Finally, Warren spoke, his usual jovial demeanor dropping to reveal something more serious underneath.
"Let Ron be Nova's friend," he said simply. "When they're older. When she's walking and talking and he's not just a kid obsessed with a baby who makes pretty sparkles. Let them grow up knowing each other."
The request hung in the air, disarmingly simple yet weighted with implications.
"Why?" Marcus asked, his vampire instincts detecting layers beneath the surface. "What's the strategic advantage for you?"
"Because," Elise said quietly, her hand finding her son's shoulder where he sat absorbed in making Nova laugh with floating napkins, "Ron is going to spend his entire life seeing things others can't. Knowing things others don't. Being different in ways that most people won't understand." She looked at Nova, something almost wistful crossing her face. "Your daughter will understand. She'll be different in ways that make Ron's gifts look mundane. They'll need each other."
