I floated out from my body and hung over the two people busying around my sleeping form. I was more a Spector than a projection this time. My projection was a haze of starry purple. It wavered off me like a mercurial tide, drifting in and out, low, and high.

I looked down as the women started speaking.

“Karen, who is he? and why have you brought him here?” the angelic woman asked the blonde gently.

I took a second to take all of her in.

Her soft supple skin was a pale bronze. Gleaming amber eyes. Her hair was different shades from crown to tips. From white roots to a soft-brown mid-length. It hung around her face in gentle waves.

She had an hourglass figure, her breast’s large and firm on her chest. Her round wide hips and full ass made obvious by the silken robe she was wearing tied around her beautiful body.

The back of her robe was unnaturally stiff and rigid. And it made me suspect that she was concealing something underneath.

“His name is Elias. We go the same academy together—”

“The one you were informed recently to monitor?” Ophelia guessed.

“The very same. And, well, he just keeps getting caught up in it all. Starting with Bysons a few days ago.”

“The kidnapping Patricia interrupted?” Karen nodded in agreement.

“So what happened today?”

“Interesting,” I murmured thoughtfully watching them both through my ghostly avatar.

“Sorry?” Ophelia asked Karen, before the blonde could even open her mouth.

“I didn’t say anything … yet,” Karen rolled her eyes.

Did the angelic-woman just hear me?

Karen went on to explain everything, from our conversation’s. To seeing Patricia—who they hadn’t heard from in a while—at the academy, to me following her out. To today’s chaotic turn of events.

I half expected Ophelia to explode in outrage at the very prospect that we might’ve lead the SPBI straight to her front door. But the angelic women simply nodding along with Karen’s tale.

“Why here?” Ophelia asked at last. “Why our hideout?”

“Well,” Karen paused, thinking. “He’s not a bad guy, and I was going to bring him here anyway. And just, well, he saved my ass out there. He’s also important to the Unbound somehow. Now the SPBI want him as well.”

She looked away from her friend and to my corpse, sorry, my sleeping body. A small fond smile graced her lips.

“He’s weak, and a little frightened,” she admitted bluntly. “But brave enough to drag me to safety,” Karen rattled off in some thoughtless blundering summary of my faults.

“Gee thanks,” I murmured again and quieted when Ophelia’s head turned slightly towards me. She couldn’t see me exactly, but she could definitely hear me.

“So you like him?” Ophelia shook her head and returned her attention to the blonde, a teasing grin on her lips.

“I already have a plaything remember,” Karen shook her head. Her face flushing as she looked at my sleeping form.

Like I said before, I wasn’t bad looking. But I was a twig in comparison to Andrew the meathead. Unfortunately, though, most of the girls at the academy are mundane’s and would never sully their reputation when a collared. Until they were partying, and drinking, and nobody was around to catch you out on it.

“Do you want me to heal him is that it?” Ophelia asked after a moment spent looking me.

“Please,” Karen nodded her head tiredly. “We need to understand why the Unbound are allowing him free rein. In comparison to the other’s they’ve either coerced, killed, or kidnapped.”

“Maybe his power isn’t worth it to them,” Ophelia suggested and began untying the knot on her silken robe.

“Damn…” I whispered – extremely - quietly.

Six white wings shook out and ruffled as the robe fell away from Ophelia’s—most definite—angelic body.

They were in three sets of two on her back.

Four wings were positioned higher up on her back, while the smallest pair were on her lower back with a two-foot wingspan.

The highest set on her back, came straight out of her shoulder blades. They were sleeker than the middle pair, and had wingspan of about four feet.

The middle set of wings stemmed from just beneath, Ophelia’s shoulder blades about mid-back. They were broader in width, and had a longer wingspan. Just under five feet.

Her lingerie glad figure, climbed atop the table and straddled my waist. Her lacy white brassiere and boy-short panties extenuated her glorious body perfectly.

I gawked – hard – at the exposed pale bronze flesh on display. Yes it was creepy, practically being a ghost and peeping on an undressed woman as she straddled my hips and ground herself lightly down on me.

But I was still just a humble man.

Could I get erection even while I was a projection? From the angelic-woman’s slight gasp, I guessed I could.

“He’s healthy enough for something alright,” the angelic-woman giggled merrily.

“Ophelia!” Karen gasped and rubbed at her face. “Heal him, please! Stop playing with his corpse.”

“Something’s definitely alive,” Ophelia chuckled and placed her hands on my clothed chest. I was wearing a simple white button shirt, dark blue jeans, leather belt. and a pair of old boots.

