"So you were … human?" Bianca asked.
"Until recently." The Oracle said no more and took Darian's place at the breakfast bar.
"It's a, uh, very different world," Bianca said.
Sofia gave a faint smile and held out her hand, palm up. Bianca looked at her curiously.
"It's the typical greeting for an Oracle," Sofi explained. "It took me awhile to adjust to it, too. Just place your hand on top of mine."
Bianca crossed to her and did. Sofi's cool power whipped through her thoughts, but it was the darkness within the small woman that drew her attention. Bianca concentrated on the strange pain. It felt … foreign to the Oracle's body, yet was intense. The Oracle had pinned it to a corner of her mind, but it was slipping free.
Bianca focused on it and channeled her healing energy towards the dark pain. The Oracle resisted at first then gave, and Bianca swept it away.
"That will be a very useful skill," Sofi whispered and withdrew. "Damian can do that, too, but Darian's too weak yet to tap into his power."
"Where is your husband?" Bianca asked. Healing left her weakened, and she leaned against the counter.
"In Europe, fighting the Black God's men."
"I've always wanted to go to Europe."
"Me, too. Won't happen any time soon. We're something of a rarity. They tend to be watchful of us," Sofi said in disapproval. "Don't let Dusty make all the rules. He needs you to bring him around from robot-mode."
"I can't even tell if he likes me half the time." Bianca flushed and cleared her throat.
"He does. He's dealing with some things. You'll find the Guardian men noble but resistant to what's good for them sometimes."
"Aren't you grounded?" Toni asked Sofi, striding in from the outside.
"It was recommended, never approved," she replied with a cold glare. Toni shook his head and trotted into the house. "Most of them know better than to mess with an Oracle."
Bianca stifled a laugh, genuinely liking the subtle yet feisty Oracle.
*****
"Babe, there are other ways to get rid of that energy," Jenn purred.
Chest heaving, Dusty lowered the two-handed sword he'd been using to hack apart one of the practice dummies in the back of the command center. He was coated with sweat and exhausted, but he wouldn't stop until he beat the fury out of him.
Jenn was dressed in a revealing top and tight jeans, her arms crossed and her features amused.
"Not now, Jenn," he replied and returned to his target.
"I meant, you may need it to fight Talon's goons soon. Toni's plans looked real good."