believes that nonsense.”
“People believe what they need to believe to ensure their lives remain in balance. I sort of screwed that up for Sasha last night.”
Darman turned back to her, his expression serious again. “I was adamantly opposed to the cover up, but no one gives a damn what scientists think. I also had no direct involvement in phase three.”
“His team created hybrids not morphs,” Grayson clarified.
“Did you alter your own DNA or was this done to you?”
“I volunteered, as did most of the members of my team. We wanted to be sure the procedure was safe before we moved forward.”
Despite the sincerity in his tone, Sasha wasn’t convinced. “That’s very noble, but it doesn’t make sense. If something went wrong, the project would have been devastated by your loss. Why did you really do it?”
“Look at me. We saw what the feline DNA did for the test subjects and we wanted what they had. Is that so hard to understand?”
“And DOMA allowed it?”
“It was my project. They weren’t in a position to dictate to me.”
“In other words, ‘it was easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission’,” Grayson said. “His superiors knew nothing about it until it was too late. They’ve been suspicious of him ever since. He might be the civilian head of the morph colonies, but DOMA keeps him on a pretty short leash.”
Resentment hardened Darman’s expression. He didn’t argue with Grayson’s description. Still, it obviously bothered him.
“So, how can I be a hybrid, yet know nothing about it?” The same way she hadn’t suspected the truth about morphs. People only saw what they were allowed to see. Information was strictly regulated by endless layers of bureaucracy. “They’re still at it, aren’t they? They’ve just gone further underground.”
“I’m way out of the loop now,” Darman said, “but that’s my best guess.”
“How do we stop them? What should we do?”
Darman chuckled. “Let’s solve the current mystery before we take on the world. How’s that sound?”
“Far too reasonable for my current state of mind.”
“I understand, but the longest journey is made one step at a time. Grayson, why don’t you wait in my office? This could take a while.”
“What if someone sees him?”
“Sees my grandson loitering in my office? They’ll probably ask him if he needs anything, and then go about their business. Relax. You’re among friends.”
“I’ll go set up the clinic,” Grayson told his grandfather; then he smiled at Sasha and added, “You’re in good hands. I’ll see you later.”
Relaxation was not Sasha’s strong suit on a good day and this day was far from good. She’d thought Grayson’s revelations were astonishing. Now they’d been compounded with the possibility that her DNA had been altered without her knowledge.
“How long have you been in the military?” Darman opened a compartment in the exam table and took out a handheld scanner and a device she didn’t recognize.
“Fourteen years.”
“Have you noticed any unusual changes in your physical or mental abilities during those fourteen years?”
“I’ve grown stronger and I can run faster, but that’s physical conditioning. I always excelled academically, so I don’t honestly know if I’m smarter.”
He swabbed the inside of her mouth and inserted the swab into the unfamiliar device. “This only takes a few minutes, but I wanted to speak with you privately. I can neutralize mating fever. If you only feel a passing fancy for Grayson, it would probably be the wisest course.”
“My fancy for Grayson has been simmering for years. I was extremely attracted to him the first time I saw him.”
“All right. Neutralization is off the table. Let’s see what we’re dealing with.” He picked up the DNA sequencer and scrolled through several screens. “It’s official, my dear. You might work for Homo sapiens but you are not one.”
“If they jacked with my DNA, I’m
“People believe what they need to believe to ensure their lives remain in balance. I sort of screwed that up for Sasha last night.”
Darman turned back to her, his expression serious again. “I was adamantly opposed to the cover up, but no one gives a damn what scientists think. I also had no direct involvement in phase three.”
“His team created hybrids not morphs,” Grayson clarified.
“Did you alter your own DNA or was this done to you?”
“I volunteered, as did most of the members of my team. We wanted to be sure the procedure was safe before we moved forward.”
Despite the sincerity in his tone, Sasha wasn’t convinced. “That’s very noble, but it doesn’t make sense. If something went wrong, the project would have been devastated by your loss. Why did you really do it?”
“Look at me. We saw what the feline DNA did for the test subjects and we wanted what they had. Is that so hard to understand?”
“And DOMA allowed it?”
“It was my project. They weren’t in a position to dictate to me.”
“In other words, ‘it was easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission’,” Grayson said. “His superiors knew nothing about it until it was too late. They’ve been suspicious of him ever since. He might be the civilian head of the morph colonies, but DOMA keeps him on a pretty short leash.”
Resentment hardened Darman’s expression. He didn’t argue with Grayson’s description. Still, it obviously bothered him.
“So, how can I be a hybrid, yet know nothing about it?” The same way she hadn’t suspected the truth about morphs. People only saw what they were allowed to see. Information was strictly regulated by endless layers of bureaucracy. “They’re still at it, aren’t they? They’ve just gone further underground.”
“I’m way out of the loop now,” Darman said, “but that’s my best guess.”
“How do we stop them? What should we do?”
Darman chuckled. “Let’s solve the current mystery before we take on the world. How’s that sound?”
“Far too reasonable for my current state of mind.”
“I understand, but the longest journey is made one step at a time. Grayson, why don’t you wait in my office? This could take a while.”
“What if someone sees him?”
“Sees my grandson loitering in my office? They’ll probably ask him if he needs anything, and then go about their business. Relax. You’re among friends.”
“I’ll go set up the clinic,” Grayson told his grandfather; then he smiled at Sasha and added, “You’re in good hands. I’ll see you later.”
Relaxation was not Sasha’s strong suit on a good day and this day was far from good. She’d thought Grayson’s revelations were astonishing. Now they’d been compounded with the possibility that her DNA had been altered without her knowledge.
“How long have you been in the military?” Darman opened a compartment in the exam table and took out a handheld scanner and a device she didn’t recognize.
“Fourteen years.”
“Have you noticed any unusual changes in your physical or mental abilities during those fourteen years?”
“I’ve grown stronger and I can run faster, but that’s physical conditioning. I always excelled academically, so I don’t honestly know if I’m smarter.”
He swabbed the inside of her mouth and inserted the swab into the unfamiliar device. “This only takes a few minutes, but I wanted to speak with you privately. I can neutralize mating fever. If you only feel a passing fancy for Grayson, it would probably be the wisest course.”
“My fancy for Grayson has been simmering for years. I was extremely attracted to him the first time I saw him.”
“All right. Neutralization is off the table. Let’s see what we’re dealing with.” He picked up the DNA sequencer and scrolled through several screens. “It’s official, my dear. You might work for Homo sapiens but you are not one.”
“If they jacked with my DNA, I’m
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