“What’s this?” she murmured questioning to herself. Almost too quietly to hear.

“As for your suggestion a moment ago,” Karen continued and turned away from the display on the table. I was rock hard after all, to the point that my bulge was visible through my jeans. “The powerful Elementalist that arrived to save Nalsteader. Said that Harry was ordered to leave Elias alone. Why would that be, if not for any other reason that they need something willingly from him.”

I looked from the back of Karen’s head as she finished, then down to a stare wide eyed at Ophelia. Who was staring wide eyed back at me.

I tilted my head curiously and watched as her eyes snapped to up mine.

“Hello,” I greeted, and waved my hand.

“H-h-hi?” she squeaked at me nervously.

“You’re very-beautiful by the way. But please do be careful with that,” I told her and gestured to the tether she had in her glowing – yes they were glowing gold – hands. Even her gentle fluttering wings were exuding a gold glowing aura off them.

“Ophelia, are you listening to me or still playing with his dick…” Karen trailed off as she turned to look at the table. Then she too looked up at me. Her eyes following the visible tether in Ophelia grasp, up to where I floated.

I waved again, and Karen gave a shrill scream before promptly fainting on the spot.

~*~*~*~

“Is she going to be okay?” I asked, concerned, as I floated to hover above the unconscious blonde. I reached out and gently brushed a stray bit of hair away from her brow, amazed that I could do so.

Then without any strain or effort, I curled one arm under her neck and the other beneath her legs and picked her up.

I gently floated over and set her down on a bench at the back of the room. I couldn’t go any further as the tether went taut at the back of my neck. My consciousness faded into a blur and suddenly I was looking up at the large firm breasts above my face.

The cascade of soft brown and white hair was like fine glossy silk as it hung around the right side of the angelic-woman’s face.

“Hello, again,” I greeted, and instinctively grabbed her hips as she flinched. Her skin was supple beneath my grasp and I held on as she steadied herself shakily.

“Stop… doing that,” she chided down at me, in her soft tones.

I grinned and shrugged.

“Your straddling me. A woman should always be prepare for the ride to buck once she hops on,” I smirked at her.

“Good one,” she deadpanned and smirked lightly. Yet I was her pale bronze neck and cheeks redden in a blush. She settle back on her knees. Her plump perfect ass rubbing against my painfully hard cock.

We both became aware of our closeness instantly. My hands still grasped her hips, almost too tightly. As if I were about to lift her up and slam her down on me.

“So,” the angelic-woman cleared her throat. Her face flushed even deeper as she sat more comfortably in my lap, causing my concealed dick to rub against her clothed slit. “I’m, Ophelia Walker and I was about to—”

“Heal me,” I finished for her, and nodded. “Yeah, I could hear and see everything. So no need to explain.”

“Good… good, uhhh. Then, I suppose I shall get on with healing you,” she murmured softly, and placed both of her hands on my chest once again.

The slight shift brought more of her gorgeous body hovering over me.

Her hands and wings emitted that golden glow once again. Her amber eyes gleamed with a glassy golden hue. Her brow creased together in concern, and then confusion.

The golden light faded from her.

“You don’t need to be healed,” she mumbled in stunned amazement.

“That was quick,” I said approvingly.

“No,” Ophelia said quietly and shook her head. “I haven’t actually healed you. You needed – needed – healing, I know. But I haven’t done any as of yet. Nor do I need to now, apparently.”

Our eyes met as the realisation at what she’d just explained hit me. I had somehow healed myself.

“It that possible?” I asked with a note concern.

“Every being with the super’s genome has a degree of regenerative properties. I myself am amongst the highest in this degree,” she admitted without pride. “But you completely healed a concussion, multiple broken and fracture bones in a matter of minutes. Something I’ve only known myself to do. What is your super power, if you don’t mind me asking?” she added hurriedly.

“I have no idea,” I told her and reached up to tap on my Arium collar. Ophelia stared at the collar wide eyed and then at me.

“Even with it on. I’m some still able to ‘project,’ as I’m calling it. It’s only happened twice until now. The first time was in my room, and I fell asleep. The second was after falling unconscious to Harry. Then now, a few minutes ago. You told me to rest and I… well… rested.”

Ophelia looked at me a little guiltily. “It’s one of my abilities,” she explained to me. “I can Mesmerize someone, or whole groups of people into unconsciousness.”

“So you really are an angel?” I asked her and grinned stupidly as she blushed heavenly.

