Growing Acceptance Ch. 01

We're not alone anymore.

I clutched at Lexi's back, peeking around it like a child looking past their mother's skirt. I gasped, taking in the woman in all her impossible heavenly glory.

The brilliant white wings with golden trim were the first things that caught my attention. Spread wide, they seemed to fill the room with swirling energy. The second were her eyes. Flawless white sclera with gleaming copper irises; they did not project the peacefulness one would expect from a veritable angel. As a mythical creature of nonviolence, her eyes sparkled with keen consideration, weighing our abilities, considering the angles with cold calculation. They were eyes that had seen violence, seen violence and reveled in her victory. She was tall, on par with Lexi when she was in her priestess form, with modest curves and expanses of creamy skin. Her hands had no fingernails, and glowed with ghostly after images, bright shadows that chased the movements of her fingers a few seconds in the past. She wore a modest chemise that flowed with silvered filigree down to mid thigh. Metal sandals protected her feet, with crisscrossing laces that ran up her leg to just below her knee where they curled off in talons that embraced her muscular thighs like a desperate lover.

It feels like she's half a second from violence at any particular moment.

She stretched her hands above her head, leaning backwards as if to stretch out her back, her chemise tightening to show off her modest breasts. Displaying amazing flexibility and balance, she returned from her almost horizontal position, like a ballerina returning from a dip. A self-assured smile quirked one corner of her lips that wasn't reflected in her still calculating eyes.

I shuddered under the intensity of her presence. Lexi felt it at her back and narrowed her eyes at our unexpected guest. I could feel her muscles swell, her protective anger gushing out of her in a fountain that equally unnerved and endeared, on the precipice of transforming.

She can't. This woman is capable of blasting my lover without breaking a sweat.

A vision of Lexi broken and bleeding at this woman's feet flipped a switch in my brain. Wet heat spilled through my chest. My eyeballs turned black as dusty pink tribal tattoos sketched themselves across my bared limbs, placed there by an invisible sketch artist. A wave of calm embraced me as I welcomed the emotional stability of my empathetic aspect. My priestess form completed, I confidently stepped out in front of Lexi, turning my back on our intruder. I short circuited Lexi's transformation with a kiss that contained a significant amount of tongue.

"Don't worry girl, I got this," I said, the fear that had held me in it's grip evaporating under cool confidence. Lexi, looked concerned, off balance, and more than a little lusty as I turned to face Bel's sister with unfeigned conviction.

"Hello. Welcome to our home. I'm Sydney, and this behind me is Alexandria."

"Pleasure to meet you two. I'm Sendra." Her metallic eyes appraised me, analyzing my stance and bearing in an instant. Her lip quirked into a half smile as she looked around at our surroundings. Taking a deep breath, she rolled her shoulder and licked her lips. "It's been ages since I was able to set foot on this plane. It has such a unique... flavor," she said eyes darting to the confused Lexi behind me.

I refused to take the bait. "I'm sure we all have flavors we enjoy. Your little morsel tasted especially sweet, if inexperienced."

She took no offense at my verbal jab. "Cute. Thanks for that by the way, I really do appreciate you helping her out like that. She deserves better than she's received in this life. That's actually one of the reasons I'm here right now. One of the reasons I can even be here. It seems I owe you two, and Bel, a debt of gratitude for intervening, although unknowingly, on my behalf. That combined with, Bel's... current circumstances, allowed me to bend the rules enough to make this journey."

"But why are you here?" I asked, sitting on the couch and crossing my legs, setting my hands demurely in my lap and cocking my head. Patting the couch next to me prompted Lexi to sit down. I was careful not to let any emotion show on my face, concerned with Bel's sister's intentions, and unwilling to give away any more information.

I don't know how she's would respond to anything. I'm having a hard time getting any emotional reading out of her.

Lexi, on the other hand, was like an open book to me. She was on edge from the sudden appearance of the woman, but was bolstered by my confidence, seemingly secure with the thought that I had the situation in hand.

I love you so much honey.

Lexi reached out and took my hand, her tail curling possessively around my waist, eyes unblinkingly focused on Sendra.

"I am here to pay off that debt. How would you like to spring my sister from the gemstone prison that limits her influence and holds her physical form?" she said, her copper eyes gleaming with excitement.