The events take place 5 days before the previous chapter...

"Are you sure about this Keith" the old man asked. "Very sure. It would mean the world to her if her parents showed up for the wedding and birth" Keith replied. "I understand. I'm just saying don't expect too much from them. And you're adamant on not telling Lawan?" Tran asked. "Don't want to get her hopes up and she's under enough stress. She's due to deliver within days. The wedding almost the same time. Needless to say, I'm nervous as fuck" he replied. "And what did you tell her?" Tran asked. "That I needed some alone time. That I was cooped up and I'd be back in two days" he replied. "And she was fine with this?" Tran asked. "Uh...no. She relented eventually when I begged" he replied. "Well, as I said they're in Miami. You better get moving" Tran said. "Thanks grandfather" Keith politely said. Keith left alone worried about her but he was pushed to do this for her. Lawan was open to starting a new life but there were old wounds from the last one. She needed closure.

Many hours later...

"Back in the US of A" he muttered stepping outside of the airport. "Got borrowers? Turn them in to the local hospital for $100" he saw a billboard outside. "Buyback program? Guess that could work" he thought. Living in the Yaksha city, Keith was alienated from the outside world. He was very curious as to what had been happening since the borrower rights law had been passed. He waited for the shuttle service to pick him up. Dropping him off, he patiently waited for the receptionist. "Your name please?" a voice asked. "Keith...Smith?" he said turning around not seeing anyone. "Down here sir" she said waving. "Oh!" Keith said startled. On the counter was a small woman of 23 years. Well-kept by the look of her cute business attire. "Didn’t know they employed borrowers" Keith said. "I'm the first for this branch. If you're uncomfortable, I can call for someone else" she said. "No. Not at all. I've been out of the country for a while. Glad to see some changes" he said. The tiny woman smiled as began pushing on an iPad.

Her hands dutifully pressed icons. Her stocking feet kept balance as she stretched to press something. Keith could smell her. An elevated level of estrogen. "Congratulations on the pregnancy by the way" he said. The woman stopped typing. "How did you know that?  I'm not even showing yet" she said. "You have that mommy glow" he replied. The woman gave him a cute smile. "You're being paid properly right? Housed okay?" he asked. She gave him a look. "Sorry. I was...is a champion of Borrower rights. These things come to me" he said. "Well I make the same as the others. Our employer takes care of the banking stuff. Even set up a place to live. Old homes are being remodeled for borrowers by federal grants" she replied. Keith was amazed hearing that. "And hate groups?" he asked. "...still around. I wear a GPS belt that has my location. Just in case..." she muttered. He could tell she was uncomfortable. "Lynn? That's what it says right? I for one admire your bravery. One day when you're older your kid is going to ask you about these times. And you can say..."I was brave enough to try" Keith said. The woman didn't look up but she did wipe tears from her eyes.

"Your Camry is in space 112. Thank you for your business...and for your kind words" she said. Keith nodded and took the keys from the hanging shelf. He found his car, unlocked it, and got in. "He said they lived at 2011 Palms Way Dr." he muttered putting the address in the google maps. He started the car and drove off. Listening to the music was boring him so he switched to the news. "This is GNN...the preferred news network of America. And now for the top story. Lawmakers in Washington are working overtime trying to legislate the new Borrower rights law. Citing issues with implementing rights such as the right to work jobs, health and life insurance, and equal pay for not so equal work.  Here to speak about the problems is Senator Pat Toomey. Thank you Senator for joining us this afternoon" the announcer said. "Glad to be here" he replied. "So senator, what really is the problem congress is facing?" the announcer asked.

"It's one of those cases of society growing faster than the law. We just wrote into law that borrowers have the same constitutional rights as humans but the process of legislation is daunting.  We have Americans that don't want to give up their borrowers they kept as pets. We can't raid their homes under just suspicion. We still need probable cause. And then the question of what jobs they can hold. Teachers, cashiers, clerical work is fine but...what about jobs like police officers, firefighters, armed forces? Under current law you can't bar a person from a job because of a disability...a reasonable disability" he said. "And being only three inches tall is a disability?" the announcer asked. "I'd say so. Your house is on fire. You're trapped. You want your life in the hands of someone who can't even lift a garden hose let alone a fire hose? And that's just the beginning. People...some people don't want to work around them" he said. "Because of discrimination?" the announcer asked. "Some of that but their biggest fear is accidentally hurting them or killing them. Under new law, killing a Borrower can be a hate crime. Imagine accidentally crushing one under a book or stepping on one as you rush down the hallway to deliver a report. People don't want that risk" he said.

"Nobody said it would be easy buddy" Keith growled as he accelerated on the highway. "Well by recent Gallup poll, Americans want them to have rights. Your contemporary Bob Casey said this is reminiscent of recently freed slaves just after the civil war. Society struggled to find them a place. There was backlash. Look a very long time for them to see their rights recognized. Would you agree to that comparison?" the announcer asked. "...yeah I could see how that analogy fits. But to make it seem clear cut is haphazard" he said. "But you've been talking to me fairly easy during this skype call?" the announcer said. The man paused. "You can't tell right away but I'm a Borrower. You been talking to a borrower sir" the announcer said. Keith burst out laughing. "I was the property of a teenage boy. Forced to do horrible things sir. Then this law and buyback program fell. Was in a shelter until I was found by this news organization and given a job. I know I'm the pretty face for my species here but I'm thankful for the opportunity nonetheless. We're out there sir. We want to make a living. We want to build a life" she said sternly. The man hesitated before he spoke.

