Free Query by Viola Grace Page B

than she looked, or Rescue gave in, but he moved forward with long steps, and the door closed behind him.
    Ember dusted her hands off and smiled. She turned her back. “Sing out if you need help.”
    Freddy grabbed the dress and yanked it on over her head, looked down and spun it around so that her breasts weren’t completely on display.
    She dangled her legs over the edge of the bed and slowly stood up. The hem brushed her toes. “Okay, what are the ropes for?”
    Ember turned, smiled and came forward. “They go from the back attachment, over your shoulders, cross between your breast, wrap around your back and then tie in front.”
    “Could you help?” Freddy was hopeful.
    Ember quickly executed the exact manoeuvre and tied the rope in a loose knot under her breasts. “There. Just like the ancients.”
    “Great. I always wanted to dress like a dead person.”
    Ember snorted a laugh and a small flare of fire jumped out. “Oh, please, excuse me.”
    “So... fire?”
    “Yes. Sorry. It rarely gets out.”
    Freddy smiled. “It is fine. Are there shoes to go with this?”
    “No, you won’t need them. The mythos is that the Oracles step on the grounds touched by the gods and the tea allows them to channel the energy left behind by the deities.”
    “Well, I was able to read the recruiter at home and no gods have ever walked that land, also I was wearing shoes.”
    “We will make arrangements for you to have something to put on your feet when you are not on duty, but today isn’t that day.” Ember smiled, gathered the other dresses and beckoned to her. “Come on, I will show you your quarters.”
    As they walked out of the medical chamber, Oracle asked, “How do I understand what you are saying?”
    Ember grinned. “We pried your lids open before you woke up and gave you a language flash. I am surprised you picked it up, but I suppose your species is what that method was designed for. It is efficient, I will give it that.”
    They walked halls, and Freddy felt warmth under her feet. “Is there a volcano under us?”
    “No, we have heated flooring. It has been here for centuries and no one is complaining.” She laughed.
    Freddy could see a light ahead, a pool of daylight coming through an open archway. She ran ahead of Ember and looked out the opening. “Oh. Wow.”
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    The city that sprawled in front of her had insane architecture that defied gravity. Spires, twists, domes and homes shaped like tiny castles were everywhere. There was no way this was Earth.
    The huge birds soaring overhead with their size reminiscent of elephants were proof that she wasn’t home any longer. Even the air held spices and scents that her mind couldn’t make sense of. Everything was truly alien.
    She stared until she heard footfalls behind her.
    Ember was leaning against the wall next to her. “Oh, good. The others have come looking. Curious bastards.”
    “Ember.” There was a world of chiding in that growl.
    “Fine. Oracle, this is Rune, Axis, Charming and Brakes.” Ember waved casually at the array of men who were in front of them.
    They were all huge. The Guardians worked out so that they could charge into danger. It seemed to be working well for them.
    Rune had the stance of a leader. He was iridescent, had hip-length blue hair and distinctly pointed ears. His uniform consisted of a lightly armoured shirt and pants so tight her gaze estimated his girth, and she couldn’t be too far off.
    She jerked her focus over to Axis, Charming and Brakes. They were in a variety of red shades, which made Rune and his heavily tattooed arms the only alien aside from her.
    She felt that she should recognize his sharp features and nearly catlike eyes, but she didn’t. There was knowledge in her head that she couldn’t access yet.
    Brakes smiled, his red hair pulled back in a ponytail. “Does she speak?”
    Freddy scowled. She crossed her arms under her breasts and glared at the collection of men who were