“I’m classed as a ‘Divine’ Healer,” she said sarcastically and shook her head. “Bad enough I have wings because of that stupid experiment. For them to then label Divine on me … it was rough.”

“I like your wings,” I told her smiling. Filing away her mention of ‘the stupid experiment.’

“So, now that I’ve got a clean bill of health. Am I healthy enough to evacuate this table. It’s not the must comfiest of places to be mounted on.”

“So very droll,” Ophelia sighed heavily at me, and then laughed lightly. “I’m glad you like my wings. Many don’t.”

She watched me quietly for a moment and sat back on her heels. Then she got off me, making a small show of languidly stretching as she stood above me. Her wings beat twice, and she glided over to land in a strut walking towards the unconscious blonde.

The gorgeous angelic-woman bent over and began whispering in the blondes hair. Her firm round ass on full display in her tight boy-shorts.

I rubbed at my face and looked away with a blush. My day was one roller coaster to the next.

~*~*~*~

“So this is your secret base?” I asked the pair. After Ophelia had check outside the window for SPBI patrols coming nearby. The angelic woman had resumed wearing her silk robe once again. But this time, her wings were on full display through thin slits in the robes back.

They were gently waving back and forth, for which I was thankful. Being inside was fine, but the summer heat still got to me even here.

So, as Ophelia happily fanned us all with her wings. I took the time to explain my side of events to them.

“Don’t change the subject,” Karen challenged me.

“Yeah, I want to see it as well,” Ophelia pouted her agreement with her friend.

We were sat around a table at the back of the bar, out of sight of the door. Though from where we sat Karen had a good line of sight on anyone entering.

They weren’t talking of my raging hard-on of course. Which was trying—with passing every second—to burst through my jeans, smash through the table, and likely slap both women in the face.

I’m exaggerating - a little - but you get the picture.

Both women were painfully beautiful. And I still felt the touch of Ophelia body on me. The minimal weight of her pressed against my lap. The tenderness of her skin beneath my hands.

“Earth to Eli,” Ophelia chuckled and clicked her long slender fingers in front of my face. I blinked and rubbed my nose.

“I’ve never heard that saying before,” I murmured and watched as both women passed discreet glances at each other.

“It’s an old one,” Karen said quickly.

“Back from Winderall, hmm?” I asked.

Karen nodded, where Ophelia shook her head slightly. Neither of them noticed the other’s response and I sighed.

“Fine, fine. I’ll take the collar off. But only for a second,” I informed them and held up my hands in defeat.

“Why only a second?” Karen asked, tilting her head curiously.

“Because… because I’m afraid I won’t go back to normal,” I admitted and sighed once again. Then I glanced Ophelia’s wings and felt like an asshole.

“Not like that, it’s… different,” I tried to explained. Yet my words caused her wings to slow their gentle sway and they sagged ever so slightly, though her expression never wavered.

“Look, I’ll show you,” I insisted. I took a deep nervous breath and unclasped my collar. I was immediately met by gasps of surprise.

“Are my eyelids purple again?” I asked with a sighed and glanced down at the collar in my hands. The skin on my hands was a starry-purple. Like tiny flecks of distant stars were glinting through to the surface layer of my flesh.

My fingernails were a purple black, almost obsidian shade.

“No, no, no, no,” I muttered and started to shake my head. My hands as well trembled shakily as I started to raise the Arium collar back to my neck when Ophelia caught my hands.

I looked at her and my eyes must’ve flashed with uncertainty and even a measure of betrayal at her attempt to stop me.

“Elias,” she started gently. Her angelic voice soothing through, and washing me to the bone. “This is the real you. No amount of hiding it will ever change that.”

“You’re like a god,” Karen whispered hoarsely as she stared at me wide-eyed. Ophelia shot the blonde a dirty scowl and she shut up.

My mind played back Ophelia’s confession an hour ago. How she resented being named a Divine Healer.

“But I can’t go out like this,” I said and waved my hands around vaguely gesturing.

“Look, the Arium collar hobbles the manifestation of powers, that much we know. But were you born with purple skin and white glowing eyes?” Ophelia asked me.

I frowned and thought for a moment. I remembered my mom showing me pictures of my birth. Taken literally moments before I had been collared.

“No,” I replied finally and looked down at my hands.

“Which means this is a side-effect of your powers. You can try to control it,” She suggested. I looked her sharply. She smiled gently at back me. I saw that she was hesitant but hopeful for me.

And maybe even a little envious.