"And I appreciate your courage to try. But having said that I'm sure your employers have concerns right? Where you should walk. Where you should eat. And your own concerns about who you want to be around. That's what is on the mind of people" he replied. "Well...history has a way of proving who is in the right doesn’t it? Thank you for your time. When we return we'll discuss the lucrative business prospects of a borrower consumer market" she said. Keith chuckled to himself. He expected opposition to the law. He wasn't naive. He was happy that borrowers weren't just sitting around waiting for change. He and his family had made the law a reality. It was up to them now to defend it. Keith pulled off the highway and followed the GPS directions. He stopped in front of a house. "They should be home. Tran said they got out of the restaurant business and went into real estate" he muttered. His suspicions were backed by a pair of cars in the driveway. He took a deep breath. "Keith. Whatever happens, don't lose your composure. Remember, these people are stanch on their beliefs" Oberon warned him. "I know. Believe me I know" he said softly before getting out.

Keith walked to the front door and knocked. "Hi. My name is Keith Smith. I came to talk to you about something important" he said as a man opened the door. "About what?" the man asked wary. "About your daughter Lawan" Keith replied. The man went to shut the door and Keith prevented it. The man pushed hard, very hard but it didn't budge as Keith easily kept him from doing so. "You aren't even curious how a white guy knows your daughter?" Keith asked. "Who is at the door?" a woman asked in Thai. "Keith Smith on behalf of your daughter!" Keith yelled. Both were surprised to hear him speak Thai. The man calmed by curiosity could finally sense the inherent magic surrounding him. Namely from his pockets. "May I please come in?" he asked. Sensing no evil intent (and being curious) they agreed.

"Thank you. Wow. Lawan looks so much like you ma'am" he said looking at the woman. Dressed in a simple shirt, sweatpants and barefoot, her mother really did look like her. Similar to how Lawan might look in 20 years. Her father wore a green shirt, shorts and was barefoot as well. A year or so younger than his wife. "And how do you know our daughter?" he asked. "Is she well?" the woman asked. Keith wanted to snap back saying "if you talked to her you'd know".  "Lawan is doing great. Back to training students. Even a hero" he replied. "Training? She was censured" the man said. "Many things have changed in your home town" Keith said. "Apparently so if a westerner human knows of her and it" the woman said. "I'm many things but human isn't one of them" Keith said sitting down in a chair. "Our daughter was punished with censure. She may keep her title and job but not allowed to train anyone" the father said to him. "Things change. As to why she's training once more, it's a necessary thing" Keith said. "Necessary how and why is it you that shows up here?" the woman asked. "Do you have something to drink. This will take some time" Keith said. The woman gave him some iced oolong tea much to the chagrin of her husband. 

It took over an hour for him to explain. They were not so convinced. "I can except a white westerner knowing of us. Maybe you being a borrower. But your unborn daughter being the next wielder of Etherion? Our shield failing? And you holding the soul of the majesty of Oberon? Preposterous" the man said. Keith sighed and let Oberon take over. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. "A keychain?" The man scoffed. "Have your skill become so dulled little Yaksha you cannot see an illusion?" Oberon asked. Oberon released the spell. It dissolved, and the tiny sword lay before them. "A spell so Keith could carry it through airport security. Now...Rune Breaker...awaken!" Oberon yelled as he picked it up. It formed into a full-sized blade. "Behold the mightiest sword magic can forge. A sword that can cut enchantments as easily as it can cut air" he said. Then man stood there between awe and skepticism. "Woman. Enlarge that apple with magic" Oberon commanded. The man wanted to say something to the stranger commanding his wife but the voice he heard carried ancient authority. His instincts told him to not object.

She placed an apple in the middle of the floor and grew it to the size of a beach ball. "Good enough" Oberon said. He quickly stabbed it and in an instant the apple shrank so fast it was cut in twain. "You still doubt mortals?" Oberon asked as an eerie wind blew through the house. "Oberon. You're scaring them. Stop" Keith said. "Not my intent" he said retreating back into the recesses of Keith's mind and body. "Sorry. Oberon hasn't had much time to unwind lately. Think he just wanted to impress you" Keith said as nicely as possible. "Why have you come to us? Why now? We're retired if you think we can help you not that we can do much as we took a vow of nonviolence like all our kind" the woman said worried. Keith shrank his sword down, picked up the two pieces of apple and handed them to them. "I didn't come to ask you to fight. I came because of a family matter" he said. Hearing that they calmed down and sat down.

