"Thanks for taking your time to meet with me Dru" Faith said to her. "Not like I was doing anything anyway. I'm dead remember?" Dru shrugged. "It's about the circumstances is why I summoned you. Marco and Cordelia have me the details of where and when and you have me some idea of the how and why. What I need to know is the smaller details. What kind of spells were used? Chants or unspoken? What elements did he favor? Appearance? Accent?" Faith asked. Dru took a moment to answer. "Lightning. So much lightning. Not the magic bolts people like you and me toss around. I'm talking about the oak splitting, air tearing, ear ringing kind. The air was heavy with it my goddamn hair stood on end. Just one ripped through my defenses like they weren't there" she said. "What else?" Faith asked.

"He spoke with a strange accent. Not quite Russian, not quite German either. A weird in between" she replied. "What did he look like?" Faith asked. "His hair was white and gold. It shimmered with lightning itself. His eyes blue as sapphire and just as cold looking. His body was strong, powerful, damn near professional model but the way he moved suggested he was older than he appeared. It's hard to describe Faith. It was as if he was anticipating any movement. A true seasoned warrior" she replied. "You said he shrank you. So, he can perform other magics than lightning?" Faith asked. "I'm sure so. He shrank us with ease. Even his healing spellwork was far beyond anything I've ever seen. No arcane to speak off but he did use chants. Soft spoken unrecognized chants" she said. "Anything else?" Faith asked. Dru shook her head. "Thanks" Faith said nodding. "How's everyone else?" Faith asked.

"Worried. Very worried. It's only been a week, but Alicia is making plans to sneak here" Dru replied. "She's to stay where she is. Am I clear on that?" Faith asked. "As a bell" she replied. Faith sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I did make the right decision didn't I?" she asked. "Faith, I watched my husband crushed flat like an insect before me. I know what it means to lose a loved one in the midst of battle. It's a fate I wouldn't wish on my enemies let alone my friends. Our life is the way of service and protection and sometimes that means going with her head and not your heart" she replied. "Thanks Dru. It's been a hard week and...one moment" Faith said. "Hmm. I'm needed upstairs. We'll talk another time. Goodnight Dru" Faith said dismissing her as easily as she summoned the shade to her. Faith got up off the sofa and walked upstairs. As she got closer to her bedroom, she could hear screaming.

She entered the bedroom to find Selah thrashing around in bed. "I CAN'T BREATHE! I CAN'T BREATHE! she was screaming in her sleep. Faith sat down. "Selah! Selah wake up!" Faith said poking the small girl. Selah gasped as she opened her eyes. She looked around to see she was in a giant bed being looked down upon by a concerned giantess. She put her head in her hands where she stayed until she looked down at the sheets around her. "Oh god..." she whined. "What? What is...oh" Faith muttered smelling urine. "It's okay sweetie" Faith said unfurling the sheets from around her. "Please don't. I'm filthy" she said. Faith shushed her and picked her up anyway. She carried her to the bathroom and stripped off her nightgown. Humming softly, she ran a warm bath in the sink. "Okay, slip right on in" Faith said. The highly embarrassed girl slipped into the water. "I can't believe I pissed the bed. I'm 13 for fucks sake" she hissed. "You've been through a lot Selah. It's only natural you suffer from PTSD. That was what you dreamed about isn't it? You were screaming you couldn't breathe in your sleep" she asked. "...yeah. Yeah I was" Selah replied. She jumped as a giant finger soaped her back. "You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you" Faith said. The girl cried softly.

Faith let her cry to get it out of her system. "You know, in just a week you've come a long way. Even during a nightmare, you didn't shrink all the way back down. That's incredible honey" Faith said. "Nothing compared to what you can do. Compared to that, I'm nothing special" Selah said. Faith used her fingernail to turn the delicate head of the tiny girl. "You're more than special. You're spectacular. You're the one that saved those lives not me. I was ready to give up. All this power in me and I was this close to giving in" she said. "But you're so powerful! I heard how you killed that monster thing! You're a real hero! A goddess!" Selah yelled. "I'm no hero. It's easy to do those kinds of things when you have that much power. A hero is someone who shoulders the burden of doing what must be done to protect people when they know they can easily fail. Someone like you" Faith said poking Selah's bare chest.

