Prologue

Dr. Mihaela Nyx sat perched in front of the theater's vanity, applying the finishing touches to her already flawless makeup. She peered into her compact mirror and allowed herself a brief self-satisfied smile.

She had done it.

Her assistant and dearest friend, Nonnie, was fussing around the dressing room, anxiously arranging and rearranging Nyx's already neatly organized makeup bag, but she didn't have it in her to be annoyed. Nonnie had helped, too, after all: it was her dedication to her friend's work that had led to Nyx's success, and she wouldn't dare scold her so close to her big moment.

"You're on in two minutes, Doc!"

Nyx glanced up from her reflection to meet the eyes of a rather handsome stagehand, who was looking at her so uneasily she was sure she'd smudged her eyeliner. Suppressing a frown, she tucked the mirror away and followed him out towards the backstage, flanked by a nervous Nonnie, who was now reciting the ABC's while toying with the ends of her wispy brown hair.

Nyx barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She'd pulled every string, tweaked every connection. She'd micromanaged her presentation to the smallest detail. There was no way anything could possibly go wrong.

"Mihaela, stop frowning. It's unbecoming."

Nyx shot her friend a glare as she tucked a stray hair back into her updo. "I'm not frowning. I'm simply not smiling."

Something in Nonnie's eyes softened. "You're allowed to smile now. You've done it."

And she was right. She HAD done it.

The stagehand appeared again, seemingly out of thin air. "One minute, Dr. Nyx. Are you ready?"

She nodded. Of course she was ready.

As the lead biotechnologist of one of the most prestigious universities in the country, Nyx knew how to command respect. She'd had to learn, after all. Men had a way of thinking themselves much more intelligent.

She walked out onto the stage without a moment of hesitation. She cleared her throat into the microphone and waited for the auditorium to fall silent. She blinked into the lights and willed herself not to wince.

Years of research, years of being told it could not be done. Years without rest, years without relaxation.

Finally, finally.

"Good evening, friends," she began, "and welcome to this year's biotechnology showcase. Tonight, I have a groundbreaking surprise for you."

She cast a quick glance over to Nonnie, who gave her a little thumbs up. She allowed herself another smile.

She had made a human, and she had done it on her own.