"First of all. Let's try this again without the suspicion and chest thumping" Keith said reaching into his other pocket. He pulled out a book of post it notes and tore off the first page. Arcane symbols already written on it in blood. He bit his finger and swiped it on the note. The magic inscribed activated and shrank him down. "This is who I am. May I be honored with the same trust and courtesy?" Keith asked. They nodded and undid their growth spells. Each one sat in the sizes they were born into regardless of species. "I told you about who I am. The fight before us. Your city in danger. I have not told you how I'm connected to your daughter. First thing is Lawan is healthy and happy. Happier than she's been in a long time...until very recently. As her due date approaches...I've heard her crying by herself holding a picture of you two. No doubt the reality of being a parent has her mind thinking of you" he said. "Due date?! She's with child?!" the mother asked. "Yes, and the father is me. I came to train for the battle to come and in doing so fell in love with her" he replied. They looked at one another.

"And we are to wed on the next new moon according to your traditions" he said. "That's in five days" the father said. "Yeah, and she's expected to give birth between now and then" Keith said shaking his head. "Why this new moon? It's strange to do this close to a birth" the woman said. "Because we can't wait for the next one. We might all be dead by then. Yes...it's that bad" Keith replied. "Aat. Our daughter is going to be a mother and a bride" his wife muttered. "I heard the man Boonsri. Thank you Keith for telling us. Anything else?" Aat asked. "Anything else? That's what you have to say?" Keith asked annoyed. "If you allude to us seeing her and being there then the answer is no. Lawan broke a sacred law. Law above all laws. Only one worse is killing a fellow Yaksha. Such dishonor merits disownment" he said. "...you're ridiculous. Some people really do need permission to have kids. How can you just fucking sit there hearing what I said and not want to see your daughter?!" Keith yelled. "We don't expect an outsider...."

"Stop right the fuck there. If there is anything universal then it's the love of a parent and child. I miss my son every day. I got two kids coming. You’d have to cut my fucking heart out before I cut them out of my life. You preach love, balance, and truth. Hypocrites. There is no love when you tossed your kid out of your life. No balance to a broken heart. No truth when you sit there and act is if you do not have a choice" Keith spat as he picked up the now giant scrap of post it note and angrily tore it in half. Doing so broke his spell and he grew back. The husband and wife grew frightened at the looming giant in their home. "Whatever. My flight back is at 1:00 tomorrow. Wanna come be there. If not...then stop calling yourselves her parents. You don't deserve the right" he hissed as he snatched up his sword, stuck it back in his pocket, and left. Keith drove to his hotel to rest for a moment.

Tran had warned him not to get his hopes up but never thought they would be this stubborn. He was sure they'd return hearing she was pregnant and about to marry. He was partly pissed at his own hubris. The sun set and the Miami nightlife called to him. It was too bright and lively to ignore. First thing he did was get a cheeseburger. Something that simple meant a great deal to him. When he was done with that he roamed Main Street. Coffee shops, bookstores, convenience stores. All almost alien to him now and then one thing caught his eye. A sign outside a strip club that advertised borrowers. Keith had to see this for more than one reason. It would be a sight to see for one but could such a thing exist after the laws? Legit wise anyway. In upper class clubs, borrowers were used all the time. The turnover rate for a Borrower there was high and when you left....well let's just say you weren't fired. Keith entered the club. "Borrower night buddy. Don't crush, mangle, or eat the girls. ID is held by the bartender" the bouncer said. "And they're not slaves?" Keith asked. "Paid well. Sign of the times. Cover charge is $20" he replied. Keith gibe the money and his fake ID to him. He walked over to the stage and sat down.

Keith ordered a weak ass drink to calm his nerves. He twitched his nose from the smells. "And now give it up for Candy!" the announcer yelled. A woman carried in one hand a pole with a stand about a foot tall and in the other a box with a slit in it. Keith figured it was a tip box. Diligently, a Borrower girl jumped out of the woman’s cleavage as she was bent over. Keith figured this was "Candy". Average height for a borrower, reddish hair which was slightly uncommon. More uncommon was the flash of emerald eyes. Dressed as a cheerleader, the men stared and grinned. She appeared to be 18 and was well kept although her left leg seemed to be...not uniform. A thing only he would truly notice. The music played with an upbeat tone as Candy began her routine. Keith kept his eyes on her and she slowly stripped. Her tiny sneakers came off first. She pranced around lewdly for the men and when one slipped a $20 in her box, she walked over to him and sat on her but. She showed off her legs and slipped her knee high right sock off her foot.

The man leaned in and smelled her tiny foot she held up and opened his mouth. Candy tossed her teeny dirty sock in his mouth before she closed it. "Jesus" Keith muttered as he watched the man suck on it before swallowing. Little by little, Candy stripped down until she was stark naked and began sliding up and down the pole. The more than Keith watched, he was certain there was more to her. He could smell her fairly well but no trace of arousal. Even sliding her tiny pussy on that pole should've done something. Nothing. Such a thing was highly unusual for a borrower unless...