I imagined that her wings didn’t vanish when she wore a collar. If she wore a collar.

“How? and do you have a mirror? I actually haven’t seen myself like this yet.”

“I’ll get one!” Karen announced and jumped up from her seat, racing into the back room. I watched her go and then looked at Ophelia.

“Be honest with me. Do you really believe I can…” I waved my hand down at myself. Ophelia bit her lip and hesitated, looking away from me.

“Maybe,” she sighed. Her voice took on a distant quality. “When… when my wings grew. I felt shunned by society. Windfall was a small little community back then. Wars were being raged on us for no other reason that differing opinions and… I tried everything I could. But- the point is I even tried to cut off…” she shuddered and gripped my hands tightly in hers.

I looked into sorrowful eyes with horror.

“You didn’t…” I whispered and shook my head in denial. But her sad expression said it all. “I’m- I’m- so sorry, Ophelia that is—”

“We can’t deny who we are, Elias. I learned that the hard way. Extreme regenerative properties have there setbacks,” she smiled sadly at me.

“Hey, guy’s. I’ve found the mirror,” Karen walked back into the main room, carrying a large six-foot ornamental mirror. The framework looked to be made of knotted gold and silvery leaves. She carried it like it was made of cheap plastic.

“Karen!” Ophelia hissed and jumped from her stool running over to the blonde-woman. “You went into my room again.”

“Relax. I avoided your collection of toys. You seriously need to clean your room though,” Karen snickered at the sputtering angelic-woman.

“They’re not toys, and… and everything is exactly where it should be,” Ophelia huffed indignantly.

“Sure, sure,” the blonde chuckled and set the tall mirror down against the bar.

“All set,” Karen murmured and patted the mirror affectionally.

I stood up shakily and walked over to stand in front of the mirror. I blinked as some otherworldly being stared back at me in reflection.

“This…” I started, my eyes wandering across my appearance. “This is so strange.”

My usually dusty blonde hair was a glowing white that wavered atop my head in some unseen current. My eyes softly glowed a brilliant white matching my hair. My face and the rest of my exposed skin was indeed a starry purple. Each small glint or freckle of light on my skin, faded in and out. Like tiny grains of sand they flecked my skin in the hundreds of thousands, possibly even more.

Some even blinked out to entirely to be replace by two or more.

“What the hell am I?” I asked in quiet disbelieve, and opened my mouth. My teeth were noticeably whiter than usual. My tongue as black as my nail’s against my lightly purple lips.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Karen swallowed, her eyes trailed up and down my body. Like she was measuring which part of a steak to eat first.

“I’m wondering what your power is,” Ophelia murmured thoughtfully, her amber eyes trailing over me as well.

“Is everything this… starry?” Karen asked with a sudden teasing glint her eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders. Then just to taunt them I turned around and unbuckled my belt.

“Boo!” the blonde laughed.

“I thought you already had a ‘plaything?’” Ophelia asked the pretty blonde and shook her head in amusement.

“Nothing serious,” the blonde replied hurriedly and added. “And that doesn’t mean I can’t admire.”

“Admire… right,” Ophelia drawled and rolled her eyes.

I unzipped my jeans and looked down at myself. Then I grunted and fastened myself back up. I turned back around a shit-eating-grin plastered across my face as I buckled my belt.

“Well?” both women huffed in unison when I didn’t say anything.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I said with a snicker.

“Of course,” Karen rolled her eyes. “For purely platonic reasons of course.”

“Riiight,” I nodded doubtfully.

“Maybe I’ll find out later,” Ophelia murmured and stared at me with something akin to hunger.

“Maybe,” I half-agreed with a small laugh. “So, what could my super powers be?” I asked, trying to turn the subject away from my starry-purple-penis.

“I think I can answer that,” mused a new voice from behind me. I flinched and whipped around to see the black-haired Patricia standing there.

“Patty,” Ophelia smiled brightly. “Welcome home.”

“Yeah. Where have you been?” Karen smirked at the Technomancer.

“Avoiding SPBI patrols for the last hour,” the black-haired woman replied and eyed me as she walked over to the other women. “Good to see you again, Elias. If not expected.”

“You as well, Patricia,” I swallowed nervously.

“Now, before we get started on the scan of your powers. Does someone mind telling me why they’re so many patrols and blockades near our hideout.”

Ah, crap. It was story-time yet again.

This novel is the work of Rhys Thomas. If you are reading this and it has not been published by Rhys Thomas, then this work has been stolen. Please report this to Amazon and me at email: [email protected]