Faith began drying her off with tissue paper. Selah looked up at her giant eyes. They seemed so soft and yet so sad. Once done, Faith carried her back to bed. "Hmm...don't see anything clean for you so you'll just have to borrow my nightshirt" she said giving the small clothing to Selah. It was humbling to her to be doted on by a woman she considered her goddess even though Faith told her not to think of her in such a way. "Are you lonely?" Selah asked suddenly. "I'm alright" Faith replied watching her slip the nightgown on. "Really? You look sad" she said trying to adjust the shoulder straps. "I'm a borrower. We kinda get attached to people we like easily. When they're not around, it can be stressful. Especially if it's a mate or offspring" she replied. "Attached how?" Selah asked curious. "Borrowers are more...sensual and intimate than humans. The first thing a borrower does in life is memorize the scents of their parents. Their first orgasm usually comes from a parent or sibling" she replied.

"So, you miss your parents" Selah said. "I think of them all the time, but I'm used to them not being around. Not as much as for daddy now..." Faith muttered. "I'm sorry for asking" Selah said. "It's okay. What about you? Your parents..." Faith asked. Selah's parents were never found after the attack and Faith had given up trying after Selah said they had gone shopping with friends. The area they had gone was literally flattened by several footprints. The victims crushed and mangled beyond recognition. "A lot. I miss them a lot" she replied. Faith laid down in bed next to her. "Are you attached...to me?" Selah asked. Faith nuzzled her with her nose taking in her scent. Faith smiled at her and gave tiny kisses to her little feet. "That tickles!" Selah giggled. "Yes, I'm very attached to you. I want you to live in a world where you don't have nightmares. A world where you're free to make your own choices. A world where you're safe" Faith said softly to her. Faith kissed her. "I love you sweetie" she said softly. Selah whimpered. "Now it's getting late and you need your rest" Faith said tucking her in. "Please don't leave" Selah begged. Faith slipped into bed. "Wasn't planning to" she smiled.

Selah felt at ease as her beloved giantess gently caressed her hair. Faith's soft humming lulled her into rest. Was it her instincts or fragile mental state that had her so connected to the girl? Probably both by this point. Yes, it was the combination of the two but also she saw herself in the girl. Bristling with raw ability and so young. Faith wished she were half as pretty as her. Only 13 with nearly C cup breasts and beautiful feet and toes. A slim but not skinny build with long pretty hair. If she were a borrower she would be narrowing down her choices in mates by now. If left alone, in just a few years she would be starting a family as per Markus' law. A law Faith did not have them adhere to. They decide on their own time she believed. Faith closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Selah awoke to find Faith not in bed. The clock read 11:34 am. She grew to human size after getting out of bed. After taking a morning piss, she left the bedroom. The steps creaked slightly under her human sized weight. Her surroundings seemed smaller and more enclosed which made her heart skip slightly. "Morning sleepy head" Faith said as she poured herself another cup of coffee. "Mornin'" Selah yawned. "I made oatmeal with bacon. Orange juice is in the fridge" Faith said sipping her coffee. Selah reheated breakfast and sat down at the table. "We training again today?" she asked. "Nope. I have some work to do. God hunting" Faith replied. "Can I help?" Selah asked. "Not a chance. Eat your breakfast" Faith replied sternly. The girl pouted as she ate. "I'm not an invalid you know" she whispered. "The one I'm going after crushed one person under his foot and tore apart another slowly. She begged to die" Faith said back. Selah was surprised. She didn't know her hearing was that good. Faith walked down into the basement area and shut the door. After finishing her food, Selah went and followed her. "Am I at least allowed to watch?" Selah asked an annoyed Faith.

*sigh* "Fine" Faith replied. Selah sat on the desk and shrank herself down as not to be too intrusive. "See? Better control" Selah said proudly. Faith absently nodded. Minutes turned into two hours as Faith searched through database after database until she huffed and took a break. "What exactly are you doing?" Selah asked stepping onto the mousepad. Her tiny feet barely sinking into the soft foam. "Research. Half the battle is finding their locations" she replied. "And searching the net can do that?" Selah asked. "Gods and goddesses are creatures of habit. Now and then something unusual can give them away if you know where and what to look for. But dammit I can't find anything" she sighed. "Not even on Facebook? Try Facebook" she said. "How do you know about that?" Faith asked. "Well...I've been kinda browsing your phone" she sheepishly replied. Faith eyed her. "What's doggy style? I saw that in a message to Alicia" she asked. Faith blushed deep red. "Not your business. Anyway, I've already tried social media. Markus's setup is backdoored into just about every major sever on the planet. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, NSA, FBI, CIA, INTERPOL, Scotland Yard, you name it. Not a damn thing. Guess I have no choice" Faith said summoning an artifact. "Whoa. What's that thing?" Selah asked.