Keith figured it out. He'd seen it before online. Read about it in forums. Stimulating a borrower's sex drive constantly can desensitize them. Medically speaking, their dopamine levels are tapped out. Yes, one can literally get bored with sex. How many times had she been raped? Played with? Masturbated with? Keith didn't want the answer. He did know it was potentially dangerous. Borrowers that suffer from this condition are more prone to fatal accidents. Their feet are erogenous zones and can become "dulled" to sensation. Their energy is lethargic. That's just the physical. The mental issues could be far worse. He decided if he couldn't help Lawan here, maybe he could help someone else. "Hey cutie. How much for a private show?" Keith asked winking. "$500 gets us a private room. Goes up from there" she said back. "Done" he said holding a wad of bills. He waited patiently as her act was done. A woman picked her up and Candy blew a kiss to the cheering men close to the stage. Minutes later, the woman came back. "Down that hall. Third door on the left" she said. Keith nodded and went to where she indicated. A man stood at the door rubbing his fingers as if to say "pay me". Keith slapped the bills in his hand and entered the room. The door was left cracked. Keith sat down and saw that Candy was staring on a small table in a cute little red robe.

"So what's your pleasure? A look? A touch? A smell? Or a taste?" she asked. Keith glanced at the door. Obviously, the man was listening in. "All the above lady" he replied slapping more money down. "Some ground rules then. No stepping on me, biting, swallowing, or sitting. This band around my thigh monitors my location so on dine and dash or grand theft borrower" she said coolly. "Not that kind of guy" Keith said calmly. Hearing that, the door was shut. "Never seen your face before here" she said slipping her robe off. "Flew into town on personal business" he replied. "That so? Well I'm glad you came by. Most men just salivate looking at me. You kept your cool. Experience with borrowers before?" she asked sitting down. "More than you could imagine" he replied unbuckling his belt. Candy parted her legs and began fingering herself. He could smell her again but no arousal. "What kind of guy are you? They all have a preference" she asked. "Me? I like feet?" Keith chuckled. Candy began to suck her own toes as she eyed him. She could see he was getting hard.

"Never seen many that look like you. Do you dye your hair?" he asked. "All-natural sweetie" she said showing her public hair. Candy hopped onto his crotch and began giving him a footjob with her teeny little feet. Keith stroked her left leg. "Not the only thing I like" he said. "Ohhh...tell me" she said lewdly. "Compassionate, brave, loving" he said softly. Candy paused as the look in his eyes said he was in sincere. "But enough about me. When did you shatter your leg? Pretty young by the look of it" he said. Candy was shocked. "You...you can tell? How?" she asked. "Your leg is slightly shorter than the other. You favor the other one when you walk. You're a mommy too. What's your real name Candy?" Keith asked.  She didn't answer. She turned her body to look away and Keith saw it. "The same as Claire" he muttered seeing a telltale birthmark of her right buttcheek. Candy was related to Claire. Probably distant as hell but if she had that mark, could she also have a talent for magic?

Keith petted her cheek with his pinky. It roomed her belly but avoided her sensitive spots. "Didn't mean to upset you" he said softly. Candy had no clue how to handle this. He knew she had broken her leg when she was young. Knew she had kids. Now petting her with his pinky and not any other finger. The gentlest way it could be. Keith held her in her hands. He heard noise. "Yeah baby! Work my fucking shaft!" he yelled startling her. She was utterly confused. She was nowhere near his dick right then. Why would...then she saw that the bouncer was peeking in to check. He said that to throw him off. The door closed once more. "You're so confused right now. Can I ask you some questions? I have my reasons. I'll even pay" he said. Candy silently nodded. "Are you being forced to work her by the owner?" he asked. She shook her head. "Do you want to be here?" he asked. She hesitated and shook her head. Keith sensed she was holding back. "Are you being forced by ANYONE to work here?" he asked. Candy nodded.

"Devil is in the details. What is your real name?" he asked. "Daisy. For my birthmark" she muttered. "Irony...Daisy, who is forcing you?" he asked. She seemed terrified to answer. Keith placed his finger on her belly. She tensed up expecting him to painfully push down. The tiny woman was trembling. Keith rubbed little circles around her belly. She couldn't believe it. Every touch he had made wasn't just gentle. It was at a spot that was soothing to her kind. How many borrowers had he been with to know such things. How was he so attentive? "Let me help you" he said. "Why...why do you care?" she asked. "I love borrowers. In another life I would've married one. Hell...I gave one a baby" he replied. Her demeanor changed. "Another breeder..." she muttered. "No. I gave her a baby in the biblical way" he said. Her eyes went wide with shock. Keith hadn't used his size watch at all lately. Oberon wanted him to learn how to shrink and grow without it. However, he used it now to avoid explaining magic to her. Setting her on the chair armrest, he shrank down to her size. Daisy thought she had gone nuts. Keith pulled her onto the chair cushion. "You can feel my hand. Feel it's warmth. Smell me intimately. This is real" he said.

