspects," she finally admits. "Ensure the child grows with appropriately human characteristics."

The hybrid's distress floods my consciousness, shadow patterns beneath my skin darkening with emotion. "Modify?" I repeat, one hand protectively covering my abdomen. "You mean eliminate the shadow demon genetics that make the hybrid what it is?"

"It's not purification," Gabriela rushes to clarify. "Not like Constantin's methods. The child would still be mixed-heritage, just... balanced toward human development."

But the hybrid's consciousness pushes against my mind with unmistakable fear—not conceptual but visceral. Whatever these "modifications" entail, the developing life within me recognizes them as threat.

Before I can respond, the lights flicker—once, twice, then plunge us into darkness so complete that even the exit signs fail. Emergency protocol. Total power failure.

"That's not maintenance," Gabriela whispers, fear evident in her voice. "That's attack."

* * *

I make my way through the dark corridors using my gut and something else—a new ability to feel the shadows that's grown alongside the baby. Where normal people would be blind, I can make out different shades of darkness, flowing like currents I can almost understand. The baby's mind helps guide me, like it was born knowing how shadows work in a way I'm still learning.

Alarms start screaming as I get close to Kael's chambers, the noise piercing through the darkness. Red emergency lights flicker on, casting a bloody glow across the hallways. Through the windows, I see power outages spreading across the district—not random blackouts, but planned strikes that show someone is attacking the system.

When I reach our quarters, all hell breaks loose. Shadow guards move like liquid, disappearing into walls and reappearing in fighting positions. Above the alarms, I hear the high-pitched whine of light weapons—tech I know too well. The resistance created them specifically to hurt shadow demons.

My heart hammers in my chest as it hits me. I know exactly what's happening. I helped plan these exact attack patterns.

A shadow guard appears beside me, his four arms creating a protective dark shield around me. "Lord Kael wants you in the secure room," he says, his glowing eyes scanning everywhere. "Humans have broken through the outer defenses."

But it's already too late. A flash of light explodes from the corridor ahead, so bright it burns even through my closed eyelids. The shadow guard screams in pain, his body coming apart at the edges where the light touches him.

When I can see again, I spot them—five humans wearing gear that reflects light, each holding weapons that shoot continuous light beams. They're in the standard resistance rescue formation I've practiced dozens of times, designed to create lit paths for getting captured omegas out of Prime territories.

In the middle stands Constantin, his face hard with determination. He's holding an injector with blue liquid visible inside.

"Nova!" he shouts, his voice carrying the authority I once followed without question. "We're getting you out. The path is clear."

The shadow guard beside me pulls himself together enough to form a defense, darkness gathering around him like armor. "Run," he growls, pushing me toward the inner rooms. "Protect the child."

Before I can move, one of Constantin's team shoots a light beam straight at the guard. His shadow body tears like fabric. He makes a sound I've never heard from any shadow demon—a scream of pure agony as the light cuts through him.

I turn to run, but Constantin is faster. In three quick steps, he grabs my wrist, pulling me toward him with a strength I remember all too well.

"Jesus, Nova," he says, eyes going wide as he sees the shadow patterns covering my skin. Even in the red emergency light, the black veins pulse visibly, responding to my fear and the baby's panic. "It's even worse than we thought. The infection has spread through your whole body."

I try to pull away, but his grip tightens. "We have doctors ready," he says, using that calming voice I recognize from past rescue missions. "The purification procedure is all set up. We can get rid of the shadow infection without hurting you."

"Let go of me," I demand, fighting against his hold. The baby's mind pushes against mine in growing panic, feeling the danger in Constantin's words.

He raises the injector, the needle catching the red emergency light. "This will put the parasite to sleep," he explains, like he's doing me a favor. "Keep it from fighting back while we get you out."

"Parasite?" I practically spit the word. "This is a thinking being who shares my mind!"

Constantin's face hardens with that stubborn look I know too well. "That's the infection talking. The shadow stuff is changing your brain, messing with your thoughts."

Behind him, the corridor erupts into chaos as more shadow guards appear from dark corners. Light weapons flash, making a strobe effect of darkness and blinding light. Shadow and light fight each other violently, neither side winning.

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