. . .

She holds out her arms.

“We have to take him, um,” says the doctor.

Amelia pushes herself up on her elbows. She glowers at the doctor balefully. The doctor yelps and almost drops the baby.

“It’s just, he’s an abomination,” babbles the doctor.

He is hypnotized by her glare. He is coming closer. He is bringing her the baby.

“Male renegade alchemists have to cultivate for centuries to make their babies, you know,” says Amelia. “Then they have to eat them!”

“Don’t eat the baby,” says the doctor, on autopilot, and hands the child to Amelia.

“Of course not,” Amelia says.

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