Daisy wanted to speak but her mind was flooded with questions. "Something I made to help borrowers. Long story which we don't have time. Daisy...who made you be here?" he asked. "The head staff woman of our shelter" she croaked.  Keith was incensed. He let go of her and unshrank himself. She still couldn't believe he could do that with a watch. "Even though they get paid by the government. Candy....Daisy...why don't you just leave? You gotta be making enough money for an apartment" he asked. "You have been out of the country. Yeah, we got the right to rent but renters refuse due to insurance issues. Me, my family, and so many others depend on that shelter. She said...she said if I didn't bring in money. She'd kick us out and claim we left on our own. So many borrowers are on waiting lists to find shelters!" she said. "Waiting lists?" he asked. "Again, insurance issues. A place has to be zoned and insured for borrowers to live there. Until then they have to stay in hiding..." she replied. "Great. Way to keep discriminating..." he sighed.

"How many are at your shelter?" he asked. "125. That's all that's allowed. Most are from my colony" she replied. There was a knock. "We got five minutes" she said. "Daisy...hold still" he said placing her on the table. Keith got up and jerked his cock faster and faster. He aimed at her as he came. Tulip was slathered with his semen. "So sorry" he muttered. "Don't worry about it. I understand" she whispered understanding the need for him to do that. "I'll meet with you after work" he said very softly. Tulip nodded. "Thanks babe! Girl can work a cock like nobody's business" he chuckled as he passed the bouncer. The man looked in to see Daisy cleaning herself off with a tissue. "I'm good Roy" she said seeing him.

Keith sat patiently in the car waiting for her. A woman walked out the back door and looked around. She walked over seeing him with the windows down. "That's him? You sure Daisy? Ya don't know him" the Hispanic woman said. "I'll be fine Nat. Just don't mention this to the boys or the other girls" Daisy said sitting between giant tits. Nat snapped a pic of Keith. "My girl goes missing I'm lookin' for ya" she warned. "Understood" Keith said holding his hand out. Nat placed her friend in his hand and Keith placed Daisy in the cup holder. "Didn't know you could crossbreed us with humans" she said to break the silence. "You can. It's been a well-kept secret for many years. The UN made it illegal though. That's going to change soon" Keith replied. "The girl you're with. She's a borrower?" she asked. "Not with her. She's with a human girl. I was a surrogate for them" he replied. Every question she asked just created others. "Turn right. Keith...did you ever lose someone? A borrower?" she asked. Keith looked down for a second. "Why would you ask that?" he said. "You look at me with this pity. Not because I'm small or weak. Like I remind you of someone" she said. "Yeah. Different hair color but yeah..." he replied. Daisy touched his fingers that were resting on the gearshift. His giant thumb returned the gesture. Off all the things that bothered her about him there was one she couldn't pin down. She could smell him way better now they weren't in the club. His scent wasn't human. "This the place?" he asked pulling up. Daisy climbed up his shirt. "Yeah" she replied. "Looks like an ordinary house. Bigger than usual but a house" he said.

"It’s a halfway home quickly made into a borrower shelter. "How many rooms?" he asked taking his seatbelt off. "6 not including the kitchen, laundry, and living room" she replied. Keith rolled the window down to light a cigarette. He only smoked to calm his nerves. He was very pissed about what Daisy had said. His more violent side demanded retribution. "So about 20 borrowers to a room. And you said your whole colony is here?" he asked taking a drag. "We all came from the same place. A breeding farm. Me, my three kids, all of us" she replied.

Keith was no stranger to breeding farms. The practice began just over 100 years ago. Orphans from WWI had borrowers as comfort pets and said orphanages began collectively breeding them for such purposes and to make money to keep them open. Eventually it became a business of its own. By 1960, the government got involved as borrowers were classified as a "stressed species". A sly way of saying endangered without the hassle of the EPA getting involved. The government went so far as to give breeding farms tax shelters. Ironically, the effort to increase their numbers also delayed their rights. Helped or harmed is still being argued to this day. It was true that borrowers were forced to breed, many times with immediate family. Such a thing was already being done in their communities but not like that. Borrowers, like any other organism, suffered from genetic defects from excessive incest. Borrowers born with mental or physical problems were sold at discount to pet stores...as food. It was a sad affair as poodle puppy got better government oversight than a 13-year-old borrower giving birth for the fourth time. Keith clenched his fist at the thought of it. He placed her in his pocket and got out the car. "You alright? Your heart is beating fast" she said. Keith stomped his cigarette out. "Right as rain" he muttered.

Keith rang the doorbell. "Oh. Never seen you before. Ah...welcome home Daisy" a middle-aged fat woman said after opening the door. "It's her" Daisy muttered. "Come in and sign here" she said walking back. There was a ding as he stepped through. A sensor was on the doorframe. "Take it it tracks your coming and going" he said. Daisy nodded. Keith looked over a sign in sheet. Not many names. "There we are. Daisy you can go to your room. I have to ask you to leave sir. Visitors aren't permitted past midnight" she said yawning. "You run this place?" he asked. "Yeah, make sure you shut the door right as you go" she said. Keith reached into his pocket and pulled out his post it notes. He wanted to avoid magic but seeing the conditions here like it was a fucking prison spoke differently. And goddamn the smell...

