The Grey God

Jenn trotted forward, towards the huge block of marble. They slid behind it, and she sought their next move. Sofi leaned against the rock. Jenn exchanged a worried look with Bianca.

"No," Bianca said to the unasked question. "I can't stop it."

"Then we need to keep moving," Jenn said. She started forward again, towards more debris. While she tried to keep close to objects that might provide some sort of cover if attacked, she chose the fastest route possible. Sofi slowed as they walked, and Jenn looked up at the midday sun. Changes undergone in the immortal world normally weren't permanent, once they returned to their world for twenty-four hours. However, if they didn't hurry, Sofi would come back with a child before twenty-four hours passed in the mortal world.. Jenn didn't know if her pregnancy could be reversed, even upon returning to the mortal world, but she knew they couldn't stop long enough for Sofi to have her baby.

Jenn gasped, dismayed, as the wall around the orchard came into view. It was patrolled by guardsmen wearing the Others' symbols on their cloaks. She motioned to a hollowed-out building and turned to face the other two.

Sofi was pale and Bianca anxious. Jenn watched Sofi lower herself to a boulder. For the first time in long while, Jenn didn't think she could get them to safety alone. The Oracle was ready to pop and the wall was guarded by half a dozen men.

"Fuck," she murmured. "How long do we have, Bianca?"

"An hour, tops," the Healer said.

Jenn calculated silently. "We're not going to make it."

"We'll make it," Sofi said.

"Is this the Oracle or the pregnant chic talking?" Jenn asked.

Sofi gave her an icy look.

"I take it it's the pregnant chic. I'll work fast."

Jenn gazed towards the wall, mentally determining her chances at taking on six guardsmen and getting them all over the wall before more came or worse-before Others showed up.

"Bianca, you know where to stab someone?" she asked, facing the two of them again.

"Dusty taught me."

"Take Sofi's knife. If anyone, and I mean anyone, comes this way, you stab first, talk later. Got it?"

"Yes."

Jenn turned to leave, almost crying out in surprise. The creature she least wanted to see stood before her, eyes glowing red. She lowered herself into a fighting stance.

"Interesting," Xander said, gaze sweeping over them and lingering on the Oracle. "Bet you didn't see this one coming, Oracle. I did."