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The streets of New Aos are bustling with activity. Even those who aren’t invited to the ball tonight fill the streets to discuss what the outcome of the vote will be. Quite a few people greet us as we pass them, wishing us the best of luck. Others simply glance in our direction, not wanting to take one side or the other. I don’t blame them. My father can be rather cruel to those who side against him, and if he wins tonight, he will no doubt make his feelings known to me in his own special way.
The Institute of Science is in a section of town known as the Triangle of Knowledge. As its name indicates, there are three buildings forming a perfect triangle and all of them represent a particular discipline of learning. The Hall of History contains not only fae but also human history. It’s there we hope future generations will learn from past mistakes made by both species. The Pyramid of Art contains mostly fae artwork but that’s only because the vast majority of human art was destroyed during the war. What could be salvaged from humanity’s time on this planet is displayed in a small section at the top of the pyramid.
“Should you have warned your people that we were bringing them a special project?” Oberon asks as we ascend the stone steps outside the science building.
“They’re perfectly capable of handling a surprise,” I assure him. “Finding a way to help those my father has mutated is all they think about. We were on the precipice of going out to find a test subject, but now we don’t need to. Harold’s desire to be transformed may even help the process.”
Oberon pulls open one of the eight stained glass doors at the front of the building.
“How so?” he asks, allowing me and Harold to enter the building first before following us and retaking his place by my side.
“Someone who wants to change will have the strength to endure the procedure. Our simulations show that the machine will work if the subject doesn’t fight what’s being done to them.”
When we reach the glass elevator in the rotunda, the doors automatically open. Harold has to duck his head and hunch his shoulders to enter the small space. He almost loses his disguise, but quick reflexes help him keep the lampshade and shawl on his head.
“You’ll be able to remove that once we reach my floor,” I tell him.
“Your floor?” Oberon appears intrigued. “Why do you call it that?”
“Because it’s my floor,” I say with a smile. “My father isn’t allowed to step foot inside it. I have full autonomy there.”
“How did that happen? He’s king. Can’t he go anywhere he wants to?”
“He may be king, but the Triangle of Knowledge is ruled by a group of scholars. They decide what goes on here, not him. They gave me permission to study whatever I want as long as I keep my projects relegated to the tenth floor.”
“And your father,” Oberon narrows his eyes, “does he have a floor in this building?”
“Huh, no. He doesn’t like having his experiments scrutinized.”
“I can’t imagine why.” His words drip with sarcasm as a look of disdain enters his eyes. “Why does your father hate humans so much? I never quite understood that.”
“He hates anyone who doesn’t submit to his every demand. He only tolerates me because I’m his daughter.”
When the elevator doors open, we all step out. Since the tower itself is round, each of the three main labs are wedge shaped. I lead the men to the testing lab where the machine I mentioned to Ivy is located. There’s only one requirement for the machine to work properly on someone who has been affected by my father’s meddling, and it all has to do with the condition of the brain.
Inside the lab, we find the bare-bones crew present. Most of the scientist have gone home for the evening, but there are a few who usually remain late into the night. This lab is more their home than anywhere else.
One such person looks up from his glass tablet as we enter the room.
“Emily?” Justin pushes his black, wire rimmed glasses on his nose. He could have had his eyes fixed years ago by one of our healers, but he said the glasses gave him a sense of feeling human. Justin is my lead scientist and the very person I wanted to find.
“I brought you a gift,” I say as we make our way to him.
Justin’s brown eyes glance between Oberon and Harold apprehensively. “What kind of gift? Or am I going to regret asking that question?”
Once we stand in front of Justin, I turn to Harold. “You can remove your headpiece now, Harold. You’re safe here.”
Harold does as instructed. When he reveals his wolf head, there is a collective gasp in the room from all present. The remaining five scientists surround us. Their movements and excitement instantly put Harold on guard. He growls at them, baring his teeth. Being the smart people they are, they all back off.
“Harold,” with a gentle touch on his arm, I try to calm him, “it’s all right. Everyone in this room is here to help you become the man you want to be. Do you understand?”
Slowly, Harold stops growling.
“Extraordinary,” Justin says in wonder. “He can understand you?”
“As far as I can tell.” I turn to Justin because there’s one test Harold will have to pass in order to be considered a good candidate for the machine. “I wouldn’t have brought him here unless I thought his brain was more human than wolf.”
“Indeed,” Justin pushes his glasses back on his nose again. At this point, it’s more of a nervous reflex than an actual need to keep his glasses from falling off. “Well, we’ll need to run a few tests to determine that before we can go any further.”