Writing it in blood, he slapped it on her forehead. "Fuck are you doing?!" she yelled yanking on it. It wasn't coming off. "Superglue?!" she yelled again. "No. Daisy said some interesting things about you. We're going to find out if they're true" he said. "I'm calling the cops" she muttered. "Please do. I bet they’d love to follow up on a hate crime" he said gesturing to the few borrowers walking around in baby fenced areas. "Got your attention?" he asked as she paused. "Let's get down to it. Daisy said you forced her to become a stripper. Took her earnings. You skimming?" he asked. "That’s a fucking lie! She said that because I caught her out past curfew and threatened to put it in her record! We have curfews for their safety as well as promoting discipline their kind will need to live in our society!" she yelled. The woman shrank.

She looked panicked. "Magic. Not the card trick shit either. The real thing. That note on your forehead is a curse taught to me by a friend. The curse shrinks the person by half every time you lie. Right now, you're about 2 3/4 feet tall.   The note won't come off unless I wish it" he said seeing her franticly yanking on it now. Daisy was watching with utter shock. "Now. Let's try again. Did you force her to take that job and did you take her money from her?" he asked. She didn’t want to answer. She hoped by not answering she could trick the curse. However, her tongue felt like it was being burned. "Don't try to not talk. You're not the first to try that so I've been told" he said. "...yes. Yes I did it" she replied. She didn't shrink. "Why? You get some nice kickbacks for doing this already" he replied. "It's not enough! 120 mouths to feed. Water bills. Cleaning. It just keeps going!" she yelled. She shrank. "Nice try but the curse knows when you lie. Playing the sympathy card won't work on it. Down to about 1 foot 4 inches" he said.

"Why me? Of all the girls here Why me? Daisy asked. "Because I hate you" she replied. She shrank again. "That was the truth!" she yelled now 6 inches tall. "The truth you tell yourself maybe. At this rate you'll be microscopic" Keith said. He grabbed the fat woman up and dropped her on the table. Daisy jumped out his shirt pocket and yanked the woman by her collar roughly. Daisy being a borrower easily lifted her off her socked feet. "WHY?!" Daisy yelled crying. "Because I love you. I'm in love with a borrower. I thought...thought if I put you in that situation something would happen to you. I don't want to love you! I like men! Human men! I can't love a...borrower. A female one at that" she cried softly. Daisy let go of her. She looked disgusted. "You pimped me out because you're a homophobe bigot" Daisy said softly. "You can snap her neck easily at her size now. Or you can do something else. Your call" Keith said looking at the woman with disdain. "Keith. This is reckless" Oberon said to him. "Shut it. I know what I'm doing" Keith replied. Daisy balled her fist up. Keith knew if Daisy punched her at full strength, she’d snap her neck like a matchstick.

"No. Whatever you did undo it. If I killed her I'd be no better than those other humans who use their size and strength to hurt and kill my kind" she answered. Keith unceremoniously flicked the shrunken post it note off of her and obliterated it with his fingertips. Instantly, the woman returned to normal. The fear of God was in her eyes as she stared at him. "As you can imagine there's going to be changes. First, you're going to take the money you stole from her and buy computers, nice clothes, bedding, anything to make their lives better. The computers and clothes are for job applications. You're going to hell them get jobs. There aren't many but they're out there. This is a shelter? A halfway home? Then start running it like it should be and not some forced labor camp. Do you understand me?" Keith said to her. She didn't budge. Keith pulled off another post it note. "I GOT IT! I GOT IT JUST DON'T SHRINK ME AGAIN!" she screamed. "Good" he said picking Daisy up and walking away. "Where's your room?" he asked. "Upstairs. Second door to the left" she replied still shaken.

"That was real magic?" she asked. Keith nodded. "Where did you learn it? Keith...who are you?" she asked. Keith paused on the top step. Her eyes begged for an answer. Something that made sense. He was sorely tempted to tell her everything. Daisy reminded him so much of Claire. Like two sides of the same coin. Daisy was what Claire might’ve been if she had no stable family, safe home, humans that loved her. That and her inherent birthright seeing the mark she carried. Keith was even more tempted. She could learn magic. Another ally in the coming battle. No. He immediately dismissed it all with that thought. Daisy had the right to live a peaceful life free of magic combat and the ticking clock to the apocalypse. "Just a guy that learned magic from a friend" he replied walking once more. "You won't tell me will you?" she asked. "Ignorance is bliss Daisy. Live the life you have" he replied. "What life? A life of this?" she asked pointing to the dimly illumined room. 20 doll beds lined up in five rows. Daisy hopped down and walked to the top of one. Keith could smell it. The smell of dirty sheets and clothes. "Well? Is this life so nice?!" she yelled.

"Compared to what I have to deal with right now? Absolutely. I wish my life was this quiet and mundane. Then I wouldn't feel like a dead man walking" he said whispering the last part. Daisy could only fathom his problems. A magic user that took care of her problems within two hours feared for his own life. Now she understood why he wouldn't elaborate. It was to keep her safe. "Mommy?"  a young girl asked rubbing her eyes. "Oh Vera. Didn't mean to wake you sweetie" she said going to a bed. The girl saw the giant looming over her and gripped Daisy in terror. "It's okay. He's a good human. He helped mommy" she said. "You daughter" Keith said. "My oldest. She's 8. My other kids are there and there" she said pointing to adjacent beds. Keith glanced to see tiny young boys deep asleep. One was about 6 the other 4. Vera was still scared of him. Keith extended his finger. Daisy nodded to her and Vera touched it. "Nice to meet you cutie bug" he smiled. Vera shyly smiled back. Keith gently sat down.

