"How is she?" Espin asked, surprising Isha. "Oh don't look too surprised sidekick. I actually like blondies." The tiny blonde nymph flicked her long golden hair out of her eyes. She was making different shapes out of a glowing orb of fire with her other hand. Her newest trick.
"You do have a heart after all," Isha said. She could feel the heat of the tiny ball across the room. "She's as good as she can be." They were talking about Amy, who had spent most of the day curled up on their sofa. She blamed herself for Dana's death, they all did, but Amy was the one who introduced her to the Hunter and Searcher team.
Amy was grieving and Effy was angry. So angry that Isha had been trying to calm her down all morning, to focus on the task at hand, which was finding The Master. The one responsible for all their troubles lately, and the one who was trying to destroy all life on earth.
"Another reason to find the asshole responsible," Espin said. She formed a dragon out of the flaming orb, flames billowed from its mouth.
"You're getting good at that," Isha said, genuinely impressed.
"Are we best buddies now are we?" Espin said, sarcasm heavily tainting her tone. "I'm not used to this kind of praise."
"I was just making a comment," Isha said. "Doesn't hurt to be civil right now. And are friends such a bad thing?"
"As soon as this fight is over I'm off," Espin said. "It's not worth trying to pretend you want me around."
"I don't think you really want that," Isha said. "I've started to think Effy and Deilla are right. That this 'Queen bitch' thing is all an act. You just don't want to lose anyone again. Frightened of getting close."
Espin didn't dare speak. She felt a mixture of anger and sadness envelope her. Isha's words hitting the spot. She took a deep breath.
They stared at each other for a bit. Neither wanting to add more.
"I'm going to check on the others," Isha said, breaking the silence. She watched a little longer as Espin started changing the shapes in her hand. Forming two women. "I'll leave you to pretend to be heartless."
"You're a good sidekick, sidekick. Very dutiful." Espin said. Using the nickname she had given Isha again. She knew it riled her, but she couldn't help it. One of the flame women started to bend over as an item formed in the other hand.
Isha ignored the jibe. There were more important things, and Amy or Effy didn't need them arguing today.
"Go do what you're good at," Espin said. The bent over women started getting whipped by the other. Isha knew full well Espin was trying to push her further.
"I really am impressed by how strong you're becoming," Isha said. She wanted to finish at least one talk with Espin on a good note. For Effy at least.
"Thank you." Espin said. They smiled at each other. "Look at us. We're bonding." Espin extinguished the flames and gave Isha her cutest smile. Isha found her bright blue eyes hard to hold. Her beauty was astounding. She felt heat rise in her body. "Soon I'll be gyrating on that excitable clit of yours." Espin added.
Isha went bright red, Espin finally hitting the mark, she mumbled something inaudible and walked out just as the other nymph in the household, Deilla, flew in. Espin's laugh echoed off the kitchen walls.
"Morning Espin," Deila said. "Keep your noise down please." Deilla didn't want Amy hearing her laughing.
"Morning Muscles," Espin replied. "Any more wet dreams about me?" She couldn't help but enjoy the shocked look on the blue haired nymphs face.
Della flushed pink. So Espin had heard her the other night. "I don't know what you mean," she mumbled. Espin laughed.
"Everything's a joke to you isn't it?" Deila said.
Espin made a chastised face. "Sorry ma'am," she said. "It's either that or I let my anger towards Serenity's killers devour me. Which would you prefer?"
Deilla sighed. "Sorry," she said. "I just worry about you. You hide your true feelings with humour until you let them out in a large burst. You burnt your way straight through someone yesterday. You need to control that anger."
Espin laughed. "I'm not a fucking jedi," she said. They had spent their spare time watching classic human films. "And I enjoyed burning my way through that asshole. I can be as angry as I like, and I like being angry. Anyway, this is my second lecture today and it's not even 9 o'clock, so if you don't mind?"
"Okay," Deilla said. "I won't go on." She sat near Espin. Not too close to feel uncomfortable, but close enough not to seem rude. They sat in silence for a bit till Espin broke it.
"I know you all keep having these conversations with me to make me feel wanted," Espin said. The cynic and trust issues in her didn't let her believe they really cared. "You're all worried I'm not going to be on the right side when the time comes."
"That's not true," Deilla said. "Believe or not Espin there's a side to you that people like, you just need to let it out more. Plus you're a Sun Nymph, people will adore you just for that." Deilla didn't add that the fact Espin was so beautiful was also a big factor in how others would love her. If she just let them.
"Great," Espin said sarcastically. They sat in silence for a bit again. This time it was broken by a smashing sound in the kitchen.
"FUCK!" They heard Effy scream.
"Effy's up," Espin said. "Thanks for the pep talk Muscles. Let's go see what's making Mistress a potty mouth this morning."
They flew to the kitchen to find Isha using her sorcery to stitch a broken mug back together. Effy stood looking angrily at her own bleeding hand.
"Sorry," she mumbled to Isha.
"Don't apologise," Isha said. She had never seen her girlfriend so angry before. Isha stood and put down the mug. She crossed to Effy and took her hand, immediately sending magic pulsing into it. Effy sighed as the magic soothed and started to heal the sore hand.
"I never should have let us put our guard down," Effy said quietly.
"Don't blame yourself," Isha said. "We all decided to go there. And Dana knew the risk she was taking."
"I said I'd protect her," Effy replied.
Isha slid her hands around Effy's bare waist. The crop top and jeans outfit she was wearing showed off her thin waist and flat stomach. She pulled the Hunter in for a hug.
"They're scared of us," Deilla said, hovering, from the doorway. Espin was beside her. Effy and Isha turned to look at her, Isha pulled away from the hug but kept an arm around Effy's waist.
"Scared?" Effy questioned.
"The Masters worried, definitely," Deilla said. "I know tactics, trust me. He sees us. Hunter, Searcher, and a Sun nymph. He's scared of us and he's trying to derail our group. Kill us, make us angry, or grieve. All of these things help his cause and not ours. We just need to keep it together."
"He knows all about us," Espin added. "This mole is telling him how good we are together. I'd bet my knickers on it."
"You don't wear knickers," Isha said. "We get an eyeful every time you move."
