"My father's true self is the least of the reasons I would be locked up for insanity in my world," she says, laughing though there's that hint of high emotions there. Not hysterical but just coping with being honest about this, talking about things she hasn't ever said outloud.

People in her world knew who she was. They knew what the Sanctuary was. She didn't talk about it, or what they did.

"I only just found all this out. My mom..." And then there's that. "I was conceived back then. My mom kinda put me on ice, I'm betting with Watson and Nikola's help, until she thought it was safe and he was gone. Surprise. I only just met him, and honestly, I was kind of a pawn for him at first."

Which hurts more than he wants to admit! She's good at playing it cold and distant, hurt by mom's lies of omission, but the first time she meets her dad? He uses her as blackmail against her mom. It still hurts, and not as if Ashley is good with coping with her feelings, or good with anything involving feelings, so there's that.

"I think he could be a danger, yes. Is he now? Maybe not." Which is probably not reassuring at all. "I don't think he's a threat right now. I would tell you if I thought he was. That's why I figured you should know this before the whole move in thing. I mean, in case that's a problem. Which it's totally cool if it is."