"They don't have the same dad" he mentioned. "No. A different stud was chosen for each" she replied. Keith held the child in his hand. Barely an inch and a half tall, Keith barely felt her lie down in his palm. Daisy was very much watching him. She instinctively was frightened of this giant holding her child in his hand but his warm smile showed no ill will. "If she's 8 then you..."

"I was 10 years old when I gave birth to her" she replied. "Jesus Daisy. That's young even by our standards" he said. "Our?" she asked. Keith fidgeted. "You're a Borrower aren't you? The way you touch me. How you react to smells and sounds. You used magic to grow yourself. Grow me! Make me big!" she yelled. "Daisy. Magic isn't a solve everything solution. It's far more trouble than it's worth. Magic has made my life a living hell. The joys it gave me gave me equal sorrows. I don't even know if I'll be alive to see Christmas. You don't want this...believe me" he said. Daisy wanted to scream at him but held her tongue. "What do you think would happen if humans found out giant borrowers lived among them? Stronger and faster than them. Better mental abilities. You think our kind was persecuted before?" he asked. Daisy sighed. "...you're right. They are forced to tolerate us now" she said. Keith took his fingers and gently rubbed Vera's back. He hummed an old tune.

Daisy had never seen such kindness before. "That's beautiful" she said. "A lullaby my mom sang to me. What will you do now Daisy?" he asked. "About the club or this?" she asked. "Both" he replied. "Keep working. I did make a lot of cash there" she replied.

"Not for at least a week or so. You're not well" he replied. "I'm not sick" she said. Keith motioned for her to wait a moment. He gently placed avers back in her bed and used his fingernails to tuck her in. He leaned in to kiss her tiny head. "You're suffering from sexual desensitization" he said. "No I'm not. I feel down there" she replied. Keith picked her up, pulled her shorts and panties down and gave a few quick licks of her pussy. "Your nipples aren't hard. You're not getting wet. You're not producing a lot of pheromones. I'm guessing you're lethargic, slow to react to things. Not dreaming?" he said. Daisy was embarrassed. "...yeah" she replied. "Don't be embarrassed. This happens to our kind when we're burnt out on sex. A week of no stimulation to our sensitive areas and sleep will fix that" he replied. "You're aroused" she said. "You're cute and fertile. Of course I am" he said. "So are you. Your cum was delicious. I wouldn't mind having your kid" she said softly. "Got too many already. Daisy...I do like you but I'm not the one for you" he said playing with her long red hair.

Keith yawned and looked at the time. "I should get going" he said placing her back on the floor. "Can you...can you tuck me in too and sing me to sleep...please?" she asked. Keith nodded to her. Daisy changed into her nightwear and snuggled in her bed next to her kids. She laid down. Keith gently lay on his side and pulled her covers up to get to her tiny feet. Her little foot rested on the pad of his fingertip. Her tiny toes painted candy apple red wriggled and spread as he rubbed her foot with his thumb. It wasn't to stimulate her as she couldn't even register that right then but it was soothing to her. "Sorry. They look swollen" he muttered. "You can suck on them if you want" she said. "Then you'd never go to sleep. Nice try" he chuckled. Daisy didn't want to go to sleep. She knew if she did he'd be gone when she woke up. She had fallen in love with him. After rubbing her feet, he petted her hair and hummed. "...I love you. I don't want this to end" she said sniffling back tears. "I know. But you won't always get what you want. You will get what you need...if you wait. Learned that the hard way. You'll learn that too" he muttered. Daisy kept telling herself not to fall asleep. Don't let this man leave your life. Daisy fell asleep. "You'll be just fine...goodbye" he whispered and kissed her.

Keith was exhausted by the time he got to his hotel room. Nearly 2:45 in the morning. He was horny as fuck. "Jesus, I need to cum but I'm so tired" he muttered opening his door. His room was not vacant. "Have a seat" a voice said from the shadows. Keith was thrown onto the bed and pinned by an invisible force. "My mistress wants to know where you've been" a tiny woman said dropping on his chest. She was Asian. 23 or so years old. Oddly dressed in black. "Mistress? Judging by you being Asian...you're Mogwai" he hissed. "Good guess but I'm asking the questions. You disappeared. Then our spies flagged your face coming into Miami international. Where have you been?" she asked. The force increased, and the bed began groaning. "A gravity spell!" Oberon yelled. "So...I...noticed!" Keith yelled. "Noticed what?" the small woman asked. "That you don't know who you're fucking with" Keith hissed as he reached into his pocket.