"The Eye of Bast. I didn't want to use it, but it might help me find who I'm looking for" she replied. "Why don't you want to use it?" she asked. "It can alter a person's luck but there are side effects. First, doing so would alter the luck of anyone that's around me and second is the balance effect. It may give me really good luck now, but bad luck can come knocking later on. Everything is about balance Selah. Remember that" Faith said. "If it's super important that you should do it" Selah said

. Faith reluctantly nodded and had her leave the room just in case. "Okay you freaky ass bauble. Give me some good luck" she muttered. The Eye shined briefly and then faded. "Don't feel different" she said before suddenly sneezing. She dropped the Eye out of her hand, and it hit her mouse. It clicked on an ad which brought her to a weather page. "Freak lightning strike kills gangsters" she said reading the headline. Faith began to slowly read the article.

"Locals were shocked to find out on July 9th that a freak lightning storm resulted in the deaths of 8 men with ties to the Drammen family. According to eyewitnesses, the 8 men were in the local Circle K parking lot when the night sky filled with Aurora seconds before a cascade of lightning filled the lot. Miraculously, nobody else was killed or injured. Meteorologists still have no idea exactly how a low-pressure system formed in just minutes and then disappeared shortly afterwards. Scientists theorize the atmosphere was battered with high energy solar particles (explaining the aurora) which caused a massive buildup and discharge of ions. However, no observatories recorded any solar storms for that day" Faith said reading. "Can I come back in?" Selah asked. "Yeah sure" Faith replied. "I need you to look after the place while I'm gone" she said. "Where are you going?" Selah asked. "Oslo Norway it seems" Faith said looking at the screen. "Take me..."

"No" Faith said cutting her off. Faith walked upstairs to pack a change of clothes. She could sense Selah watching her. "What if you don't come back?" Selah asked. "I'll be back" Faith said softly. "But what if you don't?" she asked. Faith almost yelled at her until she could see fear in her eyes. Faith walked over to her. Her hand caressed her cheek. "You're to stay in the hotel when we arrive. Understood?" she asked. Selah grinned and hugged her very tightly. In short time Faith was finished packing and on the phone getting the private jet (which belonged to Markus but to the spoils...) ready. "I've never been to the outside world before. What do I wear? How do I act?" Selah asked her. "You won't be doing much of interacting. You'll stay borrower size as you still have issues keeping your human size and you'll be in the hotel remember?" Faith replied. Selah scowled as she sat down. "I have some shirts, shorts, panties, and two pairs of shoes to choose from" Faith said to her. "Sneakers I guess" Selah shrugged. Faith smirked as she packed her bags. "I wasn't expecting to do this kinda stuff so soon" Faith said. "God hunting?" Selah asked. "No, packing overnight bags for a teenage girl. Like what a mother does" Faith said. Selah looked at her bewildered. "But you're not my mom. You're more like a teacher" she smirked. Faith paused after zipping the bag up. "Suppose I am" Faith said very softly. Faith was very quiet after that even all the way to the airport in Jakarta. She wondered if she hurt her feelings.

After the initial shock of the outside world wore off and the plane was in the air, Selah took a moment to relax. "The ocean is that big?" she asked. "Bigger" Faith replied browsing her phone

. Selah sat quietly on the fold down tray table munching on a pretzel. "Did I hurt your feelings?" she asked. "What? No" Faith replied. "You seemed kinda hurt when I said you weren't my mom" she said. "It's was...truth is all. Truth can be like cold water. Bracing" Faith replied. "You know I love you right?" Selah asked. "I figured that when you hugged my nose" Faith chuckled. Selah laughed with her.

After the plane landed on Oslo, Faith hailed a taxi to take them to the hotel where they would be staying. "American?" the driver asked. "My parents are. I don't really have a country of my own" Faith replied. "...oh? Who is the tiny lady it's you?" he asked glancing at Selah who sat in her palm. "My...my daughter" Faith replied. She glanced down at Selah who was looking out the window. "Wonderful! It is a good thing to see gremlins adopted by human family. When I was child, I had gremlin as pet" he said. "Pet?" Faith cocked an eyebrow. "Yes, I was not one for killing gremlins. Found young one taking bicycle apart. Thought her cute so kept her as pet in secret" he said. "What became of her?" Faith asked. "Father found her.  Crushed her underfoot. Beat me for keeping her" he replied softly. "I'm sorry" Faith muttered. "Be sorry for father. He is old and sick now. Lifetime of hate and anger poison his body" he said. "Sounds like he deserved it" Selah said. "Selah" Faith said. "No. Tiny girl is right. Cannot go through life doing bad things and not expect it to revisit you. You understand?" he asked. "More than you know" Faith replied. She looked at the houses and buildings zipping by until she saw something. "Wait. Pull over here for a moment" she said. The driver pulled over and Faith got out. Where she was, was the Circle K parking lot she saw in the news page.

