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The tension was thick in the air, and Anna couldn't help but notice it. When she walked with her father through the hallways, or sat with him for meals, they drew nervous glances. Anna knew the source of their discontent; Darien was the only man in Turendura who wasn't a groomer. She explained it to him as they sat down for dinner.
"So, you mean there are no other men here?" he asked.
"Yeah, dad. They say it's a sorority as old as recorded civilization."
"Except for those boys, like the one I found you with?" he asked sternly.
"Dad, this isn't like the outside world. We're different here, and they're different."
He cut into his food, and held up a morsel on his fork as he looked at her. "I don't know if I like you being here."
Deep down, Anna felt this moment would come. "Dad, I can't leave here; not after what I've become."
"What have you become?" he asked, finishing what was left on his plate. She had never seen him eat so much; he was a thin man with little muscle, and always tried to turn her mother vegan. Only now did she understand how fruitless that conversion really was; too much fuel was needed to feed the use of wings. "You're still my daughter."
"But I have wings now, dad! Wings that can kill," she said, with her coolest smile. In truth, ever since Russell admired the size and strength of her wings, she was feeling a lot better about herself.
"Maybe that isn't all they can be used for; did you ever think of that? And why don't any of the girls here have any parents even visit them? What happened to all their fathers?"
"I . . . I don't know."
"No, you don't. Anna, you're still young, and know little of the deceit in the world. I'm happy they took you in after your mother was killed, but that doesn't mean they are pure of purpose. You don't even know why they're here, why you have wings! Where does all this come from, and what will they do with their power?" He put his thick, calloused hand on hers, and Anna softened. "I know you've had to become a woman earlier than any girl should, and I'm proud of how you've survived. But I can't stop being your father – no one will stop me from doing that."
Anna couldn't help it; she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, no matter how many looked or snickered.
"I wish mom was here," she said.
"Yes, my dear Hélène; I miss her like you can't imagine."