"Rune Breaker...activate!" he yelled. The sword grew shredding his pants and nearly cutting his right leg off. He touched the bed and the spell broke. The woman jumped off his chest in shock. She quickly readied a lightning spell. Keith motioned with his finger. "Spell intercept" he muttered as the bolt shot forth. The lightning curved astonishingly in midair and came right back at the woman. She barely had time to shield herself. "HOW?!" she screamed. "Spell intercept. An ancient Fae technique. A spell conjured hastily can have errors in it. All I did was change the target aspect of it" he said looming over her. The woman was equally pissed and embarrassed. She jumped as far back as she could and concentrated a fire spell. "INTERCEPT THIS!" she yelled hurling it. Keith cut it in midair. "Any other tricks?" he asked. "Lowly creature! Defend against this!" she yelled commanding the air in the room. Keith felt the air in his lungs sucked right out. He couldn't breathe. "Writhe! Writhe! Pass out and we can have fun. Been too long since a had a tiny man in my pussy!" she cackled.

Keith quickly wrote something on his post it note and tore it off. He tossed it at her. The note smacked her in the chest and the woman screamed in pain before falling limp on the floor. "What...what did you do to me?!" she yelled. "Spell...error...advanced form of the other spell. Shorts out a continuous spell if it's weak enough or your defenses are down. Turns magic energy against user. Think magic taser" Keith coughed and gasped. Keith snatched her right up and sat on the bed. "Thank you. I needed to see if my training was paying off. I'd say it did. That and I'm horny" he chuckled. "Don't you dare touch me!" she yelled. Keith paid her no mind as he tore off her clothes. "Now now. You said something about putting me in your pussy. So you can rape me but not the other way around? Alright, I won't rape you" he said. The numb from head to toe woman got some relief from that but not much. "I'll just eat you" he muttered. "Go head and eat me! See what happens!" she yelled. "See what? Oh...you think I'm going to swallow you whole. I'm not an idiot dear. I'm chewing you up" he muttered. The woman began screaming as he raised her to his mouth. "Stop complaining. Your kind declared or will declare war on the world. You were defeated and I'm not running a POW camp. Karma is a bitch" Keith hissed.    

The woman stopped screaming. "You think you accomplished something? Enjoy your adulation while you can! I was the lowest of the low. Weakest of my caste. The others are 100 times more powerful than I! While your pathetic body digests me...know that we WILL find you. We WILL exterminate your family after we claim the child. And there is nothing you can do about it. MAY THE MOGWAI REIGN OVER ALL FOUR HEAVENS!" she screamed as hard as she could. Keith was so incensed from her words he did something that shocked Oberon. *crunch*

Keith bit down on her neck and tore her head clean off. Blood spurt from her neck like a fountain as her teeny heart raced till the last moment of her life. Keith closed his eyes and he pushed her corpse into his mouth and chewed. The sound of small bones splintering and shattering from his teeth was loud enough for him not to block it out as he tried. He kept chewing and chewing for minutes until she was nothing but pureed meat. Oberon could only pity him as Keith finally swallowed. He sat motionless and quiet. A knock on the door caused him to nearly jump out of his skin.  Adrenaline made him wired. His heart pounded in his ears. Was this another Mogwai? One 100 times stronger as the woman claimed? "Hotel management! Sir?" a male voice asked. Keith cracked the door open. "We got some noise complaints. Are....are you alright?" the pimple faced teen asked.

"Oh..." Keith said seeing his mouth and hand was covered in blood. "I had a really fucked up nightmare. Probably was screaming in my sleep. Woke up by falling out of bed and banged my lip on the nightstand. It's okay. See? Stopped bleeding" Keith said wiping his mouth. "I see. Let the receptionist downstairs know if you need first aid. Goodnight sir" the teen said leaving him. Keith shut the door and sat back down. His body was trembling. "...fuck" he muttered shedding his clothes and starting the shower. Keith sat in the shower and let the hot water ease his tense muscles. "Well my training came in handy. Even the post it note idea worked out" he chuckled weirdly. "Keith...let’s talk about what happened" Oberon said. "What's to say? We got attacked. I fought back. Defeated her and ate her" he said softly. "I can feel you wanting to cry. I worry about you. Love you" Oberon said. "Love me?!" Keith yelled. "Yes. Is that's so strange? I was there when you were born. Took your first steps. Grieved with you. You're like a grandson to me" Oberon replied softly. Keith said nothing. The tears he shed were masked by the shower water. Keith dried off and laid in bed. Oberon left his body and appeared in his soul form. A glowing yellow light taken shape of a small man.

Oberon caressed his giant cheek. "I can't believe I ate her like that" Keith muttered. "Borrowers are passionate people. You most especially. She threatened that which you most cherish. It's not what we do out of character that defines us. Only when we decide what we do as "normal" is when our mark is made. I've done heinous things in my life. Things I have answered for. Does it make me evil? I don't think so. The world is safer because if it. I paid the price others couldn't afford. Keith, you agonized over the fact you ate Aspen's homunculus. Your dark side did it for its own reasons but what you did tonight of you own choice...that's one less soldier in their ranks. A soldier that boasted of using humans as playthings.  It's not a leap to say someone...even just one person...gets to live to old age now. Take comfort in that" Oberon said. "...thanks old man" Keith muttered. Oberon watched as he drifted off to sleep. "I only hope that you don't have to pay a price too steep even for you" Oberon said before rejoining his body.