Rachel's tail was nearly three feet long, and when it ceased its nervous twitching, dropped all the way down to her ankles. At its base it was as thick as her two thumbs placed side by side, and the same color as her own skin, but gradually darkened from milky white to salmon pink to a fire-engine red at the end. The spade-shaped tip itself resembled an arrowhead or a tree leaf. It was broad at the base, narrowing to a sharp point, and was curled upwards.

Rachel fingered it nervously, her hands sliding over the silky skin, soft as a newborn. Althea could sense her confused thoughts. The inside structure did not seem to be either bone, like her arms or legs, or like Josh's cock, limp and flaccid until engorging blood brought it to its full, beautiful Length, thick and hard for his lover. Instead, it seemed to be constructed of flexible cartilage, like her ears or the tip of her nose.

«Something like that.~ Althea said. Her voice was regretful. ~I am sorry, darling. It seems your body is even more accepting of my spirit than I supposed. It is fashioning itself into a vessel to match its inhabitant.~ She tried to sound cheerful. ~It's a very nice-Looking tail, though.~

No! Rachel shouted at her, her voice a silent scream in her mind. Take it away. Make it stop! I don't want this. I don't want to be a freak.

How could you do this to me!?

«It is not my doing, my handmaiden. And I cannot stop it. It is always thus, when one of our number is trapped in a mortal's shell. Our strength overwhelms them, and their bodies remake themselves to accommodate us.~

And what else do I have to look forward to? Hooves? Horns? Bat-wings?

Her mental voice trembled on the edge of hysteria, and Althea could taste her paralyzing fear. Will I...will I become a prisoner in my own body? I have already seen some of the changes. The way what was once unthinkable has become ordinary. I have sent my daughter to become my husband's lover, and have all but told my son I will sleep with him.

What will I do next? What will you do next? Will you possess me? Will I be trapped inside my mind, screaming for eternity, while you take me over?

Althea formed her glade in Rachel's mind. As soon as their mental forms were clear, she took Rachel in her arms, stroking away her terror as she huddled against her. She could feel hot tears dripping onto her skin as she shook with soundless sobs.

"No,"she said, her voice full of sympathy and affection. And love. Love for this brave woman, who was enduring what would shatter many others.

“A thousand times, no. I swear it on my Life. I would never subject one of my chosen to such a horror. As long as we are one, you will never lose control of your body. Every action you take will be by your will, and yours alone. Me and my kind have suffered too much in the name of freedom to deny it to others. Only in this tiny space in your mind do I claim sovereignty.

"And you may find, child, that this gift is not without its benefits."

A thought, and they were both naked. She turned so Rachel could see her own tail. In keeping with her greater height, it was slightly longer and thicker than Rachel's, with darker skin matching her own golden tones. As easily as she raised her arm, she willed it to stroke the flesh of her thighs, the broad tip acting almost as the palm of a hand.

Another thought, and it curled up beneath her, the shaft pressing into her nether lips, the tip softly resting on the skin of her belly.

“It is very flexible. And very sensitive, especially when you are aroused,"she said with a mysterious smile. "You can use it to please yourself in all sorts of interesting ways. Your husband, as well. And if you should ever find him...incapable...the tip secretes a fluid which will make him ready for you in seconds."

“Josh!"Rachel gasped in horror.

“I haven't told him about you yet.

He'll see it when we go to bed at night. Or feel it. I'm not ready for this," she continued, her voice panicking.

“I need more time!"

“Calm yourself, beloved. We have not hidden ourselves among mortals for so many centuries because we are easily identified."When she turned again, her tail was gone. Bending closely to look, Rachel could only see the tip, set flush with the skin at the base of her spine, just above the cleft of her buttocks. Even from only a few inches away, it seemed no more than a birthmark or a red, leaf-shaped tattoo.

“Let me show you."Althea Laid a hand on Rachel's forehead. In moments, she blinked.

"Oh. That's easy!" A brief focusing of will, and her tail was also gone. She rubbed her back, and suddenly shivered with pleasure as her fingers encountered the sensitive tip.

"Yes," Althea said, her voice darkly amused. "You're going to find that takes some getting used to. I would recommend you wear undergarments that don't chafe for the near future. Or perhaps none at all."

“But how..."