She looked at it using clairvoyance for a moment. "Incredible" she muttered standing in the center of the lot. The asphalt itself still showing signs of scorches. "The spell that did this was insanely powerful. There's still traces of it lingering" she thought. As she focused on it, it was like a faint fog clung to the ground. Looking closer, she saw it was no fog but thousands of lines of spellwork saturating the ground. Faith had never seen such complicated magic before. She couldn't decipher it. Faith walked back to the taxi. "Everything okay miss?" the driver asked. "Had to let out a fart" she chuckled. "Thanks for being courteous" he laughed as he drove on. He dropped rm off at the hotel and even helped them with their bags. "Enjoy Oslo one of the safest cities in the world" he said. "Really? I thought I saw an article about bikers being killed by lightning" she said. "True but our prayers were answered" he said. "God provides right?" she asked. "We pray to who will listen. Some still cling to old ways. Old beliefs" he said closing the boot of the car. "Interesting" Faith muttered watching him leave.

"Whee!" Selah yelled tumbling onto the bed. Faith grinned as she took off her shoes. "Now we order a very late dinner, wash, and hit the bed" Faith said to her. Faith ordered room service and then began to look over her laptop. Selah wiggled her socked toes as she watched local television. She did not understand the language but that was not enough to dissuade her fascination. This was the first time she had seen a tv before. "They look kinda the same" she said. Faith glanced at the tv. "Norway is a country that doesn't have as many foreign populations living in it. So yes, their features will look the same" Faith said. "Weird" she muttered. "Weird to you honey. History has much to do with geography when it comes to diverse populations" she said. "So other places are more diverse?" Selah asked walking up to the giantess. "Very much so. The UK, the United States, France, Canada, just to name a few" she replied. "Can we visit them?" Selah asked. "One day" she replied. "Anything new?" she asked. "This program I'm running looks for anything out of the ordinary for a particular area. Weather, accidents, murders, disappearances" she said. "And?" Selah asked. "In the last 7 years, there have been an uptick in the number of girls over the age of 14 going missing. I'll tell the program to cross reference anything major happening in Norway starting...2013" Faith said typing. "That laptop thing can do that?" Selah asked climbing onto her lap to look. "With the help of the server back home it can. It's currently linked to it. There was a knock on the door. Faith placed her back on the bed to answer. Room service wheeled in the cart and handed her the tray of food. "Time for dinner" she smiled placing the girl on the tray.

Selah contently munched away on a piece of chicken and lettuce while she gazed up at her giantess guardian, especially her mouth. She watched silently as massive (to her) amounts of food disappeared into her mouth, chewed, and sent down her throat. Faith eventually took notice of her staring. "Still want me to eat you?" Faith asked. The girl jumped. "You may not remember but you asked when I pulled you out of the rubble" Selah blushed beet red and looked down at her socked feet. Faith finished her food and looked down closely at her. "I didn't mean to embarrass you" she said. "I thought it was a dream. I really said that?" she asked. Faith nodded. "Don't feel so ashamed. You were raised from birth to feel like your life was for our amusement. You liked me so much you wanted to fulfill that purpose. I was as much a victim as you were. What damns me is I was taught different. I knew better" Faith said softly. A few moments passed. "We should wash this sweat off us" she said softly.

After a nice scrub, Selah laid back on Faith's tummy as they soaked in the hot water. Faith's giant hand sprinkled water on the girl now and then keeping her warm. Selah still seems to be withdrawn from earlier. "Wanna see a trick?" Faith asked pinching her nipples. A few coaxing sent streams of her breastmilk into the air past the girl into the water. Selah chuckled. "Oh no! Looks like a sprang a leak!" Faith yelled. Selah burst out laughing nearly tumbling into the water. She looked at a bead of milk on Faith's skin. "You can taste it if you want" she said. Selah delicately climbed up her chest to her right breast. She sat down tucking her legs underneath and began squeezing her nipple. Faith twitched. A bead of milk came out and Selah drank it. "It's sweet and warm!" she said surprised. Faith lovingly watched the tiny girl milk her for more, stroking her delicate back, until she had her fill.

