Claudia D. Christian

Estimated reading time: 3 – 5 minutes

Ana flowed about Yukio; her movements jarred in their liquidity. He fixed on a point unseen to all except him. Hair hit the floor with whispered protestations. Yukio’s mind flickered with the fear his head would just float away. It felt that insubstantial without the physical weight he had carried for as long as remembered.

“I would tell you to stop frowning or you’ll develop wrinkles but that just doesn’t apply to people like us.”
Yukio’s face slackened. He heard Director H. sigh melodramatically. What he said next made him start forward.

“Ana, take a care not to decapitate him in your bliss.”

“Sorry, sorry. I can’t help it. His hair is so…beautiful.” She brought her nose forward to nuzzle the air above Yukio’s scalp. “I’m not sure if I’m happy to do this or if it makes me sad.”

“Neither, dear. It just makes you a bit crazed. That’s all. Once our Yukio leaves you can play with as many of him as you can take.”

Ana brought her thin blades to his neck. Yukio stopped moving. “Really? Five?”

“More if you can handle it.”

Her color exploded into rose. “I can handle this one.” Ana’s neck stretched with an inhuman angle to bring her face in front of Yukio. “You are going to bring me so much pleasure tonight.”

“Not me.”

“If you say so.” She smiled. Needle teeth shined silver like the instruments in her hand. “But you’d be wrong.”

“Quit teasing him, Ana.”

“I can’t help it. He’s so delicious. I love the way he tastes.”

Yukio quivered. Defiance demanded he forget his honor and kill the despicable creature in front of him.

“Be a dear and don’t do it. I’d so hate to have my suit sullied by blood. It was enough I had to walk around with your intended’s on me for a month.”

“Was he going to kill me, Director H.?”

“Hmm. I believe so.”

Ana drew back with a pout. “After I was this nice to him? How rude! No, no, no. This is unacceptable. I demand you let me cut his hair a second time. Before it grows back.”

Yukio’s muscles tightened, hovering on the edge between self-defense and aggressive slaughter.

Director H. hopped between the miffed stylist and rattled demigod. “Now, now. Let us all calm down. Ana, my darling, you know you were entirely too naughty in teasing him.”

“What is a little teasing between lovers?”

The air crystallized. Director H. hazarded a glance behind him. Yukio’s mercurial gaze crackled. “She doesn’t mean it literally. Only your doppelgangers.”

“Disgusting.” He skewered Ana with his stare before settling it on Director H. “Everything about you is disgusting. You play with us, giving no consideration to our position. Change Time, make copies, set us in opposition and then do it all over again. Disgusting.”

“Err…all right then.” Director H. clapped his hands. “Ana, divine as always. Have fun tonight.”

“Oh. I will. You can count on that.” Her sinister smile left very little room for speculation.

“Yukio, come. It’s all right. Ana won’t hurt you. There, there. Come now.” He patiently waited for Yukio to slide out of the chair without giving his back to either of them.

The door appeared. Yukio stepped through after Director H. He turned to see Ana wiggle her blades at him before the portal slammed shut.

“You probably shouldn’t have antagonized her like that.”

“I did nothing of the sort.”

“I disagree.”

“That woman is perverse. She shouldn’t be allowed to live.”

“Yes, well, you shouldn’t have antagonized her.” Director H. paused in his steps. The hallway darkened immediately, leaving enough light to illuminate the two. “You’re going to feel some…pain…off and on for the next few days. Don’t be alarmed. You’re not dying. That’ll just be Ana.”