“Don’t want to fly?” Lily asked.
“Too dangerous. Even if I’m full, it’s like being in a candy shop, all those people with their scents. I tried to ride a bus a couple days ago and felt like the world was closing in on me. Besides, if we hit a delay or anything, things could go bad.” She chuckled. “That and I don’t have enough money for a plane.”
“Mike does.” Lily inspected the bike, running her hands across the handlebars. “You know he would buy you a plane ticket if you asked.”
“He would. He really is a nice guy.” Dana sighed. “Honestly, though, this is something I want to do for myself. Without his help.”
She walked up the stairs to her room. Under her desk, she found her schoolbag, which she stuffed a few sets of clothes into. Ever since officially withdrawing last night, she wouldn’t need it for school anymore. “I’ve been planning a trip like this for a while now, and what better idea than hunting down some magic items so that Ratu can fix me?”
“So I guess this means goodbye.” Lily now straddled the bike as if getting a feel for it. She looked up expectantly, waiting for a response.
Dana laughed, then slung her backpack over one shoulder. “Not really. I’ll have to come back every few days to feed. Embarrassing, but Ratu figures I would have to blow a dude who isn’t Mike every few hours to stay sane, and nothing is as restorative as Mike’s semen. Something about the magic in his blood. God, what a weird thing to say. Still, I appreciate that he lets me be with Naia after he’s done. I mean, it’s not like it’s a huge sacrifice, but I’m sure he has better things to do than have sex with her on a schedule and then walk away.”
This made Lily laugh, and she got off the bike. “Even if he’s different, he’s still a man. He’s living the dream, I assure you.”
“Yeah, well I’m not. Which is why I’m going. Even if I was fine with sucking dick for all eternity, I don’t want to end up turning to dust someday only to feel the universe dying around me. I need to get fixed.”
“Well, I’m afraid I’m going to throw a wrench in your plans.” Lily shook her hair, and her outfit rippled, turning into a tight pair of leather pants and a white T-shirt with upside-down words that read, If you can read this, I fell off my bitch’s bike. “I’m coming with you.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Dana walked down the stairs. “I would love the company, but I don’t need you to come along.”
“Actually, you do.” Lily held out a piece of paper. “You see, Ratu gave me the same list. There’s no way you’ll be able to find all these things without multiple trips, not unless they’re all in a nice, tidy box waiting for you.”
“I guess I’m not certain how you can help.” Dana set down her backpack.
“Let me show you.” Lily pulled Dana in, her lips soft and welcoming. Her tongue darted into Dana’s mouth, and Dana’s eyes widened. She broke the kiss, her face frozen in awe.
“You…you taste like he does…”
“Milked him dry just an hour ago. I’ve got a whole batch of baby batter, fresh and hot in here.” She patted her lower belly. “If I come with you, I can act as a surrogate.”
“But how? You can’t have just swallowed it.”
“Please. A succubus can keep a man’s sperm fresh and use it to impregnate a woman months later. I used to do it as a practical joke sometimes, knock up a woman with another man’s kid.”
“That’s…convenient but kind of evil.”
Lily shrugged. “I mean, I’m not claiming to be perfect. Regardless, if I come with you, you can track these things down without being rushed, and I can make return trips to freshen the supply when I start running low.”
“That…would be amazing.” Dana shook her head. “I mean, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. I’ll admit that I’m proud of some of them. However, the society did this to you, not Mike. I know what it’s like having your life shit on by those guys, and if I can help undo some of the wrong I’ve done by helping you out, then I will.” Lily flipped her hair, then flashed a big smile, striking a dramatic pose. “So when do we leave?”
“Right now. Let’s do this, Tick-Tock.” Dana picked up the suitcase and tossed it. She closed her eyes, and with a loud bang, the recently named mimic became the engine of the motorcycle. It roared to life, and Dana pulled the bag up over her shoulders. She mounted the bike, then looked back when Lily got on, her arms tight against Dana’s stomach.
“Never drive faster than your demons can fly,” Lily said.
“I never do,” Dana replied. “That’s a pretty necklace. Where did you get it?”
“Oh, this?” A grin crossed the demon’s face. “It was a gift from someone special. Maybe I’ll tell you about it someday.”
Dana drove her bike through the gap in the garage door where she had escaped a lifetime ago. This time, it felt like she was running toward something rather than away from it.
She stopped at the end of the driveway and looked back one last time. Tick-Tock rumbled beneath her, and Lily’s arms around her waist gave her comfort. It suddenly occurred to her that, before the clock had arrived, she had already been dead inside. She had been going through the motions but had been too caught up in her own grief to properly live. She had been completely alone.
Now that she was dead, she was riding into the sunset on a sentient shapeshifter with a succubus at her back and on a quest to bring her body back to life.
She