*burp*

"Excuse you" Faith said. Selah giggled. "Will my breasts be able to do that?" she asked. "One day when you are with child" Faith replied. "I can't wait to get pregnant. Will you drink my milk too?" she asked. Faith coughed. "It's not that straightforward. You got plenty of time before any of that" Faith replied. "Only like a year or so" she said. Faith had forgotten that it was customary for the shrunken humans in that city to pair off around 14 or 15 years of age. "Or longer. Hopefully longer" she said. "But don't your kind fuck and have kids close to my age?" she asked. "So, she googled about borrowers" Faith thought. "Yes, that's true but we do it from a biological instinctive standpoint. We're hard wired to reproduce early" she said. "But aren't human females most fertile when they're in their teens?" Selah asked. "I swear no more NatGeo for you. Yes, it's true but you lack the maturity for that level of responsibility.  It's complicated Selah. You're too young" Faith said sternly. Faith got out of the water carrying Selah with her.

"I can dry myself" Selah snipped as she tore the tissue paper from the giantess. Faith let her do so silently. A little later, Selah laid on the pillow naked just watching tv as Faith looked over some findings on her laptop. She could tell the girl was still angry with her. "I'm not saying not to peruse a relationship with someone. I'm not saying to stay celibate either. Selah, a kid changes everything. I was like you once. I thought I was ready and let the first boy that made me feel good knock me up. It ended in pain and the deaths of millions" she said. " I seriously doubt millions will die if some boy cums in me" Selah quipped. "Then are you ready for the emotional commitment? Worrying about you'd child every moment of every day. The fear and terror that comes with the power we're born to? The possibility that your children may fear and hate what you are?" Faith asked closing her laptop. She laid next to her. "Why would they be afraid of me? I'm their mom" Selah said. "My mom was scared of me. It made me cry for the first time in my life. Selah, can you live with that burden?" Faith asked. Selah didn't answer.

"Life is not a race and I'm damn sure not the gold standard. All things come in their own time" she said petting Selah's belly. "And when the time does come, I was be a very jealous woman" Faith told her. Selah giggled. "What? You're adorable. Let me see that cute butt" Faith said flipping her onto her belly. Faith lightly tapped her bare ass. "Ah! Cut it out!" Selah shrieked. "Not till I get these adorable feet" Faith said tickling her tiny soles. Selah giggled and fought her finger. Faith leaned in and kissed her. After tucking her in, the girl fell to sleep soon after. Faith breathed in her scent. "Oh" she remarked smelling her pheromones indicating she was ovulating. "She's going to be a handful" she thought as she rested her head. Faith found it hard to go to sleep with the girl smelling like that. Thoughts of licking and sucking on her filled her mind. She did not wish to scare the girl or give her the wrong idea just after the lecture she gave her. She realized now why her father was hesitant to stimulate her when he did. It wasn't just biology and instinct at play. It was their feelings, the balance between desire and care. After all, it would be gratifying for Faith, but would Selah feel the same especially with her upbringing? Would that reinforce being taught to give people like Faith pleasure? Faith closed her eyes trying to sleep again. Right on the cusp of sleep, she could sense Selah dreaming. Having the power of Morpheus, she could sense a person's dreams. In her mind it was as easy as opening a door to enter one.

Faith found herself on a sunny meadow. In the distance was Selah along with a dream version of herself. "Good job!" Faith said to her. Selah hugged her tightly as Faith ruffled her hair. The real Faith stood there for some time silently watching what they were doing. Selah practicing her magic while a version of her heaped praise on her. Then, storm clouds began to form overhead, the dream Faith began to walk away, and Selah tried to follow only to find her feet stuck to the ground. "Please don't leave! Don't leave me all alone!" Selah cried out. The girl fell to her knees as thunder echoed overhead. Faith realized that it wasn't claustrophobia Selah was inflicted with, it was the fear of being alone. Faith walked over to her. The sobbing girl could not hear the crunch of grass under her bare feet. Faith sat down next to her and placed the girl in her lap. "Faith? I thought..."

"I will never leave you. Ever" she said before kissing her deeply. It took the girl by surprise as nobody had ever given such a kiss. It calmed her and she blushed looking into Faith's eyes. "Hold out your hand" she said. Selah did and watched in awe as Faith touched her chest and seemingly pulled out a shard of light. Faith placed it in her hand. "This is a part of my soul. Swallow it" she said. Still in awe, she did. Selah gasped in surprise as a feeling washed over her very being. She looked at Faith bewildered. "I can feel it. How, how is it possible to love someone so deeply?" Selah asked in tears. "I've asked myself that many times. Maybe the answer isn't as important as the blessing that we can ask the question. Selah looked at her confused. "You'll understand in time. For now, Selah, from this moment on your last name will be McCormick" Faith said. "But isn't that your last name?" Selah asked. "Yes, it is" she replied. The girl sobbed into her chest as Faith held her. Once she was calm, Faith left her dream.

