The Grey God

Jenn picked herself up off the floor, sensing the swirling magics of her prison in the immortal world. They were there, just beyond her reach. The cuff around her arm warded them off, and they flowed around her instead of through her. Her head pounded. She recalled waking up and searching the house for Darian. Too late, she'd heard the footsteps behind her and felt something smash into her head. If she had her magic … "Jenn?" Sofi's voice was quiet.

"Ikira? What's going on?" Jenn asked, not expecting to hear the soft voice. She shook her head and twisted to face the corner, where the blonde Oracle and brunette Healer sat together.

If Sofi's eyes glowed in the mortal world, they blazed here. She radiated power that surprised Jenn. She knew the Oracle was powerful, but seeing her in the immortal world drilled home just how strong her power was.

"Watchers," Bianca said.

Jenn took in her aura, just as surprised. Where Sofi's magic was cold, Bianca's was cool, and the air around her shimmered as if with sunlight.

"Welcome to the immortal world," Jenn said and rose. Her body felt heavy and her senses dull without her magic.

"It's not what I expected," Bianca said. "Are you okay? Anything I can do?"

"Just pissed," Jenn replied. "Unless you can get this fucking thing off." She held up her arm to reveal the black cuff.

"I can try," the Healer said doubtfully. She rose from her corner and strode to Jenn, the air around her filled with glitter. Jenn watched, fascinated. As a low-level servant, she'd never seen any of the powerful immortals. She'd never even seen Damian prior to the Schism, when the Guardians exiled to the mortal world were a small band struggling to stay alive.

Bianca held out a hand. Her healing magic whipped through Jenn. She took a step back at the flash of heat. The cuff didn't move.

"No. But I got rid of your body aches," the Healer said, plainly disappointed. "Sofi?"

"I don't think so," the Oracle said. "I take it there's a story behind this."

"Not a good one," Jenn said with another look around their prison. "Bianca, I know Dusty won't let you out of the house without a weapon. Cough it up."

The Healer reached down, rolling up the leg of her jeans to reveal a small sheathe with a knife. She pulled it free and handed it to Jenn.