We Shall Be Monsters [Paragon]

[Legione Sumus]

EPHRAIM HAART

Ephraim wasn’t hesitant once the permission was spoken. Inside, Adam had framed himself away from scrutiny, an affectation Ephraim did not immediately remark on. He treated Adam with the same kind of breeziness he’d use with his own teenaged son – when Liam was being manageable anyway. Probably Ephraim spent more time with his experiments than his family. It was one of the reasons he hadn’t objected to Liam pouring his dervish of a brain into assisting Paragon’s security teams.

He pulled a chair for himself and sat, comfortably taking up space without being overwhelming.

“How are the adjustments going, Adam? I’m not after a status report, mind you. Or a soldier’s answer. I’m asking how you are.” He smiled, charming and warm. His gaze roamed without dissecting. Victor had been careless with the design because he did not care for flesh, only progress. Ephraim didn’t stop him of course. It clearly bothered Adam, as Ephraim imagined it would any normal person. Such things could be remedied, to a degree at least, but it wasn’t an offer he’d make any time soon. Not until it suited him. For now what he wanted first was Adam’s trust. Something Victor had utterly failed to nurture properly.