Faith awoke to find she had shrunken down and was holding the sleeping girl to her. Faith wiped away Selah's tears content that the girl's fears were subdued.

The next morning...

"What are these called again?" Selah asked. "Scones" Faith replied looking over important data. Selah spread a teeny little dot of jam on her crumb of scone before munching on it. Selah hummed to herself as she ate lawfully slapping her little soles against the ceramic plate where she sat. She was happier than she had been for some time. The dream she had seemed perfect to her and she wished it were real. Never in a million years would she think her goddess would adopt her to be her daughter. "Faith?" Selah asked. "Yes?" Faith replied. "Have you ever had a dream so perfect that you wanted to stay in it forever?" she asked. "...yes" Faith replied softly. "But dreams are simply that. Dreams" she added. "...oh" Selah said solemnly before climbing off the plate back onto the bed. "Why would she adopt me? We both said she's not my mom just my guardian" she thought looking at the tv. Faith glanced at the girl who was no longer happy go lucky. "Was your dream that nice?" Faith asked. "Yeah I guess" Selah replied softly. Faith sat the laptop aside. "Selah? Talk to me" she said patting the bed next to her. Selah didn't respond. "Selah McCormick come here" she said. Selah froze. "You heard right. Now come here" she said. Selah warily walked over. She seemed frightened. Faith motioned for her to sit. "I know what in your heart sweetie. You think my approval equates to how much I love you. That's not true. You can be the biggest magical fuckup

I know and I'll still love you. I won't abandon you and... I decided to make you my daughter. That was your dream right?" Faith asked. "But you said that all they are, dreams!" Selah yelled shaking. "Some dreams should stay dreams, and others are worth fighting to make real" she replied. The girl was still shaking as Faith's giant fingers wrapped around her. She picked her up. Faith gently pulled off her little nightgown exposing her. She planted tender kisses on her tummy, chest, her budding breasts, and face. "God you're so cute" Faith growled. Her finger caressed her face and Selah kissed the tip. Her fingernail tickled the girl squirming in her palm until Faith pinched her ankles. She took gentle licks of her feet making Selah laugh and cringe. Selah looked into those giant soft eyes of hers and saw that this giantess would never harm her. She would never use her as a toy, a meal, a slave. Selah was hers to love and cherish and it made the girl nearly faint. Selah went limp in her hand. "Whoa! You okay honey?" Faith asked. "More. I want more...mom" she whimpered at her. The last time someone called her mom was in her dream which made her heart skip a beat. The moment was ruined when her laptop beeped. "Damn" Faith sighed as she put Selah down.

"I found something" she said. "Like what?" Selah asked annoyed. "Last night the program found a company that sprung up 7 years ago so this morning I had the program cross reference anything strange along with this company. It got a few hits. Started in 2013 around the time of a spike in missing person reports in Oslo. In 2013 there was 77 missing persons. 31 of them girls under the age of 15. That's very high for a country this safe. Let's see, hmm. None of these girls were found. Not even bodies. Homeless, runaways, and a few just vanished overnight from their homes" she said.

"Vanished like magic?" Selah asked. "Possibly. Let me see what this company is about. World Tree Security. Established September 13, 2013 by a Ragnar Wulff. A high class personal private security firm that employs only women. I think we got ourselves a winner" Faith said. The caw of birds made them jump. Faith looked out the window. "Ravens" she said softly looking back at her screen. "So, what next? Storm the place?" Selah asked. "No. I might be wrong and if I am will cast an uncomfortable light on myself. I'm going to pay them a visit" Faith said closing the laptop. Selah watched as Faith opened her suitcase and pulled out a dress with matching shoes. Faith put the dress on. "How do I look?" she asked. "Awesome! I love how the blue sparkles" Selah said. Faith smiled and sat down as. She put on open toed heeled sandals.

"Don't those hurt?" Selah asked. "They do especially for borrowers" Faith replied. "Then why wear them?" Selah asked. "Outside humans have this thing about nicely shaped arches" she replied. Selah shrugged. "I'll be back in time for lunch. Behave and I'll take you out" she said. Selah clapped her approval. "And put some clothes on. Just because you have a cute ass doesn't mean you need to show it off constantly" Faith said. "Yes mom" Selah said sarcastically. Faith chuckled as she left the room. Right then, one of the ravens perched at their window flew off...

