ELIA
Elia stood in the middle of the room, staring at rich, patterned carpet, her head spinning.
Gahrye was out in the hallway, speaking with the Guardian Kalle, trying desperately to find something they could use. Learn from. Figure out how to anticipate this… what was this? What was she?!
Gahrye thought she'd almost shifted.
But that was impossible. It couldn't be. It physically couldn't be. She was human, not Anima!
Then she looked at her belly and realized not only who, but what was growing there. What she and Reth had made.
A wave of joy cascaded over her that crested in a jagged hammer blow of grief and fear.
Reth should be here. He should know this. He would be excited, she was sure—and protective. He would fuss, and kiss her, and…
Tears blurred her vision. How was she going to do this without him?
How was she going to do this at all? She was human!