World Tree Security was closer than Faith realized. It was a short 10-minute ride there. After getting out, she observed it for a moment. "Hmm. Almost no regular cars in their lot. A few black SUVs. Good, guess coming here on a Sunday was best after all. Four floors. Wonder how many people actually work here" she thought. Faith conjured her glamor to hide her identity before walking to the front doors. They slid open and she entered. The sound of her clacking heels on marble floor alerted the receptionist. "Welcome to Word Tree Security. Hoe may I help you?" the young woman at the desk asked. "Hi. I was thinking of contracting your services as I travel to Bangkok next week" Faith replied. The woman eyed her. "I see. Please have a seat and a representative will be out shortly" she said hitting a buzzer. Faith quietly sat down and looked around the lobby. Using her clairvoyance, she saw no magical traces in view. She did take note of metal plates hanging above windows though. 

The lobby smelled of carpet, cleaning solution, and oleander flowers. Focusing further, she caught the scent of the receptionist. Calm and collected. The smell of nylons. Perfume and makeup. "Hello, my name is Skylar" a young woman said approaching her. Faith stood up. She appeared to be 20 or 21. Blond hair in a ponytail. Blue eyes and dressed in a white uniform covering her entire body except for white boot like shoes. Slim and form fitting, it reminded Faith of the uniform a THORN agent would use. Unusual even for bodyguard details Faith wanted to get a closer look with clairvoyance but white faint glowing eyes wasn't easy to hide. "Faith McCormick" Faith said shaking her hand. "This way please" Skylar said. She led Faith to a nearby conference room and had her sit in a chair. A camera in the ceiling was looking dead at her. "Coffee? Tea?" Skylar asked. "No thank you" Faith said. "So, the receptionist sent me the message that you want our services for a detail in Bangkok? Okay, let's go over a few other questions" she said. Skylar asked interesting questions about her. Her identification number, bank numbers, place of residence, any outstanding threats. Faith was able to answer all except one. "You have no ID number at all?" Skylar asked looking at her. "I live with my employer who's a little eccentric. He owns his own island and so no ID number" she replied. "And his name?" she asked. "Markus Kavalt" Faith said recalling the last name he was using at the time she got rid of him. Skylar typed in the name. She looked shocked. "OH! He's used our services before. In that case a see little problem writing up a contract" she said. Seconds later her phone notification beeped. She looked at the screen. "If you give me a few minutes to draw up the standard contract I'd be most grateful" she said. Faith nodded.

Faith had been waiting patiently for nearly 15 minutes but noticed the woman barely typed anything. She sniffed their air. She could smell deodorant. The woman was sweating profusely now. "Anything wrong?" Faith asked. "Oh, dotting I's and crossing T's" she replied. Faith heard her heart faintly skip a beat. She was lying. "Do you mind if I use the bathroom?" Faith asked standing up. "But we're almost done here. If you can't a few more minutes" she said. "Sorry but nature calls" Faith said heading to the door. "Please have patience Ms. McCormick" Skylar said gripping her shoulder. Faith flinched as her grip was strong. Faith grabbed her wrist and forced her hand away. Skylar held her wrist surprised. "I'll be right back" Faith said smiling. Faith left the room and headed to the front door. The receptionist saw her and quickly stood up. "Ms. McCormick wait!" she yelled. Suddenly, a white with blue stripes 67' Shelby GT 500 skidded to a stop in front of the lobby doors. It was certainly out of place with other cars she had seen since arriving. Even more odd it had custom plates which was not a thing for Norway. "Slepnir?" Faith asked reading it. A well-built man in white clothing emerged along with a teenage girl. He began walking right towards her. He made a gesture with his hand and an alarm sounded. Armored shutters came down over the windows.

The only way out was forward. Faith prepared herself but she was not prepared for what came next. The elevator rang and a dozen women dressed in either white or black began to surround the lobby. SCAR rifles drawn on her.  The man entered the lobby with the girl in tow. "I don't take kindly to people poking into my business. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way but you're not leaving here until I get answers" he warned. This close, Faith saw he matched the description Dru gave her. This was the God that killed Marco's parents. Faith had not intended to fight him this early, but luck was not on her side that morning. "Well the Eye of Bast figured payment was due" she thought. "What shall it be?" he asked. Faith kicked her heels off feeling the cool marble under her warm moist soles. She tore off her skirt so now her dress came to her knees. Faith flexed a little. "Hard way it is. I want her alive" Ragnar said motioning for six agents to step forward.

They surrounded her holding clubs and electrified batons. "You really want to ride this train?" Faith asked staring at them. One to her upper right tensed up as her heartbeat increased. She rushed Faith trying to snack her with a billy club. Faith pivoted on the ball of her left foot and twisted as the young woman missed. Faith grabbed her extended arm, broke it, and roughly kicked her square in the chest. Her bare foot cracking her ribs, the kick sent her flying and sliding along their floor. The woman shook in pain but never cried out. Everyone looked at one another at the speed and skill Faith used. They all rushed her at once. Faith used hand to hand combat but found they were far stronger and faster than a normal human should be. "Fortification magic? No, something else" she thought as she fought them. One shocked her with a baton which rattled her muscles. Then another and another. Faith began to falter until she lashed out hitting vital areas. A punctured lung, direct strike to the heart, heavy concussion. Faith stood back up wiping blood from her mouth and spitting a tooth. Only two left. Faith focused her strength like her father once taught her by locking her right leg and tensing her right arm. The young woman charged her and then turned as expecting Faith to do the same, but Faith did not move. Faith threw a punch using the energy transferred from her leg to increase the damage. There was a sickening crack after landing the blow to her face. The woman fell to Faith's feet unmoving or breathing. Faith couldn't hear her heart beating anymore. "I snapped your friend's neck just now. Back the fuck off" Faith warned the last one. The woman eased back.

Faith looked back at the man. "Call them off. I rather not kill more of them if I have to" she told him. Ragnar glanced to the side and held out his hand. A raven flew into the lobby and dropped something into his hand. "I propose a trade. Her life for your freedom" he said coldly. "Who's...oh no. You fucking bastard!" she yelled as her eyes focused on an unconscious Selah in his hand. "Going once. Going twice" he said closing his fist on the tiny girl. "STOP! I... surrender" Faith said. Ragnar relented. He walked up to her. "Take her to the indoctrination room" he said handing Selah to an agent. He motioned for three others to assault Faith. "Let her go. I'll go willingly. Hell, you can beat me to death if you want but let her go" Faith begged. Ragnar didn't respond except nodding to the agents to do their job. Faith was beaten and shocked until she could no longer even kneel. She laid on the cold floor as they subdued her. "Enough. As for you Alana, you disobeyed a direct order from your master. There is no room for insubordination in this family" he said raising his hand at the woman who refused to fight Faith any longer. Ragnar's hand glowed for a moment as he shrank the girl before him. He walked closer to her.

"Please master! It was a lapse! I'm faithful! Loyal!" she begged as her three-inch body shook in fear. "You swore an oath which you broke. I cannot trust you any longer. I discharge you from your duty. May your soul find peace" he said calmly as he raised his foot over her. She barely whimpered as he slammed it down. Faith saw her body simply pop under his foot. The crunch of bones and wet squelch of her meat audible to her ears. "Take her to interrogation room 1" he ordered. Faith was grabbed and roughly knocked out.

She woke startled as cold water was poured on her. She was bound hand and foot to some kind of rack. But what was more alarming was the giant man looming right over her. Faith looked around to find she has shrunk to her normal size and trapped in a room with him and one other woman. "You are an interesting creature. Normally I shrink the people that plague me but as soon as you were rendered unconscious, you reverted to this size. That tells me you're either a gremlin or a borrower. My money is on borrower with that American accent. Usually, I'd only have to gaze upon you to know all I need to know but there are some exceptional spell wards on you preventing that. Now, this is the part where you begin to tell me what I want to know" Ragnar said. "I ain't saying shit until I know that girl is safe" Faith said. Ragnar snapped his fingers summoning the woman in the room closer. Now that Faith could see her face, she could see it was Skylar from before. Skylar showed her the phone held in her hand. It was a closed feed from another room. "Unharmed and now human sized. Now she didn't have those wards so I could peer right into her very being. Fascinating really. A permanent shrinking spell placed on her. A spellwork I've never seen before except once. A man by the name of Markus had something similar. Skylar here said you dropped his name so tell me little one. Who are you?" he asked.

"Faith McCormick. I didn't lie about that. As to what I am, I'm a borrower as you say" she replied. "A borrower with natural magic? Well, such a thing has happened before but never one so powerful. What is your purpose here?" he asked. "Let her go and I'll tell you everything" she said. Ragnar laughed. "Why would I ever let go one that skilled in magic? Right now, she is being prepared for indoctrination. I'm sorely tempted to include you" he said touching her face with his finger. It traveled down to her breasts which he poked and rolled with his finger until her milk began to come out. "A mother I see. And of exceptional health too" he muttered after tasting it. "My familiars told me that girl called you mom. Too old to suckle your breasts and you're too young to push her out of your cunt. An adoption. Markus once spoke of an island he lived on. You are from there yes?" he asked. Faith stared at him. Ragnar slipped his finger underneath her pussy and began pushing the tip in. "YES DAMMIT!" she yelled as her pussy was being split open.